Queensland weather: Widespread rain, cold temperatures as northwest cloud band arrives

A winter weather system stretching over 2000km is set to impact South East Queensland this weekend, bringing drenching rain and cold temperatures.

Wet weather is set to soak parts of Queensland, as the first day of winter approaches, leaving most of the state set for widespread rain and thunderstorms over the weekend.

A northwest cloud band stretching across Australia will push east into the Channel Country today, bringing rain to parts of Queensland.

This comes as two dynamic weather systems combine into a 2000km rain system set to drench Queensland over coming days and bring possible thunderstorms.

Cloud and rain will extend across the west and south parts of Queensland on Friday from Mount Isa to Roma.

Seven-day rainfall totals up to Sunday. Picture: Weatherzone

“With rain developing as a result, cloud and rain will extend across the west and south on Friday, southwest of a line from Mount Isa to Roma,” a Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman said.

“Moderate rainfall totals are expected, with widespread daily rainfall of 10–20mm forecast, with more isolated rainfall of 20–30mm possible.”

Weatherzone forecasts show a 60 per cent chance of showers for Brisbane bringing 1-5mm for today and into Friday.

Satellite imagery this morning shows a large northwest cloud band stretching across the country. Picture: BOM

Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe in the past 24 hours the Sunshine Coast has recorded totals up to 21mm, while Brisbane’s bayside recorded up to 20mm in isolated falls.

While for South East Queensland today there is a chance of showers, the rain will intensify from Friday night into Saturday, with two-day totals of 30mm across the weekend.

“This will likely peak Saturday evening and clear during Sunday. Light to moderate rainfall totals are expected,” a BOM forecast reads.

“At this stage, storms are not expected across Queensland today or tomorrow, but storms are possible on Saturday in a broad band down through most of the Central Highlands and the Darling Downs and Granite Belt, as well as some sections of the Maranoa and Warrego, the Wide Bay Burnett and the Central West.”

Cooler and dryer days are expected into next week, with tops in the low-20s and minimums dropping to 10C.