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, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:36 pm Thursday, 1 January 2026.

Heavier falls with thunderstorms continuing in parts of northern Queensland this afternoon.

Weather Situation
A tropical low and associated trough lying across the northwest and northern interior of Queensland continue to generate slow moving storms and heavier falls this afternoon. In the southeast more isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin 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 Hughenden, Richmond, Abergowrie, Stamford and Cloney's Creek.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Gulf Country and North West districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.
A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for the northeast tropical coast. Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are current for Central and Northern Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for more information.
124 mm rainfall was recorded at Giru (south of Townsville) in 2 hrs to 2:32 pm.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Gulf Country,North West

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 8:40 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, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:36 pm Thursday, 1 January 2026.

Heavier falls with thunderstorms continuing in parts of northern Queensland this afternoon.

Weather Situation
A tropical low and associated trough lying across the northwest and northern interior of Queensland continue to generate slow moving storms and heavier falls this afternoon. In the southeast more isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin 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 Hughenden, Richmond, Abergowrie, Stamford and Cloney's Creek.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Gulf Country and North West districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.
A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for the northeast tropical coast. Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are current for Central and Northern Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for more information.
124 mm rainfall was recorded at Giru (south of Townsville) in 2 hrs to 2:32 pm.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Gulf Country,North West

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 8:40 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 Thursday 01 January 2026
for the period until midnight EST Friday 02 January 2026

Wind Warnings for Thursday 01 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Cairns Coast and Townsville Coast

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

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 9:00 pm 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

Final Flood Warning For The Mulgrave And Russell Rivers
Issued at 09:41 AM AEST on Thursday 01 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 5

FLOODING NO LONGER EXPECTED AT PEETS BRIDGE AND GORDONVALE
At Peets Bridge and Gordonvale on the Mulgrave River, river levels are easing and minor flooding is no longer expected. River levels along the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers are expected to continue to ease over the next few days.
Further showers and thunderstorms remain possible over the next few days but are not expected to cause significant renewed river level rises.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of the North Tropical Coast.

Mulgrave River:
No further flooding is expected along the Mulgrave River.
The Mulgrave River at Peets Bridge is currently at 2.00 m AHD and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Mulgrave River at Peets Bridge is expected to remain below the minor flood level (5.00 m).

The Mulgrave River at Gordonvale is currently at 7.70 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Mulgrave River at Gordonvale is expected to remain below the minor flood level (12.00 m).

Russell River:
No further flooding is expected along the Russell River.

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:
Mulgrave River at The Fisheries,1.04,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26
Mulgrave River at Peets Bridge,2.00,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26
Mulgrave River at Gordonvale,7.70,steady,6:40 am Thu 01/01/26
Russell River at Bucklands,3.82,falling,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26
Babinda Creek at The Boulders,1.00,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26
Russell River at Clyde Rd,-0.33,steady,8:45 am Thu 01/01/26

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.