‘It almost doesn’t matter whether it’s a cyclone’: Rain dump in Brisbane on the cards

2 months ago 4

Brisbane could be drenched by heavy rain in the fallout of a possible tropical cyclone closing in on the state’s far north.

On Friday a tropical low was over the Coral Sea, about 350 kilometres from Cairns, and likely to hit north of Townsville late on Saturday or early on Sunday.

The low had a “very strong chance” – about 40 per cent to 50 per cent – of developing into a cyclone before making landfall, according to Angus Hines, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology.

Flooding would be likely, with up to half-a-metre of rain possible over the next three days in some isolated areas.

“One of the key messages I’ve really been telling people is that whether or not this becomes a tropical cyclone, it is going to bring a lot of rain,” Hines said.

“Certainly we could have riverine flooding, rivers breaking their banks, roads being shut, landslides are possible and there’s potential for community isolation.

About 35 millimetres or more could fall on Brisbane early next week, as the remnants of the weather system move south.

“It almost doesn’t matter too much whether it’s a tropical cyclone or not.”

The north coast has been hit by heavy downpours in recent weeks, with oversaturated earth increasing the risk of flooding.

Hines added the weather system could move south after landfall, bringing up to 35 millimetres of rain to Brisbane early next week.

“It’s definitely possible,” he said.

“There’s definitely a chance that we do see some heavy rainfall on Monday and potentially until Tuesday as the remnants of this weather system make their way down.

“We could see that number increase as well … I’d be watching out for Monday and Tuesday on that forecast if you’re in the south-east because that is when this weather system may impact you.”