Northern Rivers eyeing severe Queensland weather as system builds south

The Bureau of Meteorology say high levels of humidity in the atmosphere is persisting with Queensland’s severe weather prompting SES to hold emergency preparedness meetings.

The Bureau of Meteorology say there is a “threat of significant rain” for the Northern Rivers over the next week with “a lot of ingredients” present for potential heavy localised rainfall.

The Bureau says there is “no clear sign there will be anything major” however local SES units in the state’s north have scheduled preparedness meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“For the northeast of NSW any time over the next few days is a risk,” Senior Forecaster Jack Phillips said.

“There is no clear sign of anything really threatening but the risk of significant rain will be lingering for a number of days”.

Mr Phillips says there is a high level of humidity and moisture in the atmosphere and is keeping alert about localised effects around coastal areas which could trigger local and heavy rainfalls.

Heavy rainfall is expected in southeast Queensland which could lead to severe weather in the Northern Rivers this week. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology.

“The drivers behind this (include) a high pressure system over the Southern Tasman Sea and a high pressure system moving closer to New Zealand which will bring down more tropical air,” he said.

“That could interact with the upper level trough with a combination of humid air flowing through that could generate widespread rain.

“Moisture might break down at the end of the week, some computer models could see significant rain falling on the weekend and even into early parts of next week.

📢 ATTENTION LISMORE RESIDENTS 📢COMMUNITY MEETING - 6:00 WEDNESDAY 11 MAYIn anticipation for the possibility of...

Posted by NSW SES Lismore City Unit on Monday, May 9, 2022

“We’ll have to keep an eye just in case it localises, there is a lot of ingredients there for heavy rain.”

The Bureau says that the falls are heavy in Queensland with the focus on the next day or two being on inland areas in Queensland and NSW.

Areas of Queensland have received 200m in the space of 24 hours.

SES units in Lismore and Woodburn have announced community meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday “in anticipation of severe weather later this week”.

Lismore SES says “the aim of these meetings is to ensure the Lismore community have timely and direct communication with the NSW SES Lismore City Unit and are receiving information that may assist in preparing themselves and their homes”.

Woodburn SES has invited the community to attend the Woodburn SES HQ at 4.30pm on Tuesday and Lismore City residents have been invited to the Whitebrook Theatre at Southern Cross University at 6pm on Wednesday.