Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall
for parts of Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central West Forecast Districts.
Issued at 12:18 am Friday, 20 February 2026.
Slow moving thunderstorms are producing heavy rainfall overnight for parts of the state.
Weather Situation
A trough and moist airmass continues to producing thunderstorms across parts of the state overnight.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central West
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 Longreach, Mackay, Proserpine, Bowen, Barcaldine, Blackall, Isisford, Collinsville, Hamilton Island, Eungella, Jericho and Ilfracombe.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Central Highlands and Coalfields district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
95mm was recorded at Moranbah in the 3 hours to 8:22pm.
122mm was recorded at Mt Spencer in the 3 hours to 5:49pm.
109mm was recorded at O'Connell in the 2 hours to 9:46pm.
81mm was recorded at Sandy Plateau in the 1 hour to 7:35pm.
79mm was recorded at Betanga Alert in the 3 hours to 12:01am.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Central Highlands and Coalfields
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 3:20 am.
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
May Downs (21.6339°S, 148.5473°E, 225m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the N, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the NW, possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Winds E 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to the low 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 27 to 33.
Forecast for May Downs (21.6339°S, 148.5473°E, 225m AMSL) Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Summary
Minimum 21° 20° 19° 20° 20° 20° 21° Maximum 26° 28° 29° 31° 30° 30° 31° Chance of rain 30% 20% 40% 30% 30% 70% 60% Likely amount 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm 1-5mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate - - - 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)19
(km/h)23
(km/h)20
(km/h)23
(km/h)20
(km/h)21
(km/h)19
(km/h)23
(km/h)23
(km/h)23
(km/h)21
(km/h)21
(km/h)17
(km/h)Wind direction ESE E ESE ESE ESE ESE ESE E ESE E SE ESE ESE E Relative humidity 90% 80% 85% 69% 82% 65% 83% 63% 79% 61% 80% 60% 77% 60% Dew point 22°C 21°C 21°C 20°C 21°C 21°C 22°C 22°C 21°C 21°C 21°C 20°C 22°C 21°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for May Downs (21.6339°S, 148.5473°E, 225m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 5:37am EST 6:00am EST 6:43pm EST 7:06pm EST 8:15am EST 8:24pm EST
Waxing crescent
First quarter Feb 24 Full moon Mar 03 Last quarter Mar 11 New moon Mar 19 -
Warnings
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central West
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central West
- Initial Moderate Flood Warning For The Isaac River Catchment And Minor Flood Warning For The Dawson River
- Flood Watch For Parts Of Northern Queensland And The Cape York Peninsula
- Minor Flood Warning For The Cape River
- Final Flood Warning For The Warrego River (Qld)
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days