Understanding cyclones

Cyclone season

The cyclone season occurs each year from November to April.  Living in the tropics carried with it the responsibility of being prepared.  Residents and visitors should be aware of what this entails.

Cyclone categories

There are are five cyclone categories - 1-5 with five being the strongest.

Cyclone watch

The Bureau of Meteorology issues a Cyclone Watch 48 hours before a cyclone's predicted landfall. Information is updated every six hours.

From information released, make sure you understand where the cyclone is, what its movements are, how strong it is and what areas that could be affected by it.

Cyclone warning

It is important to know what is expected. A Cyclone Warning will tell you where the Cyclone is, what its movements are, how strong it is and predict the areas that are being threatened.

Forecasts of heavy rainfall, flooding and storm surge associated with abnormally high tides are included where necessary. Residents and visitors to Cairns should take immediate precautions necessary to safeguard their lives and property.

A Cyclone Warning is renewed every three hours with hourly warnings issued if the cyclone moves close to the coast and poses a major threat.