Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Forecast District.

Issued at 4:31 pm Friday, 2 January 2026.

Localised heavy rainfall with thunderstorms expected over northern Queensland.

Weather Situation
Deep tropical moisture and instability is in place over much of northern Queensland. Slow-moving shower and thunderstorm activity developing near weak surface troughs over the northeast may produce localised heavy rainfall this afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Innisfail, Gordonvale and Babinda.
89 mm of rainfall was recorded at Clyde Road near Babinda in the 60 minutes to 4:15 pm

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 warning is due to be issued by 7:35 pm.
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 Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands Forecast District.

Issued at 4:31 pm Friday, 2 January 2026.

Localised heavy rainfall with thunderstorms expected over northern Queensland.

Weather Situation
Deep tropical moisture and instability is in place over much of northern Queensland. Slow-moving shower and thunderstorm activity developing near weak surface troughs over the northeast may produce localised heavy rainfall this afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Innisfail, Gordonvale and Babinda.
89 mm of rainfall was recorded at Clyde Road near Babinda in the 60 minutes to 4:15 pm

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 warning is due to be issued by 7:35 pm.
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 PM EST on Friday 02 January 2026
for the period until midnight EST Friday 02 January 2026

Wind Warnings for Friday 02 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Townsville Coast
Cancellation for the following areas:
Cairns Coast

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 9:00 pm EST Friday.
================================================================================
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

Final Flood Warning For The Murray River
Issued at 09:27 AM AEST on Friday 02 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 7

RIVER LEVELS AT MURRAY FLATS PEAKED BELOW MINOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON
Rainfall and thunderstorms are forecast over the coming days and renewed rises are possible. The situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be issued as necessary.
A Flood Watch is current for adjoining catchments.

Murray River:
Flooding has peaked below minor along the Murray River.
No observations are currently available for the Murray River at Murray Flats.
The Murray River at Murray Flats is likely to remain below the minor flood level (7.00 m).

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:
This is a final warning. No further warnings will be issued for this event.

Latest River Heights:
Cardwell Tide,4.08,rising,8:59 am Fri 02/01/26
Murray River at Upper Murray,3.35,rising,9:02 am Fri 02/01/26

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.