Queensland weather: South East Qld forecast for 100mm rain over next week

A massive 3000km weather system that has smashed rainfall records in WA and the Northern Territory is set to impact Queensland, bringing 100mm rainfall totals.

A 3000km rain band is sweeping across Australia. Picture: Earth Zoom

South East Queensland faces another weekend washout with up to 100mm possible along coastal areas as a 3000km rainband sweeps into the state.

Weatherzone’s Ben Domensino said a deep stream of tropical moisture originating over the Indian Ocean was fuelling a massive northwest cloud band across Australia this week.

“This thick cloud band has been producing exceptionally heavy rain for this time of year, delivering 100mm in 24 hours at places that typically see less than 20mm during all of May,” he said.

Some communities in Western Australia and the Northern Territory have recorded their wettest May day on record, including 100.6mm in Broome, WA, and 111.6mm in Kalumburu, WA.

“Some of these areas rarely see rain in May. Tindal, which collected almost 180mm in 24 hours, has a long-term May monthly average of just 2mm,” Mr Domensino said.

Forecast accumulated rain during the 72 hours ending at 10pm Friday. Picture: Weatherzone

The weather system is forecast to shift into Queensland tomorrow where it will interact with a weak surface low.

Central areas could see falls in excess of 100mm, including up to 125mm between Yeppoon and Bundaberg, while inland from Rockhampton, up to 75mm is possible.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Helen Reid said the system was expected to impact South East Queensland by the weekend, with up to 100mm forecast along coastal areas.

Rainfall totals over 100mm are forecast for central and southeast Queensland over the next week. Picture: Windy

“As we head into the weekend … the cold temperatures will be closer to the June average, while some showers will linger over South East Queensland.”

Brisbane is expected to get 30mm over Thursday and Friday, before rain intensifies on Monday with another 20mm possible.

Maroochydore could get 75mm over three days from Friday and another 30mm early next week.

In terms of minimum temperatures over the coming days, Brisbane will drop to 13C on Thursday, 14C on Friday, with 15C for Saturday and Sunday.

It will be slightly cooler on the Gold Coast over the coming days, with minimum temperatures of 12-14C, and 13-16C on the Sunshine Coast.

Originally published as Queensland weather: South East Qld forecast for 100mm rain over next week