Tropical Cyclone Fina formed over the western Arafura Sea north of Darwin, Australia on Tuesday.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina was located at latitude 9.7°S and longitude 131.6°E which put the center about 195 miles (315 km) north-northeast of Darwin, Australia and about 120 miles (195 km) north-northwest of Minjilang, Australia.  Fina was moving toward the east-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 995 mb.

A low pressure system over the western Arafura Sea strengthened on Tuesday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Fina.

Tropical Cyclone Fina was strengthening on Tuesday.  More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Fina’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also developing in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Fina.  Storms near the center of Fina’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Fina was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Fina’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move though a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Fina will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Fina will move around the southern side of a narrow high pressure system that is near the Equator.  The high pressure system will steer Fina slowly toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Fina will move parallel to the northern coast of Australia.  Fina is forecast to move south toward Australia later this week.

Tropical Cyclone Fina could affect the northern coast of the Northern Territory of Australia later this week.  Fina is likely to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the coast.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.