Tropical Cyclone Errol Forecasted to Intensify Off Northwest WA Coast

Tropical Cyclone Errol has intensified to category two off Western Australia, with predictions of reaching category three. It is expected to approach land soon but will not impact the coast within the next 48 hours. Errol would be the third cyclone to hit WA this year if it makes landfall.

Tropical Cyclone Errol has developed in the waters off Australia’s west coast, with meteorologists predicting it will approach the mainland in the coming days. On Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology upgraded Errol to a category-two cyclone due to the strength of the low-pressure system that formed a category-one cyclone the previous night.

Meteorologist Helen Reid indicated that the system may reach category three intensity by the following morning, which signifies an escalation in storm strength. Cyclones are categorized based on their average maximum wind speeds, with category one being the weakest and category five the strongest. For context, category two cyclones exhibit destructive winds with speeds ranging from 89 to 117 km/h, while category three cyclones can achieve speeds of up to 159 km/h.

Currently, Tropical Cyclone Errol is not anticipated to impact the Western Australian coast within the next 48 hours; however, wind warnings might be issued by Thursday morning for regions along the coast and inland. Additionally, severe weather alerts for heavy rainfall could also be expected. Reid stated that changes in upper atmospheric conditions will guide the cyclone’s turn and may affect its intensification.

Should Errol make landfall, it would mark the third cyclone to affect Western Australia this year, following Cyclone Dianne in late March and Cyclone Zelia in February. Zelia reached land as a category-four cyclone, resulting in extensive rainfall and infrastructural damage.

Tropical Cyclone Errol has escalated to a category-two system and is predicted to potentially reach category three as it approaches the mainland. Although it is not expected to impact the Western Australian coast imminently, monitoring of wind and severe weather conditions is critical. If it reaches land, Errol could become the third cyclone to affect WA this season, following two previous notable cyclones.

Original Source: www.sbs.com.au