Tropical Cyclone Activity Report – Pacific / Indian Oceans

PDC Global Hazards Atlas displaying tropical cyclone Positions and Segments, and Estimated Winds (TAOS Model) layers for Tropical Cyclone Stan

Tropical Cyclone 09S (Stan) is taking aim on the northwest coast of Australia

Maximum sustained winds as of the JTWC Warning #3 were 45 knots with gusts of 55 knots

Here’s Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) tropical cyclone information:

Forecast track map

Tropical Cyclone Stan is expected cross the east Pilbara coast as a category 3 cyclone late Saturday.

Warning Zone:

Bidyadanga to Mardie and extending to inland parts of the east Pilbara, including Marble Bar and Nullagine.

Tropical Cyclone Stan lies to the north of Port Hedland and continues to track slowly south southeast towards the Pilbara coast. It is expected to reach category 3 intensity (severe tropical cyclone) prior to landfall Saturday afternoon or evening between Wallal and Whim Creek.

Hazards:

GALES with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are likely to develop in coastal parts between Wallal and Whim Creek, which includes Port Hedland, early Saturday morning. There is the chance that GALES could develop as far east as Bidyadanga and as far west as Mardie during Saturday.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts to 150 kilometres per hour are likely to develop near the track in coastal parts from around midday Saturday, including Port Hedland and surrounding areas, extending further inland later on Saturday.

VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts to 170 kilometres per hour are possible near the cyclone centre as it makes landfall later on Saturday.

Residents between Wallal and Whim Creek, including Port Hedland, are specifically warned of the potential of a dangerous storm tide as the cyclone centre crosses the coast during Saturday. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide mark with DAMAGING WAVES and DANGEROUS FLOODING.

Heavy rainfall associated with the system is occurring in parts of the Pilbara and far western Kimberley and will extend further inland as the system continues to track southwards on Saturday. A Flood Watch is current for the Pilbara and Gascoyne Districts. A Flood Warning is current for the De Grey River Catchment, Pilbara Coastal Rivers and Fortescue River Catchment.

Recommended Action:

YELLOW ALERT: People in communities between Pardoo and Mardie including Port Hedland, South Hedland, Marble Bar, Wickham, Point Samson, Roebourne, Karratha, Whim Creek and Dampier need to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.

BLUE ALERT: People in communities between Bidyadanga to Pardoo including Sandfire and Pardoo; and between Mardie and Pannawonica need to prepare for cyclonic weather and organise an emergency kit including first aid kit, torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and water.

Communities between Bidyadanga and Mardie, extending to inland parts to Marble Bar, Nullagine and Pannawonica should listen for the next advice.

Eastern North Pacific

The eastern Pacific hurricane season officially ended on November 30. Therefore, the last regularly scheduled tropical weather outlook of the 2015 hurricane season has occurred. Routine issuance of the tropical weather outlook will resume on May 15, 2016. During the off-season, special tropical weather outlooks will be issued as conditions warrant.The Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) will begin coverage of the eastern Pacific again on May 15, 2016. Here’s the 2015 hurricane season summary

Central North Pacific

The central north Pacific hurricane season officially ended on November 30. Therefore, the last regularly scheduled tropical weather outlook of the 2015 hurricane season has occurred. Routine issuance of the tropical weather outlook will resume on June 1, 2016. During the off-season, special tropical weather outlooks will be issued as conditions warrant. Here’s the 2015 hurricane season summary

Satellite image of this area