View the current warnings for Queensland
Forecast issued at 3:00 pm EST on Sunday 18 January 2026.
Weather Situation
A monsoon trough will extend across Cape York Peninsula into North Queensland Waters north of Cairns early this week and persist for several days. A tropical low is forecast to form within the trough before moving into the northwestern Coral Sea from the middle of this week. A weak ridge will extend over northern Queensland waters south of the trough until Tuesday, with a weak pressure gradient persisting for the following few days.
Forecast for Sunday until midnight
- Winds
- Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots.
- Seas
- Around 1 metre.
- Swell
- Northerly below 1 metre.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. The chance of a thunderstorm inshore.
Monday 19 January
- Winds
- Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 20 knots offshore during the day.
- Seas
- Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the morning.
- Swell
- East to northeasterly below 1 metre.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm north of Cape Bowling Green in the afternoon and evening.
Tuesday 20 January
- Winds
- Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots.
- Seas
- Around 1 metre.
- Swell
- Easterly around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres by early evening.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm inshore in the evening.
Wednesday 21 January
- Winds
- Easterly 10 to 15 knots.
- Seas
- Below 1 metre.
- Swell
- Easterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef.
- Weather
- Mostly sunny.
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 9:00 pm EST Sunday.
Product IDQ11305