Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 4:44 pm EST on Monday 22 January 2024

Headline:
Tropical cyclone impact likely on the Queensland coast from Wednesday.

Areas Affected:
Warning Zone
None.

Watch Zone
Cairns to St Lawrence (not including Cairns), including Townsville, Mackay and the Whitsunday Islands .

Cancelled Zone
None.

Details of Tropical Low at 4:00 pm AEST [3:30 pm ACST]:
Intensity: Tropical Low, sustained winds near the centre of 55 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 85 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 55 kilometres of 15.6 degrees South 153.9 degrees East, estimated to be 860 kilometres east northeast of Townsville and 425 kilometres east of Willis Island.

Movement: slow moving.

A tropical low (05U) is slow moving in the central Coral Sea and is likely to become a tropical cyclone during late Tuesday. This system is forecast to track southwest over the next few days towards the Queensland coast as it intensifies.

The system is forecast to cross the coast, most likely on Thursday between Innisfail and Airlie Beach. From Friday, the system is forecast to move inland and then further south.

Hazards:
GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h may develop about coastal and island communities between Townsville and St Lawrence from as early as Wednesday morning and extend to adjacent inland areas. GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h may also develop about coastal communities from late Wednesday into Thursday between Cairns and Townsville.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 150 km/h may develop about coastal and island communities between Cardwell and Airlie Beach from Wednesday evening, more likely from Thursday.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING may develop about coastal areas between Townsville and St Lawrence from late Wednesday before spreading to adjacent inland areas and north to Cairns during Thursday and into Friday. INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible close to the system, most likely during Thursday.

From Friday, the system is expected to become an inland rain depression and HEAVY RAINFALL may develop across central and southern inland areas, as well as southeast Queensland over the weekend as the system tracks south.

As the system approaches the coast, a STORM TIDE is possible between Innisfail and St Lawrence. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore.

Recommended Action:
People between Cairns to St Lawrence (not including Cairns), including Townsville, Mackay and the Whitsunday Islands, should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

- Information is available from your local government

- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)

- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

Next Advice:
The next advice will be issued by 11:00 pm AEST Monday 22 January.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and the State Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.

Current Tropical Cyclones