Tropical Cyclone Nathan started moving eastward away from Queensland on Saturday.  At 10:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Nathan was located at latitude 13.4°S and longitude 148.5°E which put it about 400 miles northeast of Townsville, Australia.  Nathan was moving toward the east at 10 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

The circulation around Nathan showed signs of increasing organization with a long spiral band beginning to wrap around the center.  It is possible that the long period of time Nathan was stationary caused it to upwell cooler water.  As it moves eastward, the center of circulation is moving back over warmer Sea Surface Temperatures which are supplying more energy to the system.  Nathan is in an area where the upper level winds are relatively light and it has the potential to intensify during the next day or two.

A ridge located north of Nathan is steering it toward the east.  The steering currents are expected to weaken in 24 to 48 hours and Nathan could stall again.  Numerical guidance is providing conflicting indications about the longer term track.  Some guidance turns the tropical cyclone back to the southwest, while other guidance pushes the system farther to the east.