Tropical Cyclone Mitchell strengthened near the coast of Western Australia on Friday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell was located at latitude 18.7°S and longitude 119.4°E which put the center about 145 miles (235 km) north-northeast of Port Hedland, Australia. Mitchell was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 994 mb.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning that was in effect for the portion of the coast from De Grey to Mardie. The Warning included Port Hedland, Karratha, and Dampier.
A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Onslow to Coral Bay. The Watch included Exmouth.
A Tropical Low near the coast of Western Australia strengthened on Friday morning and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated it as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell.
The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Mitchell was strengthening on Friday morning. New thunderstorms continued to develop near the center of Mitchell’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell. Storms near the center of Mitchell 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 Mitchell was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Mitchell’s circulation.
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Mitchell will then move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will intensify during the next 24 hours. Mitchell could intensify rapidly to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system that is over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Mitchell toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone will be north of Dampier in 24 hours.
The strongest winds in Tropical Cyclone Mitchell will remain north of the coast of Western Australia on Friday. Bands in the southern half of Mitchell’s circulation could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of Western Australia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.
Flood Watches are in effect for the Gascoyne River, the Ashburton River, the Fortescue River, the Fitzroy River, and the Pilbara Coastal Rivers.