Far North tipped to receive a downpour

FAR North Queensland could be lashed with rain to the tune of 250mm this week, in light of expected downpours from Innisfail to Cape Tribulation.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting heavy rainfall across the Cassowary Coast, with an area just south of Cairns expected to cop a large proportion of the rainfall.

A severe weather warning was issued by the bureau yesterday morning and updated at 5pm. It is predicting heavy falls are likely to occur with thunderstorms over remaining northern districts in coming days.

Bureau forecaster Steven Hadley said the rain was expected to be shortlived on the coast, with the majority set to fall in a 24 hour period.

“The heavy rainfall is expected to be around for Tuesday, but we expect it will subside heading into Wednesday and fade out into showers towards the end of the week,” he said.

“We’re seeing the very active monsoonal trough which is still above Cape York move into the Northern Tropical Coast area, and southeasterly winds moving northwards will meet with the monsoon trough to cause the heavy rainfalls. We’re expecting places like the Northern Tropical Coast and Tablelands will see about 250mm of rainfall in that 24 hour period on Tuesday.”

Residents at Tully, Innisfail, Cardwell, and Babinda have been encouraged to remain alert in the event of possible flash flooding.