An area of disturbed weather between Indonesia and northern Australia couldbecome a tropical cyclone by this weekend.A weak area of low pressure not far from Darwin, Australia, is becoming betterorganized. Rainfall from the system has already soaked Darwin and nearby areas.
The latest water temperature near Darwin is a sweltering 90 degrees. Water thiswarm is like high octane gasoline to tropical systems.
The storm is expected to strengthen but move away from Darwin. Cities like PortHedland and Derby could eventually be affected by the system.
The system also poses a threat to oil and natural gas production. It isforecast to move through the heat of the oil fields, perhaps leading to theevacuation of offshore oil rigs.
It is not all bad news. Northwestern Australia has been very dry and hot inrecent weeks, so rainfall will be welcome. However, tropical systems canproduce so much rain that flooding is possible even in drought-plagued areas.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Forecaster Dave Samuhel
