Saturated air is converging over northern Qld, from the east coast to the NT border, dumping heavy rain.  

In the 24 hours to 9am, the top falls were—as typical—near the coast with the hinterland south of Townsville picking up around 120mm. But out west, Mt Isa still recorded 56mm, its wettest day since last February, with similar falls extending east along a convergence line back to the coast.  

This convergence line, or trough, will shift north today as another moves in from the coast. Heavy rain falling in the Townsville to Innisfail area this morning will increase over the inland this afternoon, affecting regions between about Chillagoe and Einasleigh, less than 3 weeks after water lapped the historic Einasleigh pub from an overflowing Copperfield River Dam. 

Pillows of gunmetal coloured basalt covering Copperfield River bed have been obscured by gushing water of late and today could see more of the same.  

The exact locations of the heaviest rain depends on small scale thunderstorms and convection areas. But the atmosphere is primed. Precipitable water (a measure of the amount of water in a column of atmosphere) are above 60mm in north Qld, which is near the highest they can get. Harnessed by storms, 24 hour rainfall totals could top 250mm, likely exceeding 100mm with hourly falls over 50mm. Flash flooding can occur well away from the site of the heaviest rain, so stay aware and also up to date with the latest warnings.  

https://www.weatherzone.com.au/warnings 

Image: The Copperfield River and old railway trestle bridge in past times. Source: Jess Miskelly.