Updated on May 14, 2019: Cyclone Ann has now weakened into a low pressure area as it sets forth towards the far northern parts of Queensland. The storm has been losing its strength over the Coral Sea as the system passed the southern coast of Lockhart River.
The cyclone warning which had been posed from Lockhart River to Cooktown has now been cancelled. The low will still have winds gusting up to 100 kmph with heavy rains and flash flooding likely in some parts.
Published on May 13, 2019: Tropical Cyclone Ann has formed in the Coral Sea and is expected to take about 48 hours, to cross through Queensland. The storm is located 15.5 degrees South and 154 degrees East will still take a couple of days to strike the tip of Queensland.
Ann will now most likely cross the northern parts of Queensland coast as a Cat 1 storm during the early hours of Wednesday morning, however, the system may not cause extensive damage. The storm will cross near Coen and may have winds gusting up to 120 kmph. Heavy rains are likely in areas right from Lockhart River to Ingham, the possibility of flash flooding also cannot be ruled out.
Thursday Island and Horn Island may also get affected. Moreover, a Cyclone A Cyclone Watch has been declared between Cape York and Port Douglas as the late-season cyclone continues to track west toward the coast across the Coral Sea.
As per the Bureau of Meteorology, the landfall is expected near Coen as a Cat 1 storm before the system weakens into a low.
A Flood Watch has been issued for areas between Cooktown and Ingham. The storm is expected to remain a Cat 1 category only. There was an intensification into a Cat 2 storm, but it soon weakened into a Cat 1 cyclone.
Image Credit: JTWC