The Bureau of Meteorology is closely monitoring a tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria, forecast to move slowly east today and intensify slightly.
At this stage the likelihood of a tropical cyclone developing is considered low, increasing to moderate by Thursday. Intensification will hinge on how long the system remains over water, before continuing east across Cape York Peninsula and moving out into the Coral Sea.
Regardless of whether the system reaches cyclone intensity, the main impacts are likely to be widespread rainfall and storms with the potential for flooding.
Heavy rainfall is forecast for the region around the northern border between the Northern Territory and Queensland over the next few days, with widespread daily totals in the range of 100-150mm expected.
As the system moves east toward the Coral Sea, Queensland's tropical coast can also expect significant falls, typical in the tropics during the wet season, from Port Douglas south to Cairns, Innisfail, Mission Beach, Cardwell and Ingham with Townsville on the southern fringe.
The Bureau has issued a Flood Watch, check the Bureau's website for the latest warnings. The Bureau’s Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres in Darwin and Brisbane will continue to monitor the situation closely, providing regular updates to local emergency services as required and keeping the community informed through media and social media channels.
The Bureau is using Twitter to disseminate significant weather information for the community. Follow us @BOM_NT and @BOM_QLD.
The Bureau's website remains the most up-to-date and comprehensive official source of information. This tropical cyclone season we’re using hashtags starting #Cyclone, e.g. #CycloneYvette.
For the latest Tropical Cyclone Warning information go to www.bom.gov.au/cyclone
To view the satellite loop go to satview.bom.gov.au/
For the latest warnings the public are urged to continue to monitor warnings on the Bureau's website www.bom.gov.au, and listen to the advice of local emergency services.
