Flood warnings issued for parts of the NT and QLD as monsoon trough brings heavy rain
Wetter weather will hit parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland as we enter the new year, with more than 300mm falling in some areas in the coming days.
The advance of monsoon rains in the north of Australia caused the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to issue many flood warnings.
Flood watch warnings have been issued for the NT for parts of the Waterhouse and Barkly, Carpentaria and Arnhem Coastal Rivers.
In Queensland, flood watch warnings have been issued for the Northeast Tropical Coast and northwest areas.
BOM warned that “persistent heavy rainfall” combined with thunderstorms could create a risk of flash floods in some affected areas.
With the monsoon season coming a little earlier comes harsh weather.
BOM has warned that the heaviest rainfall for the state and region will come on Saturday and Sunday, with the potential to continue into the new year.
On Christmas Day, a powerful ‘microburst’ hit the Gold Coast, knocking down a crane and causing carnage in established and local holiday parks.
BOM will continue to monitor the formation of storm systems throughout the holiday period and asks residents in affected areas to remain alert for any further updates or warnings.
Forecasts for New Year’s Eve in major cities range from hot and dry to cold and rainy.
Sydney is expected to be partly cloudy but warm (28C), Melbourne cloudy and rainy (19C, Brisbane mostly sunny (33C), Perth hot and sunny (35C), Adelaide with light showers (23C), Canberra with moderate showers (29C), Darwin with showers and thunderstorms (34C) and Hobart cloudy (18C) expected in some parts of the state after a white New Year’s Eve).
