Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall And Damaging, Locally Destructive Winds

for Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:47 pm Saturday, 10 January 2026.

TROPICAL CYCLONE KOJI HAS FORMED AND IS APPROACHING THE NORTHEAST TROPICAL COAST, BRINGING HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING TO LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS FROM LATER TODAY, CONTINUING OVER THE WEEKEND.

Weather Situation
Tropical Cyclone Koji (12U) is currently a Category 2 tropical cyclone and will continue to move south towards the northeast Queensland coast. Koji is forecast to cross the coast as a Category 2 tropical cyclone on Sunday morning south of Townsville.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING, LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia
For COASTAL AREAS: East to southeasterly DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with wind gusts around 100 km/h are expected about exposed coastal parts between Innisfail and Mackay this afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds will turn east to northeasterly south of 12U later this evening and overnight.
For EXPOSED COASTAL AREAS from south of Townsville to Proserpine: DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS up to 130 km/h are possible from late tonight and early Sunday morning.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop along coastal parts of the southern Cassowary Coast and Townsville coast later today, and extend south into the Central Coast and Whitsundays and the northern Capricornia overnight into Sunday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 90 to 160 mm are likely. 24-hourly totals between 150 to 250 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 350 mm possible. Further inland, HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop from late tonight into Sunday morning, with six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 and 150 mm possible.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible about coastal areas between Ingham and Proserpine from Saturday evening before extending to Mackay from Sunday morning, with isolated six-hourly falls in excess of 230 mm possible.
Conditions could begin to ease about the North Tropical Coast early Sunday morning, but persist into Sunday over parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central Coast and Whitsundays.
A Tropical Cyclone Warning has been issued. Please refer to Tropical Cyclone warnings and forecast track maps at https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/specialised-forecasts-and-observations/tropical-cyclone.
A separate Severe Weather Warning associated with monsoonal winds is current for people in the Peninsula. Flood Watch and Warning products are also current for large parts of Queensland, including the northeast. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if intense rainfall is detected.
Underlying wet soils will make trees easier to fall about the northeast tropical coast. Landslips could also occur about steep and hilly terrain.
For all other current warnings and watches please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
Locations which may be affected include Innisfail, Palm Island, Cardwell, Ingham, Townsville, Charters Towers, Ayr, Bowen, Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, Proserpine, Mackay, Moranbah, Sarina, Carmila, and St Lawrence.
Sustained winds of around 74 km/h were recorded at Hamilton Island at 5:30 pm.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Pack away, secure or tie down outdoor furniture, toys and trampolines if it s safe to do so.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm AEST Saturday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall And Damaging, Locally Destructive Winds

for Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:47 pm Saturday, 10 January 2026.

TROPICAL CYCLONE KOJI HAS FORMED AND IS APPROACHING THE NORTHEAST TROPICAL COAST, BRINGING HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING TO LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS FROM LATER TODAY, CONTINUING OVER THE WEEKEND.

Weather Situation
Tropical Cyclone Koji (12U) is currently a Category 2 tropical cyclone and will continue to move south towards the northeast Queensland coast. Koji is forecast to cross the coast as a Category 2 tropical cyclone on Sunday morning south of Townsville.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING, LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia
For COASTAL AREAS: East to southeasterly DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with wind gusts around 100 km/h are expected about exposed coastal parts between Innisfail and Mackay this afternoon and early evening. Damaging winds will turn east to northeasterly south of 12U later this evening and overnight.
For EXPOSED COASTAL AREAS from south of Townsville to Proserpine: DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS up to 130 km/h are possible from late tonight and early Sunday morning.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop along coastal parts of the southern Cassowary Coast and Townsville coast later today, and extend south into the Central Coast and Whitsundays and the northern Capricornia overnight into Sunday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 90 to 160 mm are likely. 24-hourly totals between 150 to 250 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 350 mm possible. Further inland, HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop from late tonight into Sunday morning, with six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 and 150 mm possible.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible about coastal areas between Ingham and Proserpine from Saturday evening before extending to Mackay from Sunday morning, with isolated six-hourly falls in excess of 230 mm possible.
Conditions could begin to ease about the North Tropical Coast early Sunday morning, but persist into Sunday over parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central Coast and Whitsundays.
A Tropical Cyclone Warning has been issued. Please refer to Tropical Cyclone warnings and forecast track maps at https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/specialised-forecasts-and-observations/tropical-cyclone.
A separate Severe Weather Warning associated with monsoonal winds is current for people in the Peninsula. Flood Watch and Warning products are also current for large parts of Queensland, including the northeast. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if intense rainfall is detected.
Underlying wet soils will make trees easier to fall about the northeast tropical coast. Landslips could also occur about steep and hilly terrain.
For all other current warnings and watches please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
Locations which may be affected include Innisfail, Palm Island, Cardwell, Ingham, Townsville, Charters Towers, Ayr, Bowen, Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, Proserpine, Mackay, Moranbah, Sarina, Carmila, and St Lawrence.
Sustained winds of around 74 km/h were recorded at Hamilton Island at 5:30 pm.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Pack away, secure or tie down outdoor furniture, toys and trampolines if it s safe to do so.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm AEST Saturday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Flood Watch For Coastal Rivers Between Cooktown To Rockhampton And The Cape York Peninsula
Issued at 12:10 PM AEST on Saturday 10 January 2026
Flood Watch Number: 23
MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS COASTAL RIVERS BETWEEN COOKTOWN TO ROCKHAMPTON AND THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Jacky Jacky Creek
Olive and Pascoe Rivers
Lockhart River
Stewart River
Normanby River
Jeannie River
Endeavour River
Daintree River
Mossman River
Barron River
Murray River
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam
Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Don and Proserpine Rivers
Pioneer River
Connors, Isaac and Styx Rivers and Plane Creek
Mackenzie and Fitzroy Rivers and Shoalwater and Water Park Creeks
Staaten River
Mitchell River
Coleman and Edward Rivers
Holroyd and Kendall Rivers
Archer and Coen Rivers
Watson River
Embley and Mission Rivers
Wenlock River
Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers
Jardine River

Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Daintree, Mulgrave and Russell, Tully, Herbert, Ross, Bohle, Black, Haughton, Upper Burdekin, Lower Burdekin, Don, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina and Eyre, Diamantina and Thomson

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next Flood Watch will be issued by 01:00 PM AEST on Sunday 11 January 2026.