Community
22 October, 2024
Cyclones to ‘get worse’
MORE severe cyclones are predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology between now and April next year.
BOM is urging communities to get ready and prepare for Australia’s severe weather season.
While severe weather can happen at any time, every year between October and April is Australia’s peak time for:
tropical cyclones
severe thunderstorms
flooding
heatwaves
bushfires.
National community information manager Andrea Peace said that the bureau issued regular forecasts and warnings about the likely severity and impacts of severe weather and the impact of severe weather could be reduced by getting ready before it happened.
“Tropical cyclone activity varies from year to year but an average of four tropical cyclones cross Australia’s coast each year,” she said.
“Based on historical patterns alone, a near average number of tropical cyclones in the Australian region could be expected this season, with a higher proportion likely to be more severe.
“Any tropical cyclone can be dangerous, and it only takes one to significantly impact communities. Last year we had eight tropical cyclones across northern Australia waters. Four crossed our coast bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall leading to flooding.”
Ms Peace said during the warmer months severe thunderstorms were more common, bringing heavy rainfall, damaging winds, large hail and the risk of flooding anywhere in Australia.
“The highest risk for severe thunderstorms is usually along the east coast, including northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. There’s also a significant risk through inland Western Australia and across the tropical north during the wet season,” she said.
Ms Peace said flash flooding and riverine flooding were more common during the severe weather season, particularly across northern and eastern parts of the country.
She said Australia also had an increased risk of severe and extreme heatwaves over the warmer months.
“The bureau works closely with fire authorities to monitor weather conditions, issue fire danger ratings and warnings to keep the community informed,” Ms Peace said. “Fire authorities are advising an increased fire risk in the spring months for parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory, western Victoria and south-east South Australia,” she said.
“Severe weather can develop quickly and threaten lives and property. Now is the time to prepare your home and property, review and update your emergency plans and create your emergency kits.”
