Tropical Cyclone 06S Near Western Australia
19.3S 112.5EDuring 26 December, TCWC Perth started to monitor a weak tropical low that had developed about 1,265 km (785 mi) to the southeast of Jakarta, Indonesia. Over the next couple of days the low moved towards the south-southwest and gradually developed further before the JTWC declared it Tropical Cyclone 06S on 28 December.
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell (TC 06S), located approximately 365 nm north- northwest of Learmonth, Australia, has tracked southward at 07 knots over the past six hours. Maximum significant wave height is 12 feet.
Animated infrared satellite imagery depicts a consolidating low-level circulation center (LLCC) with tightly-curved deep convective banding wrapping into the system. The deep convective banding is located primarily over the southern and western semi-circles with shallow banding elsewhere.
The initial intensity is assessed at 40 knots, which is slightly lower than the Dvorak estimates of 45 knots, based on the recent weakening of core convection evidenced by warming cloud top temperatures over the past few hours. There is good confidence in the initial position and recent track motion. Mitchell is located within a favorable environment with good poleward outflow enhanced by an upper-low over southwest Australia.
The system is forecast to continue tracking south-southwestward through tau 48 along the western periphery of the subtropical ridge. TC 06S is forecast to intensify through TAU 12 due to continued favorable conditions. However, the system is expected to weaken rapidly as it tracks south of 20S due to cooler SSTs (24 to 26ºC). Mitchell is expected to dissipate by TAU 48.