Tropical Low Strengthens over Gulf of Carpentaria

A tropical low strengthened over the Gulf of Carpentaria on Saturday. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of the tropical low was located at latitude 15.8°S and longitude 138.5°E which put it about 75 miles (120 km) northwest of Mornington Island. The tropical low was moving toward the southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the border between the Northern Territory and Queensland to Pormpuraaw. The Watch included Mornington Island.

The circulation around the tropical low exhibited better organization on Saturday. More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical low. The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of the tropical low.

The tropical low will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical low will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge where the winds are weak. There will be little vertical wind shear. The tropical low will strengthen during the next 24 hours and it is likely to intensify to the equivalent of a tropical storm.

The tropical low will move south of a high pressure system centered north of Australia. The high will steer the tropical low toward the southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the tropical low will make landfall on the coast of Queensland between Karumba and Gilbert River Mouth in about 24 hours. It will be the equivalent of a tropical storm when it makes landfall. The tropical low could stall when it moves inland, which would cause a prolonged period of heavy rain. Flash floods could occur in parts of northern Queensland.