Tropical Cyclone Lam Moving Farther Inland and Weakening

Tropical Cyclone Lam made landfall earlier today just to the southwest of Elcho Island on the north coast of Australia.  Lam is continuing to move farther inland in the Northern Territory.  At 9:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Lam was located at latitude 13.1°S and longitude 134.4°S which put it 40 miles north of Bulman and about 75 miles south-southwest of Milingimbi, Australia.  It was moving toward the southwest at 10 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 90 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

Lam will continue to weaken as it moves farther into the interior of Australia.  The weakening will occur slowly because the circulation is moving over relatively flat terrain.  Lam could produce locally heavy rainfall and the potential for flooding along its path.  The winds and waves along the coast should continue to lessen and the water levels should decrease.