Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall
for parts of Peninsula and Gulf Country Forecast Districts.
Issued at 9:25 pm Friday, 23 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:
Peninsula and 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 overnight and into 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 Pormpuraaw.
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 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.
Forecast
Horn Island (10.5938°S, 142.2853°E, 10m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm from the late morning. Winds NE/SE 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the early morning then becoming E/NE 15 to 20 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching the low 30s.
Forecast for Horn Island (10.5938°S, 142.2853°E, 10m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary
Minimum 24° 24° 24° 25° 24° 24° 24° Maximum 30° 30° 30° 30° 30° 30° 30° Chance of rain 80% 90% 60% 90% 90% 90% 90% Likely amount 5-10mm 5-10mm 1-5mm 5-10mm 20-40mm 10-20mm 10-20mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating No Rating No Rating No Rating No Rating - - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 19
(km/h)22
(km/h)20
(km/h)24
(km/h)18
(km/h)20
(km/h)18
(km/h)21
(km/h)22
(km/h)26
(km/h)19
(km/h)21
(km/h)18
(km/h)23
(km/h)Wind direction NW NW NW WNW NW WNW NW WNW NW WNW NW NW NW NW Relative humidity 87% 82% 87% 83% 86% 81% 87% 81% 87% 83% 88% 82% 88% 83% Dew point 25°C 26°C 25°C 26°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 26°C 25°C 26°C 25°C 26°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Horn Island (10.5938°S, 142.2853°E, 10m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 6:02am EST 6:24am EST 7:02pm EST 7:24pm EST 10:41am EST 10:53pm EST
Waxing crescent
First quarter Jan 26 Full moon Feb 02 Last quarter Feb 09 New moon Feb 17 -
Warnings
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days