Tropical low off WA to bring “significant cool change” to Central Australia

The Red Centre could be cooling down by as much as 15 degrees in a few days, if a weather event off the WA coast goes as meteorologists are predicting. Find out more.

A cloud hangs over the West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A tropical low off the WA coast could become a cyclone in a few days and bring some cooler weather into the Red Centre, a meteorologist says.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Billy Lynch said the bureau is predicting a tropical low moving towards the Pilbara in WA could become a cyclone by Wednesday.

The bureau is predicting it will form into a category three cyclone but Mr Lynch said it will not bring large downpours to Central Australia.

“We’re expecting it will move into inland Western Australia and then dissipate,” he said.

“But in terms of the weather in Central Australia, we’re expecting the moisture from this weather system to produce a cloud band and that will produce some cloudier skies, some cooler conditions and also bring some showers to Central Australia from Wednesday.

“So it’ll be quite a significant cool change that comes through.”

Mr Lynch said residents could expect temperatures to drop 10 to 15 degrees if the cloud band makes it over.

Alice Springs, Uluru, and the surrounding communities are mostly likely to benefit from the cloud band, Mr Lynch said, but the Barkly will miss out.

Originally published as Tropical low off WA to bring “significant cool change” to Central Australia