Tag Archives: Ferdinand

Former Tropical Cyclone Esther Drops Heavy Rain Over Northwestern Australia

Former Tropical Cyclone Esther dropped heavy rain over parts of northwestern Australia on Wednesday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Esther was located at latitude 15.3°S and longitude 130.8°E which put it about 240 miles (390 km) south of Darwin, Australia.  Esther was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

The circulation around former Tropical Cyclone Esther remained very well organized on Wednesday even though it had been moving across northern Australia for several days.  There was a distinct low level center of circulation.  The circulation was surrounded by bands of showers and thunderstorms.  Strong thunderstorms developed south of Darwin in a band in the northern part of the circulation.  The Darwin harbor reported a wind gust of 44 m.p.h. (72 km/h).  The Wyndham airport reported a wind gust of 39 m.p.h. (63 km/h).

Former Tropical Cyclone Esther could strengthen back into a tropical cyclone if the center of circulation moves over the South Indian Ocean west of Australia.  Esther will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next day or two.  The Sea Surface Temperature near the west coast of Australia is near 30°C.  Esther will move under an upper level ridge where the winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Former Tropical Cyclone Esther could intensify rapidly if the center of circulation moves completely over water.

Former Tropical Cyclone Esther will move around the western end of a high pressure system over Australia during the next several days.  The high will steer Esther toward the west during the next 24 to 48 hours.  It will turn more toward the south when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.  On its anticipated track the center of former Tropical Cyclone Esther will pass near the southern end of the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand churned northwest of Australia.  At 10:00 p.m. EST the center of Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand was located at latitude 16.6°S and longitude 114.3°E which put it about 400 miles (645 km) north of Learmonth, Australia.  Ferdinand was moving toward the west at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 966 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Monday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand was located at latitude 15.4°S and longitude 117.0°E which put it about 520 miles (840 km) north-northeast of Learmonth, Australia.  Ferdinand was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand exhibited much greater organization on Monday.  A very small circular eye formed at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms around the eye generated upper level divergence which was pumping mass away form the tropical cyclone.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Ferdinand.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (100 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Ferdinand will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia.  The upper level winds will be weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand will continue intensify and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 24 to 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand will move north of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean.  The high will steer Ferdinand slowly toward the west-southwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand will remain well to the northwest of Western Australia.

Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone Esther was moving westward over the Northern Territory of Australia.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Esther was located at latitude 17.3°S and longitude 135.4°E which put it about 125 miles (200 km) east of Newcastle Waters, Australia.  Esther was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Esther was dropping locally heavy rain over parts of the Northern Territory.  A Flood Watch was in effect for the Coastal Carpentaria Rivers, Barkly and the Western Top End.

Tropical Cyclone Esther Makes Landfall in Northern Australia

Tropical Cyclone Esther made landfall in northern Australia just to the east of the border between Queensland and the Northern Territory on Sunday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Esther was located at latitude 16.7°S and longitude 137.9°E which put it about 65 miles (105 km) west of Mornington Island.  Esther was moving toward the west-southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

A Warning remained in effect for the portion of the coast from Port McArthur to Karumba, Australia including Borroloola and Mornington Island.

Tropical Cyclone Esther was intensifying slowly when it made landfall just east of the border between Queensland and the Northern Territory of Australia.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.  A weather station at Mornington Island reported a sustained wind speed of 35 m.p.h. (57 km/h) and a wind gust of 54 m.p.h. (87 km/h).  The station measured 6.77 inches (172 mm) of rain.

Tropical Cyclone Esther will weaken as it moves inland.  Esther will move north of a high pressure system over Australia.  The high will steer Tropical Cyclone Esther toward the west during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Esther will move across the Northern Territory.  Tropical Cyclone Esther will drop locally heavy rain and it could cause flash floods in some locations.  There is a potential for Esther to strengthen again in a few days when it moves over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia.

Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand developed over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Ferdinand was located at latitude 13.8°S and longitude 117.8°E which put it about 450 miles (750 km) north of Port Hedland, Australia.  Ferdinand was moving toward the southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 993 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Ferdinand is forecast to move toward the west-southwest and to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.