Weather News

Landlocked low brings flooding rain

Ben Domensino, Monday January 16, 2017 - 13:13 AEDT

A tropical low that inundated northwest Queensland on the weekend will spread heavy rain and flooding across parts of the Northern Territory and Western Australia during the next few days.

The low and an associated trough caused heavy rain in Queensland's Gulf Country on the weekend. The system is now positioned over the Northern Terriotry's Barkly District and will move west to reach Western Australia's Interior on Wednesday.

On the weekend, rainfall totals of 50-150mm near the low produced minor flooding in northwest Queensland. A flood watch remains in place for the Gulf Rivers, as showers and storms will continue until at least Wednesday.

The heaviest rain during the next 48 hours will occur over the Carpentaria, Barkly, Gregory and Tanami Districts of the Northern Territory, near the low as it moves towards the west. A severe weather warning is in place for flash flooding in parts of these four districts. A flood watch has also been issued for some Western and Central Inland Rivers, where rainfall totals could reach 200-300mm in between now and Wednesday.

Parts of Western Australia are already being affected by flooding from recent rainfall and flood watches are in place for parts of the Kimberley, Pilbara and Interior. This situation will be exacerbated when the low brings heavier rain from Wednesday, most likely over the Interior and Kimberley.

Road closures are likely across a broad stretch of outback Australia due to the passage of this low pressure system. Roads may become inaccessible rapidly and some communities could remain cut off for a lengthy period of time.

Stay up to date with the latest flood watches and warnings at: http://www.weatherzone.com.au/warnings.jsp and contact the SES on 132 500 if you need emergency assistance.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2017

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