Tropical Cyclone Narelle: how did global heating fuel one of Queensland’s most severe storms in years?

Satellite view of Tropical Cyclone Narelle as it moves toward the Queensland coast, as of 3.50pm AEDT on 19 March. Narelle is forecast to make landfall early on Friday morning as a category five system at around the time of a high tide. Photograph: Bureau of Meteorology

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle was forecast to be one of the most destructive storms to hit the north Queensland coast in recent memory.

With the storm hitting the coast on Friday morning, climate experts say global heating has likely helped fuel the system.