Severe Weather Warning for Heavy Rainfall Issued Across Multiple Queensland Districts

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a “Top Priority” Severe Weather Warning (IDQ21037) for heavy rainfall. The alert was issued at 10:44 am Sunday, March 8, 2026, and remains active as a tropical low and associated troughs move through the state.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Wide Bay and Burnett district and parts of the following forecast districts:

• Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders
• North West
• Central Highlands and Coalfields
• Central West
• Capricornia
• Maranoa and Warrego
• Darling Downs and Granite Belt
• Southeast Coast

Specific locations that may be affected include Brisbane, Toowoomba, Dalby, Maroochydore, Roma, Charleville, Gympie, Bundaberg, Longreach, Winton, Kingaroy, and Hervey Bay. The warning for the Gulf Country district has been cancelled.

What You Should Do

Emergency services advise residents in the warning zones to take the following actions:

• Park your car undercover and away from trees.
• Close doors and windows.
• Monitor the latest weather and climate warnings via the BOM website.
• Be aware that separate Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Flood Watches may be in effect for your local area.

Expected Conditions

Tropical Low 29U is currently situated over the North West district and is moving southeast. This system, combined with a trough and rich tropical moisture, is producing hazardous conditions:

• Central Interior: Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 and 60 mm are likely, with isolated totals up to 90 mm. 24-hour totals could reach 110 mm.
• South East: Heavier falls are expected, with six-hourly totals between 70 and 120 mm (isolated 180 mm possible). 24-hour totals between 80 and 140 mm are likely, with isolated peaks of 250 mm.
• Recent Observations: Significant rainfall has already been recorded, including 148 mm at Sardine Creek in six hours and 121 mm at Marodian.

Timeline

The warning is effective as of Sunday morning, March 8, 2026. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue across the north and southeast today, shifting further east on Monday. Conditions in the central interior are expected to become more likely to cause flash flooding later tonight. Further extensions of the warning area are possible for Sunday night into Monday.