Severe Tropical Cyclone Errol to Weaken Before Landfall in Western Australia

Severe Tropical Cyclone Errol rapidly intensified to category 4 but is expected to weaken before hitting Western Australia. Forecasts indicate a landfall as a category 1 cyclone or tropical low, with heavy rain and damaging winds anticipated in the Kimberley region. This season has seen the highest number of severe tropical cyclones in 19 years.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Errol, which achieved category 4 status on Wednesday after rapid intensification, is anticipated to weaken prior to making landfall in Western Australia (WA) this weekend. The cyclone escalated from a category 1 on Tuesday night to a category 4 by Wednesday night.

As of 2 AM AWST on Thursday, Errol was positioned approximately 510 km northwest of Broome. Following a westward trajectory for several days, the storm made a significant left turn late Wednesday into Thursday morning, entering a less favorable environment that will contribute to its weakening as it approaches the coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a track map at approximately 2:47 AM AWST on Thursday, indicating that Errol is expected to rapidly diminish in strength as it nears the Kimberley coast. Present forecasts suggest that Errol will make landfall as either a category 1 tropical cyclone or a tropical low by Friday night or Saturday morning.

Regardless of its weakening status, Cyclone Errol is projected to bring substantial rainfall across parts of the Kimberley from Friday into the weekend, with potential damaging winds as it nears and crosses the coastline, particularly between Kuri Bay and Beagle Bay. Notably, Errol is the eighth severe tropical cyclone reported in Australian waters this season, marking the highest tally in 19 years.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Errol experienced rapid intensification, reaching category 4 strength, but it is expected to weaken before landfall in Western Australia this weekend. Although it will make landfall as a weaker storm, significant rain and damaging winds are still anticipated in the Kimberley region. This season marks a notable increase in severe tropical cyclones, with eight reported so far, the highest in nearly two decades.

Original Source: www.weatherzone.com.au