Cyclone Ita now Cat.5

[Ian R]

Cyclone Ita is predicted to cross the Queensland coast north of Cooktown tomorrow. The last serious cyclone to hit Cooktown was in 1949. Each new prediction is further south. Lizard Island has been evacuated.

Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map Page (1)

[Reefmagnet]

Some models have it potentially running parallel to the coast all the way to the Whitsundays. This could be a bad one.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Some models have it potentially running parallel to the coast all the way to the Whitsundays. This could be a bad one.

The GRIB I downloaded at lunchtime today showed it tracking all the way down to around Brisbane.

[Reefmagnet]

Crap! Might have to whip over to the boat and take the bimini down.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by StuM

The GRIB I downloaded at lunchtime today showed it tracking all the way down to around Brisbane.

So far (1900 local) the BOM shows it making landfall north of Cooktown, but close enough that they will get a pasting. Hope that this is the case rather than the trip down the coast...

For once I'm glad not to be in Qld!

Cheers,

Jim

[Ian R]

The wind is 110 knots increasing to 120 knots ,central pressure of 935 hPa dropping to 922 hPa.

Ocean Wind Warning 1 - Metarea 10 Northeast - Tropical Cyclone (QLD)

[StuM]

Latest predictions are to track south once it hits landfall but coming back out to sea as a low around Mackay and intensifying again off SE QLd.

[JPA Cate]

1940 local time:

National Radar (on Bureau of Meterology) shows Ita bringing rain as far west as the Kimberley, and 24 deg. C. water as far south as Brissie.

I'm so glad they evacuated Lizard Is.

Ann

[Ian R]

The wind is now 115 knots gusting to 160 knots at the centre with a central pressure of 130 kPa. Lizard Island is 33 knots gusting over 40 with rain.

[Reefmagnet]

Are you there Ian? The news just reported boaties are moving their boats into the river and creeks. Hopefully the more westerly movement will blunt the impact.

[Ian R]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Are you there Ian? The news just reported boaties are moving their boats into the river and creeks. Hopefully the more westerly movement will blunt the impact.

Reefmagnet I'm in the sandy straights now heading back to Cooktown soon. Hopefully Cooktown will avoid a direct hit. Ita is very strong but fairly small in area compared to Yasi. I'm not sorry to miss this one.

[Coops]

Forecasted winds of 305KPH according to the weather station this morning. Due to hit land around late afternoon/evening local time.

Coops.