State set for rainy return

QUEENSLANDERS were bracing for more wet weather coming from a coastal trough which had already dumped more than 80mm on parts of the tropical north.

The Bureau of Meteorology on Friday issued a flood watch for 14 catchments between Sarina and Caboolture, warning they were likely to “respond quickly” to any rain.

Cairns is forecast to just have a possible shower on Saturday, with a top temperature of 29C across the weekend. On Sunday through to Tuesday the forecast is partly cloudy.

Senior meteorologist Steven Hadley said the highest rainfall totals were expected in coastal areas.

“While conditions are not expected to be as heavy, prolonged or widespread as recent rainfall, there remains a risk of flash-flooding, with thunderstorms between Proserpine and Hervey Bay and the forecast rainfall may lead to river level rises in saturated catchments,” Mr Hadley said.

The latest weather system comes after a wetter than average few months, with the yearto-date rainfall in many areas already exceeding average annual totals.