Cyclone Monica - Cat. 5

[P.K.]

Monica dumps rain on Cape
From: AAP
By Rosemary Desmond

April 19, 2006


CAPE York communities are braced for flooding as severe tropical cyclone Monica dumps torrential rain on the far north Queensland peninsula.
Category three Monica crossed the coast just south of Lockhart River around mid afternoon today, with torrential rain and wind gusts of up to 220km/h, the weather bureau said.

But the town was spared the worst, and maximum wind gusts at the Lockhart River automatic weather station were only around 100km/h.

"We've had another miraculous survival from another one (cyclone)," Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council chief executive officer Peter Buckland told Channel 10.

More than 700 Lockhart River residents were evacuated in March last year as category five Cyclone Ingrid tore through the area, but damage was minimal.

Queensland Counter Disaster and Rescue Service (CDRS) spokeswoman Kathryn Ryan said there were no early reports of major structural damage in Lockhart River but it was too early to make a proper assessment.

However, it is understood the area has suffered widespread flooding, with heavy rains to continue into the night.

Senior forecaster Manfred Greitschus said Monica was weakening.

"It has been weakening very slowly but it's still a severe tropical cyclone," he said.

"Overnight, it's expected to generally move in a south-westerly direction at 15-odd km/h."

Ergon Energy spokeswoman Gaylene Whenmouth said that as a precaution the power station at Lockhart River had been shut down shortly before 2pm (AEST) as wind gusts intensified.

About 160 homes and businesses in the town were without electricity and repair crews were on standby in Cairns to assess the damage as soon as the cyclone damage passed.

"We do have crews on standby and at this stage we are expecting for a plane to leave at first light tomorrow morning to take a damage assessment line crew up to Lockhart River," Ms Whenmouth said.

"We've also got a barge on standby ready to ship materials and vehicles up to the community if they are required.

"But we can't make a decision on that until we know if we have poles down."

Cairns Police Superintendent Mike Keating, who is also the disaster district coordinator, said the tail end of category three Monica was unlikely to clear the west coast until early tomorrow morning.

In the meantime, the towns of Lockhart River, Coen, Aurukun and Weipa had emergency services on full alert and residents had been advised to take shelter in secure buildings and listen to radios for further advice.

"We are also monitoring events through Coen, Aurukun and Weipa," Supt Keating said.

"We don't expect this to exit from the west side of the cape until maybe 2am tomorrow morning.

"For those of us who came to work at 5am, it's going to be a long day."

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18861458-5001104,00.html

[Rod Hagen]

Certainly seems to have taken quite a kink to the south according to the latest threat map.



Cheers

Rod

[P.K.]

SIGMET for the area. Flight level 500 is 15.2km. (Might even post a Skew-T later as well )

YBBB SIGMET BN02 VALID 190700/191300 YBRF-
BRISBANE FIR TC MONICA S1306E14324 AT 0600Z FRQ CB TOP FL500 WITHIN
150 NM OF CENTRE MOV WSW 08KT. OUTLOOK TC CENTRE 191800 S1321E14143
200000 S1327E14058
STS:REV SIGMET BN01 190100/190700

[HURAKAN]

MONICA AT LANDFALL

[HURAKAN]

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: For immediate broadcast. Transmitters over Cape York Peninsula north of
Pormpuraaw are requested to use the Standard Emergency Warning Signal.


TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 25
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 8:03pm on Wednesday the 19th of April 2006

A CYCLONE WARNING is current for communities over Cape York Peninsula south of a
line from Mapoon to Cape Grenville and north of a line from Pormpuraaw to Cape
Melville.

A CYCLONE WATCH is current for Northern Territory coastal and island communities
between Groote Eylandt and Milingimbi including Elcho Island and Nhulunbuy.

At 7 pm EST, Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica, Category 3, was centred over land
near latitude 13.3 south longitude 143.1 east, about 60 kilometres south-
southwest of Lockhart River, and moving west at around 15 km/hr.

The VERY DESTRUCTIVE core of Monica with wind gusts to 180 km/hr is expected to
move across central Cape York Peninsula overnight and be in the general vicinity
of Aurukun on Thursday morning.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts above 130 km/hr could occur north to Weipa and
south to Coen.

Tropical Cyclone Monica is expected to continue moving in a general westerly
direction across the Gulf of Carpentaria during Thursday. Gales may develop
about the Northern Territory coast between Groote Eylandt and Milingimbi
including Elcho Island and Nhulunbuy during Friday.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica, Category 3, for 7 pm EST Wednesday.
Central Pressure : 965 Hectopascals
Location of Centre : within 40 kilometres of
latitude 13.3 degrees south
longitude 143.1 degrees east
60 km south southwest of Lockhart River
Recent Movement : west about 15 km/hr
Destructive winds : out to 75 kilometres from the centre
Maximum wind gusts : 180 kilometres per hour

Very heavy flooding rain will occur over the Penisula tonight.
People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should continue to
take the appropriate measures and follow the advice given by authorities.

Coastal residents between Weipa and Aurukun are specifically warned of the
dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the west coast on Thursday morning.
The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal tide,
with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline.
People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take
measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow


instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so by the
authorities.

Sea levels on the east coast should no longer exceed the highest tide of the
year.

People in the path of this dangerous cyclone should stay calm and remain in a
secure shelter while the very destructive winds continue. Do not venture outside
if you find yourself in the eye of the cyclone - very destructive winds from a
different direction could resume at any time. Listen to the advice and follow
the directions of Police or State Emergency Service personnel.

The next warning will be issued by 11 pm Wednesday.

This warning is also available through TV and Radio Broadcasts; the Bureau's
website at http://www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 212. The Bureau and the State
Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.

[HurricaneHunter914]

Any damage reports yet?

[P.K.]

Cairns readies for cyclone flooding
From: AAP
By Roberta Mancuso

April 19, 2006


MORE than 1000 people could be evacuated and major highways will be blocked as Cyclone Monica brings widespread flooding across far north Queensland.
The category three cyclone made landfall about 2pm (AEST) today just south of Lockhart River on Cape York, causing damage to around 15 per cent of homes and destroying large amounts of vegetation.

But of greater worry was the torrential rain it was dumping in Cairns, 800 km south of the remote Aboriginal community.

A Cairns City Council spokesman said the city's main water supply, Copperlode Dam, was rapidly rising and was at 1.6m over the spillway at 6.30pm (AEST).

More than 1000 people would probably need to be evacuated from hundreds of homes if it reached the "critical" two metre mark late tonight.

"There may be need to evacuate during the hours of the night," he said.

"It's not getting any better and we're expecting a lot of rain tonight and a lot tomorrow morning."

The highway between the Barron River Bridge and Smithfield, north of Cairns, would be cut.

"That's going to isolate some of our beaches and it's also going to cause some flooding to houses in the Barron Delta," the spokesman said.

All trips to the Great Barrier Reef were abandoned today and flights in and out of Cairns cancelled.

The Kuranda Railway, a popular tourist train which winds through World Heritage protected tropical rainforest, was halted because of a landslide along the line.

Cyclone Monica hit the far north Queensland coast almost exactly a month after maximum category five Cyclone Larry tore through the Innisfail region on March 20, causing widespread devastation.

Lockhart River CEO Peter Buckland tonight said it was a "miracle" his community had been spared from another cyclone.

Almost 700 residents were evacuated when category five Cyclone Ingrid tore through the area last March, but caused little damage.

"We've had another miraculous survival," Mr Buckland said.

"We were expecting we would've got the full front of it, but luckily it turned and went south, and we got the edge of it.

However, old sheds had blown away, trees were uprooted, houses lost parts of roofs and gutters, and some powerlines were down.

Authorities did not know of any injuries at this stage.

"We've suffered a lot of vegetation damage and there's probably 10 to 15 per cent of structures in town that have suffered some minor damage," Mr Buckland said.

"Without that preparation it would've been a lot worse. We had winds up to 180 kph to 200 km/h."

Monica is expected to move west across Cape York and lose intensity.

Disaster management officer Glenn Alderton said the storm would continue to wreak havoc across the region overnight.

He said it would cross directly over Aurukun – one of the larger communities in Cape York with a population of 1200 – as a category two system about 5am (AEST) tomorrow.

"There's the potential there for Aurukun to get more winds than Lockhart or Coen did," he said.

Residents between Weipa and Aurukun were warned of a dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crossed the west coast.

Two Queensland Rescue helicopters will be deployed at first light tomorrow to inspect the damage.

Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell said affected residents would get the same "quick and effective response" as those in areas hit by Cyclone Larry.

Emergency crews were also on standby to respond in Innisfail and the Tablelands, which are still mopping up from Larry, in case Monica further damaged homes, he said.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18864105-5001104,00.html

[AussieMark]

if there is a good thing about this intense cyclone as it hit a relatively unpopulated area

unlike Larry which whiped out hundreds of millions or even a $1 billion worth of crops last month. as that area was more populated than Cape York is

[HurricaneHunter914]

How high are the winds right now?

[Squeako da Magnifico]

There ain't that many reporting stations up in the Cape York. The highest winds for Lockhart River was 109km/h. But should be around 200km/h about 50km south of there. The Radar looks good over the Cape with the swirl of cloud. But if you see how much rain is in her Tail bands. It stretches for about 700km and giving Cairns and surrounding areas a good old soaking. Some Places have alread recieved over 300mm or around 12 inches of rain already and it's almost 11pm. They could get in excess of 500mm or 20 inches of rain by the 9am update. Minor to Moderate flooding is occuring and could even reach Major in a few hours. To make things worst for Innisfail. They are in the firing line to get totals like Cairns.

[Squeako da Magnifico]

Monica has been on the Cape for the last 9 hours and it hasn't weakened that much.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 26
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 10:51pm on Wednesday the 19th of April 2006

A CYCLONE WARNING is current for communities over Cape York Peninsula south of a
line from Mapoon to Cape Grenville and north of a line from Pormpuraaw to Cape
Melville.

A CYCLONE WATCH is current for Northern Territory coastal and island communities
between Groote Eylandt and Milingimbi including Elcho Island and Nhulunbuy.

At 10 pm EST, Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica, Category 3, was centred over land
near latitude 13.6 south longitude 142.6 east, about 75 kilometres
west northwest of Coen and 100 kilometres east southeast of Aurukun.
The cyclone is moving west southwest at about 20 km/hr.

The very destructive core of Monica with gusts to 180 km/hr is expected to move
off the coast in the general vicinity of Cape Keerweer on Thursday morning.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts above 130 km/hr could occur north to Weipa and
south to Pormpuraaw.

Tropical Cyclone Monica is expected to move in a general westerly direction
across the Gulf of Carpentaria during Thursday. Gales may develop about the
Northern Territory coast between Groote Eylandt and Milingimbi including Elcho
Island and Nhulunbuy during Friday.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica, Category 3, for 10 pm EST Wednesday.
Central Pressure : 965 Hectopascals
Location of Centre : within 40 kilometres of
latitude 13.6 degrees south
longitude 142.6 degrees east
100 km east southeast of Aurukun
Recent Movement : west southwest about 20 km/hr
Destructive winds : out to 75 kilometres from the centre
Maximum wind gusts : 180 kilometres per hour

Very heavy flooding rain will occur over the Peninsula tonight.
People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should continue to
take the appropriate measures and follow the advice given by authorities.

Coastal residents between Weipa and Cape Keerweer are specifically warned of the
dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the west coast of the Peninsula on
Thursday morning. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above
the normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close
to the shoreline. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding
should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be



prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to
do so by the authorities.

People in the path of this dangerous cyclone should stay calm and remain in a
secure shelter while the very destructive winds continue. Do not venture outside
if you find yourself in the eye of the cyclone - very destructive winds from a
different direction could resume at any time. Listen to the advice and follow
the directions of Police or State Emergency Service personnel.

The next warning will be issued by 2 am Thursday.

[Rod Hagen]

if there is a good thing about this intense cyclone as it hit a relatively unpopulated area

unlike Larry which whiped out hundreds of millions or even a $1 billion worth of crops last month. as that area was more populated than Cape York is

Yes, looks like the worst of it might track south of Aurukun, too, rather than hitting it dead centre, as looked likely earlier.

There aren't any other substantial (ie hundreds of people) population centres in the area south of Aurukun that I am aware of. Mind you the sea could still do a lot of damage there, and getting anywhere near Aurukun by road will be impossible for quite a while, too, I would think.

Still a Cat 3 , even though it is half way across Cape York, I see. probably be still going strong when it reaches Arnhem Land if it picks up over the Gulf.

Cheers

Rod

[AussieMark]

the track kinda reminds me of Ingrid

except Ingrid was early March and this is late April

[HURAKAN]

WTPS31 PGTW 191500
MSGID/GENADMIN/NAVPACMETOCCEN PEARL HARBOR HI/JTWC//
SUBJ/TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING//
RMKS/
1. TROPICAL CYCLONE 23P (MONICA) WARNING NR 006
01 ACTIVE TROPICAL CYCLONE IN SOUTHPAC
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS BASED ON ONE-MINUTE AVERAGE
---
WARNING POSITION:
191200Z --- NEAR 13.6S 142.6E
MOVEMENT PAST SIX HOURS - 230 DEGREES AT 09 KTS
POSITION ACCURATE TO WITHIN 060 NM
POSITION BASED ON CENTER LOCATED BY SATELLITE
PRESENT WIND DISTRIBUTION:
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 080 KT, GUSTS 100 KT
RADIUS OF 064 KT WINDS - 020 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
020 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
020 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
020 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
RADIUS OF 050 KT WINDS - 035 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
035 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
035 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
035 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
RADIUS OF 034 KT WINDS - 075 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
080 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
075 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
070 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
REPEAT POSIT: 13.6S 142.6E
---
FORECASTS:
12 HRS, VALID AT:
200000Z --- 13.9S 141.5E
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 070 KT, GUSTS 085 KT
RADIUS OF 064 KT WINDS - 015 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
015 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
015 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
015 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
RADIUS OF 050 KT WINDS - 020 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
020 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
025 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
025 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
RADIUS OF 034 KT WINDS - 055 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
055 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
OVER WATER
065 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
065 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
VECTOR TO 24 HR POSIT: 270 DEG/ 06 KTS
---
24 HRS, VALID AT:
201200Z --- 13.9S 140.2E
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 075 KT, GUSTS 090 KT
RADIUS OF 064 KT WINDS - 020 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
020 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
020 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
020 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
RADIUS OF 050 KT WINDS - 030 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
030 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
030 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
030 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
RADIUS OF 034 KT WINDS - 060 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
060 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
070 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
070 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
VECTOR TO 36 HR POSIT: 285 DEG/ 06 KTS
---
36 HRS, VALID AT:
210000Z --- 13.6S 138.9E
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 080 KT, GUSTS 100 KT
RADIUS OF 064 KT WINDS - 025 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
025 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
025 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
025 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
RADIUS OF 050 KT WINDS - 035 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
035 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
035 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
035 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
RADIUS OF 034 KT WINDS - 070 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
070 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
075 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
075 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
VECTOR TO 48 HR POSIT: 290 DEG/ 06 KTS
---
EXTENDED OUTLOOK:
48 HRS, VALID AT:
211200Z --- 13.2S 137.8E
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 085 KT, GUSTS 105 KT
RADIUS OF 064 KT WINDS - 025 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
025 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
025 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
025 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
RADIUS OF 050 KT WINDS - 040 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
040 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
040 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
040 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
RADIUS OF 034 KT WINDS - 075 NM NORTHEAST QUADRANT
075 NM SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
080 NM SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
080 NM NORTHWEST QUADRANT
---
REMARKS:
191500Z POSITION NEAR 13.7S 142.3E.
TROPICAL CYCLONE (TC) 23P (MONICA), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 65 NM
SOUTHEAST OF WEIPA, AUSTRALIA, HAS TRACKED SOUTH-WESTWARD AT 09 KNOTS
OVER THE PAST SIX HOURS. RECENT ANIMATED ENHANCED WATER VAPOR IMAGERY
REVEALS A SUBSTANTIAL BREAKDOWN IN CORE CONVECTION AND FRAGMENTED
RADIAL OUTFLOW. DURING THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS, TC 23P WILL TRACK
SLIGHTLY POLEWARD AS A TRANSIENT MAJOR SHORTWAVE TROUGH WEAKENS THE
STEERING RIDGE OVER CENTRAL AUSTRALIA. AFTER TAU 24, THE RIDGE WILL
REDEVELOP OVER WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND CAUSE TC 23P TO TRACK NORTHWEST-
WARD. THE INTENSITY OF THE SYSTEM WILL DECREASE THROUGH TAU 12,
HOWEVER ONCE TC 23P MOVES OVER THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA, IT WILL BEGIN
TO SLOWLY STRENGTHEN AS SURFACE INFLOW IMPROVES. MAXIMUM SIGNIFICANT
WAVE HEIGHT AT 191200Z IS 25 FEET. NEXT WARNINGS AT 200300Z AND
201500Z.



Mónica is positioned at the moment right between each coasts, right in the middle of the York Peninsula. The system continues to look well-organized and it has a good shot of becoming a fierce tropical cyclone in the GOC (Gulf of Carpentaria).

[P.K.]

Rather moist just ahead of Monica as you would expect.

[Rod Hagen]

the track kinda reminds me of Ingrid

except Ingrid was early March and this is late April

Its tracking a bit further south than Ingrid, which crossed north of Aurukun, Mark. Increases the chances of it dissipating over Arnhem Land rather than coast and island hopping all the way to WA. Might hit the East Arnhem communities and Groote Island more directly though, as a result.

Wouldn't want to be on a prawn trawler or a wandering Indonesian fishing boat in the gulf!

Rod

[apocalypt-flyer]

Good structure, mainly due to the fact that she's making landfall on such a narrow Peninsula ..

[Jim Cantore]

How strong was she at landfall?

[cycloneye]

IDQP0005
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: For immediate broadcast. Transmitters over Cape York Peninsula north of
Pormpuraaw are requested to use the Standard Emergency Warning Signal.


TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 28
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 4:39am on Thursday the 20th of April 2006

A CYCLONE WARNING is current for communities on the western half of Cape York
Peninsula from Mapoon to Pormpuraaw.

A CYCLONE WATCH is current for Northern Territory coastal and island communities
between Groote Eylandt and Milingimbi including Elcho Island and Nhulunbuy.

At 5am EST, Tropical Cyclone Monica, Category 2, was centred over land near
latitude 13.7 south longitude 142.0 east, 50 kilometres southeast of Aurukun.
The cyclone is moving west southwest at about 15 km/hr.

The destructive core of Monica with gusts to 140 km/hr is expected to move off
the coast in the general vicinity of Cape Keerweer on Thursday morning. The
cyclone is then expected to rapidly re-intensify.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts above 125 km/hr could occur north to Weipa and
south to Pormpuraaw.

Tropical Cyclone Monica is expected to move in a general westerly direction
across the Gulf of Carpentaria during Thursday. Gales may develop about the
Northern Territory coast between Groote Eylandt and Milingimbi including Elcho
Island and Nhulunbuy during Friday.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Monica, Category 2, for 4am EST Thursday.
Central Pressure : 980 Hectopascals
Location of Centre : within 40 kilometres of
latitude 13.7 degrees south
longitude 142.0 degrees east
50 km east southeast of Aurukun
Recent Movement : west southwest about 15 km/hr
Destructive winds : out to 50 kilometres from the centre
Maximum wind gusts : 140 kilometres per hour

Very heavy flooding rain will occur over the Peninsula tonight.
People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should continue to
take the appropriate measures and follow the advice given by authorities.

Coastal residents between Weipa and Cape Keerweer are specifically warned of the
dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the west coast of the Peninsula this
morning. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal
tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the
shoreline. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should
take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be
prepared to follow directions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do

so by the authorities.

People in the path of this cyclone should stay calm and remain in a secure
shelter while the destructive winds continue. Do not venture outside if you find
yourself in the eye of the cyclone - destructive winds from a different
direction could resume at any time. Listen to the advice and follow the
directions of Police or State Emergency Service personnel.

The next warning will be issued by 8 am Thursday.


Cyclone Monica is overland but is expected to re-intensifie as soon it gets to the water.

[P.K.]

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Northern Territory
Darwin Regional Forecasting Centre

40:2:2:24:12S138E999:11:00
PANPAN

HIGH SEAS WEATHER WARNING

HIGH SEAS WEATHER WARNING FOR METAREA 10/11
Issued by the AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY, DARWIN
Issued at 1930 UTC 19 APRIL 2006

PLEASE BE AWARE
Wind gusts can be a further 40 percent stronger than the averages given here,
and maximum waves may be up to twice the height.

HURRICANE WARNING FOR NORTHERN AREA

SITUATION
At 1800 UTC Tropical Cyclone Monica 980hPa centred over Cape York Peninsula
within 30 nautical miles of 13.7 S 142.0 E moving west southwest at 8 knots.
Tropical Cyclone Monica is expected to move into the Gulf of Carpentaria within
the next 12 hours and re-intensify during the following 24 hours.

AREA AFFECTED
Within 90 nautical miles of centre.

FORECAST
Sustained winds to 55 knots near centre increasing to 80 knots within 24 hours.
Winds above 34 knots within 90 nautical miles of centre with very rough seas and
moderate swell.

0600 UTC 20 Apr: centre within 40 nautical miles of 13.6 S 141.0 E
970 hPa. Winds to 65 knots near centre.
1800 UTC 20 Apr: centre within 50 nautical miles of 13.5 S 140.0 E
950 hPa. Winds to 80 knots near centre.

REMARKS
All ships in the area please send weather reports every three hours.



DARWIN Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre