Cyclone Alert Stage 3 declared

11 Feb 2025 / Pilbara/Kimberley coast, Australia

The ports of Port Hedland and Port Walcott have declared Cyclone Alert Stage 3 - Clear Port, as Tropical low 18U is likely to impact the east Pilbara or west Kimberley coast as a severe tropical cyclone later this week.

Barrow Island is at ‘Monitor’ stage. Dampier, Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Onslow and Varanus Island are at Stage 2 – Prepare.

At this stage, the shipping operations will continue as planned. Adjustments will be made based on prevalent and expected weather conditions associated with the tropical system.

The weather forecasts will continue to be monitored and further advice will be issued.

Tropical Low 18U is currently northwest of Broome and expected to move south and slowly develop over the next few days. It seems likely that it will impact the east Pilbara or west Kimberley coast as a severe tropical cyclone later this week.

Gales with damaging wind gusts to 100km per hour may develop along the coast between Beagle Bay and Whim Creek later Wednesday or Thursday.

Destructive wind gusts of up to 140km per hour may develop between Bidyadanga and Port Hedland during Thursday as 18U moves closer to the coast.

Locally heavy rainfalls may develop along the coast between Cape Leveque and Port Hedland during Wednesday or Thursday.

Abnormally high tides are possible between Cape Leveque and Port Hedland on Wednesday but sea levels should not exceed the highest tide of the year. Higher tides may occur as the system nears the coast.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.