Fate of Whitsunday fireworks up in the air

Rainfall across the region may put a dampener on New Year’s Eve plans.

Wet weather may wreak havoc on plans for fireworks at New Year across the Whitsundays. Picture: File

The fate of firework displays across the Whitsundays is up in the air as wet weather threatens to put a dampener on celebrations.

The Whitsunday Regional Council sponsored displays are set to light up the sky on the Airlie Beach foreshore at 8.30pm on Thursday.

A display is also scheduled on the Bowen foreshore at 8.30pm and in Collinsville at 10pm.

A Whitsunday Regional Council spokesman said at this stage, the fireworks were still on.

However, the pyrotechnics contractor will make a decision on Thursday as to whether they will be a washout.

In the past 24 hours, 45.2mm of rain has fallen on Hamilton Island.

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Another 48mm was recorded at the Bowen pump station and 42mm at the Bowen Airport.

More rainfall is on the way as residents ring in 2021 with up to 40mm expected in Airlie Beach on Thursday and 35mm forecast for Friday.

Proserpine residents will receive a drenching with 40mm of rain set to fall on New Year’s Eve and 35mm forecast for Friday.

In Bowen, 50mm of rain is forecast on Thursday and 35mm will blanket the town on Friday.

Speaking earlier this week, BOM meteorologist Matt Marshall said it was too hard to say whether rain would fall at midnight, with showers forecast but no indication of what time of day it would hit the region.

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