Tropical Low 10U



Track map of a Tropical Low in the Australian region off the north coast of Western Australia, 21/01/2021, image from JTWC.
Track map of a Tropical Low in the Australian region off the north coast of Western Australia, 21/01/2021, image from JTWC.

A Tropical Low pressure system developed in the Indian Ocean off the north Western Australia coast near the Cocos Islands on 21-23 January 2021. The tropical low pressure system (10U) did not develop into a cyclone. 

 

Details of Tropical Low at 3:30 am CCT 22 January 2021:

Intensity: Tropical Low, sustained winds near the centre of 75 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 100 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 35 kilometres of 13.1 degrees South 97.6 degrees East, estimated to be 130 kilometres southeast of Cocos Island.

Movement: south southeast at 7 kilometres per hour.

Tropical low (10U) is moving slowly south southeast, away from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Even though it is yet to develop into a tropical cyclone, it has still been producing gale force winds over the islands. These conditions are set to continue on Friday, although with a gradual easing trend during the day.

Hazards:

Damaging winds with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour are expected to continue during Friday morning over Cocos (Keeling) Islands, even though the system is unlikely to develop significantly in this time. Winds are expected to ease below gale force during Friday afternoon.

The heaviest rainfall has eased over Cocos (Keeling) Islands for now, however further heavy falls are possible from thunderstorms today and over the weekend.

Rough to very rough seas will persist today, before gradually easing in the evening. A storm tide may cause flooding of low-lying areas and strong currents in the lagoon.

   

Details adapted from www.bom.gov.au


Colourised satellite image showing Tropical Low 10U off the north Western Australia coast 21 January 2021. Image from JMA.
Colourised satellite image showing Tropical Low 10U off the north Western Australia coast 21 January 2021. Image from JMA.