BET ON IT’S WET

Be prepared for heavy downpours, warns weather bureau and SES

FAR Northern wet seasons have been something of a nonevent in the past few years, but if latest predictions are to be believed, things are about to get a bit damp.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s climate outlook released yesterday rates the chances of above average rainfall between February and April to be upwards of 60 per cent, particularly in the northern parts of Cape York and the Cassowary Coast.

Falls of anywhere between 200 and 600mm are likely for February, while up to 1200mm could be recorded over the three months.

The February average for Cairns is 448mm, making it the wettest month of the year traditionally.

Duty forecaster Cliff Joseph said there were a few factors at play which were driving the predictions for significant rainfall.

“(The weak La Nina) could be a factor,” he said.

“The warmer ocean temperatures are also a factor.

“You see a lot more precipitation from warmer oceans, a lot more clouds forming.”

The La Nina period is still expected to be short, finishing up in mid-autumn.

Mr Joseph said there was still no sign of the monsoon trough and no evidence it would appear within the next week at least.

Occasional showers are expected to persist in the region right through until next week. Temperatures are expected to rise up to 35 degrees on Sunday.

Far Northern SES regional director Wayne Coutts said, given the past few years have been drier than average, there could be some complacency in the community.

He said people needed to consider their “plan B” if caught in heavy falls in the next few months.

“(These forecasts) are not based on gut, they’re based on science and probability,” he said.

“We just always hope the community does their part.

“If everyone needed help we wouldn’t be able to do it.

“We absolutely need the community to put their plans in place.”

He advised parents to speak with new drivers about driving in flooding conditions and all motorists to use resources such as the Department of Transport and Main Roads website to monitor roads.