Cyclone Damien to impact Australia this Weekend
To begin February, we have a new cyclone in the form of Damien which is expected to intensify while approaching the Northwestern Australian coast. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued Cyclone Warnings for Wallal Downs, west through Mardie and is forecasted to make landfall as a Category 4 Severe Tropical Cyclone this weekend.
Current Storm Information
As of 1800 UTC, February 6, Damien is a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale with 10-minute sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and 60 mph (95 km/h) 1-minute sustained winds and a pressure of 992 mb (hPa). Located 385 km NNE of Karratha, gradual intensification is expected going into the weekend up until a forecasted landfall a slight distance east of Karratha on Saturday as a Category 4 Severe Tropical cyclone according to the Australian Scale.
Potential Hazards/Impact
Gale force winds and Heavy rainfall are expected on Friday, going into Saturday as the storm approaches land, the second of which will likely result in dangerous flooding. Rip currents and waves are most likely already occurring and will continue to do so going into this weekend.
For further information, refer to your local meteorological office. Force Thirteen is also providing more updates on Phanfone and other storms around the world on their youtube channel, facebook and twitter accounts.
