Qld cyclone season less severe

An image taken by NASA of Cyclone Hamish off the coast of Queensland.

earthobservatory.nasa.gov

A LONG-range weather forecaster has predicted a less intense cyclone season but heavy rainfall in 2009-10.

Hayden Walker, who is based at Bundaberg and is considered a leading authority on long range forecasting, said rainfalls would start steadily increasing from November and reach their peak by February.

Mr Walker told AAP there was the possibility of a cyclone in far north Queensland but it was unlikely to be as destructive as Cyclone Hamish which struck northern Queensland in March and spread its effects as far south as the Sunshine Coast.

"There's quite healthy rainfalls throughout, starting from November and through to March,'' Mr Walker said.

"The cyclone season of 2009 was quite intense, but not as intense this time although there will be good rain throughout Queensland.

"There's the possibility of a cyclone in February (2010) on the far north Queensland coast."

Mr Walker confidently predicted last year's wet season, forecasting destructive rainstorms, flooding and "a fairly significant cyclone season".

He said by February all regions of Queensland should have received solid rainfalls.

"It will be a good wet season," he said.