Tropical Cyclone Koji was nearing the coast of Queensland on Saturday morning. At 7:00 a.m. EST on Saturday the center of the Tropical Cyclone Koji was located at latitude 17.9°S and longitude 147.9°E which put the center about 115 miles (185 km) northeast of Townsville, Australia. Kohi was moving toward the south at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning that was in effect for the portion of the coast of Queensland from Lucinda to Mackay. The Warning included Townsville, Palm Island, Bowen, Proserpine, and the Whitsunday Islands.
Tropical Cyclone Koji was strengthening as it neared the coast of Queensland on Saturday morning. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Koji’s circulation. More thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Koji. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Koji was very large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 220 miles (350 km) from the center of Koji’s circulation.
Tropical Cyclone Koji will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Koji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Koji is likely to intensify during the next 12 hours. Koji could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.
Tropical Cyclone Koji will move around the western side of a high pressure system that is east of Australia. The high pressure system will steer the Koji toward the south-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Koji will reach the coast of Queensland near Ayr in 12 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Koji will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the portion of the coast between Lucinda and Mackay. Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.
Major Flood Warnings are in effect for the Herbert River, the Pioneer River, the Flinders River, the Concurry Rivers, and the Haughton River Catchment. Moderate Flood Warnings are in effect for the Bohle River, the Don River, the Norman River, the Thompson River, and the Tully River. Flood Warnings are in effect for the Gilbert River, the Black River and Bluewater Creek. Flood Watches are in effect for the Coastal Rivers between Cooktown and Rockhampton, and for the Cape York Peninsula.
Tropical Cyclone Koji could also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Queensland.