Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 4:50 pm Thursday, 8 January 2026.

A tropical low approaches the northeast tropical coast, bringing heavy to LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and damaging winds on Friday and into the weekend.

Weather Situation: A broad tropical low (12U) has formed in the Coral Sea and will begin slowly moving towards the northeast Queensland coast over the next few days. The low is expected to move inland over the weekend. To the south of the low, a surge in southeasterly winds is also expected to bring a risk of damaging winds to coastal areas. Shower and thunderstorm activity is expected to become more widespread with areas of heavy rainfall developing on Friday and continuing over the weekend.

For the NORTH TROPICAL COAST north of, and including, CAIRNS:

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop during Friday and continue into Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 100 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 180 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals 100 to 180 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 250 mm possible.

East to southeasterly DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with wind gusts around 90 km/h are also possible during Friday and Saturday about coastal areas, including the reef, particularly in showers and thunderstorms.

For the NORTH TROPICAL COAST south of CAIRNS, the HERBERT AND LOWER BURDEKIN and parts of the CENTRAL COAST AND WHITSUNDAYS:

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop north of Townsville from Friday afternoon and extend south through the remainder of the warning area overnight Friday and into Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 170 mm are likely. Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible during this period with isolated falls in excess of 250 mm possible. 24-hourly totals between 150 to 250 mm are likely, with isolated falls in excess of 350 mm possible.

East to southeasterly DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with wind gusts around 90 km/h are also expected about exposed coastal parts during Friday, particularly in showers and thunderstorms, and continue throughout Saturday, as the winds shift northeasterly during the afternoon and evening.

Conditions could begin to ease about the North Tropical Coast north of Innisfail by Saturday evening, but are likely to persist into Sunday over parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and Central Coast and Whitsundays.

Rainfall totals and warning area is dependent on the development and location of the tropical low. The tropical low is being monitored closely and a forecast track map has been issued. If further strengthening is likely then a Tropical Cyclone Advice and Watch may be issued. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if intense rainfall is detected.

A separate Severe Weather Warning associated with monsoonal winds has been issued for people in the Peninsula. Flood Watch and Warning products are also current for large parts of Queensland, including the northeast.

For all other current warnings and watches, please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts

Underlying wet soils will make trees easier to fall about the northeast tropical coast. Landslips could also occur about steep and hilly terrain.

Locations which may be affected include Hope Vale, Cooktown, Bloomfield Valley (including Wujal Wujal), Port Douglas, Cairns, Yarrabah, Mareeba, Atherton, Innisfail, Palm Island, Cardwell, Ingham, Townsville, Ayr, Bowen, Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands. Proserpine, and Mackay.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* 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.