AceWeatherDesk – A category two cyclone off the Queensland coast is expected to intensify to a category four by tomorrow as it moves closer to the Queensland coast.

Ace Press News From Cutting Room Floor: Published: Dec.06: 2023: BOM & Weather News: TELEGRAM Ace Daily News Link https://t.me/+PuI36tlDsM7GpOJe

Tropical Cyclone Jasper is near the Solomon Islands and could escalate to a category three system later this evening, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Bureau of Meterology’s Laura Boekel said by tomorrow evening, it could be a category four, with the first impacts expected to be felt offshore as it moves towards the coast.

She said it would “most likely” cross the coast early next week north of Mackay. 

“So at this stage, it’s still a long lead time away, so we’re not expecting that in the next couple of days as indicated by our official forecast track.”

Ms Boekel said it was very rare to see a tropical cyclone near Queensland so early in the summer given an El Niño event has been declared.

“We typically see fewer cyclones and we also see the cyclone season starting a bit later,” she explained.

“So to see this earlier in the season and in December during an El Niño year is unusual.”

She said the system was currently “quite far away from the Queensland coast” but there was uncertainty around when, where and how intense it would be if the cyclone does reach the coast.

According to the BOM cyclone track map, the system is expected to reach category three later today then intensify to a severe category four cyclone by Thursday.

On Tuesday Ms Boekel said as the system moved close to Queensland it could lead to increased surf size, tides, rainfall and strong winds.

“We really are just encouraging people to stay up to date with the track maps and with the warnings if they do get issued,” she said.

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Residents warned to prepare

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill has called on the community to stay calm.

“Make sure if you’ve got a BBQ that you’ve got that gas bottle filled. Make sure you’ve got bottled water, tinned food. If you’ve got a generator make sure it’s functioning,” Ms Hill said.

SES director Glenn Alderton said Queenslanders should use the weekend to prepare and clean up their yards.

“The bureau is saying early next week, so we have four or five days of beautiful Queensland weather to do those things around your yard,” he said.

“You really need to do some of the preparations yourself. There’s only 5,000 SES volunteers in the state. When can’t be everywhere all at once.”

Cyclone Seth was the last tropical cyclone to hit Queensland in 2021, bringing flooding to parts of the state’s east coast. 

Tropical Cyclone Jasper is the first tropical cyclone to develop in the Australian area of responsibility for the 2023-24 season.

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