View the current warnings for Queensland
Forecast updated at 10:13 am EST on Friday 26 December 2025.
Weather Situation
A weak ridge extends over the north Queensland waters. A trough will move north into the Mackay waters late today before moving into the Townsville and Cairns waters on Saturday, then weaken on Sunday.
Forecast for Friday until midnight
- Winds
- West to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots tending southeast to southwesterly in the late evening.
- Seas
- Below 1 metre.
- Swell
- Northeast to southeasterly below 1 metre.
- Weather
- Cloudy. 90% chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Saturday 27 December
- Winds
- Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots, reaching up to 25 knots through the Capricorn Channel during the afternoon and evening.
- Seas
- Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres during the morning.
- Swell
- Northeast to southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres through the Capricorn Channel during the afternoon.
- Weather
- Cloudy. 90% chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm in the early morning.
Sunday 28 December
- Winds
- East to southeasterly 15 to 25 knots.
- Seas
- 1 to 2 metres.
- Swell
- Southeasterly 1 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the evening.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning.
Please be awareWind and wave forecasts are averages. Wind gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than the forecast, and stronger still in squalls and thunderstorms. Maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.
Nearby Coastal Waters
- See detailed wind and wave forecasts on MetEye
- This forecast is also available via scheduled broadcasts on marine radio.
- Latest Coastal Observations
- Tide Predictions
- Marine Knowledge Centre - explanations and definitions
The next routine forecast will be issued at 2:50 pm EST Friday.
Product IDQ10860