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, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River
Issued at 03:56 PM AEST on Thursday 01 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 14

NEAR MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT RICHMOND FROM LATE FRIDAY WITH FORECAST RAINFALL
MAJOR FLOODING CONTINUES TO RISE AT WALKERS BEND
Recent rainfall has caused river and creek level rises and flooding across the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments. Further areas of moderate to heavy rainfall are forecast to affect parts of the catchments over the next few days, with the heaviest rainfall likely over the Flinders catchment. River and creek level rises are likely to continue.
Moderate flooding is expected to be occurring at Richmond, with rises close to the major flood level possible from late Friday with forecast rainfall. Minor flooding has eased at Cloncurry. Downstream, major flooding at Walkers Bend is expected to continue rising well into next week as upstream floodwaters continue to arrive.

Flinders River to Richmond:
Major flooding is possible along the Flinders River to Richmond.
No observations are currently available for the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river level is expected to be above the moderate flood level (6.00 m) and relatively steady.
With forecast rainfall, renewed river level rises are possible along the Flinders River at Richmond Post Office from late Thursday. The river level may reach close to the major flood level (8.00 m) from late Friday.

Flinders River downstream of Richmond:
Major flooding is occurring along the Flinders River downstream of Richmond.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is currently at 10.99 m and rising, with major flooding.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) well into next week, with rises continuing as upstream flows arrive.

Cloncurry River:
Minor flooding has eased along the Cloncurry River.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is currently at 2.89 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is expected to remain below the minor flood level (3.00 m) overnight Thursday into Friday.

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 10:00 AM AEST on Friday 02 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.10,steady,3:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,1.73,steady,3:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,6.30,steady,3:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,11.00,steady,3:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Julia Creek,3.62,steady,3:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,9.29,steady,3:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,2.89,falling,3:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,11.54,steady,3:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Flinders River at Flinders Cloncurry Junction,11.73,steady,3:00 pm Thu 01/01/26
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,10.99,rising,3:00 pm 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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Moderate Flood Warning For The Western River And Flood Warning For The Diamantina River
Issued at 12:28 PM AEST on Thursday 01 January 2026
Flood Warning Number: 8

MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE AT WINTON FROM LATER FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY
RENEWED RIVER LEVEL RISES POSSIBLE AT DIAMANTINA LAKES IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS
Recent rainfall across the upper Diamantina River catchment has caused renewed river level rises and flooding across the Western and Diamantina Rivers.
Further areas of rainfall are forecast to continue over the next few days. River levels are expected to remain elevated and further river level rises are likely.
This situation is being closely monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.

Diamantina River to Diamantina Lakes:
The Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes is at 2.72 m and falling, above the level of the Springvale Diamantina Lakes Road Causeway (2.10 m). Renewed river level rises are likely in the next few days.
Western River:
Moderate flooding is possible along the Western River.
The Western River at Winton is currently at 1.44 m and rising, below the minor flood level (1.50 m).
The Western River at Winton may exceed the minor flood level (1.50 m) Thursday afternoon. The river may reach around the moderate flood level (2.00 m) from later Friday into Saturday. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

Diamantina River downstream of Diamantina Lakes:
River level rises are occurring along the lower Diamantina River downstream of Diamantina Lakes, with minor flooding occurring at Monkira.

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 Friday 02 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Mills Creek at Oondooroo,3.32,steady,11:19 am Thu 01/01/26
Western River at Winton,1.44,rising,11:45 am Thu 01/01/26
Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes Tm,2.72,falling,11:00 am Thu 01/01/26
Diamantina River at Monkira,2.99,steady,9:00 am Thu 01/01/26
Diamantina River at Birdsville,0.74,steady,11:15 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.