Australia is bracing itself for a potentially wild week with a total of five cyclones forecasted to hit the country. Yes, you read that right – five!
A monsoon surge is moving through Indonesia and into northern Australia’s waters, causing five tropical lows to form off the coast of Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
What’s Causing the Chaos?
According to Senior Meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Angus Hines, the sheer number of tropical lows forming at the same time is “unusual”.
There are two lows forming over Queensland, one in The Gulf of Carpentaria above the Northern Territory, and two west of WA’s coastline. While it’s unlikely all five will develop into cyclones, there’s still a chance, and that’s got everyone on high alert.
Which Areas Are Most at Risk?
The most likely areas to be affected are those above Queensland, which could see heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and coastal inundation.
If a cyclone does form, it could “knock the wind” out of other lows, making them less likely to develop. The two lows developing off the north coast of WA are moving west, which could take them further away from Australia.
What to Expect This Weekend
Even if the lows don’t form into cyclones, parts of the Northern Territory and Western Australia can still expect wet conditions over the weekend and into next week.
In fact, there are current weather warnings out for parts of Northeast Queensland from Monday to at least Wednesday, with heavy rain predicted. This could be “problematic” if a cyclone does develop later in the week, with a high chance of flash flooding.
The Bigger Picture
Despite the late arrival of the monsoon, the Bureau of Meteorology says the 2024-25 Australian tropical cyclone season is expected to be in line with the long-term average.
This means we can expect 11 tropical cyclones to form in the Australian region, with four of them crossing the Australian coast. So, while this weekend might be wild, it’s just the beginning of the cyclone season.
Stay safe, Australia, and keep an eye on those weather forecasts!