A monsoon trough could bring up to 600mm of rainfall and storms across large parts of Queensland. 

The Bureau of Meteorology said the trough contains a low-pressure system, which is expected to continue strengthening as it moves from the northwest to the southeast from tonight into next week.

It is forecast to batter Cairns, Innisfail, Tully, Ingham, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Burketown, Mornington Island, Normanton, Doomadgee, Richmond, Julia Creek, Camooweal and Croydon.

READ MORE: What the weather will be like in your city on New Year's Eve

The system could cause heavy rainfall of up to 260mm, which could cause flash flooding between Cairns and north of Townsville from tonight into tomorrow.

And up to 170mm and flash flooding are forecast in parts of the Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North West and Central West Forecast Districts.

Meanwhile, in the northeast tropical coast, winds are picking up speed and damage.

Together, the monsoon trough and winds are expected to spur widespread heavy rainfall.

In the 24 hours to 9am today, 217mm of rainfall was already recorded in Cardwell Gap, making it the wettest place in Australia. 

Consequently, there are flood warnings in place for the Nicholson, Leichhardt, Norman, Gilbert and Diamantin catchments and flood watches for much of the state.

The Gregory River in northwest Queensland is already at major flood levels.

Senior meteorologist Jonathan How warned conditions could continue for a prolonged time and particularly affect outback and remote communities.

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"Heavy rainfall will lead to road closures and community isolation, and this could last for quite some period of time, especially for outback and more remote communities as well," he said.

"We are expecting impacts to agriculture, particularly to cattle and livestock, with low temperatures and flood waters expected to last for an extended period of time."

How said rainfall totals will climb over 300mm through the western parts of the state tomorrow and could reach beyond 600mm by Wednesday.

"We are expecting those four-day totals to reach in excess of, even breaching, 700 millimetres," he said.

"And rainfall won't end there."

The monsoon trough and low will then continue to move across the eastern parts of Queensland.

The Bureau of Meteorology will have a clearer understanding of where the rainfall is expected later next week. 

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Oil mixing with rain has created hazardous conditions for drivers.

“We’ve been sweet for a couple of days, but people are still hurt.”

Road crews have tackled 4500 jobs, yet four key routes remain closed.

Two bronze whaler sharks have been spotted at a popular beach south of Adelaide.

SA Police warned they were close to the shore of Goolwa Beach, an 18km stretch of sand from Middleton to the River Murray Mouth, today.

Swimmers are advised to leave the water and avoid the area.

READ MORE: What the weather will be like in your city on New Year's Eve

Goolwa is a popular holiday destination for swimmers, surfers and fishers.

South Australians are expected to head to the waters to cool down today as temperatures exceed 30 degrees over large parts of the state.

Temperatures reached 33 degrees in Middleton and almost 35 in Adelaide.

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‘Considering the increasingly degraded state of these waters, the bill was long overdue.’

A disturbing number of Australians are helping drive child abuse in the Philippines, with 13 people charged and 92 children rescued this year.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) works with its counterparts in the Philippines to investigate online child sexual exploitation.

There have been 35 operations that freed the 92 victims, as young as six.

READ MORE: Three teens charged with murdering man in shopping centre car park on Christmas Eve

It led to 13 Australians and 18 alleged facilitators in the Philippines being charged.

They include a 74-year-old man from Western Australia who was sentenced to 23 years' imprisonment for sexually abusing 15 children overseas over nine years, and a 52-year-old man from Victoria serving 10 years and 10 months' imprisonment for 27 charges.

AFP Detective Sergeant Leesa Alexander is based in Manila and said it was "horrific" just how many Australians were helping drive the demand for child abuse in the Philippines.

"Child abuse is abhorrent and can leave victims with a lifelong burden," she said.

Australian offenders allegedly pay for child abuse material from facilitators in the Philippines, who extort children as a way to make money.

Authorities believe Australians are major offenders because of the similar time zones between the two countries, direct flights from most capital cities and the large English-speaking population in the Philippines.

The Philippines also has excellent internet infrastructure.

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AFP Commander of Human Exploitation, Helen Schneider, said every action online is traceable.

"Let me be clear, just because the offending may not happen in Australia, we will still find you," she said.

The AFP refers matters to the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC), which is a global response to online child abuse with help from authorities in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

Those matters are then allocated to the Philippines National Police or the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation.

Since the inception of PICACC in February 2019, there have been 324 operations, which have led to 865 victims rescued and 187 people charged.

AFP investigations led to 77 of those people being charged and 315 victims being saved.

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Aussies are preparing to celebrate the end of 2025 and the start of 2026 this week.

Celebrations will happen right around the country as millions gather to bring in the new year on Wednesday night.

So what can we expect for the major cities in Australia on New Year's Eve?

READ MORE: Sydney New Year's Eve 2025: Your complete guide to the celebrations

What is the weather forecast in Australia for New Years Eve?

Here is the weather forecast in all of the major cities in Australia on December 31:

Sydney

The eyes of the country and the world will be on Sydney Harbour for the annual fireworks display.

It will be a bit of a milder New Year's Eve compared to previous years, but will still be pleasant with a top of 27 degrees.

READ MORE: Police to carry guns 'you haven't seen before' at Sydney NYE celebrations

There will be a bit of cloud about with the small chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

However, the rain is expected to be no more than a millimetre, meaning festivities in the Harbour City shouldn't be dampened too much.

Melbourne

It will be a bit chilly in Melbourne on New Year's Eve, with temperatures only reaching a top of 20 degrees on the 31st.

Whilst it is highly unlikely to rain, temperatures will be as low as 14 degrees in the morning, with the wind chill factor making it feel even colder.

READ MORE: Two dead after suspected domestic violence stabbing in Sydney

The BOM projects it to be cloudy and about 16 degrees at midnight.

That said, it will warm up on New Year's Day in Melbourne, with temperatures climbing to 25 degrees.

Brisbane

The champagne should be flowing nice and early in Brisbane, with temperatures climbing above 30 degrees in the sunshine state on December 31.

It is set to be mostly sunny, though there will be a bit more cloud about as the day wears on.

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The cloud cover could make it a humid and muggy night, with temperatures set to be sitting at around 25 degrees at midnight.

There could also be a bit of rain about on New Year's Day, with up to four millimetres potentially falling on January 1, 2026.

Perth

Western Australia's capital has just gone through a Christmas heatwave, and it is set to be a scorcher for New Year's Eve as well.

It will be sunny and a top of 34 degrees as Perth will bring in the new year last of all of Australia's major cities.

It will at least be milder at midnight, with temperatures expected to sit at 22 degrees, but it will be warm again on New Year's Day, with peaks of 35 degrees expected.

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Adelaide

It will be partly cloudy but pleasant in Adelaide for New Year's Eve.

A slightly cool and cloudy morning will give way to sunny skies and temperatures of around 26 degrees in the afternoon.

It will cool again in the evening, dropping to around 15 degrees for the countdown to 2026.

The first day of the new year will be a warm one, with temperatures expected to hit 30 degrees.

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Hobart

It won't feel too much like summer in Hobart, with a cloudy day for the last day of 2025.

Temperatures won't even reach the 20s, with a top of 19 degrees expected for New Year's Eve.

Thankfully, the sun will be out and about a bit more on the first day of 2026, with a top of 22 degrees for Tasmania's capital.

Canberra

The nation's capital could receive some stormy weather to see out 2025.

It will be partly cloudy with a top of 30 degrees in Canberra, with showers potentially turning into storms in the afternoon.

Up to three millimetres of rain may fall, potentially impacting new year's festivities.

The rain will disappear on New Year's Day, with a cloudy day with tops of 25 degrees expected.

Darwin

As expected, it will be hot and humid in Darwin for New Year's Eve.

It will hit a top of 35 degrees during the day, with showers expected in the afternoon and evening.

Up to 15mm could fall on the 31st, whilst storms could follow on New Year's Day, with temperatures of 33 degrees and another 15mm of rain potentially facing the city.

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The initial crash involved two trucks colliding on the Kan-Etsu Expressway.

Two more people have been charged over the alleged fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old man at a shopping centre car park in Perth's south.

The victim died in hospital after he was found with stab wounds on Talisker Gate in Aubin Grove about 10.40pm on Christmas Eve.

Police have now charged a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man each with murder, deprivation of liberty and aggravated armed robbery.

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The two suspects will face court later today; the younger man will front Perth Children's Court and the other will appear before the Perth Magistrates Court.

There are now three males before the courts over the stabbing. 

An 18-year-old man was arrested earlier this week and charged with murder.

He faced the Perth Magistrates Court yesterday, where he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on January 7.

Police will allege the trio were fighting the 19-year-old man inside and outside a car on Talisker Gate when he was stabbed several times.

It is believed to be an isolated incident, and police are not searching for anyone else. 

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