The Bureau said the slow southward movement had delayed the expected crossing time. The system may intensify further over the next 24 hours and is likely to reach at least category 2 before landfall, the Bureau said. At 1am the system was 75km east southeast of Cooktown and 140km northeast of Cairns, moving south southeast at 7km/h. Â Cairns Central will be closed on Monday, January 18. Picture: Peter Carruthers Cairns Central shopping centre has already announced it will be closed on Monday as the storm approaches. Cairns Central centre management will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will act according to the advice of emergency services, the shopping centre advised on Sunday night.
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Subscriber only Despite deceivingly blue skies over the Burnett, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned residents that up to 100mm could pour down on some parts of the region during severe thunderstorms. BOM meteorologist Kimba Wong said remnants of the now downgraded tropical cyclone Imogen in the northeast may bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to South East Queensland, between Gayndah and Gympie. BOM meteorologist Kimba Wong said remnants of the now downgraded tropical cyclone Imogen may bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to South East Queensland. Ã A potential downfall bringing more than 100mm of rain may present a risk for flash flooding, and damaging 90km/hr winds could bring down trees and powerlines.
Ex-Cyclone Imogen has brought one clear positive point with Cairns Regional Council lifting water restrictions after Copperlode Dam rose to 83 per cent capacity. Tinaroo Falls Dam still has some catching up to do after hitting 48.3 per cent capacity - up just 2.2 per cent since Friday.
Showers are forecast to continue across the Far North throughout the week, with the possibility of weather intensifying over the weekend. Meteorologist Kimba Wong said most of the rainfall was between Tully and Townsville on Tuesday, but there was a chance of showers redeveloping around Babinda. The Bureau of Meteorology has also warned that severe storms are possible in much of the Far North again on Wednesday afternoon, including in Cairns.