Tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria forecast to move slowly east
16/03/2016
A tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria is forecast to intensify before crossing the western coast of Cape York Peninsula later today.
The Warning Zone extends from Cape Keerweer in the north to Burketown in the south. Gale force winds in the range of 65-85km/h with gusts 90-120 km/h are expected from Cape Keerweer to Karumba, including Kowanyama and Gilbert River Mouth.
Abnormally high tides are possible between Cape Keerweer and Burketown, but are not expected to exceed the highest tide of the year.
The system is forecast to weaken again to a tropical low, with the main impacts likely to be widespread rainfall and storms with the potential for flooding.
Widespread rainfall is forecast to affect the Gulf of Carpentaria and the western part of the Cape York Peninsula during Wednesday. The focus for the heavy rainfall will move east to affect the eastern side of the Cape York Peninsula and the North Tropical Coast later on Wednesday, continuing into Thursday and Friday.
Daily rainfall totals of 100-150 mm are expected, with localised falls up to 200 mm possible.
As the system moves east toward the Coral Sea, Queensland's tropical coast can also expect significant falls from Cooktown to south to Port Douglas, Cairns, Innisfail, Mission Beach, Cardwell and Ingham with Townsville on the southern fringe.
The Bureau has issued a Flood Watch. See www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings to view the current flood warnings for Queensland.
The Bureau’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Brisbane will continue to monitor the situation closely, providing regular updates to local emergency services as required and keeping the community informed through media and social media channels.
The Bureau is using Twitter to disseminate significant weather information for the community. Follow us @BOM_QLD.
The Bureau's website remains the most up-to-date and comprehensive official source of information. This tropical cyclone season we’re using hashtags starting #Cyclone, e.g. #CycloneYvette.
For the latest Tropical Cyclone Warning information go to: www.bom.gov.au/cyclone
To view the satellite loop go to satview.bom.gov.au/
For the latest warnings the public are urged to continue to monitor warnings on the Bureau's website www.bom.gov.au, and listen to the advice of local emergency services.
