Australia -- Queensland Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Mar 6/09 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of Queensland was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

IDQ1070001
WARNING SUMMARY
1. A cyclone warning is current for coastal and island communities between Cape
Tribulation and Mackay. A cyclone watch is current for coastal and island
communities from Mackay to Gladstone including Heron Island.
2. A wind warning is current for coastal waters between Cooktown and Point
Danger.
3. FLOOD WARNING FOR THE GEORGINA RIVER AND EYRE CREEK
FLOOD WARNING FOR THE LOWER DIAMANTINA RIVER
FLOOD WARNING FOR THE LOWER FLINDERS AND THE NORMAN RIVER SYSTEMS
FLOOD WARNING FOR THE LOWER THOMSON RIVER AND COOPER CREEK
STATE FORECAST
for Saturday
Rain areas with some moderate to heavy falls about the coast and adjacent inland
between about Cairns and Mackay spreading southwards to the Bundaberg area by
late evening. A few showers developing about the far southern coast with
isolated showers and storms over remaining far northern districts. Fine
elsewhere. Winds mostly light to moderate SE to E becoming strong to gale force
along parts of the east tropical coast.
EXTENDED OUTLOOK
TC Hamish will dominate the weather across most of Qld into at least the middle
of the week. The low will most likely cross the central or Capricornia coast on
Monday and then move slowly inland as a rain depression. However as the low
moves southwards on Sunday it will spread cloud and rain across the south-east
of the state which will then move across remaining southern areas of the state
during Monday and Tuesday. Widespread moderate to heavy falls will occur mostly
about the coast and ranges initially about the coast north of about Fraser
Island and then along the remaining far southern coast from MOnday onwards. As
well, heavy falls will spread westwards across much of the remaining parts of
the south-east during Monday and Tuesday.
In the wake of the rain, sultry conditions will occur over eastern districts and
isolated afternoon showers and storms will develop. Isolated afternoon showers
or storms will occur over the far south-west on Monday as an upper cold pool of
air moves into NSW and destabilizes conditions over the far south-west.
Obviously with the onset of strong to gale force winds along the southern coast
of Qld especially south from Fraser Island surf and beach conditions will become
hazardous and these conditions will continue into mid week. Beach erosion will

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STAT News Service