Australia Port Shut as Cyclone Heidi Bears Down
Radar image shows Heidi nearing landfall off Port Hedland, Australia, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 (Bureau of Meteorology image)
Tropical Cyclone Heidi is unleashing slashing wind and rain on the coast of northwestern Australia as it nears landfall.
Shipping of mineral commodities and petroleum production are being interrupted by the cyclone, multiple media outlets have said.
The storm has prompted weather bureau cyclone warnings of damaging winds and flooding rain for the Pilbara coast, where the strong tropical storm has led to the shutting of port operations at Port Hedland.
A Red Alert was issued by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) for coastal and island communities between Pardoo and Whim Creek, including Port Hedland. BoM warnings advised of winds to 140 km/h (85-90 mph), rainfall to 250 mm (10 inches) and dangerous storm tides.
Late Wednesday evening, local time, the BoM fixed center of T.C. Heidi within 60 miles northeast of Port Hedland, with movement towards the south at about 6 mph. Top sustained winds were pegged at 60 to 65 mph.
At the time, radar imagery posted on the BoM website showed the cyclone's offshore center spinning southward. Downpours reached well inland over the Pilbara, as the north west of Western Australia state is known.
Following landfall near Port Hedland, Heidi will drift inland during Thursday, weakening towards the southwest. Although its wind threat will wane, its flooding rain potential will persist.
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WeatherWhys®
Hail is much more common during the months of May and June compared to July and August. The main reason is the fact that the freezing level is usually higher during July and August as pockets of cold air in the upper atmosphere are less common as the jet stream weakens and retreats farther north.
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