Tropical Cyclone Jasper strengthens slightly, expected to make landfall in Australia on Wednesday

() – Tropical Cyclone Jasper has strengthened slightly as it slowly approaches northern Queensland, off the northeast coast of Australia.

Jasper has winds of 100 km/h with higher gusts and is the equivalent of a tropical storm in the Atlantic Ocean. The center of the storm is located about 230 km northeast of Cairns, moving west-northwest at 11 km/h. At the time of this alert, the storm is expected to make landfall as a tropical storm north of Cairns on Wednesday local time.

According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), destructive wind gusts of up to 140 kph may develop between Wujal Wujal and Innisfail, including Cairns from early Wednesday morning local time. Gale force winds with damage of up to 120 km/h are expected to develop along the Queensland coast and adjacent ranges between Cape Flattery and Lucinda, including Cairns late Tuesday or early Wednesday. These winds are expected to develop inland to Palmerville and Chillagoe after Jasper makes landfall on Wednesday.

Locally heavy rainfall may cause dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding around the coast and mountain ranges between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas, as well as in areas close to the centre of Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Isolated six-hourly rainfall of 250 to 300 mm is possible, with 24-hourly rainfall of 400 to 500 mm possible.

Heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding between Cape Flattery and Ingham from early Wednesday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals of 100 to 150 mm are expected, with isolated totals of up to 250 mm possible along the coast and adjacent mountain ranges. Twenty-four-hour rainfall totals of 150 to 250 mm are likely, with isolated amounts of up to 350 mm possible.