Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Moderate Flood Warning For The Western River And Flood Warning For The Diamantina River
Issued at 01:15 PM AEST on Sunday 28 December 2025
Flood Warning Number: 4

MODERATE FLOODING IS POSSIBLE AT WINTON FROM SUNDAY EVENING
DIAMANTINA RIVER LEVELS ARE ABOVE THE SPRINGVALE DIAMANTINA LAKES CAUSEWAY AND LIKELY TO REMAIN SO INTO NEXT WEEK
Recent rainfall has caused river level rises and flooding across the catchment.
Flooding is occurring along the Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes, where river levels are above the causeway and are expected to continue rising over the coming days. Minor flooding is likely occurring at Winton during Sunday afternoon, with the possibility of moderate flooding from Sunday evening with forecast rainfall.
Further rainfall is forecast across the upper catchment over the next few days, which is likely to cause renewed or further river level rises. This situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as necessary.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of North-Western Queensland and North Tropical Coast.

Diamantina River to Diamantina Lakes:
The Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes is at 3.57 m and steady, above the level of the Springvale Diamantina Lakes Road Causeway (2.10 m). The river level is expected to remain above the level of the causeway into next week.
Western River:
Moderate flooding is possible along the Western River.
There are no current observations for the Western River at Winton, however, based on upstream locations it is likely that the river level at Winton is above the minor flood level (1.50 m) and rising.
The Western River at Winton may exceed the moderate flood level (2.00 m) Sunday evening. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

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 29 December 2025.

Latest River Heights:
Mills Creek at Oondooroo,3.24,falling,12:00 pm Sun 28/12/25
Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes Tm,3.57,steady,12:00 pm Sun 28/12/25
Diamantina River at Birdsville,0.78,steady,12:10 pm Sun 28/12/25

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
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for Gulf Country, North West and parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:30 am Sunday, 28 December 2025.

Heavy rainfall is developing across northwest Queensland today, with heavy falls also expected along the northeast tropical coast from late Sunday night.

Weather Situation
A monsoon trough extends across the northwest and contains an embedded low pressure system located west of Burketown. This low is expected to continue strengthening as it gradually tracks south to southeast. Over the Northeast Tropical Coast, enhanced onshore winds are forecast to strengthen and converge from late Sunday night. Together, these systems are likely to generate widespread heavy rainfall across parts of northern Queensland.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Gulf Country, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, North West and Central West
For NORTHWEST QUEENSLAND: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to continue developing for parts of Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West Forecast Districts during Sunday, persisting through Monday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 75 to 120 mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 170 mm possible.
Areas of heavy rainfall about northwest Queensland are forecast to persist into early next week, with locations and rainfall totals subject to the position and strength of the low pressure system. These conditions also present a risk to cattle and other livestock.
For NORTHEAST TROPICAL COAST: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop for areas between Cairns and north of Townsville late tonight, persisting through Monday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 120 to 200 mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 260 mm possible.
A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are current for Northern Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Burketown, Mornington Island, Normanton, Cairns, Innisfail, Tully, Doomadgee, Richmond, Julia Creek, Camooweal, Ingham and Croydon.

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 pm AEST Sunday.
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 Gulf Country, North West and parts of North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:30 am Sunday, 28 December 2025.

Heavy rainfall is developing across northwest Queensland today, with heavy falls also expected along the northeast tropical coast from late Sunday night.

Weather Situation
A monsoon trough extends across the northwest and contains an embedded low pressure system located west of Burketown. This low is expected to continue strengthening as it gradually tracks south to southeast. Over the Northeast Tropical Coast, enhanced onshore winds are forecast to strengthen and converge from late Sunday night. Together, these systems are likely to generate widespread heavy rainfall across parts of northern Queensland.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Gulf Country, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, North West and Central West
For NORTHWEST QUEENSLAND: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to continue developing for parts of Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West Forecast Districts during Sunday, persisting through Monday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 75 to 120 mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 170 mm possible.
Areas of heavy rainfall about northwest Queensland are forecast to persist into early next week, with locations and rainfall totals subject to the position and strength of the low pressure system. These conditions also present a risk to cattle and other livestock.
For NORTHEAST TROPICAL COAST: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop for areas between Cairns and north of Townsville late tonight, persisting through Monday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 120 to 200 mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 260 mm possible.
A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are current for Northern Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Burketown, Mornington Island, Normanton, Cairns, Innisfail, Tully, Doomadgee, Richmond, Julia Creek, Camooweal, Ingham and Croydon.

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 pm AEST Sunday.
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.