Tropical Cyclone Ola in the Eastern Coral Sea 

Tropical Cyclone Ola has developed in the East Coral Sea.
Tropical Cyclone Ola has developed in the East Coral Sea. Image from http://www.met.gov.fj.

Updated 4 February 2015

Tropcal Cyclone Ola was downgraded to a tropical low and did not enter the Australian region as a cyclone. Ex-tropical cyclone Ola brought large waves and higher than normal sea levels to the South East of Queensland.


Updated 2 February 2015 SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE OLA 09F CATEGORY 3 CENTRE [960HPA] WAS LOCATED NEAR 22.9S 161.7E AT 020000 UTC. POSITION POOR BASED ON HRGMS VIS AND EIR IMAGERY AND PERIPHERAL SURFACE REPORTS. CYCLONE MOVING SOUTH AT ABOUT 08 KNOTS. MAXIMUM 10-MINUTE AVERAGE WINDS NEAR THE CENTRE ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 75 KNOTS.

Severe tropical cyclone Ola, category 3, is located east of the Eastern Region approximately 400km west-southwest of New Caledonia. Ola is currently moving ina southward direction and weakening.Ola is forecast to move in a south-southwesterly direction for the next 24-48 hours and may enter the Eastern Region late on Tuesday or on Wednesday, though by that time it is more likely to be an extra-tropical low than a tropical cyclone. The remnants of Ola will have no direct impact on the Queensland coast, although it may increase swell about the southern coast late in the week. From www.bom.gov.au.

Tide levels at the Gold Coast during passage of TC Ola. Image from: www.qld.gov.au/tides
Tide levels at the Gold Coast during passage of TC Ola. Image from: www.qld.gov.au/tides
Waves off the east coast of Queensland during TC Ola. Image from www.qld.gov.au/waves
Waves off the east coast of Queensland during TC Ola. Image from www.qld.gov.au/waves