Cyclone Monica

Last updated

Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica originated from an area of low pressure that formed early on 16 April 2006 off the coast of Papua New Guinea. [1] The low quickly became organised, with deep convection developing over the low-pressure centre. Later that day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert as the system became increasingly organised. [2] Early the next day, the Bureau of Meteorology in Brisbane, Australia declared that the low had developed into a Category 1 cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone scale, with winds reaching 65 km/h (40 mph)10-minute sustained). [3] Upon being classified as a cyclone, the storm was given the name Monica. At the same time, the JTWC designated Monica as Tropical Cyclone 23P. [4] Monica tracked generally westward, towards Far North Queensland, in response to a low to mid-level ridge to the south. [5]

Low wind shear and good divergence in the path of the storm allowed for continued intensification as continued westward. [6] Late on 17 April, Monica intensified into a category 2 cyclone, with winds reaching 95 km/h (59 mph)10-minute sustained). [1] [3] By 1200 UTC on 18 April, the Bureau of Meteorology upgraded Monica to a severe tropical cyclone, a Category 3 on the Australian scale. [3] This followed an increase in the storm's outflow and a fluctuating central dense overcast. [7] Several hours later, the JTWC upgraded Monica to the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. [4] During the afternoon of 19 April, the storm made landfall roughly 40 km (25 mi) south-southeast of the Lockhart River with winds of 130 km/h (81 mph)10-minute sustained). [1] [3] At the same time, the JTWC assessed Monica to have intensified into a Category 2-equivalent storm with winds of 155 km/h (96 mph)1-minute sustained). [4]

Shortly after making landfall, convection associated with the storm deteriorated and the outflow became fragmented. A shortwave trough to the south caused the ridge steering Monica to weaken, leading to the cyclone moving slower. [8] After moving over land, the storm began to weaken, with the Bureau of Meteorology downgrading the storm to weaken to Category 1 cyclone [3] and the JTWC downgraded the cyclone to a tropical storm. [4] The following day, Monica moved offshore, entering the Gulf of Carpentaria. Once back over water, favourable atmospheric conditions allowed the storm to quickly intensify. [1] Within 24-hours of moving over water, Monica re-attained severe tropical cyclone status. [3] Following a shift in steering currents, the storm slowed significantly and turned north-westward. [1] [9] Steady intensification continued through 22 April as the storm remained in a region of low wind shear and favourable diffluence. [10] Early on 22 April the Bureau of Meteorology upgraded Monica to a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone, the third of the season. [1] [3] By this time, a 37 km (23 mi) wide eye had developed within the central dense overcast of the cyclone. [11] Later that day, the JTWC assessed Monica to have intensified into a Category 5-equivalent storm. [4]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica on 24 April Monica 2006-04-24 0139Z.jpg
Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica on 24 April

Cyclone Monica attained its peak intensity on 23 April near Cape Wessel with a barometric pressure 916 hPa (mbar; 27.05  inHg). Maximum winds were estimated at 250 km/h (160 mph)10-minute sustained) by the Bureau of Meteorology [1] [3] while the JTWC assessed it to have attained winds of 285 km/h (177 mph)1-minute sustained). [4] Using the Dvorak technique, the peak intensity of the cyclone was estimated at T-number of 7.5 according to the Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB), yet the Advanced Dvorak Technique of the CIMSS automatically estimated at T8.0, the highest ranking on the Dvorak Scale. [12] [13] However, since the JTWC, SAB and CIMSS are not the official warning centres for Australian cyclones, these intensities remain unofficial. [14]

On 24 April, the mid-level ridge south of Monica weakened, causing the storm to turn towards the southwest. [11] Following this, the storm made landfall in the Northern Territory, roughly 35 km (22 mi) west of Maningrida, as a Category 5 cyclone with winds of 250 km/h (160 mph)10-minute sustained). [1] Soon after making landfall, the storm weakened extremely quickly. Most of the convective activity associated with the storm dissipated within nine hours of moving onshore. This resulted in the storm's maximum winds decreasing by 155 km/h (96 mph) in a 12-hour span. [3] After this rapid weakening, the storm turned sharply west moving over the town of Jabiru as a Category 2 cyclone. Within six hours of passing this town, the Bureau of Meteorology downgraded Monica to a tropical low, as the storm was no longer producing gale-force winds. [1] The JTWC issued their final advisory on the storm at 1800 UTC that day. [15] The remnants of Monica persisted for several more days, tracking near Darwin on 25 April before turning south-east and accelerating over the Northern Territory. The remnants eventually dissipated on 28 April over central Australia. [1]

Uncertainty in peak strength

The Bureau of Meteorology uses 10-minute sustained winds, while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center uses one-minute sustained winds. [16] [17] The Bureau of Meteorology's peak intensity for Monica was 250 km/h (160 mph) 10-minute sustained, or 285 km/h (177 mph) one-minute sustained. [3] [17] The JTWC's peak intensity for Monica was 285 km/h (177 mph) one-minute sustained, or 250 km/h (160 mph) 10-minute sustained. [4] [17]

While the storm was active the Bureau of Meteorology's Darwin Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre estimated that Monica, had peaked with a minimum pressure of 905 hPa (26.72 inHg). [18] [19] However, during their post analysis of Monica, the Darwin Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre estimated using the Love-Murphy pressure-wind relationship, that the system had a minimum pressure of 916 hPa (27.05 inHg). [19] [20] However, since then the BoM has started to use the Knaff, Zehr and Courtney pressure-wind relationship, which has estimated that Monica had a minimum pressure of 905 hPa (26.72 inHg). [20] Other pressure estimates include the Joint Typhoon Warning Center's post analysis estimated pressure of 879 hPa (25.96 inHg) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Advanced Dvorak Technique which estimated a minimum pressure of 868.5 hPa (25.65 inHg). [4] [13] [21] The Advanced Dvorak Technique pressure estimate would suggest that the system was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded worldwide as the pressure is below that of the current world record holder, Typhoon Tip of 1979. [19] In 2010, Stephen Durden of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory studied Cyclone Monica's minimum pressure and suggested that the system likely peaked between 900–920 hPa (26.58–27.17 inHg) and strongly refuted claims that Monica was the strongest tropical cyclone on record. [19]

Preparations and impact

Cyclone Monica as it made landfall in Far North Queensland on 19 April Cyclone Monica 19 apr 2006 0410Z.jpg
Cyclone Monica as it made landfall in Far North Queensland on 19 April

Queensland

Upon being declared as Tropical Cyclone Monica on 17 April, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a gale warning for areas along the eastern coast of Far North Queensland and for northern New South Wales. [5] Several hours later, a cyclone warning was issued for north-eastern areas as the storm intensified. [22] An estimated 1,000 people were planned to be evacuated in Far North Queensland before officials shut down major highways in the area. Ferry services in the Great Barrier Reef and flights in and out of the region were cancelled. [23] However, no evacuations took place according to the Emergency Management in Australia. [24] An aborigine community of 700, located around the mouth of the Lockhart River, were in the direct path of the storm. The chief executive officer of the community stated that they were ready for the storm, having suffered no losses from Cyclone Ingrid which impacted the same area in 2005. [25]

Little damage was recorded in Queensland, despite Cyclone Monica being a Category 3 cyclone, as the storm impacted a sparsely populated region of the Cape York peninsula. [24] A storm surge of 1.23 m (4.0 ft) was recorded in Mossman and waves were recorded up to 4.24 m (13.9 ft) in Weipa. [26] Heavy rainfall was also associated with the storm, exceeding 400 mm (16 in) near where Monica made landfall. Wind gusts up to 109 km/h (68 mph) were recorded as the storm traversed the peninsula. [1] Officials reported about 15 percent of the structures along the Lockhart River sustained minor damage. [24] Minor coastal flooding was also reported due to Monica. [26] Three Torres Strait Islanders were rescued after 22 days drifting at sea in the wake of the cyclone passing through the Torres Strait, north of mainland Queensland. [27]

Northern Territory

Officials closed schools throughout the region in advance of the storm on 24 April and advised people to evacuate. A 10 pm curfew was also put in place to keep people off the streets during the night. [28] Local tours in the territory were postponed or cancelled due to the storm. Several flights in and out of Darwin were also cancelled, as was the Darwin Anzac Day march. [29] [30] Alcan, the world's second-largest aluminium producer, warned customers of potential interruptions to supplies on contracts from its Gove refinery. [31] Rio Tinto's Ranger Uranium Mine ceased operations on 24 April, "as a precautionary measure". [32]

Infrared satellite loop of Cyclone Monica making landfall in Northern Territory MONICA 2006 LANDFALL.gif
Infrared satellite loop of Cyclone Monica making landfall in Northern Territory

At one point, Monica was forecast to pass directly over Goulburn Island. In response, officials evacuated the island's 337 residents to shelters set up in Pine Creek. Numerous schools in the threatened region, especially in Darwin, were closed ahead of Monica's arrival. [33] Several shelters were opened in Darwin early on 24 April in anticipation of an influx of evacuees. Stores throughout the area reported increased sales for storm supplies, with some reducing prices on specific items. [34] The same day, the Darwin Returned and Services League of Australia cancelled all ANZAC Day services and marches in Darwin that were to be held the next day, to ensure the safety of prospective participants. [35]

The remnants of Monica on 26 April Cyclone Monica 26 apr 2006 0125Z.jpg
The remnants of Monica on 26 April

The Wessel Islands, located off the coast of the region, suffered significant damage from the storm. Mangrove trees were uprooted throughout the islands and sand dunes were destroyed. An outstation located on one of the islands was destroyed by the cyclone. [36] The highest 24-hour rainfall from the storm was recorded near Darwin at 340 mm (13 in). [1] A storm total for the same area was recorded at 383 mm (15.1 in), surpassing the rainfall record for the entire month of April set in 1953. [37] Although the storm made landfall at peak intensity in Australia's Northern Territory, the impacted areas were sparsely populated. Around the region where Monica made landfall, evidence of a 5–6 m (16–20 ft) storm surge was present in Junction Bay. [24]

Wind gusts up to 148 km/h (92 mph) felled power lines in Maningrida; [38] 12 homes sustained damage from fallen trees in Jabiru; and extensive damage was reported in Gunbalanya (formerly known as Oenpelli). [39] Roughly 1,000 people also lost phone service in the region. [33] Several highways were blocked by fallen trees throughout the area. [24] A resort in Jabiru sustained significant damage and was closed for two weeks following the storm. [29] Insured damages to the national parks amounted to A$1.6 million (US$766,000). [40] According to the Northern Territory Insurance Office, structural damage from Cyclone Monica amounted to A$5 million (US$4.4 million). [41]

The remnants of Monica produced significant rainfall over parts of the Northern Territory several days after the system weakened below cyclone status. Flash flooding was reported throughout the Adelaide River basin as up to 261 mm (10.3 in) of rain fell in a 24-hour span. [1] On 26 April, the remnants of Monica spawned a small tornado near Channel Point; several mangrove trees were snapped and branches were thrown to nearby beaches. [42]

Environmental impacts

The cyclone's violent winds defoliated and downed thousands of trees across Junction Bay, near where Monica made landfall. Cyclone Monica deforestation.jpg
The cyclone's violent winds defoliated and downed thousands of trees across Junction Bay, near where Monica made landfall.

The full-force of Monica's estimated 360 km/h (220 mph) wind gusts were felt in the unpopulated tropical savanna regions of northern Australia. A large-scale windthrow event affected approximately 10,400 km2 (4,000 sq mi) of forest, resulting in the damage or destruction of 140 million trees. Damage extended 60–70 km (37–43 mi) north and south of Monica's centre and progressed 200 km (120 mi) inland. The affected areas primarily consist of Eucalyptus (namely E. miniata and E. tetrodonta ) and Corymbia (namely C. dichromophloia , C. latifolia , and C. foelscheana ) tree species. Common grasses in the savanna area include Triodia bitextura and Sorghum . Areas near the cyclone's landfall point—Junction Bay—also comprise wetlands and Melaleuca swamp forests. The heaviest damage occurred just east of the landfall point, with more than 85 percent of vegetation severely damaged; it spanned 139 km2 (54 sq mi). [43] In this area, trees were completely defoliated, snapped, and/or uprooted. Within 22 km (14 mi) of Junction Bay, 77 percent of all trees were uprooted or snapped at the trunk, while 84 percent suffered total defoliation. In the Melaleuca swamps, 60 percent of trees were snapped or uprooted once wind gusts exceeded 144 km/h (89 mph). [38] Approximately 12.7 million tonnes of vegetative debris was created by the storm. [43]

The Goomadeer River catchment, which flows into Junction Bay, was entirely denuded. The prolific loss of trees led to hydrologic changes in the region, with flood events likely becoming more severe as groundwater flow increased. [38] Farther southwest, the Magela Creek catchment in Kakadu National Park suffered a direct hit from the weakening cyclone. Gusts up to 135 km/h (84 mph) impacted the Ngarradj sub-catchment, destroying 42 percent of the tree canopy cover. Long-term losses in the sub-catchment reached 23 percent. Less rainfall than would normally be expected with such a storm lessened tree loss in the area, with soils largely not becoming saturated enough to allow trees to topple over. [44] The large amount of debris left behind contained approximately 51–60 million tonnes of greenhouse gases—primarily carbon dioxide—or roughly 10 percent of Australia's annual anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. [43] [38] With Monica occurring just before the onset of the dry season, widespread brushfires were anticipated in the affected regions owing to the large amount of kindling. However, analysis of satellite imagery revealed only slightly above-average fire activity in the months following the cyclone. [43]

Recovery

Within weeks of the storm, the Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee began planting seedlings in deforested areas. By August 2006, a review of the growth of the new plants found that 81% to 88% of the seeds had survived and begun growing. To fully restore the South Alligator valley, environmentalists requested A$7.4 million (US$6.6 million) in funds. [45] In a study at Magela Creek a year after the storm, it was determined that between 8% and 19% of the tree canopy lost due to the storm had begun to recover. [44] Additional studies at the Gulungul Creek and the Alligator Rivers region revealed that suspended sediment values in flowing water had temporarily increased in the wake of Monica. The above-average values persisted for roughly a year before the streams returned to pre-cyclone sediment levels. [46] In a study of the Arnhem forests which were devastated by the cyclone, environmentalists reported that it would take over 100 years for the forest to recover. The storm's winds snapped numerous trees, estimated to have been over 200 years old and more than 60 cm (23.5 in) in diameter. It is estimated that it would take several hundred years before trees of similar sizes would flourish in the region. [47]

Aftermath

The Queensland Government State Disaster Management Group dispatched relief helicopters to remote communities for evacuation of people in flood zones and transport of relief workers. [24] Relief efforts were already underway in relation to Cyclone Larry which caused significant damage in Queensland. The Government of Australia assisted affected business by providing disaster loans up to A$25,000 for severely impacted areas and A$10,000 for less affected areas. Farmers were also provided with up to $200,000 in loans over a period of nine years. [48] Following the impacts in the Northern Territory, two cleanup teams were dispatched from Darwin to assist in cleanup efforts in the hardest hit regions. [24] Despite the minimal damage caused by Monica, the name was retired from the circulating lists of tropical cyclone names for the Australian Region. [49]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1997–98 Australian region cyclone season</span>

The 1997–98 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly below average tropical cyclone season. It ran from 1 November 1997 to 30 April 1998. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a tropical cyclone year separately from a tropical cyclone season, and the "tropical cyclone year" ran from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005–06 Australian region cyclone season</span> Tropical cyclone season

The 2005–06 Australian region cyclone season was an above average tropical cyclone season. It began on 1 November 2005 and ended on 30 April 2006. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a tropical cyclone year separately from a tropical cyclone season, which runs from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002–03 Australian region cyclone season</span> Cyclone season in the Australian region

The 2002–03 Australian region cyclone season included Cyclone Inigo, which tied with Cyclone Gwenda in 1999 as the most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Australian basin. It began on 1 November 2002 and ended on 30 April 2003. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a tropical cyclone year separately from a tropical cyclone season, which runs from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Australian region, which is defined as in the southern hemisphere between 90°E and 180°E. The season's ten tropical depressions existed within these dates, with the first, designated as Tropical Cyclone 07S, entering the basin on 27 December 2002. The last system, Cyclone Epi, dissipated on 6 June 2003. Tropical cyclones in this area were monitored by four Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs): the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) in Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane and one in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Glenda</span> Category 5 Australian region cyclone in 2006

Severe Tropical Cyclone Glenda was among the strongest tropical cyclones to threaten Western Australia, though it weakened considerably before landfall and moved ashore in a lightly populated region. It began as a tropical low on 15 March in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The precursor disturbance drifted over Top End and later across the northeastern portion of Western Australia, and after emerging into the Indian Ocean it strengthened into a tropical storm. Aided by favourable environmental conditions, Glenda rapidly intensified to reach Category 5 status on the Australian cyclone scale, and with a peak intensity of 910 mbar it was among the strongest cyclones on record within the Australia region. On 30 March it moved ashore near Onslow as a Category 3 cyclone, and the next day it degenerated into a remnant tropical low over land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001–02 Australian region cyclone season</span>

The 2001–02 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly below average tropical cyclone season. It officially started on 1 November 2001, and ended on 30 April 2002. However, the formation of Tropical Cyclone Alex on 26 October 2001 marked an earlier beginning to the season, and the season extended past the official end of the season when Tropical Cyclone Upia formed on 25 May 2002. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a "tropical cyclone year" separately from a "tropical cyclone season"; the "tropical cyclone year" began on 1 July 2001 and ended on 30 June 2002. The scope of the Australian region is limited to all areas south of the equator, east of 90°E and west of 160°E. This area includes Australia, Papua New Guinea, western parts of the Solomon Islands, East Timor and southern parts of Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclones Rona and Frank</span>

Severe Tropical Cyclone Rona and Severe Tropical Cyclone Frank were a pair of tropical cyclones that affected Queensland and New Caledonia during the 1998–99 Australian region cyclone season and the 1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season. Rona originated from a low that developed on 9 February about 225 km (140 mi) to the northeast of Cairns. Over the next couple of days, the low slowly developed further before it was upgraded into a Category 1 cyclone on the Australian intensity scale by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology on 10 February as it started to move towards the southwest. Subsequently, Rona rapidly intensified just before making landfall near the Cape York Peninsula. While the low-level circulation became difficult to locate on 12 February, the upper-level circulation eventually emerged into the Coral Sea and later regenerated into Tropical Cyclone Frank. The system rapidly intensified before making landfall on New Caledonia as a Category 2 cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale in the early morning hours of 20 February. Frank was re-classified as an extratropical cyclone the next day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Orson</span> Category 5 Australian region cyclone in 1989

Severe Tropical Cyclone Orson was the fourth most intense cyclone ever recorded in the Australian region. Forming out of a tropical low on 17 April 1989, Orson gradually intensified as it tracked towards the west. After attaining Category 5 intensity on 20 April, the storm began to track southward and accelerated. The following day, the cyclone reached its peak intensity with winds of 250 km/h (160 mph) and a barometric pressure of 904 hPa (mbar). Orson maintained this intensity for nearly two days before making landfall near Dampier. The cyclone rapidly weakened after landfall as it accelerated to the southeast. After moving into the Great Australian Bight on 24 April, the storm dissipated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984–85 Australian region cyclone season</span>

The 1984–85 Australian region cyclone season was one of the most active seasons on record. It officially started on 1 November 1984, and officially ended on 30 April 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988–89 Australian region cyclone season</span>

The 1988–89 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly above average tropical cyclone season. It officially started on 1 November 1988, and officially ended on 30 April 1989. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a "tropical cyclone year" separately from a "tropical cyclone season"; the "tropical cyclone year" began on 1 July 1988 and ended on 30 June 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978–79 Australian region cyclone season</span>

The 1978–79 Australian region cyclone season was the only season in which a reconnaissance aircraft flew into a tropical cyclone. Operationally, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) tracked eleven tropical cyclones, while two additional systems were later added to the United States's Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) best track. Prior to 1985, the Australian region basin was defined as in the southern hemisphere between 80°E and 160°E, with the modern day season boundaries ranging from 1 November to 30 April of the following year. The first storm, an unnamed system, developed on 19 November 1978. The final cyclone, Kevin, dissipated by 12 May 1979. Tropical cyclones in this area were monitored by three Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs): the BOM in Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Emma (2006)</span> Category 1 Australian region cyclone in 2006

Tropical Cyclone Emma was a weak but unusually large tropical cyclone that affected a substantial portion of Western Australia during the 2005–06 Australian region cyclone season. Forming out of an area of low pressure on 25 February, the precursor to Emma slowly tracked southward. Although classified tropical, the structure of the system represented that of a monsoonal storm. However, low wind shear and well-developed outflow gradually allowed convection to develop near the centre of circulation. As the system approached the Pilbara coastline of Western Australia on 27 February, it intensified into a Category 1 cyclone and attained peak 10-minute sustained winds of 75 km/h (47 mph). After moving inland near Mardie, Emma weakened to a tropical low but became exceedingly large; its cloud cover obscured most of Western Australia. The remnants of the weak storm persisted until 1 March, at which time they dissipated over the Great Australian Bight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Gwenda</span> Category 5 Australian region cyclone in 1999

Severe Tropical Cyclone Gwenda is tied with Cyclone Inigo as the most intense Australian tropical cyclone on record, with a barometric pressure of 900 hPa (mbar) and was the most intense storm worldwide in 1999. Forming out of a tropical disturbance over the Arafura Sea on 2 April 1999, the precursor to Gwenda tracked slowly westward and gradually became more organised. On 4 April, the system developed into a Category 1 cyclone and was named Gwenda. It began to undergo explosive intensification the following day, and in a 30-hour span ending early on 7 April, the storm's maximum 10-minute sustained wind speed increased from 75 to 225 km/h and its barometric pressure decreased to 900 hPa (mbar). The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reported that the storm had peaked as a high-end Category 4 equivalent on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Kate (2006)</span> Category 2 Australian region cyclone

Tropical Cyclone Kate was a short-lived Category 2 cyclone that remained nearly stationary for its entire existence in the northwestern Coral Sea in February 2006. Forming out of a monsoonal trough on 22 February, Kate rapidly intensified throughout the day. By 23 February, the system attained its peak intensity with winds of 95 km/h and a barometric pressure of 985 hPa (mbar). Shortly thereafter, increasing wind shear caused the storm to quickly weaken. By 24 February, the system dissipated over open waters near Queensland, Australia. Although Kate did not directly affect land, large swells produced by the storm impacted beaches in Papua New Guinea and Queensland. The waves injured six people in Australia, although no property damage was reported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Herbie</span> Category 1 Australian region cyclone in 1988

Tropical Cyclone Herbie was the only known tropical system to impact Western Australia during the month of May on record. The final cyclone of the 1987–88 Australian region cyclone season, Herbie was first identified northwest of the Cocos Islands on 17 May. The following day, the system was classified as a tropical low by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and intensified into a Category 1 cyclone later that day. Several hours after this upgrade, the storm attained its initial peak intensity with winds of 75 km/h. Around the same time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center classified Herbie as Tropical Storm 21S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Clare</span> Category 3 Australian region cyclone in 2006

Severe Tropical Cyclone Clare was a moderately strong cyclone that struck Western Australia in January 2006. The storm formed as an area of low pressure in the Arafura Sea, and moved westward. After receiving the name Clare on 7 January, the system ultimately peaked at Category 3 intensity on the Australian tropical cyclone scale. It moved ashore on the coast of the Pilbara and proceeded inland, dissipating on 10 January. Clare produced winds of 142 km/h (88 mph) at Karratha and triggered widespread torrential rainfall that led to flooding. Following its usage, the name Clare was retired by the Bureau of Meteorology, and will never be used again for a tropical cyclone in the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Aivu</span>

Severe Tropical Cyclone Aivu was a powerful late-season tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage across parts of Queensland, Australia in April 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Magda</span> Category 3 Australian region cyclone in 2010

Severe Tropical Cyclone Magda was a relatively small tropical cyclone that brought minor damage to parts of Western Australia in January 2010. The third named storm of the 2009–10 Australian region cyclone season, Magda originated from a tropical low near the Indonesian island of Roti on 18 January. Quickly strengthening, the system attained tropical cyclone status on 20 January and later reached severe tropical cyclone intensity on 21 January as it approached Western Australia. Late on 21 January, Magda made landfall in the Kimberley region with winds of 130 km/h (81 mph) before quickly weakening over land. The remnants of Magda persisted until 24 January, at which time they dissipated east of Port Hedland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Sam</span> Category 5 Australian region cyclone in 2000

Severe Tropical Cyclone Sam was an intense tropical cyclone that brought flooding rainfall to a wide swath of northern Australia in December 2000. The first tropical cyclone of the regional season, Sam originated from a tropical low that formed in the Arafura Sea on 28 November. Tracking generally westward, the initial low-pressure area remained generally weak until it entered the Timor Sea, by which time it had strengthened into a tropical cyclone on 5 December. Though a subtropical ridge was forcing the cyclone westward at the time, an approaching shortwave trough caused Sam to track southward the following day, towards the Australian coast. During its southward progression, Sam rapidly intensified, and reached its peak intensity on 8 December. Soon afterwards, the storm made landfall near Lagrange, Western Australia at the same intensity. Once inland, Sam was slow to weaken as it re-curved eastward, and persisted for nearly a week inland before dissipating on 14 December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Lam</span> Category 4 Australian region tropical cyclone in 2015

Severe Tropical Cyclone Lam was the strongest storm to strike Australia's Northern Territory since Cyclone Monica in 2006. It formed from the monsoon trough on February 12 in the Coral Sea. For much of its duration, the system moved westward due to a ridge to the south. The system crossed over the Cape York Peninsula and moved into the Gulf of Carpentaria, whereupon it gradually organized due to warm waters and favorable outflow. On February 16, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) classified it as a Category 1 on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale and gave it the name Lam. The storm intensified further while drifting toward the Wessel Islands, developing an eye and strengthening to the equivalence of a minimal hurricane on February 18. It strengthened to reach maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) early on February 19 before turning to the southwest, making it a Category 4 cyclone. That day, it made landfall on Northern Territory between Milingimbi and Elcho Island at peak intensity, and it rapidly weakened over land. About six hours after Lam moved ashore, Cyclone Marcia struck Queensland as a Category 5 cyclone, marking the first time on record that two storms of Category 4 intensity struck Australia on the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Lili (2019)</span> Category 1 tropical cyclone in 2019

Tropical Cyclone Lili was a small and relatively weak off-season tropical cyclone that brought moderate impacts to the Maluku Islands and East Timor, and mild impacts to other parts of eastern Indonesia and far-northern Australia. It was the latest tropical cyclone to exist in the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's northern tropical cyclone region on record, surpassing Severe Tropical Cyclone Verna of 1977. Lili was the tenth tropical cyclone of the 2018–19 Australian region cyclone season, and the second of which to be named by the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics. Lili originated from a tropical low that formed over the Banda Sea on 4 May 2019. The system gradually organised as it tracked slowly southwards, and strengthened into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale on 9 May. Lili reached peak intensity later that day, with ten-minute sustained winds of 75 km/h (47 mph) and a central barometric pressure of 997 hPa (29.44 inHg). The Joint Typhoon Warning Center estimated one-minute mean winds at this time to be at 100 km/h (62 mph). Weakening commenced soon thereafter, and the system fell below cyclone intensity on 10 May after turning to the west. Lili made landfall in northern East Timor the following day as a weak tropical low, and dissipated shortly afterwards.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica: Northern Territory Regional Office". Australian Government. Bureau Of Meteorology. 29 April 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  2. ↑ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (16 April 2006). "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert". Unisys Weather. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Australian Region Tropical Cyclone Best Tracks". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Cyclone 23S Best Track". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2007. Archived from the original on 1 March 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  5. 1 2 Joint Typhoon Warning Center (17 April 2006). "Tropical Cyclone 23P Warning 001". Unisys Weather. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  6. ↑ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (17 April 2009). "Tropical Cyclone 23P". Unisys Weather. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  7. ↑ "High Seas Warning". Bureau of Meteorology. Unisys Weather. 18 April 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  8. ↑ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (19 April 2006). "Cyclone 23P Warning 006" . Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  9. ↑ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (21 April 2006). "Cyclone 23P Advisory 009" . Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  10. ↑ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (21 April 2006). "Cyclone 23P Advisory 010". Unisys Weather. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  11. 1 2 Gary Padgett (6 August 2006). "Monthly Tropical Weather Summary for April 2006". Australia Severe Weather. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  12. ↑ Satellite Analysis Branch. "Advisories on 23 April 2006" (TXT). Mtarchive Data Server. Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  13. 1 2 "Advanced Dvorak Technique Intensity listing for Tropical Cyclone 23P (Monica)". Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies. 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  14. ↑ Chris Landsea (2010). "What regions around the globe have tropical cyclones and who is responsible for forecasting there?". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  15. ↑ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (24 April 2006). "Cyclone 23P Advisory 017 (Final)". Unisys Weather. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  16. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2005. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  17. 1 2 3 "Section 2 Intensity Observation and Forecast Errors". United States Navy. 2009. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  18. ↑ "Significant Weather Summary: April 2006" (PDF). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Stephen L. Durden (12 July 2010). "Remote Sensing and Modeling of Cyclone Monica near Peak Intensity". Atmosphere. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. 1 (1): 15–33. Bibcode:2010Atmos...1...15D. doi: 10.3390/atmos1010015 . ISSN   2073-4433.
  20. 1 2 Joe Courtney; John A Knaff (2009). "Adapting the Knaff and Zehr wind-pressure relationship for operational use in Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres" (PDF). Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 58 (3): 167–179. doi: 10.22499/2.5803.002 . Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  21. ↑ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2003). "Cyclone 06P Best Track". Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  22. ↑ "High Seas Warning". Bureau of Meteorology. Unisys Weather. 17 April 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  23. ↑ "Monica threatens Cairns with floods". The Age. Melbourne. Australian Associated Press. 19 April 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Tropical Cyclone Monica". Emergency Management Australia. 16 September 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2009.[ dead link ]
  25. ↑ "Cyclone Monica makes landfall in Australia; no reports of injuries or damage". USA Today. Associated Press. 19 April 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  26. 1 2 "Tropical Cyclone Monica". Emergency Management Australia. 18 May 2006.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  27. ↑ "Torres Strait sea rescue an 'act of God'". The Age. Melbourne. 10 May 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  28. ↑ Staff Writer (24 April 2006). "Island communities brace for Monica". ABC News. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  29. 1 2 Staff Writer (26 April 2006). "Sigh of relief as Cyclone Monica leaves minimal damage". Travel Weekly.
  30. ↑ "Darwin Battens Down for Monica Hell Storm Targets City". The Cairns Post. 25 April 2006. p. 5.
  31. ↑ Macdonald-Smith, Angela (23 April 2006). "Tropical cyclone Monica threatens Australia's northern coast". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  32. ↑ "Australia Braces For Major Cyclone". CBS News. Associated Press. 24 April 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  33. 1 2 Staff Writer (25 April 2006). "Goulburn Island residents heading home after cyclone Monica". ABC Australia. Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  34. ↑ Staff Writer (24 April 2006). "Darwin braces for cyclone Monica". ABC Australia. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  35. ↑ Jano Gibson and Dylan Welch (24 April 2006). "Warning: Monica's a monster". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  36. ↑ Staff Writer (6 July 2006). "Study finds islands suffered brunt of Cyclone Monica". ABC News. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  37. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2006). "Global Hazards: April 2006". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  38. 1 2 3 4 Garry D. Cook and Clemence M. A. C. Goyens (6 May 2008). "The impact of wind on trees in Australian tropical savannas: lessons from Cyclone Monica". Austral Ecology. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. 33 (4): 462–470. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01901.x. Closed Access logo transparent.svg
  39. ↑ "Business: Parliamentary Record (Hansard) and Minutes of Proceedings". Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  40. ↑ "Financial and Commonwealth reserves system summaries" (PDF). Government of Australia. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  41. ↑ Staff Writer (17 May 2006). "Cyclone Monica insurance claims hit $5m". ABC News. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  42. ↑ Staff Writer (May 2006). "Significant Weather — April 2006" (PDF). Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  43. 1 2 3 4 L. B. Hutley, B. J. Evans, J. Beringer, G. D. Cook, S. W. Maier, and E. Razon (13 November 2013). "Impacts of an extreme cyclone event on landscape-scale savanna fire, productivity and greenhouse gas emissions". Environmental Research Letters. IOP Publishing. 8 (4): 045023. Bibcode:2013ERL.....8d5023H. doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/8/4/045023 .{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  44. 1 2 Grant W. Staben and Kenneth G. Evans (6 May 2008). "Estimates of tree canopy loss as a result of Cyclone Monica, in the Magela Creek catchment northern Australia". Austral Ecology. 33 (4): 562–569. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01911.x. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2017. Closed Access logo transparent.svg
  45. ↑ Various Writers (22 August 2006). "August 2006 Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee Meeting Summary" (PDF). Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  46. ↑ Various Writers (2010). "ERISS Research Summary 2008-2009" (PDF). Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist. Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  47. ↑ Kate Sieper (25 June 2006). "A 100-year wait to see the Arnhem forests again". ABC News. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  48. ↑ Staff Writer (26 May 2006). "Tropical Cyclone Monica". Government of Australia.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  49. ↑ Staff Writer (2009). "Tropical Cyclone Names". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 25 January 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica
Monica 2006-04-23 0055Z.jpg
Monica prior to peak intensity on 23 April
IBTrACS OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
TL
02S
4
Bertie-Alvin
TL
04S
3
Clare
2
Daryl
TL
Low
3
Jim
2
Kate
1
Emma
TL
Low
4
Larry
4
Floyd
3
Wati
5
Glenda
TL
Low
2
Hubert
5
Monica

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.