Extreme downpours are expected to hit this weekend as parts of Australia are in for their worst flooding in more than 40 years.
Parts of central and western Queensland will get more rain this weekend than they usually receive for the entire month of March.
More than 90mm of rain is expected to fall in just six hours this weekend, with some areas predicted to be drenched with up to 300mm in 24 hours.
Extreme downpours are expected to hit this weekend as parts of Australia are in for their worst flooding in more than 40 years
Parts of central and western Queensland will get more rain this weekend than they usually receive for the entire month of March
The same spots average about 55mm for March, Weatherzone meteorologist Tom Hough said.
‘There’ll be some pretty decent falls for western and central Queensland, and there will be quite a lot of moisture associated with that,’ he said.
A severe weather warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, as damaging winds and heavy rainfall are set to hit western Queensland.
The big wet will be caused by a low pressure system lying over the northern interior of the state near Julia Creek. It is expected to slowly move west on Friday.
Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding is expected to accompany the low and it will bring damaging gusts of wind.
Weather forecasters Higgins Storm Chasing are predicting an intense weather event.
‘[The rain] could rival anything during the past 44 years. It may even be so significant that nothing has ever been experienced like it in this state,’ they posted on Facebook.
Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding is expected to accompany the low and it will bring damaging gusts of wind
‘All of Western Queensland need to prepare for a potential Major Record Flood which is forecast to impact the area during the next five days.
‘It could rival anything during the past 44 years, it may also be so significant that nothing has ever been experienced like it in this state.’
Meanwhile the flooding has already begun in north Queensland, as the Ross River Dam in Townsville has swelled from 14 to 80 per cent capacity overnight following huge downpours.
Meanwhile the flooding has already begun in north Queensland, as the Ross River Dam in Townsville has swelled from 14 to 80 per cent capacity
Emergency services are advising people to move their cars under cover and away from trees, secure loose outdoor items and to seek shelter indoors as the low makes its way west over Queensland
Emergency services are advising people to move their cars under cover and away from trees, secure loose outdoor items and to seek shelter indoors as the low makes its way west over Queensland.
Warnings have also been issued for downed trees and powerlines, while motorists are being advised to avoid driving through floodwaters.
Residents are also being warned to stay away from creeks and storm drains due to the risk they may overflow.
A number of flood warnings have also been issued for western Queensland rivers, at the Haughton River Catchment, Balonne River, Bohle River, Dawson River, Lower Herbert River, and the Burdekin and Gulf River catchments.
The mammoth downpour comes on the heels of Queensland’s second-warmest February on record.
The swelling of rivers in Townsville comes after heavy downpours on Thursday night