Synopsis
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that three cyclones may develop off Australia's northern coast in the coming days, with the potential for severe weather impacts in Queensland and surrounding areas.Key Takeaways
- Three cyclones could form off Australia’s north coast.
- Over 300 mm of rain has fallen in Cairns since Monday.
- Gordonvale residents were evacuated due to flooding.
- BoM warns of heavy rain and strong winds ahead.
- First cyclone of the season could occur in Queensland.
Sydney, Jan 30 (NationPress) The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) in Australia has issued a warning that as many as three cyclones may develop off the country's northern coastline in the coming days.
As per the BoM's seven-day tropical cyclone forecast, there is potential for five tropical low systems to form across northern Australia imminently, according to reports from the Xinhua news agency.
Among these systems, three are projected to have at least a moderate 25-percent likelihood of reaching cyclone intensity from Sunday through Wednesday. The BoM categorizes tropical lows as cyclones when average wind speeds surpass 63 km per hour.
The forecast indicates that a tropical low situated off the northwestern coast of Western Australia in the Indian Ocean has the greatest probability of attaining cyclone strength and might enhance thunderstorm activity in the vicinity.
The other two systems could emerge in the Gulf of Carpentaria, which lies between the Northern Territory and the northern regions of Queensland, as well as in the Coral Sea off the northeast coast of Queensland.
If either of these systems develops further, it would mark Queensland's first cyclone of the season.
Another tropical low is anticipated to approach the northern coast of Queensland on Friday, bringing with it gale-force winds and heavy rainfall, with a 15-percent chance of escalating to cyclone status between Friday and Sunday.
Cairns, a city in northern Queensland, has already recorded over 300 millimeters of rain since Monday.
This heavy rainfall has resulted in road closures, landslides, and flooding incidents.
On Wednesday, water rescue teams alongside the State Emergency Service evacuated residents from Gordonvale, located roughly 20 km south of Cairns, due to the flooding.
The BoM has cautioned local inhabitants to prepare for additional heavy rain and strong winds as the storms develop offshore.
