According to the latest storm news from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Typhoon Mitchell - the predecessor of the low pressure in Northern Territory - reached Category 1 hurricane intensity according to the storm scale in Australia.
The storm is moving along the Pilbara coast of Western Australia, in a west-southwest direction at a speed of about 19 km/h. The highest sea waves recorded around the center of the low pressure reached 6.4 m.
It is forecast that the storm may make landfall in the area between Karratha and Exmouth by the end of Sunday, February 9, with a Category 2 storm intensity, even not excluding the possibility of strengthening to Category 3 if moving slowly and maintaining in warmer waters for longer.
JTWC assesses that Typhoon Mitchell is in a rapidly strengthening phase. In the next 12 hours, the system may strengthen with winds of about 100 km/h. In the next 36 hours, the typhoon is likely to reach an intensity of about 150 km/h thanks to favorable environmental conditions.
After entering the mainland, the storm continued to move in a south-southeast direction and gradually weakened as it went deep into the southwest of Western Australia.
Many warnings of storms, heavy rain and floods have been issued for the Pilbara and northern inland areas. gusts can reach 150 km/h, accompanied by heavy rain, rough seas and the risk of storm surges in coastal areas such as Port Hedland, Karratha, Onslow, Dampier and Wickham.
Faced with the development of the tropical depression strengthening into Typhoon Mitchell, tourists planning to visit or travel through Western Australia, especially coastal tourist destinations Pilbara, Exmouth and Karratha, need to closely monitor the latest weather forecasts and storm warnings.
Limit participation in sea tourism, diving, island tours, and yachts during the storm. Domestic flights, ships and road vehicles in Western Australia may be disrupted due to strong winds and heavy rain.
Meanwhile, in the East Sea, the low pressure area from Typhoon Penha weakened, affecting some sea areas near the mainland Philippines.
Due to the influence of cold air, the Gulf of Tonkin from 07.02 Northeast wind level 5-6, strong at night level 6-7, gusts 8-9, waves 2.0-3.0m high, strong rough seas.
Northern East Sea (Hoang Sa): from near morning 07. 02 wind level 6-7, northeast at times level 8, gusts 9-10, waves 4.0-6.0m high, strong rough seas.
From South Quang Tri to Dak Lak and southern sea areas: Northeast wind level 6-7, gusts 7-9, strong rough seas.
Strong winds and big waves affect ship operations at sea.
