Rare image shows state shrouded in cloud as outback deluge continues

Western and central parts of Queensland could receive downpours of up to 150mm in the next 24 hours with residents and graziers warned to prepare for flash flooding.

Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said numerous towns could see their annual rainfall average exceeded in this single rain event.

According to Weatherzone, Alderley Station receive 201mm in the 24 hours to 9am AEST Monday. That’s two-thirds of its annual average of around 300mm.

Three days of rain in Birdsville has delivered 110mm. The town’s annual average is just 157.3mm.

Up to 5am AEST today, Paluma on the Far North Queensland coast recorded 124mm, while 121mm fell on Malboona in the Central West, and Quilpie in the Channel Country received 110mm.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for much of the Central West and Channel Country in Queensland.

“Through these large outback regions in Queensland 100mm is possible in the next 24 hours, and isolated locations in these areas could see up to 200mm,” senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

Flood warnings have been issued for rivers across the central and western parts, but authorities are especially concerned about the risk of floodwaters from the Bulloo River, which has a major flood alert.

Communities which may be affected include Longreach, Quilpie, Windorah, Isisford, Barcaldine and Winton.

Conditions are expected to ease from tomorrow, but forecasters warn the big wet will continue into the weekend.

Nearly all parts of Queensland can expect falls of 50mm to 150mm.

But some outback regions are likely to receive up to 300mm, before conditions ease early next week.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, a late-season heatwave is continuing in Western Australia.

South-western parts of the state, including the capital Perth, will bask in maximum temperatures of 35 degrees or more for much of this week.