Cairns weather: King tides and heavy rain on the way for FNQ

King tides due this week should be the largest of the year, according to forecasters. Read what the weather has in store for FNQ.

QLD_CP_NEWS_TIDE_12JAN21

Far North Queensland will cop another drenching this week, with forecasters predicting a peak of 70mm of rain alongside big king tides hitting the region.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Livio Regano said things were “going to get progressively wetter”.
“Rainfall should peak on Wednesday anywhere up to 70mm up the coast and showering forever more after that. It will ease off but won’t go away,” Mr Regano said.
While the weather does not impact the size or duration of king tides, Mr Regano said this week’s tides should be the largest this year.

“If King tides happen at the same time as cyclones, the increased water levels can make things worse but this year there are no major weather events at the same time.

Yorkeys Knob boat ramp, due to be completed this year, has been inundated by higher than normal water levels due to king tide activity in the area. Picture: Supplied

“It’ll be wet but not expecting any cyclone crossings,” he said.

Yorkeys Knob resident Michael Powell said king tides have submerged the Buckley Street access point to the new boat ramp.

“I was alarmed to see that part of the new access roadway to the boat ramp had been inundated by tide, cut by the high water and partially washed away,” Mr Powell said.

It comes after a teenager rescued a young girl from drowning on the Windarra St Bridge and three children were rescued in a seperate incident at Gordon Creek over the weekend.

Cairns Regional Council has advised residents that king tides will be experienced in Cairns until Thursday, February 23.

Council urged drivers to avoid parking cars in low lying areas and never drive through flood waters.

Originally published as Cairns weather: King tides and heavy rain on the way for FNQ