Tag Archives: Kowanyama

Tropical Low Forms over Gulf of Carpentaria

A Tropical Low formed over the Gulf of Carpentaria on Monday afternoon. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of the Tropical Low was located at latitude 15.4°S and longitude 139.5°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) west of Kowanyama, Australia. It was moving toward the east at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Watches were issued for the portion of the coast of Queensland from Aurukun to Karumba and for Mornington Island.

Thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure system over the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria on Monday afternoon and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as a Tropical Low. The circulation around the Tropical Low was still organizing. Thunderstorms continued to develop near the center of circulation. More thunderstorms were also forming in bands revolving around the center of the Tropical Low. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the Tropical Low.

The Tropical Low will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The Tropical Low will move over water in the Gulf of Carpentaria where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C. It will move under the center of an upper level ridge. The winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. The Tropical Low will intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a tropical storm.

The Tropical Low will move south of a high pressure system centered north of Australia during the next 24 hours. The high will steer the Tropical Low toward the east. On its anticipated track the Tropical Low could approach the southwest coast of Queensland in about 24 hours. The steering winds could weaken in a day or so and the Tropical Low could stall near the coast. Even if the center of the Tropical Low does not make landfall, bands in the eastern half of the circulation could drop heavy rain over parts of northern Queensland. Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Tropical Low Strengthens Over Gulf of Carpentaria

A Tropical Low designated as Invest 99P by some agencies strengthened over the Gulf of Carpentaria on Saturday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of the Tropical Low was located at latitude 14.3°S and longitude 138.2°E which put it about 110 miles (180 km) east of Groote Eylandt, Australia.  The Tropical Low was moving toward the south at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the portion of the coast from Numbulwar to Kowanyama including Mornington Island.

More bands of thunderstorms began to develop around a Tropical Low on Saturday.  The bands were revolving around the center of circulation.  The Tropical Low will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The Tropical Low is under an upper level ridge and the upper level winds are weak.  There will be little vertical wind shear and the Tropical Low is forecast to strengthen into a tropical cyclone.

The Tropical Low will move around the western end of a high pressure system.  The high will steer the Low toward the south.  On its anticipated track the Tropical Low will approach the coast of Australia near the border between Queensland and the Northern Territory.  It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Owen Makes Landfall in Queensland

After making landfall on the southwest coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Tropical Cyclone Owen reversed course and it is now making landfall on the coast of Queensland between Kowanyama and the Gilbert River Mouth.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Owen was located at latitude 16.2°S and longitude 141.4°E which put it about 55 miles (85 km) south-southwest of Kowanyama, Australia.  Owen was moving toward the southeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Karumba to Cape Keerweer, Queensland and adjacent coastal areas including Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, Croydon and Palmerville.

Tropical Cyclone Owen moved quickly across the southern Gulf of Carpentaria during the past 24 hours.  The circulation around Owen reorganized after the center of circulation moved away from the southwest coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria.  An eye reformed at the center of circulation and more thunderstorms developed.  Tropical Cyclone Owen strengthened back into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.  The circulation around Owen is small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force only extend out about 20 miles (35 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 100 miles (160 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Owen will be capable of causing minor wind damage over a localized area near the center of circulation.  Locally heavy rain will fall along the track of Owen as it moves inland across Queensland.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Owen is forecast to pass south of Cairns and it could be near Townsville in about 36 hours.  The rain will likely cause flooding in some locations.  A Flood Warning has been issued for the Jordan River.  Flood Watches have been issued for the Gulf of Carpentaria, south Cape York Peninsula and coastal catchments from Cape Tribulation to Rainbow Beach in Queensland.