Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Damaging Winds

for parts of Peninsula Forecast District.

Issued at 4:51 pm Thursday, 8 January 2026.

Damaging winds to develop about the Torres Strait and northwest Cape York Peninsula on Friday.

Weather Situation
The monsoon trough is situated over far northern Cape York Peninsula and is expected slowly move south over the coming days. A strong burst of monsoonal northwesterly winds is likely develop to the north of the trough, bringing the risk of damaging winds to the northwest of Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait islands.
DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Peninsula
Strong to DAMAGING WINDS average 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of 90 km/h are possible about parts of Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait Islands, including Thursday Island, from Friday afternoon. Winds are expected to persist through Saturday before easing early Sunday morning.
Bursts of moderate rainfall in monsoonal showers are also expected.
A separate Severe Weather Warning and forecast track map associated with Tropical Low 12U is current for people in the northeast tropical coast, and several flood watches and warnings are current for large parts of Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
Locations which may be affected include Thursday Island, Bamaga, Old Mapoon and the Torres Strait Islands.

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 11:00 pm AEST Thursday.
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 Damaging Winds

for parts of Peninsula Forecast District.

Issued at 4:51 pm Thursday, 8 January 2026.

Damaging winds to develop about the Torres Strait and northwest Cape York Peninsula on Friday.

Weather Situation
The monsoon trough is situated over far northern Cape York Peninsula and is expected slowly move south over the coming days. A strong burst of monsoonal northwesterly winds is likely develop to the north of the trough, bringing the risk of damaging winds to the northwest of Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait islands.
DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Peninsula
Strong to DAMAGING WINDS average 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of 90 km/h are possible about parts of Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait Islands, including Thursday Island, from Friday afternoon. Winds are expected to persist through Saturday before easing early Sunday morning.
Bursts of moderate rainfall in monsoonal showers are also expected.
A separate Severe Weather Warning and forecast track map associated with Tropical Low 12U is current for people in the northeast tropical coast, and several flood watches and warnings are current for large parts of Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
Locations which may be affected include Thursday Island, Bamaga, Old Mapoon and the Torres Strait Islands.

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 11:00 pm AEST Thursday.
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, Australia

Flood Watch For Coastal Rivers Between Daintree To Pioneer Rivers And The Cape York Peninsula
Issued at 12:10 PM AEST on Thursday 08 January 2026
Flood Watch Number: 20
MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS COASTAL RIVERS BETWEEN THE DAINTREE AND PIONEER RIVERS AND THE CAPE YORK PENINSULA

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Jacky Jacky Creek
Olive and Pascoe Rivers
Lockhart River
Stewart River
Normanby River
Jeannie River
Endeavour River
Daintree River
Mossman River
Barron River
Mulgrave and Russell Rivers
Johnstone River
Tully River
Murray River
Black River
Ross and Bohle Rivers
Haughton River
Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam
Cape River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Burdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Burdekin River downstream of Burdekin Falls Dam
Don and Proserpine Rivers
Pioneer River
Connors, Isaac and Styx Rivers and Plane Creek
Staaten River
Mitchell River
Coleman and Edward Rivers
Holroyd and Kendall Rivers
Archer and Coen Rivers
Watson River
Embley and Mission Rivers
Wenlock River
Ducie, Jackson and Skardon Rivers
Jardine River

Flood Warnings are current for the following catchment(s): Mulgrave and Russell, Herbert, Nicholson, Leichhardt, Upper Flinders, Lower Flinders, Norman, Gilbert, Georgina and Eyre, Diamantina and Thomson

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

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 Flood Watch will be issued by 01:00 PM AEST on Friday 09 January 2026.