There is a “high chance” of a tropical cyclone hovering off the coast of far north Queensland this weekend as the Bureau of Meteorology warns of the possibility of a “severe” weather event.
The BoM issued a statement on Tuesday warning that a tropical low in the Coral Sea was now rated as having a 55% – or “high” – chance of becoming a tropical cyclone from Sunday.
The cyclone is likely to remain offshore during this period, but from next week it could move west towards the coast, or further away from the coast and through the central Coral Sea.
In an update on Wednesday, the bureau said that although it was not certain, there was a significant risk the system would impact the Queensland coast during next week and that a “severe impact is possible”.
A tropical low in the Coral Sea is now rated as a high (55%) chance of being a tropical cyclone from Sunday. The system is expected to remain offshore over the next 7 days, however uncertainty in its movement increases from early next week.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 16, 2024
TC Outlook: https://t.co/hw63OUtpAP pic.twitter.com/nij1q6dvPh
As of Tuesday afternoon, flood warnings were current for the Tully River in far north Queensland and the Diamantina River in central western Queensland.
Warnings were also active for the Bulloo River and the Paroo River in western Queensland.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Scenic Rim near Boonah, with flash flooding possible due to the heavy rain predicted.
Monsoon-like conditions continue to affect far north Queensland. Severe storms are forecast for Wednesday across parts of the region, as well as in the far south and south-west of the state.
⛈️QLD Storm Forecast for tomorrow, Wed 17/1. Severe storms with heavy rain possible across interior parts of north and far north QLD, as well as in far south and southwest, where damaging wind gusts possible too. QLD Warnings: https://t.co/NBlMPnEeCd pic.twitter.com/ujKBtx1H9t
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) January 16, 2024
Residents in far north Queensland are still reeling from the havoc of Cyclone Jasper which dumped torrential rainfall over the region in December, causing flash flooding, widespread power outages and damaging winds.
A landslide sparked by the cyclone left 30,000 tonnes of mud and debris from the road between Cairns and Port Douglas.
Farther south, residents in Logan, the Scenic Rim and the Gold Coast were battered by severe storms over Christmas and in early January.
Seven people died in the storms, hundreds of homes were damaged and power outages affected thousands of people.
The Gold Coast tourism industry also suffered millions of dollars in closures and cancellations during its busiest season of the year.
