Weather News

Active monsoon increases tropical cyclone risk

Ben Domensino, Tuesday March 13, 2018 - 15:45 AEDT

Parts of northern Australia had an exceptionally wet start to 2018, and now an active monsoon is expected to bring another burst of tropical rain during the next week.

Northern Australia's wet season runs from about October to April. During this time, warm and humid air helps fuel thunderstorms on a daily basis and bursts of monsoon rain often cause flooding.

Parts of the Kimberley District experienced an exceptionally wet start to 2018, with Broome registering its highest annual rainfall total on record during the first two months of the year.

The Kimberley and surrounding areas of northern Australia are now facing the threat of more heavy rain and potentially their fourth tropical cyclone so far this season in the coming week.

A developing monsoon trough will boost rainfall in parts of northern Australia during the next week and also increases the chance of tropical cyclone development near the NT and WA.

The threat of cyclone development is general at this stage as no individual low pressure systems are being monitored near the NT or WA. However, any low that does form and remain over open water will have a decent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next week.

Be sure to keep up to date with the latest tropical cyclone information during the week ahead if you live in northern Australia.

- Weatherzone

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