Northwest cloud band to bring days of heavy rain, gusty winds and cold snaps across Queensland as low pressure system builds off the coast

Sky News AU

2 days ago

A sprawling cloud band stretching thousands of kilometres across Australia is set to drench parts of Queensland, with warnings of intense localised rainfall, strong winds, and unseasonably cool temperatures through the weekend.
Parts of Queensland are in for a sodden weekend amid warnings of a powerful weather system set to unleash torrential rain, biting winds and a noticeable drop in temperatures across the state.
A northwest cloud band extending over 3,000km from the Indian Ocean is clashing with a coastal low-pressure system between Maryborough and Yeppoon, creating the perfect conditions for widespread rainfall through central and coastal Queensland.
Brisbane could face a wet start to the Ekka on Saturday, with 20mm of rain forecast and gusts of up to 30km/h.
Further south, the Gold Coast is expected to collect as much as 95mm across three days, starting Friday.
But the heaviest rainfall is set to hit central Queensland, where localised totals could soar to 300mm in areas closest to the low's path.
Cities including Rockhampton, Gladstone and Yeppoon are all forecast to receive well over 50mm.
'Rainfall is starting to shift, moving further to the north. We are seeing spotty and isolated downpours. So, keep the umbrella on hand as it moves north with coastal showers moving up into Brisbane,' said Sky News Weather Meteorologist Marina Neuman.
'That will continue throughout the afternoon and into your evening commute times, so you will need the umbrella on hand and definitely throughout the week.
'We will see that system move out of the Outback and going to produce some showers for portions of Queensland.'
Hervey Bay is predicted to get 20mm on Friday, with a further 50mm possible on Saturday.
In Bundaberg, two-day totals could exceed 65mm, while weather forecasters are closely monitoring areas that may experience far more intense rainfall depending on the movement of the coastal low.
While the initial downpour is expected to ease by Sunday, the broader system is only getting started. The northwest cloud band is dragging a thick stream of tropical moisture from the Indian Ocean, with its reach extending into New South Wales. — Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) August 6, 2025
This second pulse of rain will bring further wet conditions and see temperatures tumble across the region.
'On Thursday we will start to see some widespread showers moving across Charlesville and pushing into the east,' Neuman said.
'There will be some widespread and heavy falls at times with showers produced across Moree and Bourke, but focusing on Queensland, this is partially from that cloud band, and what we also have is an offshore trough. That is going to produce some heavy rainfall from Mackay, all the way down to Bundaberg.
'In terms of how much rainfall, from Rockhampton, all the way down to Lismore, we are looking at about 50mm and we could see a few isolated areas along the coast, some even seeing 75mm of rain.'
The sudden change in weather will also see an unseasonal chill sweep across parts of Queensland. Thargomindah, in the far southwest Channel Country, is forecast to reach just 18C on Friday, well below its August average of 23.1C.
Coastal wind warnings have been issued for the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Capricornia regions.
'It'll also be cooler because of the increasing winds, increasing clouds and some of the showers and rain,' Ms Pumpa added
While wind alerts remain in place, hazardous surf warnings have been lifted for beaches along the Gold Coast, though conditions are expected to remain rough heading into the weekend.
Authorities are urging Queenslanders to stay alert to forecast updates, particularly in flood-prone areas or locations directly impacted by the low-pressure system.