Category | Sustained winds | Gusts |
---|---|---|
Five | >107 kn (198 km/h; 123 mph) | >151 kn (280 km/h; 174 mph) |
Four | 86–107 kn (159–198 km/h; 99–123 mph) | 122–151 kn (226–280 km/h; 140–174 mph) |
Three | 64–85 kn (119–157 km/h; 74–98 mph) | 90–121 kn (167–224 km/h; 104–139 mph) |
Two | 48–63 kn (89–117 km/h; 55–72 mph) | 68–89 kn (126–165 km/h; 78–102 mph) |
One | 34–47 kn (63–87 km/h; 39–54 mph) | 49–67 kn (91–124 km/h; 56–77 mph) |
This is a list of cyclones that have significantly affected or made landfall over the coast of Western Australia.
Name | Year | Date of landfall | Peak intensity [nb 1] [nb 2] | Deaths | Damage (A$) | Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winds | Pressure | ||||||
— | 1870 | 24 December | — | 956 hPa (28.23 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | A severe storm caused extensive defoliation and debarking of trees in Roebourne. [1] |
— | 1875 | 24 December | — | — | 69 | Unknown | Cyclone hovered in Exmouth Gulf for nearly two weeks; 69 lives lost, mostly on ships at sea in the area. |
— | 1881 | 6 January | — | — | 16 | Unknown | Many schooners sank or were washed ashore by a cyclone that struck Roebourne. A large storm surge caused dramatic changes to coastal landscapes as well. [1] |
— | 1881 | 7 March | — | 942 hPa (27.82 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | A severe storm struck Roebourne and Cossack, damaging nearly every structure. [1] |
— | 1884 | 1 April | — | — | 140 | Unknown | Forty vessels of a pearling fleet sunk with 140 lives lost in Lagrange Bay |
— | 1889 | 1 March | — | — | 1 | Unknown | A cyclone struck Cossack at high tide, causing considerable flooding. [1] |
— | 1894 | 4–9 January | — | — | 40 | Unknown | Two consecutive cyclones struck the Pilbara coastline and caused extensive damage in Roebourne and Cossack. The second storm destroyed the seawall in Cossack. All fatalities took place offshore due to the sinking of twelve luggers and the steamer Anne. Damage was estimated at £15,000. [1] |
— | 1898 | 2 April | — | — | 0 | Unknown | Severe damage, described as the worst ever seen, took place in Cossack. Infrastructure was devastated and losses reached £30,000. A record-breaking 747 mm (29.4 in) of rain was measured in 24 hours at Whim Creek. [1] |
— | 1903 | 8 January | — | — | 0 | Unknown | Storm dropped 637 mm (25.1 in) of rain in Wyndham over a five-day span causing unprecedented flooding and severe stock losses. [2] |
— | 1908 | 12 January | — | — | 50 | Unknown | Struck Broome; most deaths at sea |
— | 1910 | 19 November | 175 km/h (110 mph) [nb 3] | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | 40 | Unknown | Storm caused severe damage in and around Broome. Twenty homes were destroyed while seventy more were damaged, with losses amounting to £20,000. Offsore, 67 pearling vessels were blown ashore while 34 more sank. [3] |
— | 1912 | 21 March | 102 km/h (63 mph) [nb 3] | N/A | 150 | Unknown | The coal steamer Koombana sank after sailing into the eye of this storm with all hands lost. The storm made landfall near Balla Balla and caused severe damage. [4] |
— | 1914 | 9 January | <65 km/h (<40 mph) | N/A | 0 | Unknown | Tropical low caused record-breaking floods along the Fitzroy and Lennard rivers; many cattle were swept away. [5] |
— | 1925 | 11 January | 102 km/h (63 mph) [nb 3] | N/A | 0 | Unknown | Severe flooding took place along the Cossack River and every building was damaged in Roebourne. [1] |
— | 1925 | 26 February | — | — | 0 | Unknown | All homes in Marble Bar were damaged and some were destroyed. Extensive damage also took place in Nullagine. [6] |
— | 1926 | 22 January | 160 km/h (100 mph) [nb 3] | 982 hPa (29.00 inHg) | 40 | Unknown | Extensive damage took place in Broome. [3] |
— | 1930 | 28 December | — | — | 0 | Unknown | Considerable damage in and around Marble Bar and Nullagine. [6] |
— | 1935 | 26 March | 130 km/h (80 mph) [nb 3] | 995 hPa (29.38 inHg) | 141 | Unknown | Storm caused severe damage in Derby. A pearling fleet near the Lacepede Islands was devastated by the storm, resulting in 141 fatalities. [3] [5] |
— | 1939 | 11 January | 200 km/h (125 mph) [nb 3] | N/A | 9 | Unknown | A storm surge of 9.8 m (32 ft) caused extensive damage in Port Hedland and left 30 percent of the town homeless. [4] The Nicol Bay sank along the Ashburton River and some damage took place in Roebourne. [1] |
— | 1941 | 1 March | — | — | 0 | Unknown | Homes flattened in Comet Mine and heavy rain caused significant flooding. [6] |
— | 1942 | 11 January | 230 km/h (145 mph) [nb 3] | 938 hPa; (27.70 inHg) | 2 | Unknown | All homes in Port Hedland sustained some degree of damage. [4] |
— | 1956 | 18–26 February | — | — | 0 | Unknown | The Fitzroy River exceeded flood levels set during the 1914 flood, with the river spanning 24 km (15 mi) across in some areas. The town of Derby was entirely cut off from surrounding areas. [5] |
— | 1957 | 14 February | 161 km/h (101 mph) [nb 3] | 964 hPa (28.47 inHg) | 2 | Unknown | Many homes sustained significant damage; losses reached £80,000. [3] |
— | 1959 | April | — | — | 0 | Unknown | Cyclone dropped 440 mm (17 in) of rain over two days in Wyndham, causing flooding. [2] |
Alby | 1978 | 4 April | 200 km/h (125 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | 5 | $39 million | Caused the most widespread cyclone damage in Western Australia's history. Destroyed a large portion of the Busselton Jetty. Affected Perth with the 3rd highest recorded wind gust in the city's history, 130 km/h (81 mph), and Fremantle with a 143 km/h (89 mph) gust. Fueled bushfires which killed 2 more people indirectly. [7] |
Jane | 1983 | 9 January | 170 km/h (105 mph) | 947 hPa (27.96 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Made landfall east of Port Hedland causing moderate damage, particularly in Pardoo Station. |
Lena | 1983 | 8 April | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Lena passed directly over Port Hedland as a category two. Moderate damage was reported, one poorly-built house and several fishing boats were destroyed. |
Quenton | 1983 | 30 November | 170 km/h (105 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | 0 | Minor | The earliest recorded landfalling severe tropical cyclone in Western Australia. Caused minor damage at the Sandfire Roadhouse. |
Chloe | 1984 | 29 February | 170 km/h (105 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | 0 | Unknown (severe) | Made landfall as a category four, severe structural damage occurred in Roebourne with some houses completely destroyed. Severe wind damage was also reported at Dampier, Whim Creek and Port Hedland while a flash flood damaged much of Wickham. |
Frank | 1984 | 27 December | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 952 hPa (28.11 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Frank made landfall over Port Hedland causing minor wind damage. |
Connie | 1987 | 19 January | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Connie passed over Port Hedland on 19 January, causing moderate infrastructure damage. The roof of the historic Whim Creek Pub was also torn off in the storm. |
Elsie | 1987 | 25 February | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | 0 | Unknown (severe) | Elise passed directly over Mandora Station as a category four resulting in catastrophic damage. Almost all of the stations buildings were destroyed, including the main homestead. Mandora was completely rebuilt with buildings constructed to withstand severe tropical cyclone winds. |
Herbie | 1988 | 21 May | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | 0 | $20 million | Herbie made landfall over Denham as a category one storm. Severe damage was reported in the town, with some roofs torn off and fences blown over. Flash-flooding was reported from Carnarvon to Geraldton. The storm crossed the coast on 21 May, the latest known date of landfall for a tropical cyclone in Australia. Responsible for the sinking, & hence rapid breaking-up, of the MV Korean Star (1984) near Cape Cuvier on 20 May. |
Ned | 1989 | 1 April | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 941 hPa (27.79 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | Ned crossed the coast just south of Perth as a category one on 1 April. Moderate wind damage was reported in Rockingham. Ned is the most southerly landfalling tropical cyclone recorded in Australia and the only storm ever to directly affect Perth city at cyclone strength. |
Orson | 1989 | 23 April | 250 km/h (155 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | 5 | $25 million | Orson made landfall near Dampier as a strong category five however damage was minimal due to the storms fast speed and small wind field. Severe damage was however reported on an offshore drilling rig and five people drowned after their boat capsized in rough seas. Before landfall, Orson was the fourth most intense cyclone ever recorded in Australian waters. |
Ian | 1992 | 3 March | 210 km/h (130 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Ian made landfall near Mardie Station as a category three. Minor damage occurred to mining operations in the Montebello Islands and on Barrow Island. |
— | 1993 | February | <65 km/h (<40 mph) | N/A | 0 | Unknown | Twin tropical lows brought rainfall in excess of 500 mm (20 in) to the Kimberley region, causing severe flooding. Extensive damage to infrastructure occurred. [5] |
Annette | 1994 | 18 December | 195 km/h (120 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Annette made landfall over Mandora Station as a category four causing severe damage to the homestead and surrounding area and killing several hundred cattle. |
Bobby | 1995 | 25 February | 195 km/h (120 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | 8 | Unknown | Bobby crossed the coast as a category three near Onslow on 25 February causing severe flooding across the north-west. Eight people were killed in total, seven who were in a boat that capsized off the coast of Onslow and an eighth person drowned in floodwaters near Carnarvon. |
Chloe | 1995 | 7 April | 200 km/h (125 mph) | 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) | 0 | None | Crossed the coast east of Derby as a severe tropical cyclone in early April 1995. |
Frank | 1995 | 13 December | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Frank crossed the coast near Carnarvon as a tropical low causing minor property damage at Exmouth. |
Gertie | 1995 | 20 December | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Crossed the coast near Mandora Station causing only minor damage. |
Kirsty | 1996 | 12 March | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | Made landfall as a severe cyclone near Port Hedland. Many structures were damaged in that town while severe damage was reported at nearby Pardoo Station, with some buildings completely demolished. |
Olivia | 1996 | 10 April | 195 km/h (120 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | Olivia crossed the coast near Pannawonica causing moderate damage to structures in that town. Before making landfall, a world record wind gust of 408 km/h (253 mph) was recorded on Barrow Island. |
Phil | 1996 | 28 December | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | 0 | None | Phil crossed the coast in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf as a weak cyclone. |
Rachel | 1997 | 8 December | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | Rachel made landfall near Port Hedland on 7 January 1997. |
Tiffany | 1998 | 25 December | 170 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | 0 | None | Tiffany brushed the Pilbara coastline, causing heavy rain and some flooding from Broome to Karratha. |
Billy | 1998 | 6 December | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | 0 | None | Billy made landfall near Onslow and caused minor flooding. |
Thelma | 1998 | 11 December | 220 km/h (135 mph) | 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) | 1 | Unknown | Thelma made landfall near Kuri Bay as a category three cyclone after weakening from a strong category five, causing flooding throughout the Kimberley. One man drowned in floodwaters near Kalumburu. |
Vance | 1999 | 22 March | 215 km/h (135 mph) | 910 hPa (26.87 inHg) | 0 | $100 million | Cyclone Vance made landfall over Exmouth as a strong category five, one of the strongest landfalling cyclones recorded in Australia. Exmouth was devastated, with the whole town badly damaged and many houses destroyed. It was also the costliest cyclone on record to hit Western Australia with damage totaling over $100 million Aud. |
Elaine | 1999 | 20 March | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Elaine made landfall near Kalbarri as a category one causing torrential rain and flash flooding in the northern Wheatbelt region. The town of Moora was most badly affected, with the majority of the town flooded. |
Gwenda | 1999 | 7 April | 225 km/h (140 mph) | 900 hPa (26.58 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Gwenda made landfall as a category two near Port Hedland. Damage was only minor and significantly less than expected. Before making landfall, Gwenda was one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded in the Australian region. |
John | 1999 | 15 December | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | John made landfall as a category five near Whim Creek, causing severe damage in that town but most surrounding areas were relatively unscathed. |
Ilsa | 1999 | 17 December | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | 0 | None | Made landfall as a weak cyclone near the Sandfire Roadhouse causing heavy rain. |
Steve | 2000 | 6 & 9 March | 150 km/h (95 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | 0 | $100 million | Steve made two landfalls in Western Australia, once near Karratha and again near Carnarvon. Damage was severe from flooding in Gascoyne River and flooding rains extended as far south as Esperance. |
Rosita | 2000 | 20 April | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | 0 | Unknown (severe) | Rosita made landfall 40 km (25 mi) south of Broome as a category five. Vegetation damage was extreme with almost all trees destroyed within the landfall area. Yardoogarra station and a nearby tourist resort were completely flattened with many buildings torn from their foundations. Fortunately, there were no deaths apart from 200 cattle. |
Sam | 2000 | 8 December | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) | 0 | Unknown (severe) | Sam made landfall as a category four west of Broome, causing severe damage to a few isolated cattle stations and indigenous communities. Almost all buildings on the Anna Plains Station were flattened and the town of Bidyadanga was also severely damaged. Both locations had been evacuated beforehand so there were no deaths as a result of the storm. |
Terri | 2001 | 31 January | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | 0 | None | Made landfall near Pardoo Station as a weak cyclone causing no damage. |
Vincent | 2001 | 14 February | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 981 hPa (28.97 inHg) | 0 | None | Made landfall west of Broome causing no damage. |
Alistair | 2001 | 19 April | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | Brushed the Kimberley coast as a category one and then made landfall near Carnarvon as a tropical low causing significant damage to fruit plantations. |
Chris | 2002 | 5 February | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) | 0 | $1 million | Chris crossed the coast in a remote area roughly halfway between Broome and Port Hedland as a category five. Structural damage was minor, however many thousands of cattle were killed, amounting to $1 million in damages. |
N/A | 2003 | 25 January | 095 km/h (60 mph) | 988 hPa (29.18 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Made landfall near Port Hedland causing heavy rain and minor flooding. |
Graham | 2003 | 28 February | 095 km/h (60 mph) | 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) | 1 | Minor | Graham made landfall as a slow moving, weak cyclone, therefore causing negligible wind damage but widespread flooding. One person was swept away by floodwaters and killed near Fitzroy Crossing. |
Inigo | 2003 | 8 April | 240 km/h (150 mph) | 900 hPa (26.58 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Cyclone Inigo was the most intense cyclone recorded off the coast of Western Australia however had weakened significantly to a category one at landfall and caused little to no damage, apart from localized flash flooding. |
Monty | 2004 | 1 March | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Made landfall west of Karratha as a category 3. Major flooding was observed with 24‑hour rainfall totals of up to 400 mm (15.74 in), and several people were stranded by floodwaters and had to be rescued near Pannawonica. |
Fay | 2004 | 27 March | 215 km/h (135 mph) | 910 hPa (26.87 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Cyclone Fay made landfall as a category four on a remote section of the Pilbara coast, therefore causing little damage. |
Raymond | 2005 | 2 January | 85 km/h (55 mph) | 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) | 0 | None | Made landfall near Kalumburu causing no damage. |
Ingrid | 2005 | 15 March | 230 km/h (145 mph) | 924 hPa (27.29 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | Made landfall near Kalumburu as a category five. Structural damage was minor, however environmental damage was severe with hundreds of kilometers of forest destroyed. |
Clare | 2006 | 9 January | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | 0 | $2.4 million | Made landfall near Karratha causing extremely heavy rain and widespread flooding. |
Emma | 2006 | 28 February | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 988 hPa (29.18 inHg) | 0 | $1 million | A large and slow moving storm caused heavy rain and flooding across almost the entire length of Western Australia. |
Glenda | 2006 | 30 March | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 910 hPa (26.87 inHg) | 0 | $1.2 million | Made landfall over Onslow as a category three storm causing moderate damage (severe economic damage however). 206 mm (8.11 in) of rain was recorded in 24 hours, causing flash flooding. |
Hubert | 2006 | 7 April | 95 km/h (60 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | 0 | None | Crossed the coast near Onslow as a weak category one. |
Isobel | 2007 | 3 January | 85 km/h (55 mph) | 982 hPa (29.00 inHg) | 0 | None | Crossed the coast near Broome. |
George | 2007 | 8 March | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 902 hPa (26.64 inHg) | 3 | $8 million | George made landfall just east of Port Hedland as a category five causing severe destruction. Many houses were flattened, mining camps were completely demolished and the town was labeled a disaster zone. Overall three people were killed and damage totaled $8 million. George was one of the most intense cyclones on record to strike the Pilbara region. |
Jacob | 2007 | 12 March | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Made landfall as a tropical low near Port Hedland, causing minor flooding. |
Helen | 2008 | 1 January | 95 km/h (60 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | 0 | None | Brushed the coastline of the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. |
Nicholas | 2008 | 20 February | 150 km/h (95 mph) | 948 hPa (27.99 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Category three cyclone caused heavy rain but little damage in the Carnarvon district. |
Billy | 2008 | 20 December | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Made landfall as a category two near Wyndham, causing minor flooding. Further intensified to a category four after moving out to sea. |
Dominic | 2009 | 27 January | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 976 hPa (28.82 inHg) | 1 | Minor | Dominic made landfall as a category two near Onslow, causing minor wind and flooding damage. A crane worker was killed due to high winds in Port Hedland. |
Laurence | 2009 | 16 & 21 December | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | 0 | $9 million | Laurence made landfall twice, once near Cockatoo Island and again at Eighty Mile Beach. Wind damage was severe and some houses were demolished, however it was not widespread due to the isolated areas where the storm made landfall. |
Magda | 2010 | 21 January | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Made landfall near Kuri Bay in the Kimberley as a category three with only minor damage. |
03U | 2010 | 18 December | 55 km/h (35 mph) | 989 hPa (29.21 inHg) | 0 | $100 million | A weak tropical low, however caused extreme flooding and severe damage in the Gascoyne River region of Western Australia. |
Bianca | 2011 | 25 January | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 949 hPa (28.02 inHg) | 2 | Minor | Was expected to make landfall however moved parallel to the Pilbara coastline and caused little damage. |
Carlos | 2011 | 19 February | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 969 hPa (28.61 inHg) | 0 | $16 million | Carlos brushed the Pilbara coast causing heavy rainfall and high winds from Broome all the way to Exmouth. Building damage was severe in Karratha. |
Heidi | 2012 | 12 January | 150 km/h (95 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | 0 | None | Heidi made landfall near Port Hedland with minor impacts. |
Iggy | 2012 | 2 February | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 974 hPa (28.76 inHg) | 0 | None | Iggy made landfall as a tropical low near Jurien Bay causing heavy rainfall and some flooding. |
Lua | 2012 | 17 March | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | 0 | $230 million | Cyclone Lua caused severe damage across isolated cattle stations in the Pilbara as a category four. |
Peta | 2013 | 23 January | 65 km/h (40 mph) | 992 hPa (29.29 inHg) | 0 | None | Cyclone Peta was a weak cyclone that made landfall near Port Hedland with limited effects. |
Rusty | 2013 | 27 February | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | 0 | $478 million | Made landfall as a category four at Pardoo Station with only minor structural damage however severe economic damage through loss of revenue of mining companies. |
Alessia | 2013 | 23 November | 85 km/h (55 mph) | 991 hPa (29.26 inHg) | 0 | None | Alessia brushed the Kimberley region with minor effects. [8] [9] |
Christine | 2013 | 30 December | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 948 hPa (27.99 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | Christine made landfall in the Pilbara. Caused heavy damage in the towns of Roebourne and Wickham with many roofs torn off and smaller structures destroyed. |
Olwyn | 2015 | 13&14 March | 150 km/h (95 mph) | 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) | 0 | none | Olwyn tracked the Western Australian coast from Exmouth, Western Australia to Shark Bay, passing directly over Carnarvon. It caused heavy damage of infrastructure & crops at Carnarvon. One person had sustained life-threatening injuries in a related car incident. |
Quang | 2015 | 1 May | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) | minimal | Quang made landfall in Exmouth, Western Australia on the night of 1 May and brought minimal damage. | |
Stan | 2016 | 29 January | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | 0 | unknown | Stan subsequently made landfall between Port Hedland and Wallal and impacted various commodities including oil, natural gas and iron ore. However, human impacts were limited due to the low permanent population in the area. |
Yvette | 2016 | 25 December | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 987 hPa (29.15 inHg) | 0 | None | |
Blanche | 2017 | 7 March | 95 km/h (60 mph) | 988 hPa (29.18 inHg) | 0 | None | |
Hilda | 2017 | 28 December | 95 km/h (60 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | 0 | Minor | Hilda made landfall close to Anna Plains on 28 December as a category 2 cyclone, wind and flooding damage was minor along the coast in Broome. |
Joyce | 2018 | 12 January | 85 km/h (55 mph) | 982 hPa (29.00 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | |
Veronica | 2019 | 19 March | 215 km/h (135 mph) | 928 hPa (27.4 inHg) | 0 | Unknown | Veronica hovered off the Pilbara coast between Port Hedland and Karratha for 24 hours before tracking westward along the coast. It made landfall as a tropical low on the North West Cape. Towns on the Pilbara coast received some damage, Pilbara ports were shut for 4 days. |
Damien | 2020 | 8 February | 145 km/h (90 mph) | 962 | 0 | Unknown | Damien made landfall as a category 3, with the eye moving directly over Karratha. The Bureau of Meteorology's Dampier radar sustained significant damage, there was some damage to property, including Karratha Airport, and to vessels moored in the area. Heavy rainfall caused flooding initially through the Kimberley when the system was a tropical low, then through the Pilbara and eastern Gascoyne. [10] [11] |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Vance was a tropical cyclone that struck Western Australia during the active 1998–99 Australian region cyclone season, and was also one of six tropical cyclones to form off the coast of Australia during that season. When making landfall the Learmonth Meteorological Office recorded the highest Australian wind gust of 267 km/h (166 mph). The previous highest gust was 259 km/h (161 mph) at nearby Mardie during Cyclone Trixie. This record was surpassed in 2010 after a world record wind-gust of 408 km/h (254 mph) at Barrow Island during Cyclone Olivia in 1996 was declared official by the World Meteorological Organisation.
The 1999–2000 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly above average tropical cyclone season. It ran from 1 November 1999 to 30 April 2000. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a "tropical cyclone year" separately from a "tropical cyclone season", with the "tropical cyclone year" for this season lasting from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000.
Traditionally, areas of tropical cyclone formation are divided into seven basins. These include the north Atlantic Ocean, the eastern and western parts of the northern Pacific Ocean, the southwestern Pacific, the southwestern and southeastern Indian Oceans, and the northern Indian Ocean. The western Pacific is the most active and the north Indian the least active. An average of 86 tropical cyclones of tropical storm intensity form annually worldwide, with 47 reaching hurricane/typhoon strength, and 20 becoming intense tropical cyclones, super typhoons, or major hurricanes.
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.
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.
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.
The 2013–14 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly below-average tropical cyclone season, with 10 tropical cyclones occurring within the Australian region. It officially started on 1 November 2013, and ended on 30 April 2014. 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 2013 and ended on 30 June 2014.
The 2016–17 Australian region cyclone season, despite a very high number of tropical lows, was a slightly below-average season in terms of activity, with nine tropical cyclones, three of which intensified further into severe tropical cyclones; though it was much more active than the previous season. The season was the first to have a severe tropical cyclone since the 2014–15 season. It was the period of the year when most tropical cyclones form in the Southern Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans between 90°E and 160°E. The season officially ran from 1 November 2016 to 30 April 2017, however, a tropical cyclone could form at any time between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017 and would count towards the season total. The first named storm, Yvette, developed during 21 December, and the final named storm, Greg, left the region on 3 May as a remnant low. This season was also the second-costliest tropical cyclone season on record in the Australian region basin, behind only the 2010–11 season, with a total of AUD$3.7 billion in damages incurred by the various storms, mostly from Cyclone Debbie.
The 2019–20 Australian region cyclone season was a below average tropical cyclone season for the waters surrounding Australia between longitudes 90°E and 160°E. The season officially began on 1 November 2019 and ended on 30 April 2020; however, tropical cyclones can form at any time of year, as evidenced by Tropical Cyclone Mangga during May 2020. As such, any system existing between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020 would count towards the season total. The season featured the region's second-latest start on record, with the formation of the first tropical low only occurring on 4 January 2020. A total of eight tropical cyclones formed during the season, which represents the region's least active season since the 2016–17 season. Three systems intensified further into severe tropical cyclones, and three systems made landfall within the region at tropical cyclone intensity. A total of 28 fatalities were caused, either directly or indirectly, as a result of impacts from the season's systems. Cyclone Ferdinand was the strongest of the season reaching Category 4 in late February 2020. However, it was the second-strongest storm, Cyclone Damien, that was the most damaging. Damien was the strongest tropical cyclone to strike Western Australia's Pilbara Region since Cyclone Christine in 2013, making landfall directly over the town of Dampier.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Joan was an intense tropical cyclone that ravaged areas of Western Australia. Forming out of a tropical low on 30 November 1975, Joan gradually intensified as it tracked towards the west. After attaining Category 5 intensity on 5 December, the storm abruptly began to track southward and accelerated. The following day, the cyclone reached its peak intensity with winds of 215 km/h (130 mph) and a barometric pressure of 915 hPa (27.02 inHg). Joan only weakened slightly before making landfall in the vicinity of Mundabullagana. The cyclone rapidly weakened after landfall before dissipating over Western Australia on 12 December.
Severe Tropical Cyclone John was an intense tropical cyclone that rapidly deepened offshore before devastating areas of Western Australia. The system was the second cyclone and first severe tropical cyclone of the active 1999–00 Australian region cyclone season. Cyclone John developed from a monsoon trough positioned northwest of Australia on 9 December 1999. As it moved to the west and later south as the result of a subtropical ridge under favourable conditions, the cyclone was able to rapidly intensify. John reached peak intensity on 14 December as a Category 5 cyclone on the Australian cyclone scale, the highest rating possible. Cyclone John later began interacting with a mid–latitude trough, which slightly weakened the cyclone prior to making landfall near Whim Creek early on 15 December. Increasingly unfavourable conditions further inland resulted in the cyclone's rapid weakening, before it dissipated during the next day.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Christine was the third tropical cyclone and the second severe tropical cyclone of the 2013–14 Australian region cyclone season. It made landfall on Western Australia's Pilbara coast nearly halfway between the major towns of Karratha and Port Hedland as a category 4 cyclone on midnight of 31 December 2013.
Tropical Cyclone Alessia was the first tropical cyclone to affect the Northern Territory of Australia in November since Cyclone Joan in 1975. The storm was first identified as a tropical low on 20 November 2013 well to the northwest of Australia. Tracking generally west to west-southwest, the small system steadily organized into a tropical cyclone by 22 November. Maintaining a small central dense overcast, Alessia brushed the Kimberley region before making landfall in the Top End region with winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) on 23 and 24 November respectively. Some weakening took place as the system moved over land; however, reorganization occurred as it neared the Gulf of Carpentaria. After moving over water on 26 November, it redeveloped gale-force winds. Alessia reached its peak intensity on 27 November with winds of 85 km/h (53 mph) and a barometric pressure of 991 mbar and subsequently made its final landfall near Wollogorang. Weakening ensued once more as the storm traveled over land; though, Alessia's remnants looped eastward back over water before doubling back to the west. The system was last noted moving inland again over the Northern Territory on 1 December.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilona caused moderate damage across the Pilbara region of Western Australia in mid-December 1988. The system originated from a monsoon trough that coalesced into a tropical low over the Timor Sea on 12 December. The system initially moved southwest, before moving on a more westerly course. Steady intensification occurred and Ilona reached its peak strength on 17 December as a low-end severe tropical cyclone. A southward turn directed the cyclone toward Western Australia, and it made landfall near Mardie Station. The system subsequently degraded over land and dissipated on 19 December.
The following is a list of all reported tropical cyclones within the Australian region between 90°E and 160°E, after the start of World War II in September 1939 and before the start of the satellite era during the 1969–70 Season.
The following is a list of all reported tropical cyclones within the Australian region between 90°E and 160°E in the 1960s. During the decade, tropical cyclones were named by the New Caledonia Meteorological Service, while the Australian Bureau of Meteorology started to name them during the 1963–64 season.
The following is a list of all reported tropical cyclones within the Australian region between 90°E and 160°E in the 1950s.
The following is a list of Australian region tropical cyclones from 1900 to 1910.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Damien was the strongest cyclone to make landfall on the Western Australian coast since Cyclone Christine in 2013 and the second-strongest cyclone in the 2019–20 Australian region cyclone season after Cyclone Ferdinand. The fifth tropical low, and the third named storm of the 2019–20 Australian region cyclone season, Damien originated from a monsoon trough over Kimberley.