Tag Archives: Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Hits Cape York Peninsula

Tropical Cyclone Narelle hit the Cape York Peninsula northwest of Cape Melville on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located at latitude 13.4°S and longitude 142.5°E which put the center about 50 miles (85 km) northwest of Coen, Australia.  Narelle was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 951 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula that is in effect from Lockhart River to Cape Melville.  The Warning includes Coen.  A Warning is also in effect for the west coast of the Cape York Peninsula from Mapoon to Pormpuraaw.  That Warning includes Weipa.

A Watch is in effect for the portion of the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria from south of Nhulunbuy to Port McArthur.

Even though Tropical Cyclone Narelle weakened after it moved over the Cape York Peninsula, the circulation around Narelle was still intact.  A well defined center of circulation was visible on satellite images.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Narelle’s circulation.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Narelle was still very symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Narelle’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Narelle is 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 20.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 42.1. Tropical Cyclone Narelle is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Milton when Milton hit Florida in 2024.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will continue to weaken during the next few hours while the center is over the Cape York Peninsula.  Narelle will move into an environment favorable for intensification when it moves over the Gulf of Carpentaria.  Narelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the northern part of Australia.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle is likely to intensify again when it moves over the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Narelle toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move over the Gulf of Carpentaria in a few hours.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the northern part of the Cape York Peninsula during the next few hours.  Narelle will be capable of causing major damage.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and the North Tropical Coast of Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Nears Cape York Peninsula

Tropical Cyclone Narelle was nearing the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located at latitude 13.6°S and longitude 144.9°E which put the center about 230 miles (370 km) north of Cairns, Australia.  Narelle was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 933 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula that is in effect from Lockhart River to Cape Tribulation.  The Warning includes Coen and Cooktown.  A Warning is also in effect for the west coast of the Cape York Peninsula from Mapoon to Pormpuraaw.  That Warning includes Weipa.

A Watch is in effect for the portion of the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria from south of Nhulunbuy to Port Mcarthur.

A circular eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) was present at the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Narelle’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Narelle generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Narelle increased on Wednesday night.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Narelle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Narelle is 29.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 20.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 50.0.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Laura when Laura hit southwest Louisiana in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Narelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the northern part of the Coral Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle could intensify during the next few hours.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over Australia.   The high pressure system will steer Narelle toward the west during the next 24 hours.   On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Narelle will hit the coast of Queensland northwest of Cape Melville in a few hours.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the northern part of the Cape York Peninsula.  Narelle will be capable of causing severe damage.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle could also cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along the coast near where the center of circulation makes landfall.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and the North Tropical Coast of Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 4 Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Narelle intensified to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located at latitude 13.6°S and longitude 147.2°E which put the center about 265 miles (425 km) north-northeast of Cairns, Australia.  Narelle was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula that is in effect from Lockhart River to Cape Tribulation.  The Warning includes Coen and Cooktown.  A Warning is also in effect for the west coast of the Cape York Peninsula from Mapoon to Pormpuraaw.  That Warning includes Weipa.

A Watch is in effect for the portion of the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria from south of Nhulunbuy to Port Mcarthur.

A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was present at the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Narelle’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Narelle generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Cyclone Narelle was symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Narelle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Narelle is 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 17.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 42.2.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle is similar in intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.  Narelle is bigger than Harvey was.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Narelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the northern part of the Coral Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle is likely to intensify during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the Coral Sea.   The high pressure system will steer Narelle toward the west during the next 24 hours.   On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Narelle will approach the coast of Queensland near Cape Melville in 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the northern part of the Cape York Peninsula later this week.  Narelle will be capable of causing severe damage.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle could also cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along the coast near where the center of circulation makes landfall.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and the North Tropical Coast of Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Prompts Warning for Cape York Peninsula

The risks posed by Tropical Cyclone Narelle prompted the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to issue a Warning for part of the Cape York Peninsula on Wednesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located at latitude 13.1°S and longitude 149.9°E which put the center about 420 miles (675 km) northeast of Cairns, Australia.  Narelle was moving toward the west-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 968 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the coast of Queensland that was in effect from Lockhart River to Cape Tribulation.

A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Weipa to Kowanyama.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle was strengthening as it moved toward the coast of Queensland.

A small circular eye was present at the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Narelle’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Narelle 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 Narelle was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Narelle’s circulation.  Winds to  tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Narelle was 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.0.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Narelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the northern part of the Coral Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Narelle could intensify rapidly at times.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane by Thursday.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the Coral Sea.   The high pressure system will steer Narelle toward the west during the next 24 hours.   On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Narelle will approach the coast of Queensland near Cape Melville in 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the northern part of the Cape York Peninsula later this week.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and the North Tropical Coast of Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Narelle strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon as it moved over the Coral Sea on Tuesday evening.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located at latitude 12.4°S and longitude 153.3°E which put the center about 600 miles (970 km) east-northeast of Cairns, Australia.  Narelle was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 986 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Watch that was in effect for the portion of the coast of Queensland from Lockhart River to Port Douglas.  The Watch extended across the central Cape York Peninsula to the Gulf of Carpentaria.  The Watch was in effect for the west coast of the Cape York Peninsula from Weipa to Kowanyama.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon on Tuesday evening.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Narelle’s circulation.  A small eye formed at the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Narelle’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Narelle 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 Narelle was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Narelle’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Narelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the northern part of the Coral Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Narelle could intensify rapidly at times.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane by Thursday.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the Coral Sea.   The high pressure system will steer Narelle toward the west during the next 24 hours.   On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Narelle will approach the coast of Queensland near Cape Melville in 35 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the northern part of the Cape York Peninsula later this week.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and the North Tropical Coast of Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle Develops Over the Coral Sea

Tropical Cyclone Narelle developed over the Coral Sea on Monday night.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located at latitude 12.4°S and longitude 154.8°E which put the center about 705 miles (1140 km) east-northeast of Cairns, Australia.  Narelle was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

A low pressure system over the Coral Sea strengthened on Monday night and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Watch for the coast of Queensland from Lockhart River to Port Douglas.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle was intensifying rapidly on Tuesday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Narelle’s circulation.  A small eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Narelle’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Narelle 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 Narelle was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Narelle’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Narelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over the northern part of the Coral Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Narelle could intensify rapidly.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle will strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next few hours.  Narelle could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane by Thursday.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the Coral Sea.  The high pressure system will steer Narelle toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Narelle will approach the coast of Queensland near Cape Melville in 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the northern part of the Cape York Peninsula later this week.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and the North Tropical Coast of Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone 24P Forms over the Coral Sea

Tropical Cyclone 24P formed over the Coral Sea on Tuesday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone 24P was located at latitude 14.3°S and longitude 150.6°E which put the center about 380 miles (615 km) east-northeast of Cairns, Australia.  Tropical Cyclone 24P was moving toward the south-southeast 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 996 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Watch for the portion of the coast from Cooktown to Lucinda.  The Watch included Port Douglas, Cairns, Innisfail and Palm Island.

A low pressure system over the Coral Sea strengthened on Tuesday night and the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center designated the system as Tropical Cyclone 24P.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology was designating the system as Tropical Low 29U.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Cyclone 24P was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of the tropical cyclone’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Tropical Cyclone 24P began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone 24P.

Tropical Cyclone 24P will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical cyclone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge that extended from the Coral Sea to over Australia.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone 24P will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 24 P will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Coral Sea.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone 24P will approach the coast of Queensland near Cairns in two days.

Tropical Cyclone 24P will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of Queensland near Cairns.  Heavy rain could cause flooding in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for the parts of the Cape York Peninsula, the Central Coast, Capricornia, and Carpentaria catchments.

Tropical Cyclone Koji Brings Wind and Rain to Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Koji brought wind and rain to Queensland on Saturday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of the Tropical Cyclone Koji was located at latitude 20.3°S and longitude 147.5°E which put the center about 45 miles (75 km) west of Bowen, Australia.  Koji was moving toward the south-southwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 992 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology was maintaining a Warning for the portion of the coast of Queensland from Ayr to Mackay.  The Warning included Bowen and Proserpine.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Koji made landfall on the coast of Queensland between Ayr and Bowen on Saturday night.  The circulation around Koji was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of Koji’s circulation.

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 Koji toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Koji will move inland over eastern Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Koji will continue to bring strong winds and rain to parts of Queensland as it moves inland.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Koji will weaken gradually as Koji moves farther inland.

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 Nears Queensland

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.

Tropical Low Prompts Warning for Queensland

A Tropical Low over the Coral Sea prompted the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to issue a Warning for the coast of Queensland on Thursday night.  At 7:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of the Tropical Low was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 148.1°E which put the center about 210 miles (335 km) northeast of the Cairns, Australia.  The Tropical Low was moving toward the south-southwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 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 995 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning for the portion of the coast of Queensland from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach.  The Warning includes Cairns, Innisfail, Townsville and Bowen.

A low pressure system over the Coral Sea was strengthening on Friday morning.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology was classifying the system as a Tropical Low.  The U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center was designating the system as Invest 92P.

A Tropical Low over the Coral Sea was strengthening on Friday morning.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northwestern part of the Tropical Low.  Another cluster of thunderstorms was located southeast of the center of circulation.  Storms near the center began to generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the Tropical Low.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the thunderstorms northwest and southeast of the center of the Tropical Low.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.

The Tropical Low will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The Tropical Low 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.  The Tropical Low is very likely to intensify to a named tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.

The Tropical Low will move around the western side of a high pressure system that is east of Australia.  The high pressure system will steer the Tropical Low toward the south-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the Tropical Low will approach the coast of Queensland near Townsville in 24 hours.

The Tropical Low is likely to be the equivalent of a tropical storm when it approaches the coast.  It will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the portion of the coast between Port Douglas and Airlie Beach.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.