Warning of four cyclones in 10 days

In fact, as many as three cyclones could form in Australian waters this week and a possible fourth is in the offing during the next days as the monsoon reforms over the country’s north.

At around 8pm, WA time (11pm AEDT), the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that Tropical Cyclone Freddy had developed off the coast of Western Australia, 720km north west of Broome.

Freddy is currently a category 1 system with winds near the centre of 75km/h and gusts of more than 100 km/h.

It’s expected to intensify to a category 3 cyclone storm by Thursday.

However, its distance from the WA coast suggests it won’t pose a threat to WA communities. Indeed Broome is looking sunny and dry for this week with highs of 34C. But it could become windy further south as the week goes on in places like Carnarvon and Geraldton.

“It’s been a quiet cyclone season so far, but we could have three tropical cyclones active at the same time over the next few days,” Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe said.

Three further cyclones possible within 10 days

The second and third cyclones could be off the Queensland coast and in the Indian Ocean respectively.

“Then there is likely to be a monsoon developing at the end of this week or maybe at the very start of next week over the Top End and into Tropical Queensland.

“A tropical low could form in this as well which a fourth tropical cyclone could be within probably the next 10 days,” said Mr Sharpe.

If the three subsequent weather systems all reach cyclone force they will be known as Gabrielle, Herman and Ilsa depending on the order in which they form.

Australia gets naming rights of cyclones that spring to life in its territorial waters.

As one of the tropical lows strengthens this week, Queensland will see some showers along the coast with some severe thunderstorms inland.

Midweek, those coastal showers should ease for most parts but contract further north.

The low could become a cyclone on Thursday.

“All the forecast models are taking it further away and south-eastwards as we had towards Friday and the weekend,” said Mr Sharpe.

“It’s quite unlikely that this system will make landfall, but it’s still going to have an impact on our coastline.”

And that impact could include large and dangerous waves and swell along the coast of Queensland and northern New South Wales.

While it’s still too early to say, its possible people will be advised to avoid the ocean, particularly on the weekend.

For NSW, northern coastal areas could see some rain on Thursday and Friday. For Sydney, however the rain will be concentrated midweek with as much as 10mm on Thursday.

Norfolk Island might be more at risk from any cyclone.

Northern Australia going to get very wet over the coming days.

“There is likely to be a monsoon developing at the end of this week or maybe at the very start of next week over the Northern Territory and into Tropical Queensland,” said Mr Sharpe.

“A tropical low could form as well probably within the next 10 days so we’ll be watching this region with a keen eye.”

Aside from the odd storm, Darwin will remain mostly dry up until Thursday when the rain arrives. Up to 25mm on Thursday will then only get heavier with falls getting as high as potentially 45mm or even 75mm daily as the monsoon kicks in.

The rain could also ramp up in Cairns from Thursday with as much as 20mm in the gauge each day until round Sunday.

Elsewhere, the country is more settled. Melbourne will have a mostly sunny week which will steadily get warmer – from a high of 21C on Tuesday to 30C on Friday and into the weekend.

Mid-twenties maximums in Canberra this week, then spiking at 33C on the weekend. There will be some rain on Thursday and Friday.

Highs of 22C most days during a cloudy and dry week in Hobart but 26C is possible on Saturday.

Temperatures will be north of 30C in a sunny and bright Adelaide. Wednesday and Thursday could peak at around 34C but the mercury will head down to 25C for the weekend.

Away from the cyclone drama further north in WA, Perth will also be settled with a top of 32C on Thursday and 33C on Sunday.