Bureau of Meteorology: Tropical Cyclone Advices (Warning & Watch)

Tropical Cyclone Advices are issued whenever a tropical cyclone is expected to cause winds in excess of 62km/h (gale force) over land in Australia*. A tropical cyclone advice may be a watch and/or a warning, depending on when and where the gales are expected to develop.

• A tropical cyclone watch is issued for coastal communities when the onset of gales is expected within 48 hours, but not within 24 hours.
• A tropical cyclone warning is issued for coastal communities when the onset of gales is expected within 24 hours, or are already occurring

While the threat remains, a tropical cyclone advice will be issued every six hours, increasing to every three hours when cyclone warnings are required. In some circumstances, when a cyclone approaching the coast is under radar surveillance, the advices may be issued hourly.

Each Tropical Cyclone Advice will consist of the following information:

• The area covered by a cyclone watch and area covered by a cyclone warning
• The cyclone name
• The intensity category of the cyclone (1-weak to 5-strong)
• The latest observed location of the cyclone centre
• The central pressure of the cyclone (warning only)
• The distance of the cyclone to significant locations
• The expected or recent movement of the cyclone
• Range of destructive winds
• Maximum wind gusts
• Advisory statements on actions to be taken to mitigate the effects of the cyclone (note this is issued separately for the NT and Kimberley)
• The issue time for the next warning

All land based communities in the threat zone.
Note that separate marine warnings will be issued, and all mariners should refer to these warnings for relevant information.

Tropical Cyclone Advices are issued by Regional Offices of the Bureau of Meteorology in Brisbane, Darwin or Perth, depending on the location of the cyclone:

   Click on image for full size.
Note that Perth will also issue tropical cyclone advices for Cocos and Christmas Islands.

Tropical Cyclone Advice: (Watch and/or Warning)

Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Outlook (Provided in October)
Tropical Cyclone Outlook (Provided daily during the season)
Tropical Cyclone Information Bulletins (Issued for existing cyclones not expected to affect the coast within 48 hours)
Tropical Cyclone Technical Summary
Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map
Education Material

Return to Main Warnings Information Page

Last updated November 2006