Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Gulf Country Forecast District.

Issued at 3:38 am Saturday, 24 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall has developed about a tropical low near the western Cape York Peninsula.

Weather Situation
A small tropical low pressure system lies near the western Cape York Peninsula coast. Persistent, heavy showers and thunderstorms to the south of this system are bringing areas of heavy rainfall.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Gulf Country
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for areas in central western Cape York Peninsula. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 150 mm are likely, with isolated totals exceeding 200 mm possible.
Conditions are expected to continue during Saturday with the tropical low pressure system slow moving, however there is high uncertainty around its movement and development so the situation remains closely monitored.
Flood Watches are current in the area. Refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
Locations which may be affected include Kowanyama and Delta Downs Station.
Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Peninsula district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
94.0mm has fallen at Kowanyama in the 6hours from 9pm Friday 23 January to 3am Saturday 24 January with a total of 195.8mm fallen since 9am Friday 23 January 2026.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Peninsula

Emergency services advise people to:
* 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 am 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 Rainfall

for parts of Gulf Country Forecast District.

Issued at 3:38 am Saturday, 24 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall has developed about a tropical low near the western Cape York Peninsula.

Weather Situation
A small tropical low pressure system lies near the western Cape York Peninsula coast. Persistent, heavy showers and thunderstorms to the south of this system are bringing areas of heavy rainfall.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Gulf Country
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for areas in central western Cape York Peninsula. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 150 mm are likely, with isolated totals exceeding 200 mm possible.
Conditions are expected to continue during Saturday with the tropical low pressure system slow moving, however there is high uncertainty around its movement and development so the situation remains closely monitored.
Flood Watches are current in the area. Refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
Locations which may be affected include Kowanyama and Delta Downs Station.
Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Peninsula district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
94.0mm has fallen at Kowanyama in the 6hours from 9pm Friday 23 January to 3am Saturday 24 January with a total of 195.8mm fallen since 9am Friday 23 January 2026.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Peninsula

Emergency services advise people to:
* 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 am 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

Marine Wind Warning Summary for Queensland

Issued at 03:00 AM EST on Saturday 24 January 2026
for the period until midnight EST Sunday 25 January 2026

Wind Warnings for Saturday 24 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
South East Gulf of Carpentaria

Wind Warnings for Sunday 25 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
South East Gulf of Carpentaria

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 9:00 am EST Saturday.
================================================================================
Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local
Waters Forecast at http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/map.shtml for information on wind,
wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.
================================================================================

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Flood Warning For The Nicholson, Gregory, And Albert Rivers
Issued at 01:50 PM AEST on Friday 23 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 8

RIVER LEVELS ELEVATED ALONG THE ALBERT RIVER (INCLUDING AT BURKETOWN), LOWER NICHOLSON AND GREGORY RIVERS
River levels peaked and are falling along the Nicholson River downstream of Doomadgee and the Gregory River downstream of Sandy Waterhole. Along the Albert River at Burketown Airstrip, it is expected that the river level is elevated with the arrival of flows from upstream.
Rainfall may develop from early next week with a tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This may result in renewed river level rises. The situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as required.

Nicholson and Gregory Rivers:
River levels are expected to be elevated along the Albert River and the lower Gregory and Nicholson Rivers.

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 warning will be issued by 02:00 PM AEST on Monday 26 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Gregory River at Riversleigh,1.55,steady,1:00 pm Fri 23/01/26
Gregory River at Gregory Downs,2.07,steady,1:00 pm Fri 23/01/26
Burketown Tide,2.98,falling,1:33 pm Fri 23/01/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River
Issued at 12:36 PM AEST on Friday 23 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 44

MAJOR FLOODING EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FALLING SLOWLY AT WALKERS BEND
Renewed river level rises are occurring along the Flinders and Cloncurry Rivers. Along the lower Flinders River at Walkers Bend, major flooding is expected to continue falling slowly following a major flood peak earlier this month. As upstream flows arrive, renewed rises above the major flood level are likely over the next several days at Walkers Bend but are not expected to exceed levels observed earlier this month.
Isolated showers are forecast in the next couple days across the upper Flinders and Cloncurry River catchment but are not expected to significantly impact river levels at Richmond and Cloncurry at this stage.
Further rainfall may develop from early next week with a tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This may result in renewed river level rises. The situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as required.

Flinders River downstream of Richmond:
Major flooding is expected to be continuing along the Flinders River downstream of Richmond.
As at 09:15 AEST on Friday, the river is at 10.59 m and estimated to be slowly falling, with major flooding.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) over the next few days.

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 warning will be issued by 01:00 PM AEST on Monday 26 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,0.94,steady,12:00 pm Fri 23/01/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,1.74,steady,12:00 pm Fri 23/01/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,4.20,falling,12:00 pm Fri 23/01/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,8.68,steady,12:00 pm Fri 23/01/26
Julia Creek,1.57,steady,12:00 pm Fri 23/01/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,6.88,steady,12:00 pm Fri 23/01/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,8.18,steady,12:00 pm Fri 23/01/26
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,10.59,falling,9:15 am Fri 23/01/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.