A stronger Tropical Cyclone Kelvin made landfall on the coast of Western Australia near Anna Plains on Saturday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kelvin was located at latitude 19.4°S and longitude 121.9°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) east-northeast of Sandfire, Australia.  Kelvin was moving toward the east-southeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (155 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the portion of the coast from Broome to Wallal Downs and the Warning extends inland to include Telfer.

Tropical Cyclone Kelvin intensified very rapidly before it made landfall on the coast of Western Australia.  Kelvin strengthened in a few hours from a minimal tropical storm to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.  A small circular eye developed at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  Kelvin was a small tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out about 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Kelvin intensified enough to be capable of causing wind damage, but locally heavy rain is the greater risk.  The small size of Kelvin will limit the area of heavy rain, but there could be enough rain in some areas to create the potential for floods.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued Flood Warnings for the North Kimberly District, the West Kimberly District, and the Sandy Desert.  Flood Watches were issued for the De Grey Rivers and the Salt Lake District Rivers.  Tropical Cyclone Kelvin will weaken as it moves farther inland, but Kelvin will take longer to spin down because it strengthened so much before landfall.

Tropical Cyclone Kelvin developed near the coast of Western Australia on Saturday.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kelvin was located at latitude 19.2°S and longitude 120.9°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) north-northeast of Wallal Downs, Australia.  Kelvin was moving toward the east at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 988 mb.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the portion of the coast from Broome to Pardoo Roadhouse and the Warning extended inland to include Telfer.

A Tropical Low meandered near the coast of Western Australia during the past several days.  The Tropical Low moved off the coast and strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Kelvin on Saturday.  The circulation of Kelvin is small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extend out about 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Even though it is small, the circulation of Tropical Cyclone Kelvin is well organized.  There is a distinct low level center of circulation.  Thunderstorms are occurring near the center of circulation.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms are revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Kelvin.  The storms in the core are generating upper level divergence which is pumping away mass.

Tropical Cyclone Kelvin will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Kelvin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It is moving near the southwestern end of an upper level ridge and the upper level winds are weak.  There is little vertical wind shear.  The only factor inhibiting intensification is the proximity to the coast of Western Australia.  Tropical Cyclone Kelvin is likely to intensify until it makes landfall on the coast of Western Australia.  Kelvin should gradually weaken when it moves inland.

The upper level ridge is steering Tropical Cyclone Kelvin slowly toward the east.  That general motion is forecast to continue for several more hours.  Kelvin is likely to move more toward the southeast when it nears the coast.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Kelvin could make landfall on the coast of Western Australia between Bidyadanga and Wallal Downs within the next 12 hours.  Kelvin will bring gusty winds to the coast, but locally heavy rain and flooding are greater risks.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued Flood Warnings for the North Kimberly District and the West Kimberly District,  Flood Watches have been issued for the Kimberly and North Pilbara District catchments.  An Initial Flood Warning has been issued for the Sandy Desert.