Cyclone ‘Fina’ Forming in Northern Australia, Storm Surge Feared

Darwin, November 18 – A rapidly strengthening tropical low, identified as Tropical Low 02U, is hovering off the coast of Australia’s Northern Territory and may develop into a tropical cyclone by Thursday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). If it intensifies as expected, it will be named Tropical Cyclone Fina (TC Fina).

During a briefing on Tuesday afternoon, meteorologist Miriam Bradley said satellite imagery shows extensive cloud bands and thunderstorm activity building around the system, indicating rapid intensification. She noted that heavy rain, storms and thunder activity over the Top End in recent days have largely been driven by this deepening low.

System Drifting Eastward

Bradley stated that the system is expected to drift slowly eastward through Wednesday. Although the heaviest rainfall and strongest winds remain offshore, the Northern Territory will continue to experience showers, storms and gusty winds over the coming days.

She added that the risk of cyclone formation will increase significantly from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The Bureau has already issued a Tropical Cyclone Track Map, which shows the system likely to reach Category 1 strength on Thursday morning and potentially intensifying further into Category 2 as it tracks southward.

Track Still Uncertain

There remains considerable uncertainty about the system’s eventual path. According to Bradley, the grey-shaded area in the track map illustrates all possible routes the system may take. By the end of the week, the centre of the low could be positioned anywhere from the eastern to the western edge of the forecast zone. She said the exact path will depend on the system’s behaviour over the next 48 hours.

Heavy Rain Expected Across Top End

BoM officials warned that, regardless of the cyclone’s eventual strength, the Top End should prepare for widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds throughout the week. The heaviest falls are expected over the Tiwi Islands, Darwin, and the northwestern parts of the Northern Territory.

Gale Warning for Coastal Waters

A gale warning was issued Tuesday afternoon for coastal waters, with all vessels in the affected area instructed to send weather updates every three hours.

As of 3:30pm Tuesday, the tropical low was located 270 km north of Darwin and 155 km north of Pirlangimpi, with winds near the centre reaching 55 km/h and gusts up to 85 km/h.

The Bureau said the system could strengthen further as it approaches the coast later in the week, bringing heavy rainfall, large waves, storm surge and damaging winds to the Darwin region. A cyclone watch may be issued on Wednesday or Thursday if conditions continue to deteriorate.

Source: New York Times