By Renju JoseSYDNEY (Reuters) - A tropical low in the Coral Sea will likely develop into a cyclone and hit Australia's northeast later this week, the weather bureau said on Tuesday, a month after tropical Cyclone Jasper caused widespread damage across the region.
"It is intensifying and will likely reach cyclone strength overnight tonight or during Wednesday ... a coastal crossing is most likely overnight on Thursday," Laura Boekel, forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, said during a press briefing.
Heavy rain will drench regions that are already wet, significantly raising the risk of flash flooding, Boekel said.
"This could be a very widespread as well as a very long-duration event," Boekel said.
Cyclone Jasper in December left a trail of destruction in Queensland's northern regions, forcing some residents to flee their homes and cutting off towns.
Persons:
Renju Jose SYDNEY, Laura Boekel, Boekel, Renju Jose, Stephen Coates
Organizations:
Meteorology, Cyclone
Locations:
Cyclone Jasper, Queensland, Queensland's, Sydney