Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall And Damaging Winds

for parts of Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:30 pm Monday, 29 December 2025.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL RISK CONTINUES FOR NORTHWESTERN QUEENSLAND.

Weather Situation
A monsoon trough extends across the northwest and contains an embedded low pressure system located east of Lake Julius. This low is expected to continue track south to southeast. This set-up is likely to generate widespread heavy rainfall across parts of northern Queensland.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West
For NORTHWEST QUEENSLAND: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to continue for parts of Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West Forecast Districts today. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 to 120 mm are likely. Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible during this period with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 160 mm. Rainfall forecast to moderate below severe thresholds later Tuesday.
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 km/h are also possible today, for areas between Kowanyama, Normanton, Julia Creek and Richmond. The risk is greater with shower and thunderstorm activity and is forecast to ease during the late evening.
These conditions also present a risk to cattle and other livestock.
A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for the northeast tropical coast.
Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are current for Northern Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Winton, Cloncurry, Richmond, Julia Creek, Croydon, Kowanyama, Dajarra, Delta Downs Station and Duchess.
117 mm of rainfall was recorded at Gilliant River (northwest of Julia Creek) in the 6 hours to 1:41 pm.
122 mm of rainfall was recorded at Upper Walker Creek (east of Normanton) in the 6 hours to 7:26 am.
142 mm of rainfall was recorded at Oakland Park (east of Normanton) in the 6 hours to 7:23 am.
153 mm of rainfall was recorded at Fish Hole Creek (east of Normanton) in the 6 hours to 7 am.
117 mm of rainfall was recorded at Oakland Park (near Croydon) in the 6 hours to 1:57 am.
121 mm of rainfall was recorded at Canobie (north of Cloncurry) in the 6 hours to 12:20 am.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* 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 Monday.
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 Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall And Damaging Winds

for parts of Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:30 pm Monday, 29 December 2025.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL RISK CONTINUES FOR NORTHWESTERN QUEENSLAND.

Weather Situation
A monsoon trough extends across the northwest and contains an embedded low pressure system located east of Lake Julius. This low is expected to continue track south to southeast. This set-up is likely to generate widespread heavy rainfall across parts of northern Queensland.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West
For NORTHWEST QUEENSLAND: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to continue for parts of Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West Forecast Districts today. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 to 120 mm are likely. Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible during this period with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 160 mm. Rainfall forecast to moderate below severe thresholds later Tuesday.
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 km/h are also possible today, for areas between Kowanyama, Normanton, Julia Creek and Richmond. The risk is greater with shower and thunderstorm activity and is forecast to ease during the late evening.
These conditions also present a risk to cattle and other livestock.
A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for the northeast tropical coast.
Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are current for Northern Queensland. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Winton, Cloncurry, Richmond, Julia Creek, Croydon, Kowanyama, Dajarra, Delta Downs Station and Duchess.
117 mm of rainfall was recorded at Gilliant River (northwest of Julia Creek) in the 6 hours to 1:41 pm.
122 mm of rainfall was recorded at Upper Walker Creek (east of Normanton) in the 6 hours to 7:26 am.
142 mm of rainfall was recorded at Oakland Park (east of Normanton) in the 6 hours to 7:23 am.
153 mm of rainfall was recorded at Fish Hole Creek (east of Normanton) in the 6 hours to 7 am.
117 mm of rainfall was recorded at Oakland Park (near Croydon) in the 6 hours to 1:57 am.
121 mm of rainfall was recorded at Canobie (north of Cloncurry) in the 6 hours to 12:20 am.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* 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 Monday.
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 And Moderate Flood Warning For The Cloncurry River
Issued at 04:16 PM AEST on Monday 29 December 2025
Flood Warning Number: 8

MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT WALKERS BEND WITH FURTHER RISES POSSIBLE
MODERATE FLOODING OCCURRING AT RICHMOND POST OFFICE WITH FURTHER RISES POSSIBLE
MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT CLONCURRY, WITH MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE FROM OVERNIGHT MONDAY INTO TUESDAY
Recent rainfall has caused river and creek level rises across the Flinders and Cloncurry catchments. Significant widespread heavy rainfall is forecast to continue for the remainder of Monday and for the next few days, with strong river and creek level rises expected across the region.
Moderate flooding is expected to be occurring at Richmond Post Office. Downstream, major flooding is occurring at Walkers Bend. Further rises are possible across the catchment with forecast rainfall.
Minor flooding is occurring at Cloncurry, with further rises to the moderate flood level possible from overnight Monday into Tuesday. Further rises are possible with forecast rainfall.
The situation is being closely monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of North-Western Queensland extending to the North Tropical Coast.
A Severe Weather Warning is current for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall for Northwestern Queensland.

Flinders River to Richmond:
Moderate flooding is occurring 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, river levels are expected to be above the moderate flood level (6.00 m) and rising.
The Flinders River at Richmond Post Office is expected to remain above the moderate flood level (6.00 m). Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

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 8.22 m and rising, with major flooding.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m). Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

Cloncurry River:
Moderate flooding is likely along the Cloncurry River.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry is currently at 4.00 m and rising, with minor flooding.
The Cloncurry River at Cloncurry may exceed the moderate flood level (5.00 m) overnight Monday into Tuesday. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

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 Tuesday 30 December 2025.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,1.37,steady,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,1.77,steady,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Flinders River at Punchbowl,4.91,rising,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Flinders River at Etta Plains,8.03,rising,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Julia Creek,4.30,rising,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,7.97,rising,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,4.00,rising,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Cloncurry River at Canobie,9.62,rising,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Flinders River at Flinders Cloncurry Junction,8.29,steady,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,8.22,rising,3:00 pm Mon 29/12/25

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 Diamantina River
Issued at 01:51 PM AEST on Monday 29 December 2025
Flood Warning Number: 5

MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE AT WINTON
RIVER LEVELS ARE ABOVE THE SPRINGVALE DIAMANTINA LAKES CAUSEWAY AT DIAMANTINA LAKES
Recent rainfall has caused river level rises and flooding in the catchment.
Flooding is occurring along the Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes, where the river levels are expected to remain above the causeway over the coming days.
Minor flooding is likely occurring at Winton, with the possibility of moderate flooding with the forecast rainfall.
This situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as necessary.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of North-Western Queensland and North Tropical Coast.

Diamantina River to Diamantina Lakes:
The Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes is at 3.52 m and steady, above the level of the Springvale Diamantina Lakes Road Causeway (2.10 m). The river level is expected to remain above the causeway into next week.
Western River:
Moderate flooding is possible along the Western River.
There are no current river level observations for the Western River at Winton. Based on upstream locations and local guidance, the river level is likely to be below the minor flood level (1.50 m).
The Western River at Winton may reach around the minor flood level (1.50 m) early this week. The river may reach around the moderate flood level (2.00 m) late this week, with forecast rain.

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 Tuesday 30 December 2025.

Latest River Heights:
Mills Creek at Oondooroo,1.94,steady,1:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes Tm,3.51,steady,1:00 pm Mon 29/12/25
Diamantina River at Birdsville,0.77,steady,12:10 pm Mon 29/12/25

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.