Tropical Cyclone Jasper tracker: Map shows exact path where strong winds and heavy rainfall will strike in Australia this week

By William On Dec 11, 2023

Cyclone Jasper is heading towards the coast of far north Queensland, where it is expected to make landfall as a Category 2 system.

A tracker map shows Jasper is about to make landfall north of Cairns, with the town of Port Douglas identified as a potential 'red zone' in the event of significant tidal waves from the cyclone.

Residents of the region are bracing for possible power, internet and water supply disruptions.

The cyclone weakened to a Category 1 overnight, but fears remain it could strengthen and impact the Queensland coast on Wednesday as a Category 3 system.

“We expect the storm to intensify again as it heads towards the coast early this morning, moving back into category three and hitting the coast somewhere between Cape Melville and Cardwell,” bureau meteorologist Jonathon How told Ny Breaking Australia.

On Sunday afternoon, Cyclone Jasper was estimated to be about 850km east of Cairns, with residents between Cooktown and Ingham warned to expect damaging winds of 90km/h from Tuesday.

“Jasper has weakened to a Category 1 system and may weaken slightly further on Monday as it moves generally westwards,” a Bureau of Meteorology warning said on Monday.

Residents of far north Queensland are bracing for possible power outages, internet and water supply disruptions as Tropical Cyclone Jasper ravages the state (a weather zone map)

From Monday morning, the Category 1 storm about 600km east of Cairns is barreling west at 20km/h as Queenslanders prepare to batten down the hatches

Several cruise ships that left Brisbane to sail the waters north of Australia have been forced to change course and head south to Sydney instead

'Jasper is expected to intensify again on Tuesday as it approaches the coast. The system is now forecast to become a Category 2 system as it makes landfall on Wednesday, most likely between Cape Flattery and Cardwell.

'Jasper will weaken as it moves inland towards the Gulf of Carpentaria on Thursday. If the system is slower and crosses on Wednesday or Thursday night, the chance of a serious category three crossing remains small.'

Cairns supermarket shelves have been cleared of essentials such as bottled water and batteries as residents are urged to prepare an emergency kit.

Several cruise ships that left Brisbane to sail the waters north of Australia have been forced to change course and head south to Sydney instead.

This includes the gigantic Quantum of the Seas with almost 5,000 passengers on board.

The $1.4 billion, 348-metre megaship was meant to sail to Airlie Beach and Cairns as part of a six-day cruise that left Brisbane on Wednesday but went to Sydney instead.

Another Royal Caribbean ship, Brilliance of the Seas, has also abandoned an 11-day Great Barrier Reef cruise and will instead take its 2,500 passengers to Eden, Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart before ending in Sydney.

Meanwhile, Carnival Luminosa has canceled a planned four-day cruise from its home port of Brisbane to Airlie Beach, which departs on Sunday.

The ship, which can accommodate up to 2,700 passengers, will go to Sydney.

The winds could extend as far north as Cape Melville, on the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula, and as far south as Townsville, the Bureau of Meteorology warned.

A tropical cyclone watch has been issued for Cape Melville to Townsville, including Cairns and Cooktown, with a flood watch also in place in these areas.

The cyclone weakened to a category one overnight, but fears remain it could strengthen on Wednesday and hit the Queensland coast as a category three system.

Heavy rain was also expected to develop along the coast from late Tuesday, before Jasper was likely to make landfall between Cooktown and Cardwell on Wednesday, where it could develop into a category three cyclone.

Flooding was possible starting Wednesday for the northern tropical coast, parts of the Cape York Peninsula and Gulf Country, the agency warned.

A severe weather warning for damaging winds was also in force for parts of the Herbert, Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays districts on Monday, with the agency predicting gusts of up to 90km/h in some areas.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services on Sunday warned residents between Cape Melville and Townsville that strong winds could topple trees and power lines, blow roofs off homes and blow away anything that isn't secured.

Jasper could also cause telephones and the internet to stop working, as well as the water supply, the services warned. Communities can also become isolated.

Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said – before announcing her shock retirement from politics on Sunday – that she had been informed of the cyclone.

“I can say that all preparations have been well made,” she told reporters.

“It is expected to reach land on Wednesday and can I remind the people of Queensland and especially North Queensland to exercise caution.”

On Monday morning, the Category 1 storm was located about 600km east of Cairns

HOW TO SURVIVE A CYCLONE

Residents in affected areas should prepare for a cyclone as soon as the first warnings appear.

Make an emergency kit and plan

Your emergency kit should include everything your household needs to survive without access to power and clean water for several days.

This should include the following:

Enough water for three days: about 10 liters per person
Enough non-perishable food for three days and cutlery, a can opener and plates
Cooking equipment – portable stove and fuel
Self-powered items including a radio, flashlights, portable charger
First aid kit
Essential medicines
Warm and protective clothing
Toiletries
Important documents (sealed in plastic bags)
Cash
Bedding
Pet Supplies
Extra batteries

Your household should also have an emergency plan in place and know how to shut off the main water, electricity and gas supplies.

Your plan should include which local shelter you will go to if necessary, the best route from your home to the shelter, what you will leave behind in an emergency, what room you will shelter in, and how you will stay in touch with friends and family. family.

QFES also recommends that you fill your vehicle with fuel and park it in a sheltered area in case you need to evacuate.

Check your property

Properties in the line of fire of a cyclone must be cleared of projectiles that cause injury or damage.

QFES recommends clearing your gutters and downspouts, removing shade sails, moving caravans and boats to a covered area or securely anchoring them to the ground and pruning dangerous trees.

All outdoor furniture, including trampolines and garden pots, should be moved indoors or tied down.

Homeowners should also check that window and door seals are in good condition.

Check your neighborhood

Contact your municipality or energy supplier if you see trees in your street that could fall and damage houses or power lines.

DAY OF THE CYCLONE

On days when the cyclone is expected to hit your area, the QFES advises that you closely monitor local warnings.

Households must also:

Fill emergency containers with drinking water
Close all windows and consider taping plastic sheeting on the inside to prevent wind-driven rain
Make sure everyone and all pets are in the house
The emergency double check kit is ready

QFES is also encouraging residents to check in with friends and loved ones to ensure they are also prepared for the cyclone.

DURING THE CYCLONE

QFES is urging everyone in cyclone-affected areas to listen and adhere to local warnings shared on radio and television.

If you are asked to evacuate, go to the nearest municipal shelter.

“Emergency services or municipal staff can visit your area to issue warnings,” QFES said.

'If a warning is issued, make sure everyone in your home is aware of the warning and advice.'

During a cyclone, all members of your household should wear closed-toe shoes and sturdy clothing for protection.

All electricity, gas and water in the home must be turned off at the main connection.

If your home is hit by a cyclone and you have not evacuated, QFES advises you to:

Go to the shelter listed in your emergency plan
Keep up to date with local information via a radio
Stay in your home until authorities tell you it is safe to leave

If your home is damaged during the storm, QFES recommends hiding under a strong table, sofa or heavy mattress.

“If you are driving when the cyclone hits, stop the vehicle and apply the handbrake,” QFES said.

'Stop far away from the sea and away from trees, power lines and streams.

“Stay in the vehicle.”

AFTER THE CYCLONE

Do not venture outside your shelter until authorities advise it is safe to do so. The eye of cyclones may appear calm before dangerous conditions develop again.

QFES recommends contacting family and friends once the storms pass.

If you are returning home from an evacuation shelter, follow the route recommended by emergency services and avoid driving through flood water, even if it appears shallow.

Inspect and photograph any damage to your property for insurance purposes.