Western Australia Grapples with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell’s Aftermath as Queensland Braces for New Threat
A significant clean-up effort is underway across Western Australia following the passage of ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell. The storm system, which made landfall and is now moving inland, has left a trail of fallen branches and minor flooding in its wake. Meanwhile, the focus is shifting north, as another tropical cyclone is showing signs of development off the Queensland coast, raising concerns for residents in the Sunshine State.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell, once a formidable force, has weakened considerably since crossing the coast. At the time of reporting, it was situated approximately 160 kilometres south-southeast of Carnarvon and about 100 kilometres east-southeast of Denham. The system is tracking inland at a leisurely pace of around 20 kilometres per hour. Overnight, the Bureau of Meteorology officially downgraded the system to an ex-tropical cyclone, acknowledging its diminished strength as it moved over land.
Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flood Warnings
The Gascoyne region of Western Australia bore the brunt of the heavy rainfall associated with the cyclone’s passage. Significant accumulations were recorded, with Gascoyne Junction receiving an impressive 132 millimetres and Shark Bay recording 104 millimetres in the 24 hours prior to the downgrade.
Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully highlighted that the Kimberley region also experienced substantial rainfall over the same period, with Mount Winifred registering 122 millimetres. This deluge prompted the issuance of a minor flood warning for the Fitzroy Crossing area.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) in Western Australia reported responding to 20 call-outs over a three-day period directly linked to the tropical cyclone. A spokesperson for DFES indicated that the majority of these incidents involved fallen tree branches and water ingress into properties. Crucially, there were no reports of injuries, a testament to the proactive measures taken by communities who heeded the advice provided by DFES during the cyclone’s approach.
Despite the downgrade, the risk of flash flooding remains a significant concern across the southern parts of Western Australia. Ms. Scully warned of a continued threat of heavy rainfall across the region on Tuesday. A severe weather warning has been issued, encompassing both heavy rainfall and damaging winds for portions of the southern Gascoyne, Central West, and Central Wheatbelt.
The Bureau of Meteorology has identified several towns that could be affected by the heavy rainfall, including:
- Merredin
- Dalwallinu
- Paynes Find
- Southern Cross
- Yalgoo
- Morawa
- Mullewa
- Beacon
- Koolyanobbing
The bureau noted that this type of weather is unseasonal for residents in the Central West and Central Wheatbelt, adding an extra layer of concern. In addition to the heavy rainfall, destructive winds with speeds reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour were forecast for parts of the state in the morning, with expectations of easing winds in the afternoon. The weakening tropical low itself was predicted to generate winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour near its centre.
As the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell continue their journey across Western Australia, a separate weather system, a trough, is forecast to influence southeastern Australia. Ms. Scully explained that this trough is expected to “brush past” the region, drawing some of the heat and moisture from the north and spreading it across southeastern Australia throughout Tuesday and Wednesday.
New Tropical Cyclone Threat Looms Off Queensland Coast
While Western Australians are busy with the recovery and clean-up, a new weather concern is emerging off the coast of northern Queensland. A tropical low, designated as 23U, is forming in the Coral Sea, sparking renewed anxieties about the potential for another tropical cyclone.
The Bureau of Meteorology has described the current tropical low as “weak” and anticipates it will “linger well offshore for several days.” However, a weak trough extending over the North Cape York Peninsula is expected to begin moving south from Wednesday, eventually moving offshore by Friday.
Forecasters are anticipating widespread showers and thunderstorms across much of western and northern Queensland this week, with the intensity expected to ramp up on Thursday and continue into the weekend. Eastern districts, from Townsville down to Brisbane, can expect isolated showers on Wednesday, with scattered showers and storms likely across the state.
From Wednesday onwards, the rainfall is projected to extend to the east coast, impacting areas from Ayr to Yeppoon, before shifting towards southeastern Queensland by Friday.
Heatwave Conditions to Accompany Rain in Queensland
Interestingly, as rain moves across the east coast of Queensland, central and southern parts of the state are bracing for a “marginal” heatwave. Meteorologist Baden Gilbert informed ABC that temperatures are expected to gradually increase across the southern interior. The warmest days are anticipated to be Wednesday for the southern interior, followed by Thursday for the southeast and parts of central Queensland. Conditions are forecast to cool down by Friday and Saturday.
