Soggy conditions could put a dampener on Easter plans in Far North Queensland

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The Easter Bunny will be searching for undercover areas to hide eggs this year, with showers predicted across much of Far North Queensland this long weekend.

There’s a high chance of rain on the coast on Easter Friday and Easter Monday, with slightly drier conditions expected on Saturday and Sunday.

However, Shane Kennedy from the Bureau of Meteorology says the rainfall totals are not expected to completely ruin camping trips.

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“The heaviest falls will be around the Cassowary Coast and on the Daintree Coast," he told Tropic Now.

Up to 90 millimetres could fall in the Innisfail area between Friday and Monday, with up to 50 millimetres expected on Monday alone.

The Cairns coast can expect around 60 millimetres across the four days.

Strong south-easterly winds could also lead to marine wind warnings from mid-week, mostly north of Cooktown but also possible off Cairns.

There’s better news if you’re heading west.

It’s expected to be overcast with only a 10 to 30 per cent chance of rain and totals in the single digits.

“Temperatures will be pretty mild with that cloud cover,” Mr Kennedy said.

“Up on the Tablelands it will get to the high 20s and overnights milder too with low 20s.”

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The Bureau of Meteorology is also keeping an eye on a possible tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria, which could impact western Cape York with storms and isolated falls above 50 millimetres towards the end of this week.

Meantime, health authorities are warning this week's wet conditions are perfect for mozzies to breed.

Tropical Public Health Services Cairns Director Dr Richard Gair is reminding people who are heading outdoors to ensure they're protected against bites.

“Mosquitoes can be annoying, but they are also carriers of harmful diseases such as Ross River fever and Barmah Forest viruses,” he said.

“Barmah Forest virus and Ross River fever are both transmitted by the Aedes vigilax species of mosquito, which we are now seeing in big numbers across Cairns."

He's recommending that people wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing and to use mosquito repellent containing DEET or picaridin.

The Cairns and Hinterland HHS region has been dengue fever free since 2018, due to the success of the World Mosquito Program.