Southwest weather: Bureau of Meteorology predicts several waves of rainfall, with storms later in the week

Southwest Queensland will be hit with multiple waves of rainfall in the coming days. See where the rain will drop this week:

Southwest Queensland will be hit with multiple waves of rainfall totalling up to 30mm in the coming days with forecasters expecting much of the Darling Downs to be drenched.

From Tuesday, bands of rain clouds are likely to dump decent rainfall from Charleville to Toowoomba from Tuesday onwards with an increased likelihood of thunderstorms later in the week.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Livio Regano said the drenching won’t let up throughout the week.

“There’s no safe day this week for any town in the southwest region,” Mr Regano said.

“There will be several waves of rain coming across the region.”

While Toowoomba and east of the Great Dividing Range saw a wet start to the week on Monday, he said towns west of the Garden City can expect similar rainfall later in the week.

“Starting from Wednesday, a second wave of rain coming from the west of the state will pass through Charleville, Roma, Chinchilla and Dalby as well as Toowoomba lasting until Friday.

“There’s not much difference between the towns regarding rainfall, as it will roughly be the same.

“It will be a damp week ahead for sure.”

Brooke Reeson with her sons, Leo (9 months) and Judah (2yo) brave the showers during a morning at Queens Park Monday, October 17, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The Bureau of Meteorology has revealed when Australia’s third consecutive La Nina season will likely come to an end.

La Nina is continuing in the tropical Pacific and will likely persist into early 2023, increasing the chance of above average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia.

Mr Regano said there would be a brief break in rain on Saturday, however, it will be short-lived with wet weather forecast to return on Sunday and into next week.

He warned storms are expected across the region, which could worsen areas already issued with minor flooding warnings and with saturated ground.

“It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact towns which will get storms until later in the week.

He said a long list of rivers across the southwest region have already been issued with minor flood warnings, including the McIntyre, Condamine, Warrego, Weir and Barcoo rivers.

“This is the third year we’ve had a La Nina rain event, but this year is definitely more pronounced.

“Mainly because we have a number of climate drivers all in good alignment, such as the Indian Ocean Dipole which is reinforcing what would already be a wet season.

Mr Regano said more wet weather is expected to come throughout spring.