WeatherFanatics: Cyclone Ita Weakening Over Queensland

Friday, April 11, 2014

Cyclone Ita Weakening Over Queensland

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

April 11,2014; 9:00PM,EDT

Tropical Cyclone Ita made landfall near Cape Flattery Queensland Friday evening local time.
Ita weakened rapidly before reaching land, but it still contained sustained winds of 90 to 105 mph at the time of landfall, according to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.
As the center passed over Cape Flattery, a wind gust to 96 mph was measured. However, the instruments failed before the stronger northern eyewall passed over the station. Also, according to the Australia Bureau of Meteorology, a minimum pressure of 955mb was recorded.
Very heavy rain has been widespread across Queensland's northern Peninsula. Widespread rainfall over 4 inches has occurred in the past 24 hours. The highest total thus far is Bairds with 12.24 inches.
Cooktown has reported more than 125 mm (5 inches) so far with more heavy rainfall expected as Ita moves southward just inland from the coastline.

Image of Ita as made landfall in Queensland, just north of Cooktown, on Friday. Image courtesy of NOAA
Ita made landfall with the equivalent strength of a Category 2 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean. Australia, which uses a different intensity scale than the U.S., indicates Ita was a Category 5 cyclone shortly before landfall, but weakened to a Category 3 by landfall.
Ita is still a strong tropical cyclone with sustained winds at 105 kph. It was centered about 100 miles northwest of Cairns, Saturday morning local time. It is producing heavy rainfall across a wide area, and this will continue through the weekend.

A text book stadium effect is present in the satellite picture, Thursday afternoon, when peak sustained winds were estimated at 250 kph, courtesy of NOAA
Ita made landfall in an area with a lower population than locations farther south. This region is known for mining and national parks.
Although Ita will weaken as it approaches Cairns, due to land interaction, flooding rainfall and tropical storm-force wind are expected. Pouring rain feel all night Friday night and Cairns. The worst conditions are expected Saturday.
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Ita will then continue to the southeast near or just off the coast of Queensland over the weekend, spreading heavy rainfall into Townsville and Mackay. Wind gusts over 50 mph will accompany the storm as it moves farther southeast and away from Cairns.

Rainfall will also be a major concern as 75-150 mm (3-6 in) will be common within 100 km of the coastline from north of Cooktown southward to Mackay. Local amounts over 250 mm (10 in) will be possible across the region, especially from Cairns northward.
By Monday the cyclone will be in a much weakened state as it moves farther southeast off the coast of Queensland with no further widespread damaging winds or flooding rainfall expected over land.
Meteorologist Dave Samuhel contributed to the content of this story.

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