Tropical Low Drops Rain on Darwin

A Tropical Low dropped rain on the area around Darwin, Australia on Saturday. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of the Tropical Low was located at latitude 12.9°S and longitude 130.4°E which put it about 45 miles (75 km) southwest of Darwin, Australia. The Tropical Low was moving toward the east-southeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

A Tropical Low that developed over the Timor Sea late last week made landfall on the coast of Australia near Dundee Beach on Saturday. Bands revolving around the center of the Tropical Low brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the area around Darwin. A weather station at the airport in Darwin reported a sustained wind speed of 27 m.p.h. (44 km/h) and a wind gust of 38 m.p.h. (61 km/h). The weather stationed measured 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain. A station in Batchelor measured 5.7 inches (144.8 mm) of rain and a station in Dum In Mirrie measured 7.1 inches (180.6 mm) of rain. Flood Watches were in effect for portions of northern Australia.

The Tropical Low is forecast to move toward the east-southeast during the next several days. On its anticipated track the Tropical Low will move across northern Australia. It will continue to drop heavy rain over the northern part of the Northern Territory. The Tropical Low could move over the Gulf of Carpentaria in 48 hours. If the Tropical Low moves back over water, there is a chance it could strengthen to a tropical cyclone.