Central Queensland is in for what will likely be a wetter than average autumn season, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The climate outlook released last week shows from March to May, much of Queensland’s east coast is likely to see more than the median rainfall for that period.
The outlook also shows Autumn nights are likely to be warmer than average, as reflected through large parts of the country.
Bureau climatologist Dr Naomi Benger said while current observations and forecasts showed La Niña had passed its peak, its effects on the Australian climate were likely to persist.
Premium Content A severe storm warning has been issued for Central Queensland for Monday afternoon. The Bureau of Meteorology said a south-easterly wind surge was triggering thunderstorms about the Capricornia region. Slow moving, heavy thunderstorms in a moist and unstable air mass about the northeast of the state, the bureau said in a warning just before 2pm. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Capricornia and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields and Wide Bay and Burnett districts. Locations which may be affected include Gladstone, Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Marlborough, Byfield, Calliope, Miriam Vale, Mount Morgan and Seventeen Seventy.
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The Port City has received a decent soaking in the past 24 hours with 88mm of rain recorded at the Gladstone Radar.
Areas surrounding Gladstone also received good rainfall with 69mm recorded at Boyne Island, 57mm at Benaraby and 40mm in Miriam Vale.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist James Thompson said the rain was likely to continue into the next two days.
“We’re looking at a trough system in the area for the next 24 to 48 hours,” he said.
“With that we do have an increased risk of heavy rainfalls in the Capricornia district.
“We could see some more heavy rainfall totals over the coming days and the tropical air mass.”