Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall And Damaging Winds

for parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central Coast and Whitsundays Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:47 pm Wednesday, 7 January 2026.

A tropical low approaches the North Tropical Coast, bringing heavy rainfall and damaging winds on Friday and Saturday.

Weather Situation
A broad tropical low (12U) has formed in the Coral Sea and will begin slowly moving towards the northeast Queensland coast over the next few days. The low is expected to move inland over the weekend. To the south of the low, a surge in southeasterly winds is also expected to bring a risk of damaging winds to coastal areas. Shower and thunderstorm activity is expected to become more widespread with areas of heavy rainfall developing on Friday and continuing over the weekend.
HEAVY RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central Coast and Whitsundays
For the NORTH TROPICAL COAST: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop during Friday and continue into Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 150 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 200 mm possible. East to southeasterly DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with wind gusts around 90 km/h are also possible during Friday and Saturday, particularly about coastal areas in showers and thunderstorms.
For the HERBERT AND LOWER BURDEKIN and parts of the CENTRAL COAST AND WHITSUNDAYS: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop to the west of Townsville from late Friday night and extend through the remainder of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin district on Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 140 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 180 mm possible. East to southeasterly DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h are also expected about exposed coastal parts during Friday and continue throughout Saturday, as the winds shift northeasterly during the afternoon and evening.
Conditions could begin to ease about the North Tropical Coast by Saturday evening but may persist into Sunday over parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin. This is dependent on the development and location of the tropical low.
The low is being monitored closely and if further strengthening is likely then a Tropical Cyclone Advice may be issued.
Separate Flood Watch and Warning products are current for parts of northeast Queensland. For more information, check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
Locations which may be affected include Cairns, Yarrabah, Wujal Wujal, Port Douglas, Hope Vale, Atherton, Mareeba, Palm Island, Cardwell, Ingham, Ayr, Townsville, Bowen, Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands.

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 5:00 am AEST Thursday.
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 And Damaging Winds

for parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central Coast and Whitsundays Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:47 pm Wednesday, 7 January 2026.

A tropical low approaches the North Tropical Coast, bringing heavy rainfall and damaging winds on Friday and Saturday.

Weather Situation
A broad tropical low (12U) has formed in the Coral Sea and will begin slowly moving towards the northeast Queensland coast over the next few days. The low is expected to move inland over the weekend. To the south of the low, a surge in southeasterly winds is also expected to bring a risk of damaging winds to coastal areas. Shower and thunderstorm activity is expected to become more widespread with areas of heavy rainfall developing on Friday and continuing over the weekend.
HEAVY RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central Coast and Whitsundays
For the NORTH TROPICAL COAST: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop during Friday and continue into Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 150 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 200 mm possible. East to southeasterly DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with wind gusts around 90 km/h are also possible during Friday and Saturday, particularly about coastal areas in showers and thunderstorms.
For the HERBERT AND LOWER BURDEKIN and parts of the CENTRAL COAST AND WHITSUNDAYS: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop to the west of Townsville from late Friday night and extend through the remainder of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin district on Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 140 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 180 mm possible. East to southeasterly DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h are also expected about exposed coastal parts during Friday and continue throughout Saturday, as the winds shift northeasterly during the afternoon and evening.
Conditions could begin to ease about the North Tropical Coast by Saturday evening but may persist into Sunday over parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin. This is dependent on the development and location of the tropical low.
The low is being monitored closely and if further strengthening is likely then a Tropical Cyclone Advice may be issued.
Separate Flood Watch and Warning products are current for parts of northeast Queensland. For more information, check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
Locations which may be affected include Cairns, Yarrabah, Wujal Wujal, Port Douglas, Hope Vale, Atherton, Mareeba, Palm Island, Cardwell, Ingham, Ayr, Townsville, Bowen, Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands.

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 5:00 am AEST Thursday.
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 09:34 PM EST on Wednesday 07 January 2026
for the period until midnight EST Thursday 08 January 2026

Wind Warnings for Wednesday 07 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Cairns Coast, Townsville Coast and Mackay Coast
Cancellation for the following areas:
Capricornia Coast

Wind Warnings for Thursday 08 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Torres Strait, Cooktown Coast, Cairns Coast, Townsville Coast and Mackay Coast

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 3:00 am EST Thursday.
================================================================================
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

Minor Flood Warning For The Upper Burdekin And Cape Rivers
Issued at 03:27 PM AEST on Tuesday 06 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 6

MINOR FLOODING LIKELY AT TAEMAS AND POSSIBLE AT BURDEKIN DAM WEDNESDAY MORNING
RENEWED RISES AND MINOR FLOODING ARE POSSIBLE AT SELLHEIM LATER THIS WEEK
Moderate to heavy rainfall over the weekend has caused river level rises across the upper Burdekin River and its tributaries.
A moderate peak was observed Sunday night along the Cape River at Pentland. Further downstream at Taemas, minor flooding is likely to develop from Wednesday morning, with further rises possible as inflows arrive from multiple tributaries.
Along the upper Burdekin River, Sellheim peaked just below the minor flood level overnight Monday. Renewed rises and minor flooding are possible at Sellheim from later this week as upstream flows arrive. Further downstream, minor flooding is possible at Burdekin Dam from Wednesday morning.
Further showers and storms are forecast across the catchment through to midweek. This situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as necessary.
A Flood Watch is current for adjoining catchments.

Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is likely along the Cape River at Taemas.
The Cape River at Taemas is currently at 3.86 m and rising, below the minor flood level.
The Cape River at Taemas is likely to exceed the minor flood level (5.00 m) Wednesday morning. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.

Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Renewed rises and minor flooding are possible along the upper Burdekin River at Sellheim. Minor flooding is possible at Burdekin Dam.
The Burdekin River at Sellheim is currently at 9.15 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
Renewed rises and minor flooding (12.00 m) are possible along the Burdekin River at Sellheim later this week as upstream flows arrive.

The Burdekin Dam is currently at 2.30 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Burdekin Dam may reach around the minor flood level (3.00 m) Wednesday morning.

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 10:30 AM AEST on Wednesday 07 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Burdekin River at Mt Fullstop,5.31,falling,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Paluma Dam,-0.63,steady,2:42 pm Tue 06/01/26
Running River at Mt Bradley,2.06,falling,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Star River at Laroona,4.52,falling,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Gainsford,7.72,falling,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Keelbottom Creek at Keelbottom,1.89,steady,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Sellheim,9.15,falling,3:04 pm Tue 06/01/26
Alpha Creek at Rivington,0.12,steady,12:58 pm Tue 06/01/26
Belyando River at Albro Station,0.50,steady,9:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Belyando River at Belyando Crossing,1.50,rising,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Suttor River at St Anns,1.17,steady,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Cape River at Pentland,2.42,steady,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Cape River at Taemas,3.86,rising,1:45 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin Dam,2.30,steady,3:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Bowen River at Myuna,0.70,steady,2:00 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Dalbeg,7.08,rising,3:02 pm Tue 06/01/26
Bogie River at Strathbogie,1.12,steady,1:51 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Millaroo,6.40,rising,2:50 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Clare,5.70,rising,2:41 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge,4.25,rising,2:35 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Rita Island,-3.20,steady,3:06 pm Tue 06/01/26
Burdekin River at Groper Creek,1.04,falling,3:13 pm Tue 06/01/26

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.