Heavy rains, strong winds coming as cyclone brews off North Qld
A tropical low over the Gulf of Carpentaria is expected to move into the Coral Sea today and develop into a tropical cyclone.
Townsville
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A tropical low over the Gulf of Carpentaria is expected to move into the Coral Sea today and develop into a tropical cyclone.
Bureau of Meteorology’s Andrea Peace said the cyclone, which would likely be named Gretel if another low in Western Australia doesn’t develop before it, would probably form on Friday or Saturday.
“Now at this stage the system is expected to move away from the Queensland coast, which is good news because it means a direct coastal impact is extremely unlikely,” she said.
“But we do still expect to have to strong to gale force winds developing along the northern and central coasts from (today), so a severe weather warning has been issued for these areas.”
A marine wind warning has also been issued for Townsville today.
Ms Peace said heavy rain had fallen over Cardwell with winds converging in the area and warned there could be more heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Cardwell Range recorded 15mm over 24 hours to 9am Wednesday while Allingham Forrest Dr got 339mm, Victoria Sugar Mill 293mm and Ingham recorded 264mm.
Ms Peace said there would likely be minor flooding to the south, with the Bohle River under a minor flood warning.
“We do expect to see renewed river rises here in the next couple of days,” she said.
The weather bureau said about 60mm of rain was recorded across the lower parts of the Bohle River catchment on Wednesday but the risk of further heavy rainfall would likely cause river level rises. It warned rises about the 4m minor flooding level were possible.
Ms Peace said the weather system was expected to bring more wet weather across North Queensland.
“The amount of rain will really depend on location of the low and whether the winds are onshore or running parallel to the coast.”
Originally published as Heavy rains, strong winds coming as cyclone brews off North Qld
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