Cyclone Monica, or Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica is currently, as of writing around 80km North of Elcho Island, Northern Territory, Australia. She is reportedly one of the strongest cyclones on record and some unoffical preliminary data suggested that the cyclone could've produced one of the lowest, non-tornadic central pressures recorded on Earth. She is currently a Category 5 on both the Australian Scale and the SSHS making her an amazingly powerful storm system. Currently her winds are sustained at 290km/h with gusts estimated to be at the 350km/h mark.

Monica was first issued a warning from the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre located in Brisbane on Monday, April 17th, the system began to make a westardly track reaching Category 3 intensity on the Australian Scale on April 18th. The cyclone crossed the northern part of Queensland on the 19th weakening very little causing torrential rain and flooding in many parts. Cairns broke its April rainfall record of 550mm (21.7 Inches) due to the flooding caused by this storm.

Monica then moved off the Cape York Peninsula on April 20th and reformed southwest of Aurukun. As it travelled across the Gulf of Carpentaria it became the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide this year.

Monica struck many small islands which are sparsely populated and no major damage or fatalities are yet reported. She is moving in a general west-southwest direction and is estimated to affect the capital city of the Northern Territory, Darwin tomorrow or the day after. Due to this the Darwin RSL cancelled all ANZAC Day services to ensure the safety of all participants and visitors.

It is estimated that Monica will hit Darwin or at least come very close to striking the capital, The area was last demolished by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Day, 1974.

It is worth noting that this cyclone also seems to have developed the shape and organization on an Annular Hurricane, This is one factor that allowed it to keep its high intensity for over a day

It is advisable that if you are in the path of this Cyclone that you prepare yourselves and take note of all warnings issued.

Current Postion and Statistical Information taken from Wikipedia

Update:

It appears that Monica did as expected and shortly after crossing the coast of the northeast Northern Territory, she quickly weakened and moved west, just passing north of Darwin as a Tropical Low.

As of writing, she isn't expected to re-intensify but it is always a possibility.it is expected to continue on a general southward track as a Tropical Low close to the coast of Western Australia, on that track she is expected to deepen slightly to 995hPa (mbar).

Yet there is still a chance that the low could move southwest, entering the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. If this does occur, the low could then re-intensify into a cyclone as the low moves into more favourable conditions for development. If this happens then expect heavy rain and gales with gusts up to 110km/h.