Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland
Major Flood Warning For The Thomson And Barcoo Rivers And Cooper Creek
Issued at 04:55 PM EST on Saturday 29 March 2025
Flood Warning Number: 21
MAJOR FLOODING EASING AT STONEHENGE, WHILST AT JUNDAH RISES AND MAJOR FLOODING ABOVE BOTH THE 1955 AND 1974 FLOOD LEVELS ARE OCCURRING
WINDORAH MAY REACH AROUND 9 METRES ON MONDAY, ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE JANUARY 1974 FLOOD LEVEL
MAJOR FLOOD PEAK ABOVE THE APRIL 1990 FLOOD LEVEL ESTIMATED TO HAVE OCCURRED OVERNIGHT FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY AT RETREAT
Heavy to intense rainfall since last Sunday caused rapid rises and significant major flooding across the Thomson, Barcoo and Cooper Creek catchments. Major flooding is occurring at Stonehenge, Jundah, Retreat, and Windorah
At Stonehenge, the river level has now fallen below the January 1974 flood level. At Jundah, the river level is continuing to rise and is now above both the 1974 and 1955 flood levels. At Retreat, the river level is estimated to have peaked overnight Friday with major flooding, higher than the April 1990 flood level.
As these floodwaters combine along the Cooper Creek, major flooding above the January 1974 flood level is likely at Windorah during Saturday, with further rises to around 9.00 metres possible by Monday.
Further upstream along the Thomson River, heavy rainfall during Tuesday and Wednesday has caused river level rises in the upper catchment, where minor flooding is occurring at Camoola Park and may develop at Longreach from late Sunday.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible during Saturday, generally clearing from Sunday into early next week. Further rainfall may occur across the catchment during the middle of next week which may result in small renewed river and creek level rises and prolong the current flooding. Any renewed flooding will be below the flood peaks observed in recent days.
The situation is being closely monitored and this warning will be updated as required.
Peak forecasts will be refined as upstream peaks are observed.
Thomson River:
Minor to major flooding is occurring along the Thomson River.
The Thomson River at Camoola Park was at 2.40 metres at 7:00 am Saturday and rising, above the minor flood level (2.00 m).
Further rises are expected and the Thomson River at Camoola Park is expected to remain above the minor flood level (2.00 m) over the next few days
The Thomson River at Longreach is currently at 2.40 metres and rising slowly, below the minor flood level (3.30 m).
The Thomson River at Longreach may reach the minor flood level (3.30 m) from late Sunday. Higher levels are likely as floodwater arrives.
The Thomson River at Stonehenge is estimated to have peaked around 8.00 metres during Friday morning. The river level was at 6.80 metres and falling with major flooding around 12:30 pm Saturday, just below the 1974 flood level.
The Thomson River at Stonehenge is likely to remain above the major flood level (5.00 m) during Sunday.
The Thomson River at Jundah was at 8.70 metres and rising around 6:00 am Saturday, above the major flood level (5.00 m), and higher than both the 1955 and 1974 flood levels (8.46 m and 8.38 m, respectively).
The Thomson River at Jundah may reach around 9.00 metres overnight Saturday into Sunday.
Barcoo River to Isisford:
Moderate flooding is likely along the Barcoo River to Isisford.
No recent observations are available for Blackall. Based on the nearby automatic gauge, the river is estimated to be below the minor flood level (2.00 m) and falling slowly.
The Barcoo River at Blackall is likely to remain below the minor flood level (2.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday.
The Barcoo River at Isisford was at 5.79 metres and falling slowly around midday Saturday, above the moderate flood level (5.00 m).
The river level is likely to continue falling slowly over the weekend and remain above the moderate flood level (5.00 m) for the remainder of Saturday into Sunday.
Barcoo River downstream of Isisford:
Major flooding is occurring along the Barcoo River downstream of Isisford at Wahroongha, Glenlock and Retreat.
No recent observations are available along the Barcoo River at Retreat, but it is estimated to have peaked around 13.50 m overnight Friday, with major flooding, higher than the April 1990 flood level.
The Barcoo River at Retreat is expected to ease slowly but remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) over the weekend and into the early part of next week.
Cooper Creek:
Major flooding is occurring along the Cooper Creek at Windorah.
There are no current observations available for the Cooper Creek at Windorah, however the creek level is estimated to be well above the major flood level (5.00 m) and rising.
The Cooper Ck at Windorah (Main Channel) TM may reach around 9.00 metres during Monday, with major flooding higher than the January 1974 flood (8.48 m).
Flood Safety Advice:
Remember: If it's flooded, Forget it. For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.}
Current emergency information is available at www.qld.gov.au/alerts
Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 11:00 am EST on Sunday 30 March 2025.
Latest River Heights:
Cornish Ck at Bowen Downs TM,5.73,Steady,03:00 PM SAT 29/03/25
Thomson R at Camoola Park,2.40,Rising,07:00 AM SAT 29/03/25
Thomson R at Longreach Auto TM,2.40,Rising,04:00 PM SAT 29/03/25
Thomson R at Bogewong TM,6.35,Falling,04:44 PM SAT 29/03/25
Thomson R Stonehenge (East),6.80,Falling,12:35 PM SAT 29/03/25
Thomson R at Jundah,8.70,Rising,05:39 AM SAT 29/03/25
Alice R at Barcaldine Weir Auto TM,5.14,Rising,04:00 PM SAT 29/03/25
Barcoo R at Isisford,5.79,Falling,12:00 PM SAT 29/03/25
Barcoo R at Oma,5.78,Rising,06:00 AM SAT 29/03/25
Barcoo R at Wahroongha,5.15,Falling,03:00 PM SAT 29/03/25
Barcoo R at Glenlock,7.25,Falling,09:00 AM SAT 29/03/25
Cooper Ck at Lignum Channel TM,4.23,Steady,03:00 PM SAT 29/03/25
Cooper Ck at Durham Downs,3.00,Falling,09:00 AM SAT 29/03/25
Cooper Ck at Nappa Merrie TM,2.29,Steady,04:00 PM SAT 29/03/25
This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 210. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood. The latest weather forecast is available at www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts.
Forecast
Blackall (24.4246°S, 145.4659°E, 279m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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My MLA
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Current condition
TOMORROW20° 31° fog then sunny Chance of rain: 20% Likely amount: < 1mm First
lightLast light Sunrise Sunset 6:03am EST 6:26am EST 6:20pm EST 6:43pm EST NOW27.1° Feels Like: 30.0° Relative Humidity: 71% Dew: 21.4° Wind: SW 7km/h Gust: 9km/h Rainfall since 9am: 0.0mm Pressure: 1008.8hPa -
Today Weather
BlackallNow25.0°cFeels Like:29.1°Wind:NW 9km/hGusts:11km/hHumidity:95%20°Min31°MaxToday in BlackallPartly cloudy. Medium chance of showers N of Longreach, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming S/SW 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 19 and 23 with daytime temperatures reaching the low 30s.Tomorrow20°Min31°MaxPartly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 19 and 22 with daytime temperatures reaching around 30. -
Radar
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Popup Radar
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Warnings
- Major Flood Warning For The Thomson And Barcoo Rivers And Cooper Creek
- Major Flood Warning For The Bulloo River
- Major Flood Warning For The Warrego River (Qld)
- Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River And Final Flood Warning For The Cloncurry River
- Flood Watch From The Gulf Country To South East Queensland
- Moderate Flood Warning For The Upper Burdekin And Cape Rivers And Minor Flood Warning For The Lower Burdekin River
- Major Flood Warning For The Western River And Flood Warning For The Diamantina River
- Initial Moderate Flood Warning For The Connors And Isaac Rivers
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers N of Longreach, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming S/SW 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 19 and 23 with daytime temperatures reaching the low 30s.
Forecast for Blackall (24.4246°S, 145.4659°E, 279m AMSL) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Summary Minimum 20° 20° 21° 23° 20° 17° 19° Maximum 31° 32° 32° 27° 28° 26° 25° Chance of rain 20% 30% 90% 90% 30% 20% 30% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm 10-20mm 10-20mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Very High Very High Very High Fire Danger Rating No Rating No Rating No Rating No Rating - - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 7
(km/h)12
(km/h)13
(km/h)10
(km/h)11
(km/h)9
(km/h)15
(km/h)15
(km/h)11
(km/h)16
(km/h)18
(km/h)16
(km/h)13
(km/h)15
(km/h)Wind direction SSE SW SE SSW ENE NNE NNW W S SSW SE SSE SE SSE Relative humidity 79% 54% 75% 53% 77% 63% 91% 81% 82% 60% 69% 49% 68% 54% Dew point 22°C 20°C 21°C 20°C 22°C 23°C 23°C 22°C 21°C 19°C 17°C 14°C 17°C 14°C -
28 Day Rainfall forecast
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12 Month Rainfall Forecast
Blackall Rain Forecast
Blackall 12-month Rainfall ForecastMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFeb20252026688888887776105012 - 34 - 78 - 910Well below normalBelow normalNear normalAbove normalWell above normalIssue Notes - Issued Mar 28
ENSO status: Weak La Niña-like conditions. IOD status: Neutral. SAM status: Neutral. The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is in a weak La Niña-like pattern. The US declared a La Niña event this summer, but this event has not met the BoM definition, and will likely end in the coming weeks. A La Niña typically increases rainfall over northern and eastern Australia, while reducing rainfall over southern coastal Australia and western Tas. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is in a neutral phase and does not play a part in Australia's climate during this time of year. The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) is in a neutral phase. Forecasts show a tendency towards the positive phase in autumn, with the long-wave pattern indicating that cold fronts are a bit less likely for Australia's longitudes over the next few months. During autumn, a positive SAM increases rainfall over most of eastern Australia, and decreases rainfall for SA, Vic and western Tas. Rainfall outlooks are showing above average rainfall across much of northern Australia in April due to lingering monsoon activity. Above average rainfall is expected for the NSW coast through autumn, with wetter conditions also developing over western WA from late autumn. SA, Vic and Tas are expected to be average to slightly below average, with average conditions elsewhere.
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Popup - Daily historical
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Long range rainfall forecast
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Past 5 Days
Blackall Past 5 Days
This MonthMinimum Maximum Rainfall Tuesday
Mar 2520.1 °C 23.9 °C 42.8 mmWednesday
Mar 2620.5 °C 25.4 °C 17.4 mmThursday
Mar 2721.4 °C 27.2 °C 23.6 mmFriday
Mar 2822.6 °C 29.5 °C 7.2 mmSaturday
Mar 2921.4 °C 31.4 °C 32.8 mmLegend -
Almanac
Almanac
Blackall minimum temp history (24.4246°S, 145.4659°E, 279m AMSL) MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE Hottest this month 41.2° 03/03/2025 Coldest this month 19.2° 01/03/2025 Hottest on record 42.6 20/03/2015 Coldest on record 8.3 30/03/2008 Hottest this year 44.7° 23/01/2025 Coldest this year 16.9° 02/01/2025 Long term average 34.1° Long term average 20.4° Average this month 34.3° Average this month 21.8° Hottest March On Record Avg. max. temp. 37.3° 2015 Coldest March on record Avg. min. temp. 16.8° 2008 Blackall rainfall history (24.4246°S, 145.4659°E, 279m AMSL) RAINFALL Wettest This Month 42.8mm 25/03/2025 Total This Month 148.0mm
11.0 daysLong Term Average 51.3mm 6.3 days Wettest March on record 117.4mm 2011 Driest on record 2.4mm 2004 -
Year to Date
Blackall Year To Date
Average Rainfall To Mar 213.5mm 21.5 day(s) Total For 2025 356.8mm 24.0 day(s) Total To This Day 2024 287.6mm 32.0 day(s) Wettest Day 94.8mm Feb 5 Lowest Temperature 16.9°C Jan 2 Highest Temperature 44.7°C Jan23 -
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Blackall Climatology
Blackall Long-Term Averages
Long-Term Averages Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ann Mean Max (°C) 36.5 35.5 34.1 30.8 26.3 23.1 22.8 25.6 29.4 33.2 34.9 36.4 30.6 Mean Min (°C) 23.3 22.1 20.4 15.9 10.8 8.0 6.7 8.0 12.5 16.8 20.1 22.1 15.5 Mean Rain (mm) 86.4 75.8 51.3 27.6 15.1 23.2 16.5 14.8 25.8 29.3 51.6 74.7 480.3 Mean Rain Days 8.1 7.1 6.3 3.2 2.9 3.8 3.3 2.6 3.1 4.4 7.0 7.6 58.6