CYCLONE THREAT BEARS DOWN

Storm chaser predicts monster

NORTH Queensland could be bracing for a severe tropical cyclone this wet season with a warning issued by Higgins Storm Chasing.

Jeffrey Higgins, from Higgins Storm Chasing, said if current conditions continued a weak La Nina weather pattern could develop in the Pacific leading to an above average cyclone season.

He said in an average season up to four cyclones usually developed in the Eastern region, which included the Coral Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria.

“But if the forecast holds for the next couple of months then we could see six cyclones developing in Eastern region,” Mr Higgins said.

“Anything that develops in the Eastern region places Queensland in a high risk of a cyclone.

“I believe it is shaping up for potentially a severe tropical cyclone to cross the Queensland coast in the range of category three to five.”

He said it had been three years since the last La Nina developed in the Eastern region and that was when Cyclone Debbie devastated a large swath of North Queensland after crossing the coast at Airlie Beach.

“Every year we are at risk, however during a La Nina there is a higher risk of cyclones crossing the coast.”

Mr Higgins said Higgins Storm Chasing normally released its cyclone outlook for the coming season in early October.

“Obviously there are a few months to go but we will be releasing our cyclone outlook early this year in September.”

He said people should not become complacent because it had been several years since a major cyclone had wreaked havoc along the Queensland coast.

“A severe cyclone could and will cross the coast again and it could be this coming west season.”

I BELIEVE IT IS SHAPING UP FOR POTENTIALLY A SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE TO CROSS THE QUEENSLAND COAST IN THE RANGE OF CATEGORY THREE TO FIVE

JEFFREY HIGGINS