Nervous wait for Australian island as swirling storm threatens coast
Norfolk Island residents are closely watching a tropical storm off the coast that threatens to develop into a cyclone.
But it's not the only cyclone brewing in Australian waters.
Forecasters are also waiting to see if a tropical low sitting over the remote Cocos Islands, off the country's west coast, threatens to develop into a cyclone.
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Weatherzone released this picture, saying three tropical cyclones could form off Australia by mid-week. Weatherzone
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That system is still up in the air, but Weatherzone said the tropical low sitting off the country's east coast is "likely" to develop into a cyclone over "the next day or so".
If it does it would either be named Cyclone Gabriel or Cyclone Herman, depending on weather the Cocos Islands low beats it to the punch.
The low is currently tracking southwards.
Projections show the storm could sit directly over Norfolk Island, which sits in the South Pacific Ocean, on Saturday.
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The image above shows the intensity of low pressure centred almost directly on Norfolk Island, which is projected to occur Saturday night, February 11. Weatherzone
The Bureau of Meteorology's cyclone track map shows the tropical low tracking southwards towards Norfolk Island. Bureau of Meteorology
"It shows the intensity of low pressure centered almost directly on Norfolk Island, as projected for this coming Saturday night, February 11," Weathezone said.
"That means it (the island) could be facing a Category 2 tropical cyclone, with sustained wind speeds of 89 to 117 km/h, and typical gusts over open flat land or seas of 125 to 164 km/h."
The prediction come after another tropical low, sitting off Western Australia's north-west corner, developed into Tropical Cyclone Freddy on Monday.
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Day/night satellite, lightning and modelled wind streamlines at 5:50am AWST on Tuesday, showing the location of tropical cyclone Freddy to the north of WA. Weatherzone
Freddy poses no threat to the mainland.
The country is currently in the midst of its tropical cyclone season, which typically runs from November to April.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) revealed the names to be used for the tropical cyclone season late last year.
The first cab off the rank was Darian, followed by Ellie, which was downgraded into an ex-tropical cyclone hours after making landfall but caused extensive flooding throughout Western Australia.
Freddy formed this week.
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Fitzroy Crossing Bridge sustained significant damage in the floods caused by ex-tropical cyclone Ellie. 9News
Gabrielle, Herman, Ilsa, Jasper, Kirrily, Lincoln and Megan are still to be used.
The BoM has warned more storms than average are expected this season, as Australia is in the grips of a La Niña event.
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