Understanding the Rapid Intensification of Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia
Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia strengthened from category 1 to category 5 in just over 24 hours, driven by warm ocean waters and limited movement due to competing atmospheric ridges. It poses severe weather risks including intense winds and flooding as it approaches the Pilbara coast, expected to make landfall soon.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia has rapidly intensified from a category 1 to a category 5 cyclone in just over 24 hours as it approaches Western Australia’s Pilbara coast. This significant strengthening is attributed to several factors, primarily the extraordinary warmth of the ocean waters beneath the cyclone and its limited movement over the past couple of days.
Tropical cyclones typically require sea surface temperatures of at least 26.5°C to form. However, the waters beneath Zelia have reached temperatures of 30 to 31°C, with even higher readings of over 32°C closer to the coast. This extreme warmth has provided ample energy for the cyclone to strengthen and maintain its intensity as it approaches land.
Moreover, Zelia’s slow movement has contributed to its rapid intensification. Influences from two atmospheric ridges have constrained Zelia’s movement, resulting in it hovering approximately 140 km north of Port Hedland. The competition between these ridges has caused limited directional movement, allowing for prolonged exposure to conducive environmental conditions.
As Zelia embarks on its journey south-southeast, it is expected to land on the Pilbara coast on Friday afternoon. The anticipated conditions during landfall include potentially catastrophic winds gusting up to 190 km/h, along with heavy rainfall and a storm surge causing severe flooding.
Post-landfall, while Zelia is projected to weaken rapidly, it will still bring heavy rain and damaging winds to the inland areas of the Pilbara. The rapid intensification of Zelia is a compelling illustration of the interplay between warm ocean waters and atmospheric conditions in the development of severe weather systems.
In summary, Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia has displayed remarkable rapid intensification due to exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures and its limited movement resulting from atmospheric conditions. As it approaches land, it poses significant risks, including destructive winds and flooding. This cyclone exemplifies how regional environmental factors can drastically influence cyclone intensity and behavior.
Original Source: www.weatherzone.com.au
