Tropical Cyclone “Marcia” formed over the central Coral Sea, Australia
Tropical Cyclone "Marcia" has developed over the central Coral Sea today, and is slowly strengthening, Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reports.
The system curved onto a southwesterly track during the day, and is expected to maintain this general motion through to landfall on the eastern Queensland coast between St Lawrence and Hervey Bay early on Friday, February 20.
Marcia is expected to slowly intensify, with a high chance of reaching Category 2 intensity by landfall.
At 09:04 UTC today, the system was a Category 1 storm on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale with sustained winds of 65 km/h (40.3 mph) and wind gusts to 95 km/h (59 mph). It is moving SW at 22 km/h (13.5 mph).
The center of the storm was estimated to be 760 km (472 miles) NE of Yeppoon and 850 km (528 miles) NNE of Bundaberg.
Tropical Cyclone "Marcia" forecast track by Bureau of Meteorology issued 09:04 UTC on February 18, 2015
Gales are expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Sarina and Double Island Point on Thursday during the late afternoon or evening (local time). Destructive wind gusts to 150 km/h (93.2 mph) may develop about the coast and islands near the center on Friday morning.
Heavy rainfall will develop about coastal and island communities between Sarina and Double Island Point during Thursday, particularly over areas to the south of the system. A Flood Watch is current for the area.
Abnormally high tides will be experienced on Thursday with water levels expected to rise above the highest tide of the year on the high tide.
Coastal residents between St Lawrence and Double Island Point are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the authorities.
Dangerous surf is expected to develop about exposed beaches south of Sandy Cape from early Thursday.
Tropical Cyclone "Marcia" on February 18, 2015. Image credit: NASA Aqua/MODIS
Featured image: Tropical Cyclone "Marcia" on February 18, 2015. Image credit: NASA Aqua/MODIS
If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.
Your support makes a difference
Dear valued reader,
We hope that our website has been a valuable resource for you.
The reality is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and grow this website. We rely on the support of readers like you to keep providing high-quality content.
If you have found our website to be helpful, please consider making a contribution to help us continue to bring you the information you need. Your support means the world to us and helps us to keep doing what we love.
Support us by choosing your support level – Silver, Gold or Platinum. Other support options include Patreon pledges and sending us a one-off payment using PayPal.
Thank you for your consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Teo Blašković
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:
We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.