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TROPICAL Cyclone Odette looms as the best chance in years of ending southeast Queensland's long-running drought, which is now so severe there are fears Brisbane could run out of water by 2009.
Weather forecasters say the 700km-wide cyclone in the Coral Sea, about 800km off the Central Queensland coast, has the potential to produce a deluge across southeast catchment areas this week.
Weatherwatch meteorologist Anthony Cornelius said the cyclone was carrying enough rain to fill Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams.
Mr Cornelius said a rare combination of conditions could position the cyclone over southeast Queensland for up to five days.
SEQWater officials said dam levels were expected to rise dramatically if this were to happen.
"Cyclone Odette has the potential to dump a lot of water and solve Queensland's water crisis," Mr Cornelius said.
"Up to 400mm could fall on catchment areas, which would end the drought."
Odette late yesterday slowed its westerly trek, resulting in an earlier cyclone watch along the coast being put on hold. But a close watch is being kept on the storm mass and it could strengthen to category two today.
Weatherzone, another commercial forecaster, said a lot of uncertainty remained over the future movement of the cyclone.
"Our computer models are suggesting a number of scenarios," Weatherzone meteorologist Matt Pearce said. "The most likely result, however, is an increase in winds, showers and swells along much of the Queensland coast by the middle of (this) week."
Big seas were already keeping lifesavers busy yesterday. Dozens of people from Coolangatta to Southport were rescued, while large swells challenged competitors at the Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships at Kawana on the Sunshine Coast.
Mr Cornelius said Odette could be the first major storm cluster to hit southeast Queensland in 33 years. Brisbane flooded when Cyclone Wanda dumped between 500mm and 900mm of rain in January 1974.
"The conditions are rare and haven't occurred in recent history."
SEQWater land and water quality manager Peter Schneider said heavy falls were expected.
"I was told there was a strong likelihood we would get strong rainfall," he said.
Mr Schneider said between 300mm and 650mm of rain would be needed to fill Brisbane's two largest dams and top up the third.
Meanwhile, tongues were wagging in Esk after lightning was seen in the skies north of the township near Wivenhoe Dam early yesterday for the first time in a decade.
Esk Shire Mayor Graeme Lehmann said it was usually a sign of big rain to come.
"When there are storms hanging around in that northern area, usually we see good rain two or three days later," he said.
"I am just hoping it is a good sign."
[size=7pt]Bron: http://www.news.com.au[/size]
Weather forecasters say the 700km-wide cyclone in the Coral Sea, about 800km off the Central Queensland coast, has the potential to produce a deluge across southeast catchment areas this week.
Weatherwatch meteorologist Anthony Cornelius said the cyclone was carrying enough rain to fill Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams.
Mr Cornelius said a rare combination of conditions could position the cyclone over southeast Queensland for up to five days.
SEQWater officials said dam levels were expected to rise dramatically if this were to happen.
"Cyclone Odette has the potential to dump a lot of water and solve Queensland's water crisis," Mr Cornelius said.
"Up to 400mm could fall on catchment areas, which would end the drought."
Odette late yesterday slowed its westerly trek, resulting in an earlier cyclone watch along the coast being put on hold. But a close watch is being kept on the storm mass and it could strengthen to category two today.
Weatherzone, another commercial forecaster, said a lot of uncertainty remained over the future movement of the cyclone.
"Our computer models are suggesting a number of scenarios," Weatherzone meteorologist Matt Pearce said. "The most likely result, however, is an increase in winds, showers and swells along much of the Queensland coast by the middle of (this) week."
Big seas were already keeping lifesavers busy yesterday. Dozens of people from Coolangatta to Southport were rescued, while large swells challenged competitors at the Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships at Kawana on the Sunshine Coast.
Mr Cornelius said Odette could be the first major storm cluster to hit southeast Queensland in 33 years. Brisbane flooded when Cyclone Wanda dumped between 500mm and 900mm of rain in January 1974.
"The conditions are rare and haven't occurred in recent history."
SEQWater land and water quality manager Peter Schneider said heavy falls were expected.
"I was told there was a strong likelihood we would get strong rainfall," he said.
Mr Schneider said between 300mm and 650mm of rain would be needed to fill Brisbane's two largest dams and top up the third.
Meanwhile, tongues were wagging in Esk after lightning was seen in the skies north of the township near Wivenhoe Dam early yesterday for the first time in a decade.
Esk Shire Mayor Graeme Lehmann said it was usually a sign of big rain to come.
"When there are storms hanging around in that northern area, usually we see good rain two or three days later," he said.
"I am just hoping it is a good sign."
[size=7pt]Bron: http://www.news.com.au[/size]
