Tropical Cyclone Joyce Brings Wind and Rain to Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Joyce brought wind and rain to Western Australia on Thursday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Joyce was located at latitude 19.6°S and longitude 120.9°E which put it about 20 miles (35 km) northeast of Wallal Downs, Australia.  Joyce was moving toward the southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Joyce moved along the coast of Western Australia from Bidyadanga toward Wallal Downs on Thursday.  Tropical Cyclone Joyce brought gusty winds up to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) to portions of the coast.  The fact that almost half the circulation of Joyce was flowing over land kept the tropical cyclone from intensifying significantly.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were occurring in the southwestern half of the circulation.  Fewer showers and thunderstorms were in the northeastern half of Tropical Cyclone Joyce, except for a couple of small bands in the periphery of the circulation near Cape Leveque.

Tropical Cyclone Joyce is being steered toward the southwest by a subtropical ridge and that motion is expected to continue for several more days.  On its anticipated track the center of Joyce will move inland near Wallal Downs.  It will continue inland on Friday and the center will pass near Shay Gap and Marble Bar.  A Tropical Cyclone Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Bidyadanga to De Grey.  Tropical Cyclone Joyce will gradually weaken when it moves inland, but it will continue to drop locally heavy rain over parts of Western Australia when it moves inland.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued Flood Warnings and Watches for portions of Western Australia.