Tropical Low 12U - Willis Island Perspective

Willis Island update (late morning AEST): why it’s windy even though it’s not “in the centre”

Willis Island is sitting close to the tropical low, but not right in the middle of it — and that’s often where the stronger winds show up.

🔹 Current obs (around 10:30am AEST):

• Easterly winds ~60 km/h with gusts ~70–80 km/h

• Pressure around 1005 hPa

• Rain coming and going in bursts (radar shows bands wrapping around the island)

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🌪️ Why stronger winds away from the centre?The very centre of a broad tropical low can be messy and sometimes relatively calmer, while the tightest pressure gradient + squally rain bands sit offset from the middle — that’s where Willis is right now, so the wind gets “squeezed up” and gustier.

⛈️ Next few hours:Expect pulses of showers/storms rotating through. When a heavier band moves over, winds can spike quickly, then ease again between bands.