BoM forecasts category three storm – as it happened

Queensland premier Steven Miles is readying for the second cyclone challenge of his leadership after Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit the north of the state in December. Photograph: Dan Peled/Getty Images

6.28am GMT

And with that, we are going to put the blog to bed. Before we go, let’s recap the big headlines from the day:

• Australia ‘deeply troubled’ by ongoing detention of Yang Hengjun in China

• Wong announces funding for – and criticism of – UN Palestinian refugee education program

• A hundred people evacuated from Top End amid rain and high winds

• Pollution warning leaves some Sydney beaches unsuitable for swimming

• Dunkley byelection to be held on 2 March

• Inala byelection set for 16 March

• Remote WA mining town of Kalgoorlie facing a week without power

• Firefighters confirm North Bondi fire started by faulty lithium ion battery

• Steven Miles announces Queensland supermarkets inquiry

• Queenslanders urged to prepare for potential second cyclone

• ‘High chance’ that severe tropical cyclone will cross Queensland, BoM says

Thank you for spending part of your day with us. Have a wonderful Friday evening.

6.23am GMT

An update on the severe storms in QLD here:

⛈️QLD Storm Forecast for Sat 20/1. Severe storms with heavy to locally intense rainfall likely in parts of the Maranoa & Warrego that may lead to dangerous flash flooding. Heavy rain & damaging wind gusts with storms are possible in parts of western, central southern & FNQ. pic.twitter.com/9vmt2GPRs3

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 19, 2024