Far North Queensland continues cyclone watch as ‘deepening’ tropical low threatens Cairns coast
Far North Queensland is on cyclone watch as a tropical low threatens the coast of Cairns.
The deepening low is bringing intense winds and heavy rainfall to the region.
Emergency crews have been kept busy as the weather has brought powerlines down and caused trees to fall on houses.
As of 4pm AEST, the highest wind gusts recorded include 117km/h at Arlington Reef, 95km/h at Lucinda, 89km/h at Innisfail and 85km/h at Cairns, according to Weatherzone.
00:45 EDT
From 9am to 4pm AEST, accumulated rainfall includes 178.8mm at Cowley Beach, 103mm at Innisfail Aero, and 49.6mm at Cairns.
“Heavy rainfall and gale-force winds are expected to continue into Tuesday, as the system gradually shifts its direction of movement and heads back eastwards into the Coral Sea,” a Weatherzone spokesman said.
“This tropical low is expected to strengthen into a tropical cyclone on Tuesday, it will then be named Niran”.
Under the effect of La Nina, this summer past was the wettest in four years, and first cooler-than-average summer in nine years (based on maximum temperatures) for Australia.
This was not an even spread, however, with Perth registering its 8th hottest summer (based on maximum temperatures, and in over 100 years), exceeding the 30.7 degrees average with 31.6 degrees.
The front bringing this cold air mass is also bringing strong, gusty winds to the state, reaching, 100km/h at Hogan Island, 98km/h at Mount Read and 96km/h at Cape Sorell.
