Cyclone Jasper ‘a moderate chance’ of reaching Gulf of Carpentaria

Territorians could find themselves with a front-row seat to Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Read more for what the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Residents of East Arnhem may feel the effects of Cyclone Jasper, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.

Sweeping through the Coral Sea, Cyclone Jasper is predicted to move westward as far as the Gulf of Carpentaria – right on the Territory’s doorstep.

“There is a moderate chance of Cyclone Jasper moving into the Gulf of Carpentaria next Friday or Saturday,” a Bureau spokesman said.

“Certainly, there’ll be an increase in rainfall over Northern Australia as Cyclone Jasper approaches.”

In North Queensland, Townsville Local Disaster Management Group deputy chair Kurt Rehbein advised his city the cyclone’s arrival was inevitable.

“For Townsville, that means that it gives us a weekend for our communities to get prepared for whatever may come our way,” Mr Rehbein said.

“The advice is that over this weekend, it’s expected to reduce in intensity, but there is a chance that it can increase in intensity as it heads towards the coast.”

North Queenslanders have been told to prepare for the week ahead.

“It’s important that you get your emergency kit ready and that you have an emergency plan in place,” Mr Rehbein said.

“Take a look around at what you might need to do for your home, for you family, for your kids and your pets.”

The Bureau advised East Arnhem residents to use the Bureau’s new ‘seven day forecast’ which shows the range of possible locations cyclones may impact.

Cyclone forecasts can be accessed on http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/

Originally published as Cyclone Jasper ‘a moderate chance’ of reaching Gulf of Carpentaria