Tag Archives: Kuri Bay

Tropical Cyclone Anika Moves along Western Australia Coast

Tropical Cyclone Anika moved along the coast of Western Australia on Sunday afternoon. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anika was located at latitude 15.2°S and longitude 125.7°E which put it about 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Kalumburu, Australia. Anika was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h (13 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 1000 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anika moved along the coast of Western Australia on Sunday afternoon. The center of Anika’s circulation was still over land. The strongest winds were occurring in the northwestern quadrant of Tropical Cyclone Anika, which was still over water. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Anika. The winds over land were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Troughton Island to Beagle Bay. The Warning included Cape Leveque and Derby. A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Beagle Bay to Bidyadanga. The Watch included Broome.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Anika remained well organized even though the center was over land. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of Anika. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a bands in the western side of the circulation. There was also a strong band in the eastern periphery of Tropical Cyclone Anika. Bands in other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Anika toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Anika will continue to move along the coast of Western Australia. Anika will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to places near the coast. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Warnings are in effect for the North Kimberly District and the West Kimberly District. Flood Watches are in effect for the Sandy Desert and for the Fitzroy River. The center of Anika could move back over water southwest of Kuri Bay on Monday.

Tropical Cyclone Anika is not likely to strengthen while the center is over land. However, since a portion of Anika’s circulation will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C, it could maintain its current intensity. Tropical Cyclone Anika will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Anika could strengthen again, if the center of circulation moves back over water.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Vernon weakened east-southeast of Diego Garcia. At 1:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Vernon was located at latitude 12.4°S and longitude 88.3°E which put it about 1140 miles (1835 km) east-southeast of Diego Garcia. Vernon was moving toward the east at 13 m.p.h (09 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anika Hits Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Anika hit Western Australia on Saturday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Anika was located at latitude 13.8°S and longitude 126.8°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Kalumburu, Australia. Anika was moving toward the southwest at 7 m.p.h (12 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Anika made landfall on the coast of Western Australia northeast of Kalumburu on Saturday morning. Anika was intensifying at the time of landfall. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Anika’s circulation and an eye was developing. The developing eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Anika. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of Anika’s circulation.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the border between the Northern Territory and Western Australia and Kuri Bay. The Warning included Wyndham and Kalumburu. A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Kuri Bay to Beagle Bay.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Anika toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Anika will move along the coast of Western Australia. Anika will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to places near the coast. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Watches are in effect for the East, North and West Kimberly River and for the Fitzroy River.

Tropical Cyclone Anika will weaken slowly while it moves along the coast of Western Australia. However, since almost half of Anika’s circulation will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C, the weakening will occur slowly. In addition, Tropical Cyclone Anika will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Anika could strengthen again, if the center of circulation moves back over water.

Tropical Cyclone Claudia Develops Northwest of Australia

Tropical Cyclone Claudia developed northwest of Australia on Saturday.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Claudia was located at latitude 13.2°S and longitude 125.4°E which put it about 155 miles (250 km) north-northeast of Kuri Bay, Australia.  Claudia was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (18 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 996 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the portion of the coast of Western Australia from Kalumburu to Beagle Bay.  The Warning zone includes Kuri Bay and Cape Leveque.

A Tropical Low moved westward across northern Australia late last week.  The circulation around the low pressure system began to organize when the system moved over Timor Sea west of Darwin on Saturday.  The wind speed increased and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Claudia.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and eastern sides of the center of circulation.  Thunderstorms formed quickly in other bands north and west of the center.  There were fewer thunderstorms in rainbands south and east of the center, but much of that part of the circulation was still over western Australia.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass to the west of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Claudia will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Claudia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move around the northwestern part of an upper level ridge centered over Australia.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the tropical cyclone.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will slow the rate of intensification but it will not be strong enough to keep Tropical Cyclone Claudia from strengthening.  Claudia could intensify into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Claudia will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia.  The high will steer Claudia toward the west-southwest.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Claudia will move parallel to the coast of Western Australia.  The core of Claudia with the strongest winds is forecast to remain offshore.

Tropical Cyclone Blake Strengthens Near Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Blake strengthened near Western Australia on Sunday.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Blake was located at latitude 16.1°S and longitude 121.9°E which put it about 140 miles (220 km) north of Broome, Australia.  Blake was moving toward the east-southeast 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 995 mb.

A Warning has been issued for the portion of the coast of Western Australia from Kuri Bay to De Grey including Broome.  A Watch has been issued for the portion of the coast from De Grey to Whims Creek including Port Hedland.

The circulation around a Tropical Low over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia became more organized on Sunday night and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Blake.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of circulation.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in a primary rainband on the eastern side of Blake.  Bands in other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Blake will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Blake will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Blake will continue to intensify and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Blake shifted eastward on Sunday as the circulation reorganized closer to the inner end of the primary rainband.  Blake will move around the western end of a high pressure system centered near northern Australia.  The high will steer Blake toward the south-southwest.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Blake will pass just west of Broome in about 24 hours.  Blake could make landfall on the coast of Western Australia near Wallal Downs in about 36 hours.  Tropical Cyclone Blake will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of Western Australia.