Dry spell about to end with storms forecast

Queenslanders in the scorched south have endured the driest start to the year on record. But that’s all about to change, with several days of storm activity forecast from today.

QUEENSLANDERS in the scorched south have endured the driest start to the year on record.

The Bureau of Meteorology has revealed areas such as Toowoomba, Dalby, Goondiwindi, St George, Roma, Tambo and Gayndah have recorded the driest first two months of the year on record with the lowest amount of rainfall.

Heatwave smashes Queensland’s March temperature records

Meteorologist Nicholas Shera said there was a “stark contrast” between some areas in the state’s north which have recorded above average rainfall this year, compared to those in the south who have had their driest few months yet.

Siblings Isobella, 7 and Michael Porter, 6 of Aitkenvale enjoy The Strand water park ahead of a possible cyclone forming next week. Picture: Zak Simmonds (correct spelling)

But those locals in the south may hopefully see some respite soon as storm activity is forecast from today to Sunday, with showers providing relief for some areas.

“Some areas will get some good falls probably, and others will miss out, it’s going to be quite patchy,” Mr Shera said.

Southeast Queensland is expected to record on average a range of 5mm-20mm of rainfall tomorrow and the same again on Saturday.

The good news for Queenslanders is heatwave conditions came to an end yesterday although there will still be above average temperatures until Saturday.

“It will feel cooler because maximum temperatures will come down but the humidity will stay the same,” Mr Shera said.

The bureau also is monitoring monsoon activity in the northern Coral Sea this weekend. But it’s too early to tell whether the system will develop further.

“The monsoon trough may strengthen to the north of Australia during the weekend, and a tropical low may develop in the monsoon trough over the far northern Coral Sea,” Mr Shera said.

“There is a large uncertainty in regards to its movement and development, we are monitoring it closely.”

2018 RAIN

Brisbane Jan 26mm Feb 285mm

Toowoomba Jan 86mm Feb 190mm

Dalby Jan 34mm Feb 166mm

Goondiwindi Jan 33mm Feb 56mm

St George Jan 50mm Feb 104mm

Roma Jan 0mm Feb 125mm

Tambo Jan 25mm Feb 47mm

Gayndah Jan 85mm Feb 161mm

2019 RAIN

Brisbane Jan 28mm Feb 38mm

Toowoomba Jan 4.8mm Feb 19.4mm

Dalby Jan 0.2mm Feb 5.4mm

Goondiwindi Jan 23.6mm Feb 2.0mm

St George Jan 0mm Feb 0mm

Roma Jan 0.6mm Feb 0mm

Tambo Jan 6.6mm Feb 11.6mm

Gayndah Jan 0.4mm Feb 4.4mm