Brisbane is facing a cool, wet week as moist easterly winds and an inland trough bring cloud and rain across Queensland. The Bureau of Meteorology's outlook reported on Monday (19 October) also points to possible severe thunderstorms in central and western parts of the state.
Brisbane Times reported that the city was forecast to reach a maximum of 20 degrees on Monday. Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore told the outlet that was seven degrees below Brisbane's October average of about 27 degrees, with cooler-than-usual conditions expected to persist through the week.
According to the Brisbane Times forecast report, Narramore said the weather pattern could bring up to 150 millimetres of rain to Brisbane by the end of Sunday. That is a possible cumulative total, rather than rain already recorded. He said bayside suburbs were likely to continue receiving heavier falls as easterly winds carried moisture off the sea.
The report put the heaviest Brisbane rain later in the week, with thunderstorms forecast for Wednesday (21 October) and Thursday (22 October). The outlook also included breaks in the wet weather: Narramore expected rain to ease on Monday afternoon and longer fine periods on Tuesday.
Regional Outlook
In ABC's statewide weather report, senior meteorologist Steve Hadley said a high-pressure area in the Tasman Sea would drive onshore winds and moisture into much of Queensland. Shower and storm activity would shift between regions and from day to day, with most of the state expected to receive some rain.
Hadley identified Winton, Longreach and Windorah as areas where severe thunderstorms were possible on Monday afternoon and evening. Potential hazards included heavy bursts of rainfall and damaging wind gusts. He also said storms were possible along the coast from Cooktown to Mackay, including Cairns and Townsville.
That Monday outlook placed the stronger storm concern inland, while Hadley expected minimal thunderstorm activity in the south-east. It is distinct from the later-week Brisbane forecast. Narramore separately told Brisbane Times that isolated heavy showers could occur across Brisbane and the wider region, with a possibility of flash flooding in urban areas.
Rainfall observations showed considerable variation around the city. Brisbane Times reported 28 millimetres in the CBD since 9am on Sunday, compared with 53 millimetres at Eagle Farm. Lytton and Albany Creek each recorded 49 millimetres in the same period, while southern suburbs received between five and 15 millimetres.
For location-specific updates, the Bureau's official BOM Weather app provides hourly and seven-day forecasts, radar, rain notifications and warnings. Its notification options include severe thunderstorms, severe weather and flood warnings and watches, allowing readers to check current conditions separately from the week's broader forecast.