Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast District.

Issued at 4:53 am Thursday, 1 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall remains possible along the Townsville coast today.

Weather Situation
A coastal trough over the northeast is combining with a very humid airmass to bring widespread moderate rainfall today, with heavy rainfall possible in localised areas.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Herbert and Lower Burdekin
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible between Townsville and Bowen this morning and early afternoon. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 150 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 220 mm possible. HEAVY RAINFALL is expected to ease during this afternoon, although there is the slight potential for re-development of localised heavy rainfall later tonight over the broader Townsville Coast area.
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 Ayr, Giru and Alva Beach.
Severe weather is no longer occurring in the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
80mm was recorded at Upper Stuart Creek (South of Townsville) in the 1 hour to 2:35am.
Cancellation for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands

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 am 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 Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast District.

Issued at 4:53 am Thursday, 1 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall remains possible along the Townsville coast today.

Weather Situation
A coastal trough over the northeast is combining with a very humid airmass to bring widespread moderate rainfall today, with heavy rainfall possible in localised areas.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Herbert and Lower Burdekin
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible between Townsville and Bowen this morning and early afternoon. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 150 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 220 mm possible. HEAVY RAINFALL is expected to ease during this afternoon, although there is the slight potential for re-development of localised heavy rainfall later tonight over the broader Townsville Coast area.
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 Ayr, Giru and Alva Beach.
Severe weather is no longer occurring in the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
80mm was recorded at Upper Stuart Creek (South of Townsville) in the 1 hour to 2:35am.
Cancellation for the following areas:
North Tropical Coast and Tablelands

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 am 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

Marine Wind Warning Summary for Queensland

Issued at 03:00 AM EST on Thursday 01 January 2026
for the period until midnight EST Friday 02 January 2026

Wind Warnings for Thursday 01 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Cairns Coast and Townsville Coast

Wind Warnings for Friday 02 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Townsville Coast

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 9:00 am EST Thursday.
================================================================================
Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local
Waters Forecast at http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/map.shtml for information on wind,
wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.
================================================================================

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Minor Flood Warning For The Mulgrave River And Flood Warning For The Russell River
Issued at 10:15 AM AEST on Wednesday 31 December 2025
Flood Warning Number: 4

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT PEETS BRIDGE AND GORDONVALE OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY
Moderate to heavy rainfall has been observed across the Mulgrave and Russell River catchments. Further rainfall is forecast from Wednesday into Thursday. The catchment is wet following recent rainfall. Minor flooding is possible at Peets Bridge and Gordonvale from overnight Wednesday into Thursday.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of the North Tropical Coast and a Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall is current for the Mulgrave and Russell catchments.

Mulgrave River:
Minor flooding is possible along the Mulgrave River.
The Mulgrave River at Peets Bridge is currently at 2.00 m AHD and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Mulgrave River at Peets Bridge may reach around the minor flood level (5.00 m AHD) from overnight Wednesday into Thursday with forecast rainfall.

The Mulgrave River at Gordonvale is currently at 7.70 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Mulgrave River at Gordonvale may reach around the minor flood level (12.00 m) from overnight Wednesday into Thursday with forecast rainfall.

Russell River:
River levels are elevated along the Russell River.

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 11:00 AM AEST on Thursday 01 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Mulgrave River at The Fisheries,0.95,steady,9:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Mulgrave River at Peets Bridge,2.00,steady,9:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Mulgrave River at Gordonvale,7.70,steady,9:40 am Wed 31/12/25
Russell River at Bucklands,4.26,falling,9:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Babinda Creek at The Boulders,1.02,steady,7:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Russell River at Clyde Rd,0.07,falling,10:08 am Wed 31/12/25

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

Minor Flood Warning For The Tully River And Initial Minor Flood Warning For The Murray River
Issued at 09:43 AM AEST on Wednesday 31 December 2025
Flood Warning Number: 5

MINOR FLOODING RISING ALONG TULLY RIVER AT EURAMO
MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ALONG MURRAY RIVER AT MURRAY FLATS THURSDAY AFTERNOON
Moderate to heavy rainfall observed across the Tully and Murray river catchments has caused river level rises throughout the catchments. Minor flooding is rising along the Tully River at Euramo following overnight rainfall. River levels are also expected to be elevated along the Murray River and minor flooding is possible during Thursday afternoon at Murray Flats.
Further moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast over the next few days which may cause further river level rises. The situation is being monitored and this warning will be updated as required.
A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall is current for the Tully and Murray catchments, and a Flood Watch is current for adjoining catchments.

Tully River:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Tully River.
The Tully River at Euramo is currently at 6.90 m and rising, with minor flooding.
The Tully River at Euramo may reach around 7.20 m Wednesday afternoon, with minor flooding. Further rises and higher levels are possible with forecast rain. The river is expected to remain above the minor flood level (6.00 m) overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

Murray River:
Minor flooding is possible along the Murray River at Murray Flats. A minor flood peak was observed at Upper Murray early Wednesday morning.
No observations are currently available for the Murray River at Murray Flats.
The Murray River at Murray Flats may reach around the minor flood level (7.00 m) Thursday afternoon.

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 Thursday 01 January 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Tully River at Tully Gorge,1.00,falling,8:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Tully River at Euramo,6.90,rising,9:04 am Wed 31/12/25
Clump Point Tide,2.76,falling,8:56 am Wed 31/12/25
Cardwell Tide,3.09,falling,9:00 am Wed 31/12/25
Murray River at Upper Murray,5.50,falling,9:24 am Wed 31/12/25

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.