Tropical Cyclone Kirrily approached the coast of Queensland on Wednesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily was located at latitude 18.5°S and longitude 148.5°E which put it about 135 miles (215 km) east-northeast of Townsville, Australia. Kirrily was moving toward the west-southwest at 10 m.p.h. (17 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 988 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Innisfail to Sarina. The Warning included Townsville, Mackay and Bowen.

Tropical Cyclone Kirrily strengthened on Wednesday as it moved over the Coral Sea toward the coast of Queensland. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of Kirrily’s circulation. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily. Bands in the eastern side of Kirrily’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Kirrily generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily.

Tropical Cyclone Kirrily will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Kirrily will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over Australia. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kirrily’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent strengthening. Tropical Cyclone Kirrily could intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Kirrily will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Coral Sea during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Kirrily toward the west-southwest. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily will approach the coast of Queensland near Townsville in 12 hours. Kirrily will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to northern Queensland. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. A Flood Watch was in effect for the region between Tully and Airlie Beach. Tropical Cyclone Kirrily could also cause a storm surge of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) along the portion of the coast where the wind blows the water toward the shore.