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Tropical Cyclone Batsirai Moves Southwest of Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai moved southwest of Madagascar on Monday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai was located at latitude 24.9°S and longitude 41.7°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) southwest of Toliara, Madagascar. Batsirai was moving toward the south at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 997 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai moved southwest of Madagascar on Monday morning after crossing central and southwestern Madagascar during the weekend. There were reports of widespread damage and some deaths from Madagascar. Heavy rain was still falling over parts of southwestern Madagascar. Mountains on Madagascar disrupted the inner core of Batsirai’s circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands is the southeastern part of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai. Bands in the western half of Batsirai’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 240 miles (390 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Batsirai toward the south during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will move farther away from Madagascar.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will move into an environment that will become unfavorable for a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Batsirai will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25˚C. An upper level trough over southern Africa will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Batsirai’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. Moderate vertical wind shear and cooler Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Tropical Cyclone Batsirai to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next few days.

Tropical Storm Champi Strengthens South of Iwo To

Tropical Storm Champi strengthened south of Iwo To on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Champi was located at latitude 18.9°N and longitude 140.1°E which put it about 435 miles (680 km) south of Iwo To. Champi was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Champi continued to strengthen on Wednesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Champi. Stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands east and south of the center of circulation. Bands in the northwestern side of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Champi.

Tropical Storm Champi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Champi will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southeastern portion of an upper level ridge centered east of the Philippines. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will slow the rate of intensification, but it will not be large enough prevent Tropical Storm Champi from strengthening. Champi will intensify during the next 36 hours and it is forecast to strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Champi will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 48 hours. The high will steer Champi toward the north during the next two days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Champi could be southwest of Iwo To in 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Yasa Intensifies Northwest of Fiji

Tropical Cyclone Yasa intensified northwest of Fiji on Monday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Yasa was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 172.5°E which put it about 350 miles (565 km) west-northwest of Nadi, Fiji. Yasa was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 961 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Yasa intensified into the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale northwest of Fiji on Monday. A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) developed at the center of Yasa. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Yasa. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Yasa will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Yasa will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will be in a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Yasa is likely to intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Yasa will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system near the Equator. The high will steer Yasa toward the southeast during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Yasa could approach Fiji in 48 hours. Yasa is very likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it approaches Fiji.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Zazu continued to bring wind and rain to the Vava’u Group of Islands in Tonga. A weather station at Lupepau’u airport in Vava’u reported at sustained wind speed of 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and a wind gust of 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Zazu was located at latitude 19.0°S and longitude 173.7°W which put it about 30 miles (50 km) south-southeast of Neiafu, Tonga. Zazu was moving toward the southeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Tropical Depression 27 Forms Southeast of Bermuda

Tropical Depression Twentyseven formed southeast of Bermuda on Monday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Twentyseven was located at latitude 25.8°N and longitude 55.5°W which put it about 720 miles (1155 km) southeast of Bermuda.  The depression was nearly stationary.  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 1003 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system southeast of Bermuda on Monday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Twentyseven.  The distribution of thunderstorms around the newly formed depression was asymmetrical.  Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of the depression.  Bands in the western half of the depression consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the east of the depression.

Tropical Depression Twentyseven will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will be south of an upper level trough.  The trough will produce westerly winds which will blow toward the top of the depression.  Those winds are contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms and they will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The shear will inhibit intensification but it will not be strong enough to keep the depression from strengthening into a tropical storm.  The upper level trough will move northeast in a day or so and the wind shear will decrease.  The depression could intensify into a hurricane later this week.

Tropical Depression Twentyseven will be in an area where the steering winds are weak during the next day or so.  After that time a ridge of high pressure will develop northeast of the depression.  The ridge will start to steer the depression toward the northwest.  On its anticipated track the depression could approach Bermuda by the end of the week.  It could be a hurricane when it approaches Bermuda.

Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Monday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand was located at latitude 15.4°S and longitude 117.0°E which put it about 520 miles (840 km) north-northeast of Learmonth, Australia.  Ferdinand was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand exhibited much greater organization on Monday.  A very small circular eye formed at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms around the eye generated upper level divergence which was pumping mass away form the tropical cyclone.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Ferdinand.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (100 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Ferdinand will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia.  The upper level winds will be weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand will continue intensify and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 to 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand will move north of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high will steer Ferdinand slowly toward the west-southwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand will remain well to the northwest of Western Australia.

Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone Esther was moving westward over the Northern Territory of Australia.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Esther was located at latitude 17.3°S and longitude 135.4°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) east of Newcastle Waters, Australia.  Esther was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11km/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 997 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Esther was dropping locally heavy rain over parts of the Northern Territory.  A Flood Watch was in effect for the Coastal Carpentaria Rivers, Barkly and the Western Top End.

Typhoon Bualoi Strengthens as it Approaches the Marianas

Typhoon Bualoi strengthened as it approached the Marianas on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Typhoon Bualoi was located at latitude 14.5°N and longitude 147.8°E which put it about 175 miles (285 km) east-southeast of Saipan.  Bualoi was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Typhoon Warnings were in effect for Tinian and Saipan.  A Typhoon Watch was in effect for Rota.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan.

Typhoon Bualoi strengthened quickly on Sunday.  A small circular eye developed at the center of Bualoi.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the typhoon.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from Bualoi in all directions.

The circulation around Typhoon Bualoi was relatively small.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (215 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Typhoon Bualoi was 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 26.3.  Bualoi was capable of causing localized serious damage.

Typhoon Bualoi will move through an environment favorable for intensification for another 36 to 48 hours.  Bualoi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Typhoon Bualoi will continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Typhoon Bualoi will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific.  The high will steer Bualoi toward the northwest during the next 48 hours.  The typhoon will move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.  On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Bualoi could pass near Saipan in about 12 hours.  If the center passes near or over Saipan, then there will be winds of typhoon force.  However, since the circulation around Bualoi is fairly small, if the typhoon passes north of Saipan, it will receive much weaker winds.  Typhoon Bualoi could be near Iwo To in less than three days.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Neoguri was moving toward Honshu.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Neoguri was located at latitude 29.5°N and longitude 133.6°E which put it about 600 miles (965 km) southwest of Tokyo, Japan.  Neoguri was moving toward the north-northeast at 22 m.p.h. (35 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.  Tropical Storm Neoguri could pass close to the coast of Honshu near Tokyo in about 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Rumbia Nears Shanghai, Bebinca Strengthens East of Vietnam

Tropical Storm Rumbia moved closer to Shanghai on Wednesday, while Tropical Storm Bebinca strengthened east of Vietnam and Tropical Storm Soulik formed west of Guam.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Rumbia was located at latitude 30.1°N and longitude 124.2°E which put it about 160 miles (260 km) southeast of Shanghai, China.  Rumbia was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Rumbia has about 12 to 18 hours before it makes landfall near Shanghai.  It will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification.  Rumbia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  The circulation of Rumbia is broad.  There is a distinct center of circulation, but there are few thunderstorms close to the center.  Most of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in rainbands revolving around the center of Rumbia.  The broad circulation will limit the potential for intensification, but Tropical Storm Rumbia could get stronger before it reaches the east coast of China on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Bebinca strengthened on Wednesday while it moved south of China.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Bebinca was located at latitude 19.9°N and longitude 108.2°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) east-southeast of Hai Phong, Vietnam.  Bebinca was moving toward the west-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

Tropical Storm Bebinca intensified quickly on Wednesday after it moved west of Hainan Island.  A primary rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and an eye appeared to be forming.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Bebinca.  Tropical Storm Bebinca has about 18 hours before it reaches the coast of Vietnam.  It will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Bebinca will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Bebinca could strengthen into a typhoon before it reaches Vietnam.

Tropical Storm Bebinca could make landfall on the coast of  Vietnam between Hai Phong and Vinh within 24 hours.  It could be a typhoon when it makes landfall.  Bebinca will bring strong winds capable of causing damage.  it could generate a storm surge of 6 to 9 feet (2 to 3 meters) at the coast.  Bebinca will drop heavy rain over parts of Vietnam and it could cause serious flooding.

Tropical Storm Soulik formed west of Guam on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Soulik was located at latitude 15.9°N and longitude 142.7°E which put it about 165 miles (265 km) northwest of Guam.  Soulik was moving toward the north-northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Soulik will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Soulik will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move east of an upper level low that will produce southerly winds.  Those winds will move blow toward the top of the circulation and they will cause some vertical wind shear, but they will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Soulik could strengthen into a typhoon within 48 hours.  The upper low will pull Tropical Storm Soulik toward Iwo To.

Tropical Storm Jongdari Forms Southwest of Iwo To

Tropical Storm Jongdari formed southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Jongdari was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 136.9°E which put it about 410 miles (665 km) southwest of Iwo To.  Jongdari was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation developed within former Tropical Depression 15W on Tuesday afternoon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Jongdari.  The circulation of Jongdari was asymmetrical.  Most of the stronger thunderstorms were forming in bands north of the center.  Bands south of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Stronger storms near the center were beginning to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the core of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Jongdari will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Jongdari will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  So, there will be sufficient energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge where the winds are weaker and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Intensification could be slow at first while the circulation becomes more organized, but Jongdari could strengthen more quickly when the inner core becomes more well developed.  Tropical Storm Jongari could strengthen to a typhoon with 48 hours.  It could eventually intensify into the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Storm Jongari will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge which will steer Jongari toward the northeast during the next two or three days.  When Jongari moves farther north, it will be affected by a second ridge located farther to the north.  The second ridge is forecast to strengthen and push Jongari more toward the northwest.  On its anticipated track Jongari could reach Iwo To in about 48 hours.  It could be a typhoon at that time.  Jongari could approach Tokyo in about four days and it is likely to be a typhoon when it reaches Honshu.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Wokung was churning well southeast of Japan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Wokung was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 158.0°E which put it about 1250 miles (2015 km) east-southeast of Tokyo, Japan.  Wokung was moving toward the north-northwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Subtropical Storm Alberto Forms Over Northwest Caribbean Sea

Subtropical Storm Alberto formed over the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Friday morning.  The National Hurricane Center (NHC) designated an area of low pressure as Subtropical Storm Alberto on Friday morning based on data from buoys and ship reports.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Subtropical Storm Alberto was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 86.3°W which put it about 85 miles (135 km) south-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.  Alberto was moving toward the east at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the portion of the U.S. coast from Indian Pass, Florida to Grand Isle, Louisiana including New Orleans.  The government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the portion of the coast from Tulum to Cabo Catoche.  The government of Cuba issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the province of Pinar del Rio.

The circulation around Subtropical Storm Alberto was asymmetrical.  The low level center of circulation was located just to east of the Yucatan Peninsula.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a band located about 100 miles (160 km) east and north of the center.  Flow around an upper level trough over the Gulf of Mexico was producing westerly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear which was the reason why the thunderstorms were occurring well to the east of the center of circulation.

Subtropical Storm Alberto will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Alberto will move over water where  the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  So, there is sufficient energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, the upper level trough will continue to cause moderate to strong vertical wind shear during the next day or so.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Some gradual strengthening is possible.  The winds are weaker near the axis of the upper level trough.  If Alberto moves under the axis of the trough when it reaches the northern Gulf of Mexico, then the wind shear will decrease.  Alberto could strengthen more quickly if that happens.  There is a chance that Alberto could reach hurricane intensity.  If more thunderstorms form closer to the center of circulation, then NHC could change the designation of Alberto to a tropical storm.

Subtropical Storm Alberto is moving around the western end of a large high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high is steering Alberto slowly toward the north-northeast.  A general motion toward the north is forecast during the next day or so.  When Alberto gets farther north, the upper level trough could steer it more toward the north-northwest.  There is a chance that the steering currents could weaken when Alberto nears the Gulf Coast.  Thus, there is much more uncertainty about the track forecast after that time.

The greatest risk with Subtropical Storm Alberto will be locally heavy rain and the potential for flooding.  Most of the heavy rain is likely to fall north and east of the center.  Much less rain is likely to fall from the western side of Alberto.  The coast of the Gulf of Mexico is very susceptible to storm surges.  The water level will rise along the eastern and northern coasts of the Gulf of Mexico where the winds blow the water toward the shoreline.

Tropical Cyclone Nora Strengthens Over Gulf of Carpentaria

Tropical Cyclone Nora strengthened over the Gulf of Carpentaria on Friday.  At 11:00 p.m EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Nora was located at latitude 12.6°S and longitude 140.0°E which put it about 125 miles (205 km) west of Weipa, Australia.  Nora was moving toward the southeast at 9 m.p.h. (14 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology had issued a Warning for the portion of the coast from Karumba to Mapoon including Weipa and Mornington Island.  A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Weipa to the border between the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Nora strengthened on Friday as it entered the northern portion of the Gulf of Carpentaria.  An eye appeared intermittently at the center of circulation.  A band of stronger thunderstorms wrapped intermittently around the formative eye and the strongest winds were blowing in the band of thunderstorms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation.  Storms near the core of the circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Nora will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification.  Nora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move under an area where the upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Nora could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 to 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Nora is moving near the western end of a mid-level ridge which is steering Nora toward the south.  A general motion toward the south is expected to continue for another day or two.  On its anticipated track Nora could approach the coast of Queensland between Kowanyama and the mouth of the Gilbert River in 24 to 36 hours.  Nora could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to portions of northwestern Queensland.

Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone Marcus was weakening off the coast of Western Australia.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Marcus was located at latitude 25.9°S and longitude 107.5°E, which put it about 770 miles (1045 km) west of Carnarvon, Australia.  Marcus was moving toward the south-southeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.