Tropical system expected to slowly develop over the Coral Sea
By
Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Feb 7, 2020 8:08 PM EDT
Roads flooded as heavy rain pounded Byron Bay, New South Wales, on Feb. 7, trapping several cars in floodwaters.
A broad area of low pressure spinning over the Coral Sea is being monitored for tropical development into the beginning of this week.
This system has been sitting just south of the Solomon Islands, with increasing shower and thunderstorm activity across the Archipelago’s southern islands as well as the northern islands of Vanuatu over the past couple of days.
Moderate wind shear has hindered tropical development throughout the weekend, but conditions are expected to change.
As the low begins to move, it is forecast to head into an environment more conducive for tropical development.
"Wind shear will lessen as the low drifts to the south and southwest into early this week, allowing for some strengthening," stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.
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This system is expected to track near New Caledonia Monday into Tuesday.
"This will bring bands of heavy rain and strong wind, especially to northern New Caledonia," Douty said.
The strength of the storm will determine how bad the damaging winds will be, but tropical downpours are expected in this area regardless of strength.
The storm is forecast to continue moving toward the southwest into the middle of this week.
Residents in eastern Australia will have to monitor this system for potential impacts into the end of this week.
There is potential for this system to pass near the New South Wales coast, according to Douty.
"But at this time it does not look like a direct landfall," he added.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com for the latest updates on this storm and your forecast.
Report a Typo
News / Hurricane
Tropical system expected to slowly develop over the Coral Sea
By Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Feb 7, 2020 8:08 PM EDT
Roads flooded as heavy rain pounded Byron Bay, New South Wales, on Feb. 7, trapping several cars in floodwaters.
A broad area of low pressure spinning over the Coral Sea is being monitored for tropical development into the beginning of this week.
This system has been sitting just south of the Solomon Islands, with increasing shower and thunderstorm activity across the Archipelago’s southern islands as well as the northern islands of Vanuatu over the past couple of days.
Moderate wind shear has hindered tropical development throughout the weekend, but conditions are expected to change.
As the low begins to move, it is forecast to head into an environment more conducive for tropical development.
"Wind shear will lessen as the low drifts to the south and southwest into early this week, allowing for some strengthening," stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
This system is expected to track near New Caledonia Monday into Tuesday.
"This will bring bands of heavy rain and strong wind, especially to northern New Caledonia," Douty said.
The strength of the storm will determine how bad the damaging winds will be, but tropical downpours are expected in this area regardless of strength.
The storm is forecast to continue moving toward the southwest into the middle of this week.
Related:
Residents in eastern Australia will have to monitor this system for potential impacts into the end of this week.
There is potential for this system to pass near the New South Wales coast, according to Douty.
"But at this time it does not look like a direct landfall," he added.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com for the latest updates on this storm and your forecast.
Report a Typo