Tropical cyclone warning for Queensland as heatwave loses momentum in Perth, ... trends now
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The first tropical cyclone of the season has started to form off the Queensland coast while a scorching heatwave begins to lose momentum in other parts of the country.
A tropical low over Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean is expected to move westward on Monday and form into a category three cyclone as it moves closer to North Queensland on Wednesday.
The cyclone will remain off-shore but can still produce gale force winds of up to 220km/h and rainfall on land.
Strong swells and heavy showers are expected with Cairns likely to receive downpours throughout the week.
The wet conditions come as a heatwave hitting most of the nation starts to die down bringing slightly more pleasant temperatures to Queensland and Western Australia.
The first tropical cyclone of the season is expected to form off the Queensland coast while a scorching heatwave begins to lose momentum in other parts of the country (pictured, damaged road in Queensland in January with more rainfall forecast for the northern parts of the state)
The wet conditions come as a heatwave begins to die down bringing slightly more pleasant temperatures to Queensland and Western Australia
Bureau of Meteorology Senior Meteorologist Felim Hanniffy warned there would still be plenty of showers along the top half of the east coast due to the offshore cyclone.
'The trough, which is moving westwards, will shift the focal point of heavier showers and storm activity westwards over the next few days,' he told Cairns Post.
'At this stage, south easterlies will be the focal point, parts of central coast might see more in the way of enhanced rainfall but even if it remains off coast, it is likely to enhance the wind and swells.'
The Bureau issued a strong wind warning along the Mackay, Townsville, and Capricornia regions.
The tropical low will be the first to form into a cyclone in Queensland this season and will be named Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
'I think
