Townsville, Cairns: BOM advises monsoon trough return with severe storms predicted
With severe storms on the Far North and North Queensland horizon, the Bureau has advised heavy rain will impact coastal regions and was likely to trigger isolated flash flooding.
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With severe storms on the Far North and North Queensland horizons, the Bureau of Meteorology has advised a monsoon could rebound to the coastal regions over the weekend and cause flash flooding.
On Thursday morning BOM issued a thunderstorm forecast which warned of heavy or intense rainfall from Cape York to south of Mackay, as reports of Laura River flooding across the Peninsula Development Rd which links Cooktown and Weipa to Cape York, were issued by Queensland Department of Main Roads and Traffic.
Community Information Officer Patch Clapp said there was a high chance heavy showers could hit the 735km coastline between Mackay and Cairns.
As of January 12, Cairns had received 63.6mm for the month while Townsville had received 71.8mm.
“Anywhere along the coast between Mackay and Cairns including Townsville could be a watch-point for possible flash flooding,” he said.
“We expect a return of the monsoon trough over this region over the weekend.”
Mr Clapp said people should be prepared to deal with flash flooding due to the heavy rains already clogging up the soil.
“We need to consider now after the last few weeks how the soil have been saturated and things (possible flooding) will respond more quickly,” he said.
“So people need to be careful on roads, in populated areas, creeks and rivers and around the coastal areas during the next few days and into next week.”
Severe storms were also possible west of Tully and Atherton, Mr Clapp said.
“Looking ahead, we will have plenty of widespread heavy rain.”
Friday weather forecast
Cairns – 24 – 30 Shower or two
Atherton – 20 – 26 Showers, possible storm
Cardwell – 24 – 31 Showers, possible storm
Cooktown – 23 – 30 Showers, possible storm
Innisfail – 23 – 30 Showers, possible storm
Mareeba – 22 – 29 – Showers, possible storm
Mossman – 24 – 31 Showers, possible storm
Post Douglas – 23 – 29 Showers, possible storm
Thursday Island – 24 – 30 – Shower or two, possible storm
Townsville – 24 – 39 – Showers, possible storms.
Yarrabah – 24 – 30 – Showers, possible storm
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Originally published as Townsville, Cairns: BOM advises monsoon trough return with severe storms predicted