A weak tropical low located over the central Gulf of Carpentaria has begun to show early signs of development
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A cyclone, to be called Esther, is likely to develop over the weekend and a watch zone has been extended from Karumba to Nhulunbuy, including Mornington Island, Borroloola and Groote Eylandt.
The tropical low is sustained winds near the centre of 35 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 85 kilometres per hour.
The low is located 255 kilometres west southwest of Weipa and 350 kilometres east northeast of Groote Eylandt and is slow moving .
The BoM says the surrounding environment will remain strongly supportive of development of this low over the coming few days, and it is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone during the time period from Saturday night into Sunday morning.
The system is expected to be slow moving at first, before adopting a south-southwesterly track towards the southern Gulf coast during Saturday and Sunday.
Gales could develop during the day on Sunday and tides will be higher than normal between Nhulunbuy and Karumba on Sunday. Large waves may produce minor flooding of low-lying coastal areas.
Heavy rain with the potential to produce flash flooding is expected to develop through much of the warning area during Sunday. Riverine flooding will also become possible, and Flood Watches have been issued for catchments within the warning area.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
