North Queensland is on high alert this morning, with heavy rain and gale force winds set to batter communities as Tropical Cyclone Niran intensifies off the coast. It's expected to strengthen to a Category 3 system: http://9Soci.al/U5ff30rz6Ia #9News | Weeknights at 5.30pm | 9 News Gold Coast

🌀When Tropical Cyclone Niran passed New Caledonia🌀 Tropical Cyclone Niran skirted the south coast of New Caledonia yesterday evening. The system was a category 5 cyclone when it reached the western tip of the country, although it did weaken slightly as it moved east. When it passed Tontouta Airport the pressure dropped 25hPa in 4 hours, and wind speeds reached 74kph. There have also been reports of gusts exceeding 200kph elsewhere ripping roofs off and causing extensive damage. Niran is now a

A cyclone warning is officially in place in Far North Queensland, with a tropical low intensifying to form Tropical Cyclone Niran. But it doesn’t appear to be posing a major threat so far, with the category 1 storm moving slowly northeast and away from the coast. More weather: https://7news.com.au/news/weather | 7NEWS Brisbane