Intense Cyclone Yasi has strengthened and looks certain to be the most damaging Australian cyclone since cyclone Larry in March 2006, according to Tropical Storm Risk
(TSR). Yasi may also become the second most damaging Australian tropical cyclone on record after cyclone Tracy which struck Darwin in 1974.
– Yasi is forecast to strike northeast Queensland about 25 miles south of Cairns at about 15.00 GMT tomorrow 2nd February.
– Windspeeds at landfall are expected to be 130-140mph for 1-min sustained winds and 165-175 mph for maximum gusts.
– The current likelihoods that Innisfail, Cairns, Tully and Port Douglas will be affected by 1-min sustained winds of at least hurricane strength are 90%, 90%, 90% and 65% respectively.
– The most likely forecast windfield for Yasi as modelled by TSR (Tropical Storm Risk) is illustrated in the attached image. This shows that sustained winds of hurricane Cat 1 strength and above will affect a coastal extent of about 100 miles.
