Heavy rain to lash Queensland as chance of cyclone spikes

Wednesday, 4 March 2026 13:34

Millions are being warned to expect further downpours and the chance of flooding.

Residents across North Queensland are being warned to prepare for a dumping of rain up to 300mm in coming days and the chance of a tropical cyclone developing.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting falls of between 50mm to 100mm between Cooktown and Townsville from tomorrow.

But some isolated areas could record falls of 200mm to 300mm.

Tropical Low 29U is expected to begin moving south-west from today and is forecast to cross the Queensland coast by Friday.

It has a low chance of developing tropical cyclone today, but a moderate chance from tomorrow and Friday.

Senior Meteorologist Ilana Cherny says moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to continue over the region for several days.

"It is less likely to track south-east ... it is more likely the system will head west and inland," she said.

The rain will add to floodwaters continuing to drain throughout Far North Queensland.

Tropical Low 29U is later expected to head westwards towards the Northern Territory.

The extreme conditions are being driven by a monsoon trough across northern Australia.

Flood watches are currently in place for large parts of Far North Queensland, including the north-east coast between Daintree and Townsville.

Another low-pressure system, 31U, has formed in the Gulf of Carpentaria and looks set to move west over the Northern Territory and has a 10 per cent to 15 per cent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone.

Australia has already had nine tropical cyclones form this season, which extends from November to April.

The next four tropical cyclones will be named Narelle, Oran, Peta and Riordan.

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