Coral Sea low likely to form severe Tropical Cyclone Freddy off Queensland coast

Queensland’s first tropical cyclone of the year is likely to develop into a nightmare category-three storm that will share the name of an iconic horror movie character.

A satellite image of Cyclone Odette off the Queensland coast in 2007 in this file photo. The Bureau of Meteorology said on Sunday that a low in the Coral Sea was expected to form into a severe tropical cyclone likely to be named Freddy by Wednesday.

Queensland’s first tropical cyclone of the year is likely to develop into a nightmare category-three storm that will share the name of an iconic horror movie character.

Bureau of Meteorology Senior Meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said on Sunday afternoon that projections indicated that the low pressure system near the Solomon Islands was expected to track south-west toward the North Queensland coast and form a severe tropical cyclone on Wednesday.

Mr Hanniffy said the category-three cyclone – which is characterised by destructive wind speeds of up to 220kmh – would reach Willis Island east of Cairns before changing direction to the south on Thursday.

“As it develops it does move west-ward initially, that’s toward the coast, and then shifts away southward pretty quickly,” he said.

“It’s certainly something to watch, it’s a pretty significant system by the middle of the week.”

Mr Hanniffy said the wind and storm swells were likely to have the biggest impact on Queensland.

“It’s a watch point at this stage, at this stage we are not expecting a direct impact.”

He said the cyclone would be the first to form in Queensland waters this season and would be named Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

“I think we’re still on F and the next name of the list is Freddy, which has eluded us so far.”

A low in the Coral See near the Solomon Islands is expected to form severe Tropical Cyclone Freddy off the North Queensland coast on Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology said on Sunday. Picture: BOM

The Brisbane-based forecaster said the general weather forecast for North Queensland, including Hinchinbrook, Charters Towers, Townsville and the Burdekin, was for continuing wet weather and temperatures in the low 30s.

Townsville was doused in rain overnight Saturday, with rainfall totals of 40mm to 100mm in the Bohle River-catchment area.

The rain led the river to minor-flood levels, peaking at 4.61 metres at 9am on Sunday.

Minor-flood alerts were also issued for the Ross and Black rivers, as well the lower Herbert River in Hinchinbrook.

In the Burdekin, wet weather led to the closure of about ten roads in the district.

Mr Hanniffy said the wet weather could persist in the region to at least the weekend.

“Obviously a lot will depend on how that low comes but generally when you get a system like that it will actually kind of suck all the moisture away so you may just get strong winds but very little in the way of rainfall unless it (Freddy) comes perilously close,” he said.

Originally published as Coral Sea low likely to form severe Tropical Cyclone Freddy off Queensland coast