Tropical Cyclone Nathan made landfall in Queensland and it is now crossing the Cape York Peninsula.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Nathan was located at latitude 14.4°N and longitude 142.2°E which put it about 75 miles west-southwest of Coen, about 80 miles north-northeast of Kowanyama and about 530 miles east-southeast of Alyangula, Australia.  Nathan was moving toward the west at 11 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 80 m.p.h.  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Nathan has been weakening as it moves across the Cape York Peninsula in Northern Queensland.  However, it is approaching the Gulf of Carpentaria and the center of circulation will soon be back over water.  The circulation is still mostly intact and it has well developed upper level outflow.  The water at the surface of the Gulf of Carpentaria is very warm.  In addition, the upper level winds around Nathan are very light and there is very little vertical wind shear.  So, the environment around Nathan is quite favorable for intensification and it is possible that a period of rapid re-intensification could occur.

A subtropical ridge is expected to steer Nathan in a west-northwesterly direction during the next several days.  The projected track would have Nathan making another landfall in the Northern Territory between Port Roper and Nhulunbuy in 24 to 36 hours.  If Nathan does reintensify it could bring strong winds and a storm surge to the coast.  It will also be capable of producing locally heavy rainfall and flooding in inland locations.