Central Queensland is one many regions across the country experiencing a very quiet, but typical August, but the last few days of the month look to defy that trend.  

Continuous high pressure systems have kept the state of QLD largely dry – and coupled with the lack of warm and moist air, significant rainfall events were scarce. 

Image 1: Synoptic chart for today (Sunday 28th) showing a high pressure ridge over central & eastern QLD 

Looking at some rainfall observations from this month compared to averages, we can see just how normal albeit boring this month was for central Queensland. 

• Emerald – 25.6mm, averaging 19.9mm 
• Thangool AP – 32.6mm, averaging 22.9mm 
• Longreach – 0.2mm, 10.7mm 
• Mackay AP – 1.0mm, 32.6mm 
• Miles – 27.8mm, 30.4mm  
• Rolleston AP – 4.8mm, 16.4mm 

Almost all this rain fell on August the 6th and 7th, when a cloudband and trough pushed through Australia's east, bringing towns close to their August rainfall averages. But not all towns have received their 'usual' rain. Mackay being one example, where the town has barely managed to measure 1mm in the gauge so far for the entire month. Longreach is also falling short of its average, however the final rain event for August will boost some of those numbers. 

A broad trough pushing through the state from Monday to Wednesday (which you can read more about here) will bring widespread showers and some storms to western parts of Queensland. Areas around Longreach and Blackall should receive 10-30mm – seeing Longreach pass its monthly average (10.7mm). 

Image 2: Accumulated precipitation to Tuesday 30th at 22:00 AEST using ECMWF model 

Temperatures have also remained close to average. One notable location is Thangool, which is currently averaging 23.1C for August 2022 (1.9 degrees cooler than average). Cloudy skies over Thangool during the final days of the month could tip temperatures over the edge to be the towns coldest month of August in 30 years.