Cyclone Lili tracker: Storm BARRELS towards Indonesia – warnings issued

Tropical cyclone Lili is developing strong winds close to 50mph as it heads towards Indonesia. At 4pm today, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre warned Lili had maximum sustained winds of up to 46 mph. The storm is located 323 miles north-northwest off the coast of Darwin, Australia and will move in a south-southwestward direction. There is not enough wind strength to pose a significant risk to the immediate area, but several strong wind warnings are now in effect.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) issued a strong wind warning for the following areas:

– Beagle Bonaparte Coast

– North Tiwi Coast

– Arafura Coast

– Roper Groote Coast

The ABM has not yet released a tropical cyclone warning for the storm.

This is unlikely to be necessary even as the storm moves inland towards Indonesia.

Dry air and interactions with land will result in stunted development for the system rather than intensification.

Lili will eventually turn westward towards Timor, Indonesia.

At its peak, the storm will reach wind speeds of 51mph, which would not warrant a tropical cyclone warning.

The storm will then steadily weaken due to dry air and increased “frictional effects” according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre.

The JWTC said there is “high uncertainty” in the exact forecast track, however.

An incoming “ridge” of air in the south means the storm is unlikely to develop any further.

source: express.co.uk