Chance of Tropical Cyclone Gretel forming strengthens

The development of tropical cyclone in the Coral Sea is likely with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing an initial flood watch for North Queensland.

The development of tropical cyclone in the Coral Sea is likely with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing an initial flood watch for North Queensland.

Bureau senior forecaster Michael Knepp said a monsoon trough over the Gulf of Carpentaria, extending to the Arafura Sea off Cape York, was fairly active.

He said a tropical low was expected to develop along the monsoon trough over the coming days, bringing with it heavy showers and a chance of a cyclone as it deepens over the Coral Sea.

“We will see a low develop along the monsoon trough over the next few days. More than likely we will see a tropical cyclone develop later in the week, more than likely on Friday or more into the weekend,” Mr Knepp said.

“The tropical cyclone when it develops will move to the southeast, away from the Queensland coast but that is just the most likely scenario.”

Mr Knepp said there was a chance the cyclone, which will be named Gretel if it forms, could move towards or along the coast.

The Ross, Bohle, Black, Herbert, Haughton and Burdekin Rivers have been placed under flood watch.

The bureau said catchments within the Flood Watch area were relatively wet from rainfall over recent weeks and will therefore be more responsive to heavy rainfall, with riverine flooding possible from Wednesday.

This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and creeks should monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings.

Mr Knepp said Tropical North Queensland could expect isolated heavy falls and thunderstorms.

“As that surface trough moves north over the next few days … we will see it extend to the Townsville coast and Cairns coast,” he said.

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Townsville City Council is monitoring weather updates and dam levels ahead of the expected wet weather.

“Council will take the advice of the BOM as these weather systems begin to affect North Queensland,” Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said.

“We are monitoring the levels of Paluma and Ross River dams as we usually would during the wet season. Council has comprehensive emergency action plans for both dams, as we are required to have by law, and we will follow the guidelines set out in these plans when managing these dams.”

At the time of publishing the Ross River Dam was at 85 per cent capacity while Paluma Dam was at 58 per cent.

Originally published as Chance of Tropical Cyclone Gretel forming strengthens