A tropical low off Queensland’s coast has evolved into the season’s first cyclone.
Cyclone Jasper, categorized as a weak Category 1, was positioned about 305 km west of Honiara and 1,500 km northeast of Cairns at 4 p.m. AEST on Tuesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). The cyclone, which originated in the Solomon Sea, is moving slowly.
The BoM expects Jasper to intensify into a severe tropical cyclone by Wednesday, tracking south-southwest toward the northeast Coral Sea.
Models suggest the cyclone may reach as far south as Brisbane next week.The system is anticipated to strengthen further over the next few days and may approach the Queensland coast early next week. However, the bureau notes significant uncertainty regarding the exact areas that might be affected along the Queensland coast.
Earlier in the day, BoM meteorologist Steven Hadley mentioned that some models suggested the cyclone could impact areas as far south as Brisbane.
Yet, he cautioned that by the time it reaches that latitude, it might have downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone. Hadley indicated that while the cyclone might cross the coast by late this weekend or early next week, it is more likely to affect the tropical regions of Queensland.
The situation remains fluid, and precise forecasts will become clearer as the storm progresses.