Tropical low has cyclone potential
A LOW sitting near Vanuatu last night is tipped to develop into a cyclone that could threaten the Far Northern coast.
The low was late yesterday about 2000km east of Cairns with Fijian authorities giving it a good chance of developing into a cyclone by 10am today.
Pictures: Cairns' amazing weather
Weather bureau duty forecaster Scott Carpentier said the low was in perfect conditions to form into a cyclone and said it was very likely it would develop.
"It’s in a favourable area where it’s allowed to grow vertically while not being pushed around by strong winds," he said.
"It’s hovering over 30C water and is driven by warm and moist air gathered near the sea surface."
Mr Carpentier said the low was moving west-northwest at 15km/h, with its course to remain the same tomorrow.
"We’re still in the tropical cyclone season, so we’re getting it in the latter part of the season which is not uncommon," he said.
Weather bureau cyclone outlook
"At this time cyclones can still threaten the Queensland coast during March.
"It’s a fair way away so we’re just keeping an eye on it, it’s still in the Fiji region and not really of interest to Australia just yet."
Cyclone survival guideState Government emergency workers have been put on standby and are working with the weather bureau in monitoring the low.
EMQ acting deputy chief officer Wayne Coutts, who also serves in the District Disaster Management Group, a coalition of rescue, weather and police leaders, was last night watching the low.
Latest Cairns weather forecast
He said staff from the DDMA were monitoring weather activity from headquarters in Brisbane as part of relief work for flood-ravaged homes in southwest Queensland.
Meanwhile, strong wind warnings have been issued for Cairns to Cape Melville.The weather bureau says southeasterly winds of up to 33 knots will hit areas south of Cooktown, extending north later today.
Strong winds close Cairns beaches
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Cyclone expected to form tomorrow
UPDATE, 5pm: The weather bureau says a tropical low near Vanuatu will develop in to a cyclone by tomorrow morning while continuing on a path towards the Far North Queensland coast.
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