Many Australians live in regions affected by tropical cyclones and it’s critical they have access to the latest information and warnings about these dangerous severe weather events.
During the cyclone season, the Bureau of Meteorology keeps a 24-hour watch on developing tropical weather systems. We keep the public informed through our weather forecasts and warnings which are issued via our website and the media.
When a cyclone forms, or is expected to form, we produce a tropical cyclone forecast track map. This shows important information about the cyclone's movements and its potential impacts, to help you make the best decisions for you and your family before, during, and after the cyclone.
So let’s take a look at how these track maps come together.
The first step is tracking where the cyclone has been and how strong it is. The number in the centre of the cyclone symbol is the intensity category of the cyclone. The higher the number, the stronger the intensity with category 5 being the most severe. Coloured circles show where the strongest winds are including the size of the cyclone's destructive core.
The next step is to assess where the cyclone may go and estimate its likely intensity and time of arrival at various locations.
The dark line shows the cyclone’s most likely path. Either side of this line the grey zone shows where the cyclone centre could be in the next 72 hours. It is important to be well prepared for any sudden change in the cyclone’s predicted path.
Finally, the track map also includes wind warnings for nearby areas.
The darker orange shading shows the warning area that might experience gale force or destructive winds within the next 24 hours. The lighter orange shading shows the watch area where gale force or destructive winds might occur within the next 24 to 48 hours.
To stay safe during the cyclone season keep a watch on the Bureau’s website. You can access the track maps through the cyclone page or the mobile website. And keep a watch on the warnings page too, so that you always have the latest information.
During the cyclone season, the Bureau of Meteorology keeps a 24-hour watch on developing tropical weather systems. We keep the public informed through our weather forecasts and warnings which are issued via our website and the media.
When a cyclone forms, or is expected to form, we produce a tropical cyclone forecast track map. This shows important information about the cyclone's movements and its potential impacts, to help you make the best decisions for you and your family before, during, and after the cyclone.
So let’s take a look at how these track maps come together.
The first step is tracking where the cyclone has been and how strong it is. The number in the centre of the cyclone symbol is the intensity category of the cyclone. The higher the number, the stronger the intensity with category 5 being the most severe. Coloured circles show where the strongest winds are including the size of the cyclone's destructive core.
The next step is to assess where the cyclone may go and estimate its likely intensity and time of arrival at various locations.
The dark line shows the cyclone’s most likely path. Either side of this line the grey zone shows where the cyclone centre could be in the next 72 hours. It is important to be well prepared for any sudden change in the cyclone’s predicted path.
Finally, the track map also includes wind warnings for nearby areas.
The darker orange shading shows the warning area that might experience gale force or destructive winds within the next 24 hours. The lighter orange shading shows the watch area where gale force or destructive winds might occur within the next 24 to 48 hours.
To stay safe during the cyclone season keep a watch on the Bureau’s website. You can access the track maps through the cyclone page or the mobile website. And keep a watch on the warnings page too, so that you always have the latest information.
Understanding tropical cyclone forecast track maps (QLD)
This video provides information about the movement and intensity of a tropical cyclone, as well as showing the areas likely to experience its effects.