Tropical Cyclone “Stan” to hit Western Australia with destructive winds and heavy rainfall

Tropical Cyclone "Stan" formed in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia, on January 29, 2016. The system will reach Category 3 strength before making landfall between Wallal and Whim Creek on January 30. Some areas might experience dangerous storm tides, flooding, destructive winds and heavy rainfall. Adequate watches and warnings have been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Tropical Cyclone "Stan" is now a Category 2 system, located approximately 245 km (152.2 miles) north-northwest of Port Hedland and 305 km (189.5 miles) north-northeast of Karratha, BOM reported on January 29 at 12:00 UTC (08:00 pm AWST).

Tropical Cyclone "Stan" approaching West Australia, January 29, 2016. Image credit: NASA Terra/MODIS

The system is packing sustained winds near the center of 95 km/h (59 mph) with wind gusts up to 130 km/h (80.8 mph), and moving south-southeast towards the Pilbara coast at a slow pace. Stan is expected to intensify into a Category 3 system before making landfall in the area between Wallal and Whim Creek in the morning or afternoon (UTC) of January 30 (afternoon or evening in local time).

Tropical Cyclone "Stan" moving track, January 29, 12:30 UTC. Image credit: UW-CIMSS

BOM warned that gales with gusts rising to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) will probably develop in the coastal areas between Wallal and Whim Creek in the afternoon (morning) of January 30. Gales could also develop in Bidyadanga and Mardie.

Winds of destructive force with gusts up to 150 km/h (93.2 mph) could affect the coastal parts, including Port Hedland and surrounding area in the early morning hours (around midday) on January 30 and extend further inland afterward.

Very destructive winds with gusts reaching 170 km/h (105.6 mph) can occur near the center of the cyclone in the area of predicted landfall in the morning (afternoon) or afternoon (evening) of January 30. 

GPM measured rain falling at a rate of 96.7 mm (3.8 inches) per hour in towering convective storms within spiraling bands around System 92S, and storm heights reached over 16 km (9.9 miles), January 28, 2016. Image credit: NASA/JAXA/SSAI, Hal Pierce

A dangerous storm tide will likely affect coastal areas between Wallal and Whim Creek, including Port Hedland as the system's center crosses the coast. Damaging waves and dangerous flooding can occur, BOM warns.

Heavy rainfall is already affecting parts of the Pilbara and far western Kimberley and will extend further inland as the system continues to progress. A Flood Watch is in effect for the Pilbara and Gascoyne Districts, and a Flood Warning has been issued for the De Grey River Catchment, Pilbara Coastal Rivers and Fortescue River Catchment.

The AIRS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite saw coldest cloud top temperatures near -53 °C (-63 °F) and strongest storms around and east of the center, January 28, 2016. Image credit: NASA JPL, Ed Olsen

A yellow alert has been issued for areas between Pardoo and Mardie, including Port Hedland, South Hedland, Marble Bar, Wickham, Point Samson, Roebourne, Karratha, Whim Creek and Dampier. Residents of these communities are urged to take action and get ready to shelter from a cyclone.

A blue alert has been issued for areas between Bidyadanga to Pardoo including Sandfire and Pardoo, and between Mardie and Pannawonica. People are advised to prepare for a spell of extreme weather and organise the emergency kit including first aid kit, torches, portable radios, spare batteries, food and water supplies.

Tropical Cyclone "Stan" forecast track until January 31, 2016, 8:00 am (local time). Image credit: BOM

Tropical Cyclone "Stan" 3-day forecast track. Image credit: JTWC

Communities between Bidyadanga and Mardie, extending to inland parts to Marble Bar, Nullagine and Pannawonica, should carefully follow the further development and remain alert.

Featured image: Tropical Cyclone "Stan" approaching Western Australia, January 29, 2016. Image credit: NASA Terra/MODIS