Heavy rainfall, potentially life-threatening flash flooding, and widespread riverine flooding continue across much of northern Queensland today.
Looking at satellite and radar imagery from the last 12 hours or so, we can see clouds swirling around the monsoon trough and a monsoonal low-pressure system sitting over north-western Queensland. These features are producing several areas of rainfall that are of particular concern.
Firstly, across the north-west of the state, rain is wrapping around the monsoonal low-pressure system. In the 24 hours to 9:00 this morning, these parts of Queensland have seen widespread falls of 50 to 150 mm, with a couple of locations pushing towards or above 200 mm.
Another area of heavy rainfall is evident on radar along the north tropical coast, particularly between Cairns and Townsville. Onshore winds are feeding moisture into this area, generating rain and thunderstorms. A few locations along this stretch of coast have recorded rainfall totals of up to 300 to 350 mm in the 24 hours to 9:00 this morning.
Given the rainfall observed over the past 24 hours and what is expected in the days ahead, it is unsurprising that severe weather warnings for heavy rainfall remain in place for both regions.
For inland parts of the state, the severe weather warning focuses on heavy falls wrapping around the low-pressure system today. Six-hourly rainfall totals of 40 to 70 mm are possible, with some locations potentially seeing up to 100 mm within a six-hour period. Riverine flooding is already ongoing in these areas, and impacts to agriculture and livestock are also possible.
Along the north tropical coast, the severe weather warning for heavy rainfall extends from around Cairns to Townsville. While there has been a slight easing in rainfall this morning, rain is expected to ramp up again later today, particularly overnight into early Wednesday. Two- to six-hourly rainfall totals of 100 to 180 mm are possible, with some areas seeing as much as 220 mm over that timeframe.
This amount of rain falling in a short period is likely to lead to flash flooding, especially given that these areas have already received several hundred millimetres of rain in recent days.
In response to the ongoing risk, large areas of northern Australia remain covered by flood watches and flood warnings. As of around 10:30 on Tuesday morning, moderate to major flooding is occurring across parts of north-western and western Queensland, with road closures and community isolation already affecting some areas.
Minor flood warnings are also in place for the north tropical coast and across north-eastern parts of the Northern Territory. In addition, widespread flood watches extend from eastern parts of the Northern Territory through north-western and western Queensland and toward the east coast. These flood watches highlight areas where flooding may develop over the coming days.
This situation remains dynamic as rain continues to fall, and flood warning areas are likely to expand or increase in severity over the coming days. Particular focus is on the Flinders and Cloncurry rivers. The Flinders River is currently at major flood level, while the Cloncurry River is under a moderate flood warning. Both catchments may continue to receive heavy rainfall today.
The heavy rainfall and flooding risk is being driven by the monsoonal low-pressure system lingering over north-western Queensland, drawing in deep moisture and sustaining heavy falls. Along the north tropical coast, heavy rain is also expected to continue and intensify later today.
Into tomorrow, increased convergence along the north tropical coast may further heighten the risk of heavy rainfall. However, through Wednesday, onshore flow and the low-pressure system over the north-west are expected to gradually weaken. As a result, the risk of widespread heavy rainfall should become more isolated.
While heavy rainfall remains possible through Thursday and Friday, the likelihood of extremely high rainfall totals is expected to decrease. Even so, high accumulations are still forecast.
Rainfall accumulation forecasts from midnight last night through to 11:00 Friday evening continue to highlight two main areas of concern: north-western Queensland and the north tropical coast. These regions have already experienced significant rainfall and may see several hundred millimetres more over the coming days, particularly near the monsoonal low.
The highest rainfall totals are most likely to be associated with thunderstorms. Over the next few days, it is important to keep an eye on Bureau radar, as severe thunderstorm warnings may also be required in addition to existing severe weather warnings for heavy rainfall.
For the latest forecasts and warnings, visit the Bureau’s website, use the BOM Weather app, or follow official updates on social media. Stay safe.
Looking at satellite and radar imagery from the last 12 hours or so, we can see clouds swirling around the monsoon trough and a monsoonal low-pressure system sitting over north-western Queensland. These features are producing several areas of rainfall that are of particular concern.
Firstly, across the north-west of the state, rain is wrapping around the monsoonal low-pressure system. In the 24 hours to 9:00 this morning, these parts of Queensland have seen widespread falls of 50 to 150 mm, with a couple of locations pushing towards or above 200 mm.
Another area of heavy rainfall is evident on radar along the north tropical coast, particularly between Cairns and Townsville. Onshore winds are feeding moisture into this area, generating rain and thunderstorms. A few locations along this stretch of coast have recorded rainfall totals of up to 300 to 350 mm in the 24 hours to 9:00 this morning.
Given the rainfall observed over the past 24 hours and what is expected in the days ahead, it is unsurprising that severe weather warnings for heavy rainfall remain in place for both regions.
For inland parts of the state, the severe weather warning focuses on heavy falls wrapping around the low-pressure system today. Six-hourly rainfall totals of 40 to 70 mm are possible, with some locations potentially seeing up to 100 mm within a six-hour period. Riverine flooding is already ongoing in these areas, and impacts to agriculture and livestock are also possible.
Along the north tropical coast, the severe weather warning for heavy rainfall extends from around Cairns to Townsville. While there has been a slight easing in rainfall this morning, rain is expected to ramp up again later today, particularly overnight into early Wednesday. Two- to six-hourly rainfall totals of 100 to 180 mm are possible, with some areas seeing as much as 220 mm over that timeframe.
This amount of rain falling in a short period is likely to lead to flash flooding, especially given that these areas have already received several hundred millimetres of rain in recent days.
In response to the ongoing risk, large areas of northern Australia remain covered by flood watches and flood warnings. As of around 10:30 on Tuesday morning, moderate to major flooding is occurring across parts of north-western and western Queensland, with road closures and community isolation already affecting some areas.
Minor flood warnings are also in place for the north tropical coast and across north-eastern parts of the Northern Territory. In addition, widespread flood watches extend from eastern parts of the Northern Territory through north-western and western Queensland and toward the east coast. These flood watches highlight areas where flooding may develop over the coming days.
This situation remains dynamic as rain continues to fall, and flood warning areas are likely to expand or increase in severity over the coming days. Particular focus is on the Flinders and Cloncurry rivers. The Flinders River is currently at major flood level, while the Cloncurry River is under a moderate flood warning. Both catchments may continue to receive heavy rainfall today.
The heavy rainfall and flooding risk is being driven by the monsoonal low-pressure system lingering over north-western Queensland, drawing in deep moisture and sustaining heavy falls. Along the north tropical coast, heavy rain is also expected to continue and intensify later today.
Into tomorrow, increased convergence along the north tropical coast may further heighten the risk of heavy rainfall. However, through Wednesday, onshore flow and the low-pressure system over the north-west are expected to gradually weaken. As a result, the risk of widespread heavy rainfall should become more isolated.
While heavy rainfall remains possible through Thursday and Friday, the likelihood of extremely high rainfall totals is expected to decrease. Even so, high accumulations are still forecast.
Rainfall accumulation forecasts from midnight last night through to 11:00 Friday evening continue to highlight two main areas of concern: north-western Queensland and the north tropical coast. These regions have already experienced significant rainfall and may see several hundred millimetres more over the coming days, particularly near the monsoonal low.
The highest rainfall totals are most likely to be associated with thunderstorms. Over the next few days, it is important to keep an eye on Bureau radar, as severe thunderstorm warnings may also be required in addition to existing severe weather warnings for heavy rainfall.
For the latest forecasts and warnings, visit the Bureau’s website, use the BOM Weather app, or follow official updates on social media. Stay safe.
Severe weather update: Queensland rain and flooding continues
30 December 2025
Video current: 11:30am AEST Tuesday 30/12/25.