CYCLONE LOOMS: But not expected to impact Douglas, BoM says
ANOTHER STORM
Douglas residents are keeping a keen eye on the latest tropical depression in the Coral Sea – expected to form into a cyclone within the next 24 hours or so.
But with Cyclone Jasper and the flood devastation it brought last month still fresh in mind, the forecast for this latest Cyclone – to be named ‘Kirrily’ – shows it is not expected (at this point) to impact anywhere near Douglas.
The Bureau of Meteorology has already started issuing cyclone forecast track maps on its site, and posted “tropical cyclone advice” with the maps.
On its map issued around 11am today, the diagram shows the range of impact is as far north as near Innisfail, with the southern extent of impact around Bowen.
The more likely main impact zone, according to the current forecast map, is closer to Townsville.
BoM has made it very clear that the forecast south-westerly path of the cyclone towards Queensland later this week is definitely uncertain and could change once the storm develops and moves closer to the coast.
“A tropical low (05U) is slowly developing in the Coral Sea, and is likely to become a tropical cyclone during Tuesday,” the BoM’s cyclone advice said.
“The system is forecast to begin to move to the southwest later today, towards the east Queensland coast,” it said.
“A coastal crossing is most likely on Thursday between Innisfail and Airlie Beach.
“A severe impact is likely, particularly if the system crosses near or south of Townsville.
“After the cyclone crosses the coast, it is then expected to weaken to a tropical low and move further south over land. This would bring heavy rainfall to areas well south of the crossing zone late in the week or over the weekend.
“Communities on the east coast of Queensland are advised to stay up to date with forecasts and warnings.”
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