Australia Weather News

Outback graziers are on high alert as heavy rainfall and flooding threaten the state's north and west, two months on from catastrophic cattle losses due to flooding.

A severe weather warning is current for parts of the north-west for heavy, locally intense rainfall, which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.

The warning notes that the conditions will present a risk to cattle and livestock in the area.

The weather bureau said daily rainfall totals between 100 and 150 millimetres were likely in the region, with localised falls to 220mm possible.

About 60mm of rain fell on Mount Isa yesterday and overnight, with Archie Creek, near Gregory, and Miranda Creek, north-east of Mount Isa, also seeing more than 60mm of rainfall.

The deluge is expected to continue this weekend, with areas north-west of Mackay receiving about half a metre of rain in the past week.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned heavy falls were expected to continue in already sodden areas. 

"That could produce further flash flooding and that water could end up in the rivers and we could see some of those eastern rivers have their levels really start to climb again," senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

Parts of the north have received heavy falls for seven days, with about 300 to 400mm recorded near Townsville.

"Spots around Mount Isa and Cloncurry have picked up between 100 and 150mm of rain in the past week," Mr Hines said.

"Even through central Queensland, around Richmond and Hughenden, we've seen some 100mm-plus rainfall totals in the past seven days."

Grazier Bill Cluff, on Blair Athol Station north of Boulia, said he had received 104mm over two days in bursts.

"We had that first stormy rain to start the grass and now we've got this on top of it. We couldn't get it much better," he said.

"This is sort of a normal wet season. It's good to see again."

Boulia Shire Mayor Rick Britton said graziers were on alert and preparing for any potential flooding.

"We are watching river levels and ensuring we can respond quickly if needed," Cr Britton said.

"If we get a break in this rain we should be okay, but river levels are rising quickly.

"Livestock are as prepared as possible in this landscape."

He warned people to put off any travels plans to the north west for the next 48 hours.

"Residents are urged to stay informed of the possible flooding, and emergency coordination resources and measures are on standby," he said.

About 250 kilometres east of Mount Isa, transport trucks are stuck in the town of Julia Creek. 

The town has seen about 50mm of rainfall since yesterday morning.

Heavy rain intensifying in the west

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting heavy rain to continue throughout Saturday with falls of 100 to 200mm on the north-east coast. 

"We'll see things gradually clearing up from the south a little bit during Sunday," Mr Hines said.

"Mackay, even Townsville, might be out of the firing line by then but further north it's likely to continue."

Meanwhile, forecasters are closely monitoring a developing low-pressure system further west.

Mr Hines said the change in the weather pattern would turn the pockets of rain into more "extensive rainfall" over western areas.

"Big rainfall totals anticipated in the coming seven days out there [are] likely to lead to extensive road closures out through the outback," he said.

"We may see community isolation. We could see people getting stranded."

Communities warned further river flooding likely 

The persistent heavy rain has caused rivers to swell. 

Mr Hines said more flood warnings were expected throughout the weekend. 

"The Flinders River is seeing major flooding both downstream of Richmond and upstream of Richmond at the moment.

"Ten rivers or so through Queensland are either currently experiencing or expected to see moderate flooding in the next day or two.

"And then a lot more rivers [are] at minor flooding."

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an extensive flood watch for the weekend due to the catchments already being wet.

Areas of flooding are likely to become more widespread over the next few days, with rapid river level rises and flash flooding possible in regions that receive the heaviest rainfall.

A severe weather warning is also current for parts of the north-west for heavy, locally intense rainfall, which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.

The weather bureau said daily rainfall totals between 100 and 150mm were likely, with localised falls to 220mm possible.

Sunshine in the south-east 

Elsewhere in the state, very little rainfall is expected in the next couple of days in the south-east, including Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Gold and Sunshine coasts, after the region received hundreds of millimetres last weekend.

"Maybe Sunday we could see the return of one or two light showers," Mr Hines said.

"Really nothing to worry about, just a light drop of rain, maybe 1, 2, 3 millimetres."