Northern Australia is preparing for Cyclone Kirrily as the Bureau of Meteorology warns of intensifying activity in the Coral Sea. Although the system won’t be officially named until it fully forms, the bureau anticipates Cyclone Kirrily will develop off the Queensland coast by Monday.
Currently, a coastal impact in Queensland seems likely, though the system’s exact path remains uncertain. The most probable area of impact is between Cooktown and Mackay, possibly south of Cairns.
Dean Narramore from the bureau indicated on Saturday that while the cyclone may take another day to form, it is expected to move towards the Queensland coast by mid-week.
The cyclone is forecasted to track south-westerly and strengthen, with severe impacts possible, especially if it crosses south of Cairns.
Heavy rainfall and severe weather are forecasted for Kimberley and NT, with flooding concerns high.On Saturday, locals in Cairns and Port Douglas celebrated the reopening of the Captain Cook Highway, which had been closed due to Cyclone Jasper a month ago. Additionally, severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall were predicted for Australia’s far north and northwest on Sunday.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported that a developing tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to become a tropical cyclone by Monday. Heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding are anticipated to continue across central inland regions, extending west towards the WA border, with impacts expected in the Pilbara by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Residents in parts of Kimberley and nearby districts should prepare for severe weather starting Sunday afternoon, with locations like Halls Creek and Warmun likely to see heavy rainfall.
A flood watch is in effect for the east and west Kimberley, Fitzroy River, and Sturt Creek districts. In the NT, flooding has forced evacuations, with flood warnings active for the northwest and central areas, including Kalkarindji and Timber Creek.