After a quiet start to July, the people of Central Queensland are about to experience some heavy unseasonable rain. For most places, rain will increase on Friday with the wet conditions expected to continue throughout the weekend.
A slow-moving upper level system will linger over Central Queensland, resulting in a perfect scenario for heavy rain to develop. As it slowly moves eastwards, the heaviest of the rain will gradually shift towards the coast.
Present indications suggest widespread amounts above 50-100mm can be expected, with some areas particularly the Gladstone-Rockhampton region likely to see close to 150-200mm. Persistent rain along with embedded thunderstorms could see some locations pick up well over three times monthly average rainfall for July in just a 24hr period!
The incessant rains will bring an increased risk of flash flooding along with hazardous roads, especially for the coast and elevated terrain.
Exposed areas of the Capricornia coast will also be battered by squally south-easterly winds with gusts of 80-100 km/h possible. Consequently some minor coastal erosion can not be ruled out.
Conditions will start to improve through Sunday as the system rolls into the Coral Sea.
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