Cyclone Ann has formed outside of Australia’s normal tropical cyclone season this year, which fell from November 1 and April 30. The storm is currently stationed over the Coral Sea, and will move inland over the next two days. At 4am this morning, Cyclone Ann sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts up to 59 mph.
Will Cyclone Ann hit Cairns?
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said the storm will continue to move in a west-north-westerly direction.
A cyclone watch has been declared for between Cape York and Port Douglas, meaning Cairns is in range of the storm.
Weather forecasters predict Ann will reach the coast to the north of Cairns on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
The BoM has issued a number of warnings for the coast.
They said: “Gales with gusts to about 100km/h may develop about the coast and adjacent inland areas between Lockhart River and Port Douglas early on Wednesday morning and may extend north to Cape York later on Wednesday morning as the cyclone approaches the coast.
“As the cyclone crosses/approaches the coast, a storm tide may occur between Lockhart River and Cape Tribulation.
“Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore.”
“People living in areas which may be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.
“Areas of heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, are likely to develop about the coast and ranges between about Lockhart River and Ingham during Tuesday night and are likely to persist through Wednesday.
“A Flood Watch has been issued for coastal catchments between Cooktown and Ingham.”
Despite several alerts, the storm is expected to weaken as it gradually moves inland.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said the storm is expected to shift for “several days” before weakening.
They said: “This feature is currently weakening as an upper-level trough moves east across the southern Coral Sea to the south of the system.
“Tropical Cyclone Ann has continued to intensify over the past 12 to 24 hours becoming organised and having persistent deep convection near the centre.
“The system has been moving slowly southward for the past few days, but has recently shifted onto a track to the west-northwest, and this motion is expected to continue for several days.”