Heat, fires to wane as rain increases across Queensland, Australia, this week
This Queensland fire towers over a forest in Deepwater, Australia. Authorities said it is "large and unpredictable," and urge residents to prepare to evacuate at anytime.
A significant shift in the weather is expected across Queensland, Australia, this week as many areas continue to deal with impacts from smoke and bushfires across the region.
More than 100 bushfires continued to burn across the region early this week, according to ABC News.
The recent heat wave finally began to release its grip on the region on Tuesday as rain and thunderstorms increased in coverage.
The combination of rainfall and cooler winds off the water will bring a complete end to the heat wave and send temperatures back to normal levels throughout eastern Queensland by Wednesday.
Gusty winds returned to areas affected by bushfires on Tuesday and conditions will worsen with gusts to 30-40 mph (48-65 km/h) on Wednesday and Thursday.
These strong winds will hinder any ongoing firefighting efforts, especially in areas that miss out on rain and thunderstorms.
Additional gusty winds are expected throughout eastern Queensland from Friday into Sunday.
In this Nov. 2018, photo released on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, a firefighter inspects a fire ground at Deepwater, near Bundaberg, Australia. (QLD Fire and Emergency via AP)
While lower temperatures and increased rainfall will be beneficial for ongoing fire containment, thunderstorms will pose new risks which could be compounded by Tropical Cyclone Owen.
Daily showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage and intensity throughout eastern Queensland by Wednesday, bringing drought and bushfire relief to many areas; however, the downpours will also pose the risk for flash flooding.
Another concern is for thunderstorms to contain strong winds and hail which could result in localized damage and travel disruptions.
While the rainfall will initially be mostly beneficial, repeated downpours will heighten the risk for flooding as the week progresses.
Areas most at risk for flooding through Wednesday will stretch from Brisbane to Rockhampton. These areas can see 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) of rain within a few hours leading to flooding and travel disruptions.
Drier weather will return to southeast Queensland starting on Thursday.
Tropical Cyclone Owen will become a factor in the risk for flooding from Thursday into this weekend as the storm drifts toward the northern Queensland coastline.
Despite weakening from a tropical cyclone into a tropical rainstorm, Owen’s moisture will be funneled into northern Queensland and will bring several days of additional heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Areas at risk for heavy rain and flooding during this time include Townsville and Cairns.
Total rainfall of 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) will be common with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 200 mm (8 inches).
Gusty winds will accompany the downpours throughout the region; however, damaging winds are not expected as Owen will remain in a weakened state during this time.
Daily downpours and the risk for flooding may linger into early next week across northern Queensland as Owen drifts over the region.
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