Queensland bracing for wild weather as tropical cyclone threatens to develop near coastline
Queensland is bracing for more wild weather as the heatwave subsides and a tropical cyclone threatens to develop off the coast, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.
Several low-pressure systems in the state's north could have the potential to turn into a tropical cyclone in the North Coral Sea.
The bureau predicts a low chance of a tropical cyclone forming by Saturday next week.
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More wild weather is coming for Queensland including flash floods and storms. Weatherzone
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The cyclone may form close to the Queensland coast and move south as heatwave conditions ease across the country.
"It's been changing a bit from day-to-day," meteorologist Shane Kennedy told ABC.
"We're expecting one or more tropical lows to develop in the next few days, probably from Thursday.
"There is the potential we could see one or more of those tropical lows develop into a tropical cyclone from the weekend on."
The bureau predicts a low chance of a cyclone forming in the Coral Sea by Saturday next week. Bureau of Meteorology
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Kennedy said another tropical low could begin to develop in the Gulf of Carpentaria this week and there's a 5 to 10 per cent chance it could turn into a tropical cyclone.
"This far out, it's too early to tell which one or which ones might develop because sometimes if they're too close together, they'll compete for moisture and wind a bit," he added.
"All across northern Australia, we're really moving into an active period in the tropics."
Northern parts of Queensland could be in for heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding, including areas between Townsville and Cookstown.
Northern parts of Queensland could be in for heavy rain and flash flooding. Windy.com
Rainfall could reach the 100 to 200mm range early in the week.
Thunderstorms and showers are also forecast for large parts of the north tropical coast for the next few days.
The bureau warns a trough on the northeast coast of Queensland could develop into a monsoon trough.
"Heavy rainfall is forecast to increase over the north tropical coast over this period, particularly between Innisfail and Ingham later Monday into Tuesday," the bureau said.
Much of Queensland will enjoy a reprieve from the heat as temperatures return to normal across the south-east.
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