'Highly unusual' weather system floods four states at once

Thursday, 26 February 2026 08:02

The weather is expected to push further south over the weekend, with more downfalls to come.

Flooding has spread across four states after a rare weather system brought days of heavy rain to central Australia.

An extremely slow-moving tropical low has loomed over Munga-Thirri, or the Simpson Desert, all week so far, with 24-hour falls over 100mm experienced on some days.

A Weatherzone animation showed the system had barely moved between Sunday morning and Wednesday morning.

"Rain and thunderstorms associated with this low pressure system have inundated parts of the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and NSW over the last few days," Weatherzone reported.

"Moisture from this low has also extended south and fuelled showers and thunderstorms in (Victoria), where flooding also occurred on Tuesday."

The heavy falls are rare for the area, in some cases coming close to the annual average.

For example, Weatherzone reported 169mm had falled at Nappa Merrie, in Queensland's central west, in 24 hours to 9am yesterday.

Nappa Merrie normally receives 100mm to 200mm a year, Weatherzone said.

And there could be more to come.

"While it has already been odd to see the low pressure system lingering over central Australia during the last three to four days, it could stay in a similar position until at least Saturday," Weatherzone said.

"This would make a whole week where the same tropical low has hovered above the Simpson Desert region, which is a remarkable and highly unusual meteorological event."

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that roads could be cut and communities isolated amid flooding.

Warnings are in place for the NT, Queensland, NSW and South Australia.

Weatherzone has forecast rain and storms are likely to extend further south in NSW, Victoria, and South Australia over the weekend.

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