Tag Archives: Pellew Islands

Tropical Cyclone Megan Makes Landfall in Northern Territory

Tropical Cyclone Megan made landfall in the Northern Territory of Australia on Monday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Megan was located at latitude 16.52S and longitude 136.6°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) south-southeast of Port McArthur, Australia. Megan was moving toward the southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 977 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port Roper to Mornington Island, Australia.

Tropical Cyclone Megan made landfall on the coast of the Northern Territory southeast of Port McArthur on Monday morning. A weather station in Borroloola, Australia reported a sustained wind speed of 37 m.p.h. (59 km/h) and a gust of 48 m.p.h. (78 km/h). The weather station in Borroloola also measured 12.12 inches (308.0 mm) of rain.

The core of Tropical Cyclone Megan also passed over the Pellew Islands before it made landfall in the Northern Territory. Centre Island reported a sustained wind speed of 82 m.p.h. (132 km/h) and a wind gust of 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h). The weather station on Centre Island also measured 14.99 inches (380.8 mm) of rain.

Tropical Cyclone Megan will move around the northern part of a high pressure system over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Megan toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Megan will pass southeast of Borroloola. The center of Megan will pass between the McArthur River Mine and Robinson River.

Tropical Cyclone Megan will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland over the Northern Territory. Megan will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southeastern part of the Northern Territory. Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations. A Flood Watch was in effect for some of the inland parts of the Northern Territory and the Carpentaria Coastal Rivers.

Elsewhere, a Tropical Low weakened over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of the Tropical Low was located at latitude 17.0°S and longitude 112.1°E which put it about 385 miles (625 km) north-northwest of Exmouth. Australia. The Tropical Low was moving toward the west at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/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 Megan Brings Wind and Rain to Pellew Islands

Tropical Cyclone Megan brought wind and rain to the Pellew Islands on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Megan was located at latitude 15.5°S and longitude 137.1°E which put it about 85 miles (135 km) northeast of Borroloola, Australia. Megan was moving toward the south-southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 961 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Alyangula to Mornington Island, Australia.

Tropical Cyclone Megan brought strong winds and heavy rain to the Pellew Islands on Sunday. An automated weather station on Centre Island reported a sustained wind speed of 54 m.p.h. (87 km/h) and a wind gust of 73 m.p.h. (117 km/h). The weather station measured 6.67 inches (169.4 mm) of rain and it was still raining at the time of the latest observation.

Tropical Cyclone Megan continued to intensify on Sunday. A small circular eye was present at the center of Megan’s circulation. A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Megan. Storms near the center of Megan’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Megan was symmetrical. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Megan. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Megan was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.4. Tropical Cyclone Megan was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Sally when Sally hit South Alabama in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Megan will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Megan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Gulf of Carpentaria. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Although more and more of the western side of Tropical Cyclone Megan will move over land, Megan could intensify during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Megan will move around the northern part of a high pressure system over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Megan toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Megan will make landfall on the coast of the Northern Territory southeast of Port McArthur in 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Megan will continue to produce strong winds and heavy rain in the Pellew Islands. Megan will also bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the portion of the coast from Alyangula to Mornington Island. The part of the coast southeast of Port McArthur is likely to experience sustained winds to hurricane/typhoon force. Heavy rain will cause floods in some locations. A Flood Watch is in effect for parts of the Top End and Barkly in the Northern Territory. Tropical Cyclone Megan could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast.

Elsewhere, a Tropical Low continued to churn over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of the Tropical Low was located at latitude 17.5°S and longitude 112.7°E which put it about 350 miles (565 km) north of Exmouth. Australia. The Tropical Low was moving toward the south-southwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 997 mb.