Tropical Cyclone Tiffany continues to approach the far north Queensland coast and is expected to make landfall on Monday afternoon.
The category two system is predicted to cross the coast between Cooktown and Lockhard River later today, bringing damaging and destructive winds.
The cyclone was named around 4.45 pm on Sunday afternoon after forming into a tropical cyclone from a tropical low.
The Bureau’s been monitory the system over the weekend and forecasts that it will continue to intensify as it approaches the coast line throughout Monday.
“GALES with gusts to 110 km/h will develop between Cape Tribulation and Coen, including Cooktown, this morning as Tiffany approaches the coast,” the latest advice reads.
“These GALES may extend north to Lockhart River and Cape Grenville if the cyclone takes a more northerly track.
“DESTRUCTIVE wind gusts to 130 km/h are expected later today as the centre of the cyclone makes landfall.
“GALES with gusts to 100 km/h will extend westward across Cape York Peninsula between Gilbert River Mouth and Mapoon, including Weipa and Pormpuraaw, during today and early Tuesday.
“HEAVY RAINFALL is occurring in the warning area and is expected to persist through Monday and into Tuesday as the system moves across Cape York Peninsula.
“Widespread 24 hour totals of 100 to 150mm are expected, with isolated 24 hour totals of 200 to 250mm possible.
“As the system crosses the coast, ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are expected between Cape Tribulation and Lockhart River today, but the sea level should not exceed the highest tide of the year.
“Large waves are likely along the beachfront. ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are also expected on the western Cape York Peninsula during Tuesday and Wednesday,” it reads.
Immediate advice has been issued for Cape Tribulation and Coen including Cooktown, urging them to prepare by securing boats and property.
People between Cape Grenville and Coen including Lockhart River are being urged to take precautions and stay up to date with subsequent Bureau tropical cyclone watches and warnings.
Communities between Mapoon and Kowanyama including Weipa should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.
Senior Meteorologist Dean Narramore yesterday said that the Bureau will continue to monitor Tropical Cyclone Tiffany and communicate with Far North Queensland residents.
“From tomorrow (Monday), people in far north Queensland communities will start seeing and feeling the effects of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany as it comes closer to the coast, which means an increased risk of flooding and some localised damage in these regions.
“Tropical cyclones can intensify very quickly, and shift direction, so we will be updating our warnings and advice to the community and our emergency services colleagues as this system progresses,’ Mr Narramore said.
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