The Gold Coast's little BIG wet for March 2014

Around 100mm is expected to fall across the the Gold Coast and south-east Queensland over the next 4 days as a significant rain-bearing weather system develops across eastern and central Queensland.

UPDATE: See our 10pm update with the latest Severe Weather info

A ridge currently off central and southern parts of the east coast of Queensland is beginning to strengthen as a high pressure system builds over the Tasman Sea. Additionally, a surface trough extends from the northwest of the state into the southern interior, and is likely to intensify as an upper trough builds into Queensland.

Cloud cover and rainfall
 across most of eastern Australia

The combination of these two systems will bring much need rain across many drought stricken areas of central and southern Queensland, as well as a good drink for the urban areas of south-east Queensland.

Forecast Rainfall - 25 March to 28 March 2014

The Gold Coast area is expected to receive 

anywhere between 5-10mm on Wednesday, 10-25mm on Thursday and the heaviest falls now on Friday of anywhere between 25-100mm before easing on Saturday.

The areas of rain are also likely to produce local thunder and isolated storms as well, which may have the potential to cause very heavy rainfall and localised flash flooding.

According to City of Gold Coast information on Stormwater and Floodwater Safety the Gold Coast has traditionally been one of Queensland's hot spot for motorists rescued from flooded causeways. Driving through flooded roads can be fatal. If it's flooded, forget it.

Wet or dry also remember to stay away from stormwater drains, pipes and flash floods. Even if the weather is dry, stormwater drains are still very dangerous. 

The dangers when entering a flooded road or causeway include:

• being washed from a causeway - less than 60 centimetres of slow moving water can wash away any type of car, even a four wheel drive
• getting snagged in rising water by pot holes and submerged debris
• stalling in rising water
• collapsed causeways and roads washed away without warning.

If an animal or person gets caught in a stormwater drain or flash flood, phone Queensland Fire and Emergency 

Service immediately on 000.