North Queensland warned as ‘rare’ Cyclone Jasper set to reach category four this week

North Queensland has been put on alert as Cyclone Jasper rapidly develops into a severe tropical cyclone overnight, reaching category 4 intensity by Friday.

North Queensland has been put on alert as Cyclone Jasper rapidly develops.

It is expected to take a south-southwest track into the Coral Sea and become a severe tropical cyclone overnight tonight, reaching category 4 intensity by Friday.

Throughout the weekend, Jasper is likely to weaken a little, but it will still be a tropical cyclone as it tracks towards the north Queensland coast early next week.

At this stage the highest risk of a cyclone impact is in the region north of Mackay.

The Bureau will issue regular updates to help keep communities informed as the situation evolves over the coming days.

Communities in the region north of Mackay are advised to review their cyclone plan.

“We are generally expecting it to continue developing through this week, likely reaching that severe tropical cyclone category strength,” a bureau spokesperson said.

“It is rare to see a December cyclone let alone one where we do have El Nino.

“It is unusual to be seeing this. There aren’t too many cyclones we have seen through the month of December let alone early December.”

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts model showing probable Cyclone Jasper costal strike zone. Picture: ECMWF

Cyclone Jasper is expected to cross the Queensland coast just north of Mackay.

It could become a category 3 cyclone as early as Wednesday night. Storms of that strength can see mean winds of up to 159km/h and gusts reaching 224km/h. It is then predicted to get to a powerful category 4 storm by Saturday. The second highest category, category 4 can see mean winds of 199 km/h and gusts up to 279km/h. If a cat 4 reaches land, that’s enough for structural damage and dangerous airborne debris.

But it’s also slow moving, so its effects might not be felt in Australia until early next week.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Laura Boekel said locals will have to wait a few days before they get confirmation on how severe Jasper could be.

“At this stage, it’s still a long lead time away, so we’re not expecting that in the next couple of days as indicated by our official forecast track,” Boekel said.

“However the date of impact is quite variable at this stage and it could be any time from the weekend or into next week as well.”

The BOM said Tropical Cyclone Jasper is causing sustained winds of 75km/h near its centre, with gusts of up to 100km/h.

“It is expected to intensify, becoming a severe tropical cyclone during Wednesday while tracking south-southwest towards the northeast Coral Sea,” the BOM said in its confirmation of the cyclone.

“Jasper may move near the Queensland coast from early next week.”