Another cyclone alert for Northern Australia
A new tropical cyclone warning has been issued for the Gulf of Carpentaria for this weekend.
Coastal communities from Groote Eylandt to the Northern Territory-Queensland border have been put on standby for the weather event, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting the system to gradually move south.
It is then expected to weaken early next week but not before bringing severe rain and strong winds to the affected region.
The Bureau said in a warning there were a number of risks associated with the upcoming cyclone.
“A tropical low, currently located near Nhulunbuy along the northeastern Top End coast, is moving towards the Gulf of Carpentaria,” they said.
“A vigorous monsoonal flow on the northern flank of the low will bring the risk of damaging winds to the northeast Arnhem coast, while heavy rainfall is more likely further inland on the southern and western flanks of the low.
“Locations which may be affected include Nhulunbuy, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Alyangula, Gapuwiyak and Numbulwar.”
Strong to damaging winds of up to 65km/h, as well as gusts of about 100km/h, are expected along the northeastern Arnhem coast east of Milingimbi while damaging wind gusts of up to 110km/h are forecast over Groote Eylandt during Saturday morning.
The Bureau’s “significant observations” also included measures of 103 km/h wind gusts at Ngayawili Airport as well as 135mm of rain in 6 hours at Milingimbi Airport.
A separate severe weather warning for damaging surf has also been made for coastal areas between Cape Wessel and the Cobourg Peninsula.
