Weather News

Ex-TC Debbie still packing a punch

Ben Domensino, Thursday March 30, 2017 - 12:31 AEDT

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie continues to cause dangerous weather in highly populated parts of eastern Australia.

The low pressure system formerly known as Cyclone Debbie was located south of Rolleston in Queensland's Central Highlands at 10am AEST today.

The system's southward movement across central Queensland overnight caused heavy rain, blustery wind and thunderstorms to spread across southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.

Widespread rainfall totals of 100-200mm were recorded between Bowen and Lismore and inland to Emerald during the 24 hours to 9am today, with isolated totals in excess of 300mm.

A rain gauge at Blackdown Tableland, near Rolleston, received 307mm in 24 hours. This part of Queensland usually sees around 600-700mm of rain in an entire year.

Much heavier multi-day rainfall totals have occurred closer to the coast. A rain gauge at Undercliff to the south of Mackay registered 1076mm during the last 48 hours. This deluge has caused major flooding to develop in the nearby Connors River. A bit further north, Mount William collected a whopping 1234mm during the last three days. The average monthly rainfall for this area during March is 300-400mm.

Major flooding is also occurring in the Gold Coast hinterland after persistent heavy rain last night and this morning.

The heaviest rain in New South Wales this morning fell over the Northern Rivers District. Doon Doon received 119mm in three hours and Chillingham accumulated 212mm up to 9am.

Looking ahead, conditions will deteriorate further in both states this afternoon as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie tracks towards southeast Queensland and interacts with a cold front crossing New South Wales. Very heavy rain, flooding, severe thunderstorms, destructive winds and damaging surf are all likely during the next 24 hours.

In Queensland, rain will persist in the southeast and intensify near the low as it moves towards the coast this afternoon and evening. Widespread 24-hour rainfall totals of 150-250mm are likely to east of a line from Gladstone to Goondiwindi, with isolated higher totals exceeding 400mm. This is enough to produce severe flash flooding and major river flooding in a short space of time.

Strong to gale force northeasterly winds will develop across the state's southeast ahead of the low, with destructive wind gusts possible near the coast in the late afternoon and early evening.

Rain will clear southeast Queensland overnight as drier south to southwesterly winds abruptly develop behind the low. These cooler winds will only gradually ease on Friday. It's worth noting that the strongest wind in southeast Queensland will occur this afternoon and early evening ahead of the low.

In New South Wales, heavy rain will continue over the northeast into the afternoon and evening, while a band of showers and severe thunderstorms moves north along the central and northern slopes, ranges and coast with the cold front.

Heavy rain and flooding are likely in the northeast, where 24-hour totals are likely to reach 100-200mm in the Northern Rivers, Northern Tablelands and parts of the Mid North Coast by tomorrow morning. Isolated totals in the far northeast will exceed 300mm and flooding is likely. Severe storms near the front also bring a risk of flash flooding on the central and northern slopes and ranges.

A strong southerly change will sweep along the central coast during the middle of the day and continue north overnight. Unlike Queensland, the strongest winds for coastal areas of New South Wales will occur behind this change.

Damaging winds with gusts above 90km/h are possible near the coast in Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter this afternoon and evening. The southerly change will interact with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie and gain strength as it moves further north this evening. As a result, gale to storm force winds with very destructive gusts are possible along the coastal fringe from Evans Head to the Queensland Border tonight.

Dangerous surf will develop along the northern half of the New South Wales coast behind the change. There is

- Weatherzone

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