Brewing Cyclone Menaces Northern Coast of Western Australia

A potentially severe tropical cyclone is poised to strike the Pilbara region of northern Western Australia. The tropical low is unnamed as of yet, but conditions are ripe for rapid intensification. Landfall could occur sometime late Friday or Saturday between Port Hedland and Broome. The last severe (Category 3+) cyclone to strike this region was Damien in Feb 2020.

Heavy rain bands are already lashing the northern WA coast. Even stronger storms are consolidating just off the coast (see satellite image above), a sign of potential strengthening. The system will turn south and southeast over the next few days. Very warm ocean waters and favorable upper level winds along the projected path could result in rapid strengthening. Damaging wind gusts to 150 kph (90 mph) or more, flooding rainfall exceeding 300 mm (12 inches), and even some surge flooding will accompany the budding cyclone near and just east of landfall. Post-landfall, the system is expected to move slowly southeast across interior WA, bringing flooding rainfall and slowly dying winds.