Cairns weather: Showers and isolated storms as third cyclone threat clears

Isolated heavy rainfall and scattered thunderstorms will replace the threat of another cyclone this week, as the Far North remains hot and steamy.

Isolated heavy rainfall and scattered thunderstorms will replace the threat of another cyclone, as the Far North steams through another week of hot and humid conditions thanks to the drenched earth and continued showers.

Cairns locals will face another sweaty week with temperatures topping out at 34 degrees on Wednesday.

The rest of the week will provide little respite, with highs of 32 degrees coupled with predicted rainfall of up to 15mm on Tuesday, easing to 10mm on Thursday and just up to 2mm into the weekend.

The changeable weather comes as the weak low threatening to form into a another Coral Sea cyclone moves north west of New Caledonia in the eastern Coral Sea.

It is expected to move east out of the Australian region by the weekend.

The system could still form into a tropical cyclone but is unlikely to directly impact the Queensland coast.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said the system would develop slowly, but the key point was that it was a better chance of moving further away from the coast.

The movement of the system means the watch point for the region this week would be a longer trough near the Tropical Queensland coast.

“What this will build is some localised heavy rain and thunderstorms around the region,” Mr Hanniffy said.

“We will see the peak of this on Tuesday where heavier falls are more likely, which could see some localised river rises.

Josephine Falls - After the rain, picture perfect Mark Sexton Bayview Heights

“The heavier falls will likely be slightly inland around the escarpments as the system slows and moves in a more westerly direction.

“The focus of the falls will continue trend more inland.”

The falls will continue to impact roads connecting the Tablelands and Gulf Country where a number of routes have been closed due to flooding over the weekend.

Burke Development Road from Walkers Creek near Howitt to the Mareeba Shire boundary has been closed in all directions due to heavy rain leading to flooding.

The road is also closed at Lynd River in Gamboola, Trimble’s Crossing in Wrotham, and Fergusons Crossing in Rookwood and from Four Ways to Leichardt River.

The road from Maramie to Dixie has also been closed in both directions due to major flooding.

Mr Hanniffy said a ridge along the east coast could also see an increase in wind speeds towards the weekend, especially off the coast for fishers and boaties.

The Tablelands will see the highest chances of thunderstorms, with Tuesday being the big day with potential falls of up to 25mm in Atherton and Mareeba.

To the south, Innisfail will see similar conditions to Cairns with highs of 32 degrees through the week and scattered showers.

Originally published as Cairns weather: Showers and isolated storms as third cyclone threat clears