Rain system has Northern Rivers on watch, Qld on high alert

More rain is on its way for the Northern Rivers, and the situation could get tricky closer to the coast at Byron Bay and Ballina. See what’s forecast.

Northern Rivers are expected to avoid the rain flogging which now has large parts of Queensland on high alert - but the northeast corner of NSW could still face a serious downpour.

And that’s grim news for a district hit by two major floods in recent weeks and a catchment full to the brim.

Byron Bay could see more than 150mm over the coming week, while Lismore won’t be spared, but with totals expected to be considerably lower.

According to Weatherzone, there is a high probability that Lismore will cop 5-10mm on Friday, 10-20mm on Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Falls will be heavier on the coast, with totals expected to mount into next week.

Ponchos in paradise: Byron Bay may see significant rainfall next week.

Anticipated rainfall for Byron Bay is 10-20mm on Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday and Thursday will be more challenging for Byron, with a 90 per cent chance of 20 to 40mm on both Wednesday and Thursday.

For the Northern Rivers, the Bureau of Meteorology expects a very high chance (90 per cent) of showers in the north on Saturday, and a high chance (70 per cent) elsewhere.

Byron Bay is no stranger to becoming a water world.

Temperatures will be noticeably cooler - falling to around 15 overnight and daytime maximums in the low 20s.

In Queensland, premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the state, saying people should prepare for “incredibly heavy rain” in areas that are already saturated.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s rain forecast for Saturday.

Some areas are likely to receive their highest May rainfall on record.

Falls of up to 250mm are possible.

The southeast is set to cop a drenching, with a new storm system to hover over the region and bring with it the risk of flash flooding.

Ms Palaszczuk said authorities are closely monitoring the developing weather event, which is expected to ramp up next week.

Byron Bay footpaths became a wading pool during a rain event in 2020.

North Queensland is expected to face the brunt.

Meteorologist David Grant said localised flash flooding will become a risk next week and the bureau would likely issue a flood watch for some areas on Sunday or Monday.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said 14 people died during the state’s previous weather event.

“And a lot of that was people driving through flood waters or being caught in flood waters obviously rising,” she said.