Cyclone Owen has reached ‘severe’ category 3 status and may reach 4 before making landfall in northern Australia and then tracking, unusually, down through Queensland coming in from the north west.

It’s likely to bring days of heavy rain with the chance for flooding in Queensland. Owen is likely to weaken and fall apart before it reaches Brisbane and current thinking is that high pressure in the Tasman Sea will completely block it from reaching NZ.

Meanwhile back in NZ more daily downpours and isolated thunderstorms are possible – easing in the days ahead though as nor’westers kick back in (with a chance for 30+ temps).

*Please note, for extra details on Cyclone Owen please refer to our mates at Weatherzone.com.au in Australia.