Authorities report time and place Cyclone Kirrily will make landfall
By
Seia Ibanez
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Australia's east coast is bracing for the arrival of Cyclone Kirrily, which is set to make a ‘severe impact’ on Thursday, 25 January.
The storm, which is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone today, 23 January, has prompted urgent warnings from authorities.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles announced in a press conference on Monday, 22 January, that Cyclone Kirrily is expected to hit between Innisfail and Airlie Beach, south of Cairns.
‘Severe impact is likely, especially if crossing occurs near or south of Townsville,’ Miles said during the press conference.
'Preparations by our disaster management team are well underway.’
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) foresaw the storm's development into a category one cyclone and said it would intensify further to reach category three by Wednesday and early on into Thursday, 25 January.
Queenslanders have been urged to be updated with warnings from both local councils and the state government over the next 72 hours.
A BOM spokesperson said that communities in North Queensland should prepare for 'severe tropical cyclone impacts'.
'Gales with damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h may develop about coastal and island communities between Ayr and St Lawrence, and that is from as early as Wednesday morning,' the spokesperson said.
'That could extend beyond Wednesday into other areas as that system moves closer.'
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are also ‘likely’ as the system crosses onto land.
The cyclone is expected to go south and could drop heavy rainfall on central and southeast Queensland.
By Friday, 26 January, it is predicted to move inland, lose power, and return to a low-pressure system.
It was just last month when Cyclone Jasper hit Queensland, leaving the area in chaos.
It grappled with the aftermath of the deluge, reports of looting around Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast have surfaced. You can read more about the story here.
In light of these forecasts, Queensland Police's Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy has urged Queenslanders to take precautionary survival steps.
He recommended having up to three days' worth of long-life food and power for a phone, as it can take 'up to 72 hours sometimes before emergency services can assist' during a cyclone.
The cyclone's arrival coincides with Australia Day on Friday, a public holiday when many people travel or go camping.
‘We do know it is a public holiday this Friday, and we are aware that a lot of people will be on our roads and camping at our campgrounds, simply stay connected,' Chelepy said.
While the cyclone is predicted to move across land in Northern Queensland, it might affect most of the state as it turns into a low-pressure system.
This extreme weather event coincides with an extreme heatwave warning issued by the BOM for large areas of Australia.
In the northwestern pastoral district of South Australia, temperatures are anticipated to reach the low to mid-40s.
On Tuesday, 23 January, Adelaide experienced its hottest day of the week, with temperatures reaching a high of 39°C and a low of 21°C.
According to Weatherzone Meteorologist Yoska Hernández, ‘Adelaide will see heat tomorrow (Tuesday) due to a trough moving over the region, bringing very hot northerly winds. It will be a dry heat.’
Fortunately, the maximum temperature is forecasted to drop to 34°C on Wednesday, 24 January, as clouds move ahead of rain on Thursday, 25 January.
Parts of New South Wales, including Moree, are also expected to experience high temperatures in the coming days.
Hernández cautioned that heatwave conditions in Sydney may persist until the following weekend.
'Sydney is set to see heat on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week before a cool change moves over on Saturday,' she said.
The hottest day in the city is expected to be on Friday, with a high of 36°C.
What are your thoughts on the impending Cyclone Kirrily? How do you prepare during a cyclone? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
The storm, which is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone today, 23 January, has prompted urgent warnings from authorities.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles announced in a press conference on Monday, 22 January, that Cyclone Kirrily is expected to hit between Innisfail and Airlie Beach, south of Cairns.
‘Severe impact is likely, especially if crossing occurs near or south of Townsville,’ Miles said during the press conference.
'Preparations by our disaster management team are well underway.’
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) foresaw the storm's development into a category one cyclone and said it would intensify further to reach category three by Wednesday and early on into Thursday, 25 January.
Queenslanders have been urged to be updated with warnings from both local councils and the state government over the next 72 hours.
A BOM spokesperson said that communities in North Queensland should prepare for 'severe tropical cyclone impacts'.
'Gales with damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h may develop about coastal and island communities between Ayr and St Lawrence, and that is from as early as Wednesday morning,' the spokesperson said.
'That could extend beyond Wednesday into other areas as that system moves closer.'
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are also ‘likely’ as the system crosses onto land.
The cyclone is expected to go south and could drop heavy rainfall on central and southeast Queensland.
By Friday, 26 January, it is predicted to move inland, lose power, and return to a low-pressure system.
It was just last month when Cyclone Jasper hit Queensland, leaving the area in chaos.
It grappled with the aftermath of the deluge, reports of looting around Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast have surfaced. You can read more about the story here.
In light of these forecasts, Queensland Police's Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy has urged Queenslanders to take precautionary survival steps.
He recommended having up to three days' worth of long-life food and power for a phone, as it can take 'up to 72 hours sometimes before emergency services can assist' during a cyclone.
The cyclone's arrival coincides with Australia Day on Friday, a public holiday when many people travel or go camping.
‘We do know it is a public holiday this Friday, and we are aware that a lot of people will be on our roads and camping at our campgrounds, simply stay connected,' Chelepy said.
While the cyclone is predicted to move across land in Northern Queensland, it might affect most of the state as it turns into a low-pressure system.
This extreme weather event coincides with an extreme heatwave warning issued by the BOM for large areas of Australia.
In the northwestern pastoral district of South Australia, temperatures are anticipated to reach the low to mid-40s.
On Tuesday, 23 January, Adelaide experienced its hottest day of the week, with temperatures reaching a high of 39°C and a low of 21°C.
According to Weatherzone Meteorologist Yoska Hernández, ‘Adelaide will see heat tomorrow (Tuesday) due to a trough moving over the region, bringing very hot northerly winds. It will be a dry heat.’
Fortunately, the maximum temperature is forecasted to drop to 34°C on Wednesday, 24 January, as clouds move ahead of rain on Thursday, 25 January.
Parts of New South Wales, including Moree, are also expected to experience high temperatures in the coming days.
Hernández cautioned that heatwave conditions in Sydney may persist until the following weekend.
'Sydney is set to see heat on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week before a cool change moves over on Saturday,' she said.
The hottest day in the city is expected to be on Friday, with a high of 36°C.
Key Takeaways
- Cyclone Kirrily is forecasted to make landfall on Queensland's east coast on Thursday, with authorities warning of a 'severe impact'.
- The tropical storm had been predicted to grow a category one cyclone on Tuesday morning and is said to intensify to category three as early as Wednesday, 24 January.
- Residents between Innisfail and Airlie Beach, particularly near or south of Townsville, are anticipated to experience 'severe tropical cyclone impacts', including potentially damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall.
- Queenslanders have been urged to prepare for the cyclone, stay informed with local government warnings, and plan for disruptions, especially with the approaching Australia Day public holiday.
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