Cyclone for Queensland

80% of the state is in drought – and now a cyclone

Cyclone Gillian looms off Queensland

Tropical cyclone Gillian has just been named as a category one system just north-west of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

While the Gulf of Carpentaria is small, it's a fertile breeding ground for cyclones-- meaning a system can get quite strong if it manages to avoid land during its formative stages. And that seems to be the scenario with Cyclone GILLIAN. The latest BoM forecast now has the storm moving S and staying offshore of the Cape York Peninsula for the next few days. This could allow it to eventually strengthen into a Severe Tropical Cyclone. Mornington Island-- at the bottom of the Gulf-- should be on the lookout for possible hurricane winds by midweek. Meanwhile, the Tropical Low in the Coral Sea refuses to impress.