Bureau ready to tweet during tropical cyclones

17/12/2014

The Bureau of Meteorology is using Twitter to circulate information about tropical cyclones in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland this summer.

Bureau of Meteorology Director of Meteorology, Dr Rob Vertessy, said the Bureau has focussed on the highest priority information as a first step, using Twitter to enhance situational awareness during tropical cyclones.

"The Bureau’s website will remain the most comprehensive source for official warnings, forecasts and weather information, with tweets always pointing back to the source – the Bureau’s website," Dr Vertessy said.

"Bureau meteorologists are trained and ready to tweet when a tropical cyclone forms in the Australian region. These tweets will supplement the Bureau’s official watch and warnings."

The tropical states and territory that experience cyclones now have active Twitter accounts.

The account handles are:

@BOM_Qld
@BOM_WA
@BOM_NT

The Bureau will expand its Twitter presence early next year.

Tropical cyclones range from Category 1 to 5:

Category 5 cyclones are extremely dangerous with widespread destruction and average maximum winds in excess of 200km/h.

Category 4 cyclones cause structural damage, dangerous airborne debris, widespread power failure and average maximum winds in excess of 165km/h.

Category 3 cyclones cause some structural damage and power failures with average maximum winds in excess of 125km/h.

Category 2 cyclones cause a risk of power failure, minor structural damage and significant damage to crops, signs and trees with average maximum winds in excess of 90km/h.

Category 1 cyclones cause damage to some crops, trees and caravans with average maximum winds in excess of 63km/h.

For more information about tropical cyclones, including educational forecast track map videos go to:
Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map