Coast to be spared worst weather
THE Sunshine Coast will be spared the worst of severe weather set to strike eastern Australian this week
Rainfall is expected to reach a three-month high in parts of Queensland, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
But The Weather Channel has assured Coast residents they will not see the full wrath of Mother Nature this time.
Chief meteorologist Dick Whitaker said the Coast could expect rainfall of up to 5mm today, and up to 15mm tomorrow, Friday and Saturday before it clears on Sunday.
If it does come to rain this weekend though, it will be the fifth weekend out of the past six that the Coast has had wet weather.
It has rained every weekend except June 30-July 1 since June 2-3, when we had 83mm of rain in a 24-hour period.
"There won't be anything of any worrying proportions this week," Mr Whitaker said.
"Added up, that is a lot of rain for July, but nothing that's going to cause any flooding."
Mr Whitaker said a low-pressure trough approached eastern Australia on Monday.
The system was expected to continue to move slowly east today, generating further rain and thunderstorms across much of eastern Australia
This system will interact with another trough over Queensland, drawing down a burst of tropical moisture that will intensify the rainfall totals.
A second trough is forecast to track east through the region tomorrow and Friday, generating further significant falls over many of the same areas.
"In Queensland, some areas are recording their heaviest July rain totals in many years," Mr Whitaker said. "Innisfail has received 145mm of rain, which is their heaviest July rain in 125 years.
"South Johnstone has also had their heaviest recorded July rain with 112.2mm, and Townsville Airport has recorded 87.6mm, which is more than six times their July average.
"It's also their heaviest rainfall for July on record."
FORECAST FOR SUNSHINE COAST
WEDNESDAY
A shower or two.
Min 14 - Max 22
THURSDAY
A shower or two.
Min 14 - Max 22
FRIDAY
Rain periods developing.
Min 15 - Max 19
SATURDAY
Rain clearing.
Min 13 - Max 20
SUNDAY
Fine, sunny.
Min 9 - Max 20
MONDAY
Fine, sunny.
Min 7 - Max 19
