Long-range forecast predicts rain on horizon
THE Southern Downs could be in for more floods early next year.
A long-range forecast is predicting floods to hit parts of Queensland during March 2014 when high sea levels combine with heavy rainfall.
Ken Ring, author of Australian Weather Almanac 2014, said Queensland would receive "good rain" in January, February, March and May.
"It means plenty of rain is earmarked for Queensland between now and next June, and floods for mid-March and during much of the second half of May, especially (from the) 11th to 26th," he said.
Coastal communities have been put on high alert by Mr Ring's predictions.
He believes the heavy rains will be accompanied by king tides.
Bureau of Meteorology climate scientist Tamika Tihema said the initial rain outlook suggested there would not be much rain for January and February.
"There's a 70% chance it will be drier than average," she said. The seasonal outlook suggests the neutral conditions would remain for the next three months."
The BOM is due to release an updated rainfall outlook.
