Issued 4:30pm Friday 13 January 2023
Rain and thunderstorms will continue across the tropical north this weekend and into next week.
Showers and thunderstorms will continue across northern parts of the Northern Territory and Western Australia in the coming days.
The showers expected across Western Australia shouldn't cause any major issues for flood-affected communities across the Kimberley, but localised heavy falls are possible.
The heaviest rain and storms will be through central and northern Queensland and along the coast from Cooktown to Mackay.
A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall is current for parts of northern Queensland as heavy rainfall is likely to lead to flash and riverine flooding and will exacerbate ongoing flooding in some areas this weekend.
Moderate to Major Flood Warnings are current for a number of river systems through northern Australia, and further warnings are possible in the coming days.
Some of the highest rainfall in the 24 hours to 9am Friday AEST include:
- 228 mm at Black Mountain
- 227mm at Rowallan Park, Qld
- 202 mm at Mccreadys Creek, Qld
- 172 mm at Dumbleton Rocks, Qld
- 165 mm at Walkerston, Qld
Flood Watches are current for large parts of northern Queensland.
A Major Flood Warning is current for the Georgina River in Queensland.
Minor to Moderate Flood Warnings are current for areas in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
In the south – Victoria, South Australia and south-west Western Australia are currently experiencing a prolonged run of hot and dry weather, with inland locations reaching the high 30s to low 40s.
This heat is due to a large and slow-moving high-pressure system south of Australia, extending into the Tasman Sea, which is directing warmer northerly winds across the south.
Maximum daily temperatures will be 8 - 14 degrees above average over a broad stretch of southern Australia on Friday and Saturday.
Heatwave levels will reach low intensity through much of southern Australia.
Elevated fire dangers will accompany the heat, reaching High to Extreme in some areas.
South Australia is likely to see Extreme Fire Dangers on Saturday, including the Mount Lofty Ranges.
There is a number of ongoing fires across parts of south-west Western Australia and a Fire Weather Warning is current for parts of Western Australia for extreme fire dangers today.
Rising humidity levels across south-east and inland New South Wales and eastern Victoria could see thunderstorms develop each afternoon into early next week, with heavy rain and damaging winds the main threat.
Residents and communities should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via our website and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.
