Tropical cyclone warning for Queensland as heatwave loses momentum in Perth, Sydney
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Warning: Australia could be hit by a TRIO of tropical cyclones bringing wild weather and dangerous conditions within 48 hours, after millions enjoyed a sunny weekend.
- The first tropical cyclone of the season could form
- Australia heat wave slowly losing momentum
Three cyclones could form off the coast of Australia in just two days after a weekend of scorching temperatures across the country.
A tropical low over Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean is expected to move west on Monday and become a Category 3 cyclone as it approaches north Queensland on Wednesday.
The cyclone will remain offshore, but can still produce hurricane-force winds of up to 220 km/h and rainfall on land.
Strong swells and torrential rains are expected and Cairns is likely to receive downpours throughout the week.
Weatherzone warned that two more cyclones could develop with a tropical low forming over the Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean.
The first tropical cyclone of the season is expected to form off the Queensland coast, while a scorching heat wave begins to lose momentum in other parts of the country (pictured, damaged road in Queensland in January with more rain forecast for northern parts of the state)
Wet conditions occur when a heat wave begins to subside, bringing slightly more pleasant temperatures to Queensland and Western Australia.
The low is expected to become a category one tropical cyclone on Wednesday before moving west and away from the mainland.
A third low is forming 700km northwest of Broome in Western Australia and could become a cyclone on Wednesday before strengthening on Thursday and Friday.
Cyclones come as a heat wave hitting most of the nation begins to subside, bringing slightly more comfortable temperatures to Queensland and Western Australia.
Met Bureau chief meteorologist Felim Hanniffy warned that there would still be plenty of rain along the upper half of the east coast due to the offshore cyclone.
“The trough, which is moving to the west, will shift the focal point of heavier showers and thunderstorms to the west in the coming days,” it said. Cairns Post.
“At this stage, southeasterly winds will be the focal point, parts of the central coast could be more affected by rain, but even if you stay offshore, wind and swell are likely to increase.”
The Bureau issued a high wind warning across the Mackay, Townsville and Capricornia regions.
The tropical low will be the first to become a cyclone in Queensland this season and will be named Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
“I think we’re still in F and the next name on the list is Freddy, which has eluded us so far,” Hanniffy said.
The cyclone will remain offshore, but can still produce hurricane-force winds of up to 220 km/h and rainfall on land.
A severe heat wave warning was issued for south east Queensland over the weekend with Ipswich peaking at 37C and Brisbane 34C.
The mercury rose further in Perth with highs of 38C.
Temperatures will drop for the next few days with Brisbane enjoying slightly nicer days.
The city will sweat up to 31°C on Monday before enjoying a slightly cooler spell with 29°C forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.
Perth will also have a much nicer week with a high forecast for 27C on Monday before the mercury warms slightly to 31C on Wednesday.
Temperatures are expected to remain below 30C for the next five days in Sydney with showers forecast from Tuesday.
Melbourne will see a high of 21C on Monday with cloudy conditions over the city until conditions clear up on Thursday with a forecast of 28C for the area.