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The Moderate Imaging Resolution Spectroradiometer, or MODIS instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Olga on January 27 at 4:40 UTC (1:00 p.m. Australia/Darwin Time) as it was tracking from Queensland to the Northern Territory. Tropical Storm Olga is forecast to move slowly off-shore later today, where it may reach hurricane strength.
A Cyclone Warning remains in effect for the coastal and island communities from Cape Shield in the Northern Territory to Burketown in Queensland, including Groote Eylandt and Mornington Island. A Cyclone Watch is still in effect for coastal and island communities from Burketown to Kowanyama in Queensland. Recent animated multispectral satellite and composite radar imagery from Mornington Island in Queensland suggest that the low-level circulation center is still over land, and hasn't exited into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Borroloola, the nearest reporting station to Olga's center, reported a sea level pressure at 994.1 millibars, which generally supports at least a 39 mph (35 knot) circulation. That's tropical storm strength.
Gusty winds between the Northern Territory and Queensland border are expected today, along with heavy rains, possible flooding of small streams and low-lying areas and abnormally high tides between Bing Bong in the Northern Territory and Burketown in Queensland today. Olga is forecast to turn north and enter the Gulf, where it will strengthen and then move back toward the east. Low wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures, ranging from 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit (28 -30 Celsius) will allow for intensification in the next two days before Olga makes another landfall near the Queensland border on Friday. (Credit: Rob Gutro, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center)