Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Peninsula, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders Forecast Districts.

Issued at 11:01 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.

Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall over parts of the North Tropical Coast and extending inland to the Northern Goldfields.

Weather Situation: Warm and humid conditions combine with a monsoon trough to produce severe thunderstorms over parts of northern Queensland overnight.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Mareeba, Cardwell, Tully, Atherton, Mount Garnet and Chillagoe.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Gulf Country and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

42 mm of rainfall was recorded at Ravenshoe in the 30 minutes to 10:05 pm.

41 mm of rainfall was recorded at Yammanie Minnamoolka in the 30 minutes to 8:08 pm.

55 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wairuna Road in the 40 minutes to 7:39 pm.

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.