Australia’s first tropical cyclone of the season formed in the Coral Sea last week and after affecting areas of the Solomon Islands as a Category Two system, is expected to cross the Far North Queensland Coast on Wednesday December 13.

Published 12 months ago, updated 11 months ago

Update December 12, 2023

Residents of far north Queensland are bracing for possible power outages, internet and water supply disruptions with the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

As of 4.30am on Monday, Jasper had weakened again to a category 1 system and was about 600km east of Cairns and 530km northeast of Townsville.

“Jasper is forecast to re-intensify during Tuesday as it approaches the coast,” Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said.

Heavy rainfall was expected to develop along the coast from late Tuesday ahead of Jasper likely making landfall on Wednesday between Cape Flattery and Cardwell, potentially as a Category 2 system.

December 6, 2023

Cyclone Jasper is currently a Category Two system and is expected to reach Category Three, becoming severe (Category Four) from Thursday as it tracks through the Coral Sea.

As a Category Two cyclone, Jasper is currently bring gale force winds to parts of the Solomon Islands, according to the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service which has a tropical cyclone warning in force for all provinces in the country.

According to the Solomon Islands MetService (SIMS), at 2pm local time on Wednesday December 6, Jasper was 195km south-southwest of Tetepare Island in Western province and 270km west-southwest of West Guadalcanal and was expected to intensify further as it moved away from the southwest of the Solomon Islands.

Rough seas and heavy swells

“Seas will be rough with moderate to heavy swells (2.5 – 5 meters) over most waters with a potential for coastal flooding (inundation) in coastal areas. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to affect most provinces,” said the MetService.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said the cyclone was forecast to become category four by Thursday evening (December 7) as the system intensified.

BOM meteorologist Steve Hadley said while Jasper was still quite far off Australia’s coast, in the Coral Sea, it could approach Queensland as early as the weekend and likely by early next week, bringing heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds to the high seas, creating rough seas and swells.

Senior forecaster Laura Boekel said it was unusual to see a tropical cyclone near Queensland so early in the summer period considering an El Niño event had been declared, which brought drier conditions.

“We typically see fewer cyclones and we also see the cyclone season starting a bit later,” she said.  “To see this earlier in the season and in December during an El Niño year is unusual.”

While the system remained several days away from the Queensland coast, Boekel said, the highest area of risk was the eastern coast of Queensland, north of Mackay including Cairns and Port Douglas.

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Related News:

• Tropical Cyclone Jasper:  Communities brace for power outages and disruptions (One News)
• TC Jasper Strengthens to Category Two System says Solomon Islands MetService (Radio New Zealand)
• Tropical Cyclone Jasper:  Queensland Urged to Get Prepared (The Guardian)

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Related Links:

• Australia Bureau of Metereology
• Solomon Islands Met Service
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center

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