Ex-tropical cyclone Penny to bring heavy rain, damaging winds to Queensland

Severe weather is on its way to Far North Queensland today as ex-tropical cyclone Penny approaches the coast with a possibility it could grow stronger.

Ex-tropical cyclone Penny expected to bring heavy rain and potentially damaging winds to parts of the Queensland. Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Wild winds and heavy rain are on their way to Far North Queensland as a tropical low heads for the coast.

There is a chance the low, which is former cyclone Penny, could re-intensify to cyclone strength but the most likely scenario is that it will cross the coast as a low, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

"Either way, heavy rainfall and damaging winds will be the main impacts," BOM weather services manager Richard Wardle said.

The weather conditions are expected as early as midnight, continuing into Wednesday morning. 

"Based on the current forecast track, Penny is set to move onto the Queensland east coast during Wednesday morning, but the scenario of it crossing as early as tonight cannot be ruled out," the Bureau of Meteorology said in an alert. 

A severe weather warning is in place for coastal regions between Alva Beach and Sarina where winds and heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding.

The forecast path of the low-pressure system that was Cyclone Penny. Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Heavy rain will initially develop around coastal regions from Tuesday with isolated falls of more than 200mm possible.

Wind peak gusts of around 90 kilometres an hour may develop over the Whitsunday Islands as early as Monday night.

The bureau has issued a new Flood Watch for coastal catchments from St Lawrence to Cape Tribulation including the Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.