Severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor makes 1st of 2 landfalls as a dangerous cyclone in Australia

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor made landfall on the Cape York Peninsula on Tuesday and is expected to plow westward into the Gulf of Carpentaria, threatening parts of the Northern Territory later this week.

Trevor quickly strengthened into a Category 3 tropical cyclone by Monday night with winds equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane in the Atlantic and northern Pacific oceans.

Trevor maintained its strength on Tuesday as it made landfall just south of the town of Lockhart River at 4:55 p.m. local time on Tuesday as a Category 3 tropical cyclone.

Lockhart River reported a peak wind gust of 133 km/h (83 mph) as the storm made landfall. Rainfall in excess of 150 mm (6 inches) was reported in 12 hours in the town.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding to a large swath of the Cape York Peninsula as it slowly tracks westward into Thursday.

Torrential rainfall of 150-300 mm (6-12 inches) can lead to significant flash flooding, including along northern parts of Queensland State Route 81 (Peninsula Development Road). An Accuweather Local StormMax™ of 450 mm (18 inches) may occur in the hardest-hit locations.

Satellite image showing Tropical Cyclone Trevor tracking over the Cape York Peninsula Tuesday night, local time. Courtesy of the Australia Bureau of Meteorology.

"Wind damage will also be a concern along and south of Trevor's track," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.

This will put locations such as Coen, Archer River and Aurukun at risk for tree and home damage as well as prolonged power cuts.

After affecting the Cape York Peninsula, Trevor is expected to enter the Gulf of Carpentaria Wednesday afternoon before targeting northeastern parts of the Northern Territory with flooding rain and strong winds from late Friday into this weekend.

Trevor is expected to strengthen significantly once in the Gulf of Carpentaria, reaching Category 4 strength (equivalent to a Category 3 or 4 hurricane). The potential exists for Trevor to reach Category 5 strength prior to reaching the coast of Northern Territory.

Seas will begin to lessen along the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula on Wednesday while rough surf and seas build across the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria. As Trevor strengthens over the Gulf of Carpentaria, seas will become increasingly dangerous from Thursday into Friday.

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Australia Weather Center

People in locations from Nhulubuy to the Pellet Islands should closely monitor the track of Trevor in the coming days and make preparations ahead of the storm's arrival.

Conditions will deteriorate late Friday into Friday night as the dangerous tropical cyclone approaches the coast of Northern Territory.

Landfall is most likely to occur on Saturday as Trevor remains a large and life-threatening tropical cyclone.

Impacts ranging from storm surge flooding to damaging winds, flooding, power cuts and travel shutdowns are all possible from Friday night into Sunday.

A continued track toward the southwest will take Trevor inland across northern parts of the Northern Territory this weekend, causing the storm to weaken dramatically. However, flooding rainfall and mudslides will remain concerns.

Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone Vernoica has formed to the north of Western Australia and is projected to strengthen in the coming days.

A track toward the south is possible which would bring the risk for flooding and damaging winds to areas from Karratha to Exmouth as early as Saturday.

Download the free AccuWeather app to remain aware of the latest track of this cyclone and any threats to your community.