Weather News

Record rain and heat in Townsville

Ben Domensino, Monday February 18, 2019 - 12:48 AEDT

An extreme heatwave in flood-weary eastern tropical Queensland this week could see Townsville register a record-matching seventh day over 35 degrees so far this month.

Townsville started February amid an unprecedented rain and flooding event. During the fortnight ending at 9am on Friday, February 8th, Townsville Airport received 1,422.4mm of rain. Prior to 2019, their highest 14-day rain total was 956.3mm from 1953.

Shortly after the rain stopped, a heatwave set in for Townsville and surrounding areas of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin District in northeast Queensland. This week, the second heatwave of the month will hit the region.

Townsville is forecast to reach tops of 34 to 37 degrees between Tuesday and Friday. If Wednesday, Thursday and Friday reach at least 35 degrees, as is forecast, Townsville will have had seven days at or above 35 degree so far this month. This will match their February record from 2002 and be only the second time it's happened during the month in 79 years of observations.

Townsville's all-time record for 35 degree days in one month was nine, which occurred during January 1994.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2019

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A very wet weekend for southeast Qld, northeast NSW

11:48 AEST A prolonged rainfall event is set to bring large totals to parts of NSW and Qld from Saturday, with possible heavy falls and flooding. A low-pressure system in the Coral Sea, a deepening coastal trough and persistent easterlies will bring moisture-laden air into southeast Qld and northeast NSW will bring days of rainfall to the region. While there is not a drop of rain on the radar over southeast Qld and Northeast NSW on Friday morning, the mass of cloud associated with a low in the Coral Sea will enhance rainfall over the weekend.