Tag Archives: Port Hedland

Tropical Cyclone Trevor Makes Landfall in the Northern Territory

Tropical Cyclone Trevor made landfall on the coast of the Northern Territory of Australia southeast of Port McArthur early on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Trevor was located at latitude 16.5°S and longitude 137.0°E which put it about 50 miles (80 km) east-southeast of Port McArthur, Northern Territory.  Trevor was moving toward the southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.  A Tropical Cyclone Warning was in effect from Port Roper, Northern Territory to Burketown, Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Trevor intensified into the equivalent of a major hurricane before it made landfall.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Trevor was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.6.  Tropical Cyclone Trevor was capable of causing major damage when it made landfall.  It could have generated a storm surge of up to 12 feet (4 meters at the coast).

Tropical Cyclone Trevor will continue to move southwestward and it will gradually weaken as it moves farther inland.  Trevor will also drop heavy rainfall while it moves inland.  Flood Watches have been issued for parts of the eastern Northern Territory and western Queensland.

Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone Veronica was advancing slowly toward the coast of Western Australia.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Veronica was located at latitude 18.9°S and longitude 117.1°E.  Veronica was moving toward the south at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 962 mb.  A Tropical Cyclone Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Wallal to Mardie including Port Hedland and Karratha.

The structure of Tropical Cyclone Veronica changed significantly on Friday.  A large eye with a diameter of about 40 miles (65 km) developed at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Veronica.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 150 miles (240 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Veronica is moving around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system.  The high will steer Veronica toward the southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Veronica will make landfall on the coast of Western Australia west of Port Hedland in about 24 hours.  Veronica will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it makes landfall and it will be capable of causing serious damage.

Tropical Cyclones Trevor and Veronica Bracket Australia

Tropical Cyclones Trevor and Veronica bracketed Australia on Thursday night.  Tropical Cyclone Veronica was stronger but Tropical Cyclone Trevor was the more immediate threat.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Trevor was located at latitude 14.6°S and longitude 139.4°E which put it about 200 miles (320 km) east-northeast of Port McArthur, Australia.  Trevor was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.  A Tropical Cyclone Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cape Shield, Northern Territory to Karumba, Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Trevor strengthened more quickly as more of the circulation moved over the Gulf of Carpentaria.  A circular eye formed at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms near the core of Trevor generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 130 miles (210 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Trevor will move through an environment favorable for intensification for about another 24 hours.  Trevor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Trevor will continue to intensify on Friday and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane.

Tropical Cyclone Trevor will move around the northwestern side of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge will steer Trevor toward the southwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Trevor will make landfall near Port McArthur in about 24 hours.  Trevor could be a major hurricane at that time.  It will bring strong winds, which could cause a significant storm surge at the coast.  Tropical Cyclone Trevor will drop heavy rain when it moves inland and it could cause flooding in some locations.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Veronica was located at latitude 17.8°S and longitude 116.7°E which put it about 200 miles (355 km) north-northwest of Port Hedland, Australia.  Veronica was moving toward the southwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 941 mb.  A Tropical Cyclone Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Pardoo to Mardie including Port Hedland and Karratha.

Tropical Cyclone Veronica remains the equivalent of a major hurricane.  A circular eye was surrounded by a ring of strong storms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Veronica.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 155 miles (250 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Veronica will remain in an area favorable for intensification for another 24 to 36 hours.  Veronica will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Veronica could strengthen on Friday.

Tropical Cyclone will move around the western end of a ridge of high pressure.  Veronica will move toward the south-southeast after it rounds the end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Veronica could make landfall on the coast of Western Australia between Karratha and Port Hedland in about 48 hours.  Veronica is likely to be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time.

Tropical Cyclones Veronica and Trevor Threaten Australia

Tropical Cyclones Veronica and Trevor posed threats to Australia on Wednesday night.  Tropical Cyclone Veronica intensified very rapidly into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Wednesday off the coast of Western Australia.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Veronica was located at latitude 16.5°S and longitude 117.6°E which put it about 275 miles (445 km) north-northwest of Port Hedland, Australia.  Veronica was moving toward the south-southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 929 mb.  A Tropical Cyclone Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Pardoo to Mardie including Port Hedland and Karratha.

Tropical Cyclone Veronica intensified very rapidly during the past 24 hours.  Veronica strengthened from the equivalent of a tropical storm to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  A small pinhole 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 the circulation.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Veronica had a large circulation.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Veronica was 29.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 48.4.

Tropical Cyclone Veronica will remain in an environment favorable for strong tropical cyclones for several more days.  Veronica 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 Veronica could strengthen into the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane during the next 24 hours.  If a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause fluctuations in the intensity of Veronica.

Tropical Cyclone Veronica will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge will steer Veronica toward the south-southwest.  Tropical Cyclone Veronica could move toward the south-southeast after it rounds the western end of the ridge.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Veronica could approach the coast of Western Australia in about three days.  Veronica could be the equivalent of a major hurricane at that time.

Tropical Cyclone Trevor moved over the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Trevor was located at latitude 13.1°S and longitude 141.1°E which put it about 55 miles (90 km) southwest of Weipa, Australia.  Trevor was moving toward the southwest at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minium surface pressure was 988 mb.  A Tropical Cyclone Watch was in effect for the coast from Nhulunbuy to Karumba.

The circulation of Tropical Cyclone Trevor was gradually reorganizing as the center moved farther into the Gulf of Carpentaria.  Trevor will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Trevor will intensify during the next 48 hours and it could strengthen into the equivalent of a major hurricane.  On its anticipated track Trevor is forecast to approach the southwest of the Gulf of Carpentaria near Port McArthur in about 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Riley Forms West of Australia

Tropical Cyclone Riley formed west of Australia on Wednesday.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Riley was located at latitude 16.7°S and longitude 121.2°E which put it about 110 miles (175 km) northwest of Broome, Australia.  Riley was moving toward the west-southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.

The circulation around a tropical low off the coast of Western Australia strengthened on Wednesday and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Riley.  A band of thunderstorms wrapped clockwise from northwest to southeast around the center of circulation.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing around the western side of the circulation which was over the open water of the south Indian Ocean.  The bands on the eastern side of the circulation were weaker, but portions of those bands were still over Western Australia.  Thunderstorms around the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Riley will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Riley will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will not be much vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Riley is likely to intensify steadily and it could intensify rapidly once an eye forms and the inner core is well developed.  Tropical Cyclone Riley is likely to strengthen into the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon within 24 to 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Riley will move along the northwestern edge of a subtropical ridge during the next 48 to 72 hours.  The ridge will steer Riley in a general west-southwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Riley will move parallel to the coast of Western Australia.  However, a southward deviation of the track could bring Riley closer to the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Marcus Strengthens Into Equivalent of Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Marcus strengthened into the equivalent of a major hurricane on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Marcus was located at latitude 15.0°S and longitude 117.7°E which put it about 340 miles (550 km) north of Port Hedland, Australia.  Marcus was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Cyclone Marcus was symmetrical and very well organized.  A very small circular eye was at the center of circulation.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  Storms in the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical cyclone.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out about 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 190 miles (305 km) from the center.

Tropical Storm Marcus will continue to move through an environment very favorable for strong tropical cyclones during the next two days.  Marcus will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It is moving under an area where the upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Marcus is likely to intensify and it could reach the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane.  If a rainband wraps around the core of the circulation, then a second eyewall could form.  That would initiate an eyewall replacement cycle, which would cause Marcus to weaken at least temporarily.

Tropical Cyclone Marcus is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge, which is steering Marcus toward the west.  A general motion toward the west is expected to occur for anther 24 to 48 hours.  Marcus will reach the western end of the ridge in about two days, and then the tropical cyclone will turn toward the south.  On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Marcus will stay north of the coast of Western Australia for the next few days.