Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall in North West Queensland

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rainfall. The alert, identified as IDQ21033, was issued at 12:36 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026, for residents in the North West Forecast District of Queensland. This is a top priority message for immediate broadcast.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically targets parts of the North West Forecast District. Locations that may be affected by these conditions include Camooweal and Barkly.

What You Should Do

Emergency services advise residents in the warning area to take the following precautions:

• Park vehicles undercover and away from trees.
• Close all doors and windows.
• Keep asthma medications close by, as storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
• Charge mobile phones and power banks in case of power outages.
• Ensure pets are in a safe location and properly identified in case they get lost.
• Do not drive unless necessary because conditions are dangerous.
• Seek shelter inside a strong building and remain there until the storm passes.
• Inform friends, family, and neighbors in the area about the warning.

Expected Conditions

Slow-moving thunderstorms are developing along a surface trough within a very moist airmass. These storms are expected to generate heavy rainfall this afternoon, which may lead to flash flooding within the warning area over the next several hours.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 12:36 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026. The current alert is expected to remain active for several hours, with the next update from the Bureau of Meteorology scheduled to be issued by 3:40 pm.