Heavy rain is anticipated across northern Queensland starting tonight as a slow-moving weather system, originally Tropical Cyclone Maila, makes its way toward the coast. This cyclone, which developed near the Solomon Islands and reached category 5 status earlier this month, is now set to impact areas from Mackay to Cape York.
As the storm system weakens into a tropical low, it continues to unleash rain along the coast, with many communities expected to experience significant downpours over the next few days. Some regions may receive over 100mm of rainfall, with Townsville particularly on alert. Typically drier in April, the town could see substantial rainfall accumulate in just a couple of days.
The timing of the deluge is unfortunate for sports fans, as the North Queensland Cowboys are scheduled to face the Manly Sea Eagles on Thursday night at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium, likely resulting in a soggy playing field.
Inland, the rain is expected to penetrate deep into Queensland, affecting towns like Longreach, Mount Isa, and Winton, which have already witnessed above-average rainfall this year. This pattern marks a significantly wet period for parts of the outback.
In stark contrast, southeast Queensland is likely to miss the rain once again. Brisbane and surrounding areas will enjoy clear skies and dry weather through the remainder of the week into the weekend, leaving residents in search of rain disappointed once more.
As the weather unfolds, keep an eye on updates to stay informed about changing conditions.