Tropical Cyclone Lincoln moved toward the coast of Western Australia on Friday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Lincoln was located at latitude 20.0°S and longitude 113.3°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) north of Exmouth, Australia. Lincoln was moving toward the south-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.
A Warning was in effect for the coast of Western Australia from Giralia to Cape Cuvier. The Warning included Exmouth, Ningaloo, and Coral Bay.
Tropical Cyclone Lincoln maintained its intensity on Friday, but the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands in the western half of Lincoln’s circulation. Bands in the eastern half of Tropical Cyclone Lincoln consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Lincoln’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Lincoln.
Tropical Cyclone Lincoln will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lincoln will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, an upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean west of Australia will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lincoln’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Cyclone Lincoln could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.
The upper level trough west of Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Lincoln toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Lincoln will approach the coast of Western Australia between Exmouth and Cape Cuvier in 24 hours. Lincoln will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Western Australia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.