‘Zombie’ ex-cyclone on its way

Severe storms and rain predicted

FORECASTERS have renewed their warnings about the week ahead, with the remnants of tropical cyclone Owen combining with a lowpressure system to cause the “biggest weather event” in months.

Although it is uncertain where the cyclone will track, Toowoomba and the surrounds will feel the effects of the so-called zombie cyclone, which made landfall in the north last week.

The cyclone has continued to track westwards in the past few days, re-powering in the warm waters off the Gulf of Carpentaria.

It is now predicted it will loop back down the east coast, bringing with it severe storms and heavy rainfall. A low pressure system rising from the southern states will only intensify the weather event.

Bureau of meteorology spokeswoman Aditi Sharan said there was a potential for up to 100mm of rainfall in Toowoomba starting from Friday.

“It is predicted ex-tropical cyclone Owen will track down south by the end of this week,” Ms Sharan said.

“This is unusual, the last occurrence of an ex-cyclone re- building and coming south was cyclone Oswald in 2013.

“This will bring with it the potential for severe storms and heavy rainfall in the Darling Downs over the weekend. Severe storms also bring a possibility of hail.”

Ms Sharan said high winds were unlikely.

“It is hard to say at this point how it will play out and when the bad weather will pass,” Ms Sharan said.

“Heat is one ingredient driving the cyclone, however several other features have to be present for one to develop.”

She said Toowoomba temperatures would remain close to 30 degrees until the end of the week; the storms cooling the region to 24 degrees on Sunday.

Other eastern cities have received the same warning, with residents of Brisbane and Canberra told to expect more than 100mm of rainfall from “triple threat storms” in the next few days.