Wet weather on the way Rain, strong winds as systems converge on the city

THREE weather systems will converge on Townsville this week, making it particularly wet underfoot.

A low pressure system that could become a cyclone, a monsoonal trough and a coastal trough moving north will keep the rain falling in Townsville until at least Friday.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Kimba Wong said yesterday Townsville could expect a “couple of showers” and storms moving through to the south today. But as a low pressure system develops in the Gulf of Carpentaria, more rain would fall over North Queensland in the coming week.

It is that low pressure system that is tipped to become Tropical Cyclone Gretel.

Ms Wong said modelling suggested it would develop in the Gulf “as early as today” or as late as Wednesday.

It is then expected to move across the Cape and into the Coral Sea, off the coast of Townsville, later this week.

“If a cyclone does form, its likely path at the moment is to head further eastwards … further offshore and take the weather with it,” Ms Wong said.

Last week, Sky Weather chief meteorologist Tom Saunders said modelling showed Townsville would be the “target zone” for the potential cyclone. According to the BOM forecast, there is a 90 per cent chance of rain with a maximum of 30-40mm predicted for Wednesday and Thursday.

On Friday, there is a 60 per cent chance of rain, with 60mm rain predicted.

Townsville is expected to experience strong winds from the potential cyclone activity.

Ms Wong said west of Townsville would experience rain throughout the week, but would miss out on the strong winds if the cyclone did develop in the Coral Sea.

A monsoonal trough, which will develop early this week, will bring showers and thunderstorm activity and a coastal trough, which is currently sitting around the Fraser Coast, is expected to move north.

“A southeasterly wind surge is coming up through the coast and should reach your neck of the woods on Wednesday,” Ms Wong said.

Charters Towers is also expected to have a cool end to the week with temperatures tipped to drop to 29C.

In Townsville, temperatures will remain average with lows of 25C and highs of 32C expected for most of the week.

Today there is a 70 per cent chance of rain, but only about 10mm is expected to fall in Townsville.