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Total Forecast Rainfall for 25 Jan 2013 to 1 Feb 2013 |
The latest Severe Weather Warning issued by the BOM at 11:40pm (copy at the end of the post) now includes the Southeast Coast forecast district to affect the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane with heavy rainfall on Friday - but so far the damaging winds are staying north of Sandy Cape.
However for coastal waters there is a strong wind warning current with E to NE winds at 25 to 33 knots extending southwards from Double Island Point to Point Danger during Friday. Seas to 3 metres with NW swells 1.5 to 2 metres over open waters.
So whilst the extreme weather hasn't reached us on the Gold Coast (yet), it's still going to be a wet and windy Australia Day weekend with squally rain periods and rough surf conditions on Saturday and Sunday. So it's not going to be fun or safe out on the water this long-weekend and other onshore activities are going to get dampened as well.
At this stage, official Australia Day activities are still going ahead at Evandale Parklands by Gold Coast City Council - so best to bring an umbrella and gumboots!
Looking at tomorrow's (Friday) forecast it will be cloudy with showers increasing to rain periods during the day with a maximum temperature of 25. Moderate E to NE winds will become fresh and gusty during the day and strengthening further in the evening.
Remember, if it's flooded - forget it! Pay attention to the local road conditions should any rainfall cause localised flash flooding, and make sure your children aren't playing in any stormwater or around drains.
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SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for DESTRUCTIVE WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL
For people in the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.
Issued at 11:40 pm Thursday, 24 January 2013.
Synoptic Situation:
At 10pm, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald was located over land, approximately 150 km west-northwest of Mackay and moving south-southeast at about 20 kilometres per hour. The monsoon trough extended from the Gulf of Carpentaria to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald and then to the east coast near Fraser Island.
Destructive winds with gusts in excess of 125 km/hr are possible about the Central Coast-Whitsundays and Capricornia districts. Areas that may be affected include islands and coastal areas between Bowen and Agnes Water.
Damaging winds with gusts to 90 km/hr are possible over the Wide Bay and Burnett district. Areas that may be affected include islands and coastal locations between Agnes Water and Sandy Cape.
Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is likely over the Central Coast-Whitsundays, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, eastern parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, extending to the Sunshine Coast during Friday and possibly reaching areas north of Brisbane late in the day. Coastal locations and adjacent inland areas between Bowen and Brisbane may be affected. Six hour rainfall accumulations of 100 to 200mm are possible. Heavy rain areas are expected to begin easing from the Central Coast-Whitsundays district during Friday morning.
Flood Warnings are current for various rivers and streams in these districts, see www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings.
Heavy rainfall and damaging winds are no longer occurring in the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts, hence the Severe Weather Warning for these districts is CANCELLED
Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
The next warning is due to be issued by 5:40 am Friday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Emergency Management Queensland would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.