As at 19:30 Friday March 19 2010

Cyclone Ului Changes Track

 (3.5) marks: 9

The Cyclone warning issued by the Bureau of meteorology has been extended north to Townsville in it’s latest update.

As at 4am today the bureau said that Tropical Cyclone Ului was 880km east of Townsville and 690km northeast of Mackay and moving to the southwest at 13km/h.

A Cyclone Warning remains current for North Queensland coastal and inland communities from Yeppoon to Ayr, but in an update by the bureau at 5.13am today, this warning was extended north to include Townsville.

The latest forecast tracking map now predicts that Cyclone Ului will cross the coast further north than first expected. The weather bureau now believes Ului is most likely to cross the coast between Cardwell and Mackay sometime on Sunday morning.

A Cyclone Watch remains in place for northern coastal areas from Cardwell to Townsville.

Damaging winds can be expected to develop between Townsville and Yeppoon later today, increasing further on Sunday and extending to Cardwell and nearby inland areas as the cyclone nears the coast.

Preparations have begun in coastal towns throughout the north in the last two days with many residents following a well rehearsed plan to remove loose objects from yards, tie down larger items and stocking up on essentials such as food and batteries for torches.
 

Michael Palmer

Photo: Issued by the Bureau of Meterolology

Date: 20/03/2010

Townsville is the largest regional centre in North Queensland and is in fact considered the Capitol of North Queensland (even though the North is not a state in it’s own right). With a population of about 200,000 people Townsville is a bright and vibrant destination that visitors will certainly enjoy.