Cyclones Bears Down on Australia

SYDNEY - Hundreds of people yesterday began evacuating resort islands off Australia's east coast - a popular holiday destination, including for Singaporeans - as officials braced for a powerful cyclone packing winds of up to 168 kilometres an hour.

About 300 people were being ferried from the Great Barrier Reef Islands of Heron and Lady Elliott, north of Brisbane, with the Tropical Cyclone Ului about 1,2oo km offshore and likely to make landfall on Saturday or Sunday. Residents along the Queensland coast meanwhile have been urged to prepare by stocking up on non-perishable foods, water and medication.

"Cyclones by their very nature are very unpredictable weather patterns," Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh warned.

Cyclone Ului - which has already brought strong winds and rough seas to the Queensland coast - was moving slowly but haeding towards the mainland.

Bureau of Meteorology regional director Robbie Medlin said: "At this stage we are not certain of where the cyclone may impact if it does hit, which makes it virtually important that everyone is prepared for thr possibility of impact."

Conditions would worsen as the cyclone - currently at the second highest level of category four - approached, a bureau spokesman said. "It it not a weak system, at this stage it is very severe tropical cyclone and it has brought 90-knot winds close to the centre." The cyclone follows heavy rains and flooding in Queensland.

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Singapore's Climate Changes

I sure we all can sense that the climate in Singapore are now starting to face a sudden changes. From the hottest February to a sudden cooling March. Rainfalls has been pouring since morning all the way till night.

The sudden temperature drop caused the whole country to be in a damp, 'freezing' area. But soon in May/June, or even before that, I'm sure temperature is going to rise drastically again.

Particularly this year, weather temperature has been changing drastically that no Singaporean can ever accept it. The February heat has caused over 90 cases of fire, mostly in forests. Now, the raindrop has been heavy on us. I guess this could be a Frontal Rain. Clothes in this weather are hard to get it dry after getting it out from the washing machine.

For people who are driving, do be careful on the road. With such rain, multiples accidents could occur. For pedestrian, even if you may be wearing shoes with rough soles, but still do be careful of the slippery and the heavy rain, a drop of raindrop can be quite 'heavy'. Rain like this will still be like this for the next few days. Don't forget your umbrella!

If, I'm saying 'If ', the weather temperature hasn't rise in April/May; the temperature is still the same, or even worse, it dropped, I really don't wish for a hailstorms. But possibility of a hailstorms in Singapore is 0.01% or even purely 0%, do not worry. Anyway, do be careful on the road!

Weather & Natural Disaster Blogger, Cruyff