2001-02 Australian region cyclone season

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2001-02 Australian region cyclone season
Season summary map
Season summary map
First storm formed: October 24, 2001
Last storm dissipated: May 29, 2002
Strongest storm: Chris - 915 hPa (mbar), 205 km/h (125 mph) (10-minute sustained)
Total storms: 10
Severe Tropical Cyclones: 4
Total fatalities: 19 direct
Total damage: Unknown
Australian region cyclone seasons
1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04
Related articles 2001-02 South Pacific cyclone season
2001-02 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Tropical cyclone scales

The 2001-02 Australian region cyclone season was an event in the ongoing cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It officially started on November 1, 2001, and ended on April 30, 2002. However, the formation of Tropical Cyclone Alex on October 26, 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 May 25, 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 July 1, 2001 and ended on June 30, 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.

Tropical cyclones in this area are monitored by five Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs): the Australian Bureau of Meteorology in Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane; TCWC Jakarta in Indonesia; and TCWC Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.[1] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issues unofficial warnings for the region, designating tropical depressions with the "S" suffix when they form west of 135°E, and the "P" suffix when they form east of 135°E.

Contents

[edit] Storms

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Alex

Category 2 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
TC Alex NOAA.jpg Alex-Andre 2001 track.png
Duration October 26—October 31, 2001
Intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min), 980 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Alex began on October 24, 2001 when the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) noted an area of convection developing southwest of Sumatra and north of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. On October 25, the JTWC relocated the disturbance further west as it became better organised. The JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the tropical low later that day. On October 26, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Perth issued a gale warning on the system, forecasting further development. Three hours later, TCWC Perth upgraded the low to Tropical Cyclone Alex 555 km (345 mi) northwest of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The JTWC followed suit, upgrading the low to tropical cyclone status in its first advisory. It moved slowly westward while upper-level wind shear prevented the storm from intensifying. However, late on October 27, the storm's deep convection had become better organised and Perth raised Alex's peak winds to 95 km/h (60 mph). Alex continued to move to the west-southwest, steered by a mid-level ridge to the southeast. Alex moved west of 90°E into La Réunion's area of responsibility early on October 28 and was renamed Severe Tropical Storm Andre by Mauritius. Alex-Andre at this time reached its peak intensity, with Météo-France estimating 10-min sustained winds to be 55 kt, while the JTWC estimated 1-min sustained winds to be 55 kt as well; see 2001-02 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season.[2]

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Bessi

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
TC Bessi-Bako NOAA.jpg Bessi-Bako 2001 track.png
Duration November 26—December 5, 2001
Intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min), 966 hPa (mbar)

An area of convection developed on November 25, 2001 southwest of Sumatra. The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) on November 26 when the low continued to become better organised. At the same time, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Perth began releasing gale warnings for the storm, anticipating further development. Moderate wind shear prevented the low from intensifying, which made it necessary for the JTWC to issue another TCFA on November 27. Shortly after, the JTWC issued their first warning on the storm, designating it 05S, while Perth upgraded the cyclone to Tropical Cyclone Bessi. At this time, the cyclone was located about 650 km (400 mi) northwest of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Bessi was initially moving westwards, but turned to the south as a mid-level trough weakened the subtropical ridge which was steering the cyclone westwards. Bessi reached its first peak intensity of 110 km/h (70 mph) on November 28 while located 695 km (430 mi) west-northwest of Cocos Islands. It weakened thereafter as it moved into an area of high vertical wind shear. Bessi moved to the south-southeast on November 29, then curved to the west on November 30 while weakening to 75 km/h (45 mph). It moved west of 90°E, entering La Réunion's area of responsibility, and was renamed Tropical Storm Bako. Cyclone Bessi-Bako later reached its peak intensity of 65 knots as estimated by Météo-France; see 2001-02 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season.[3]

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Bernie

Category 2 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
TC Bernie NOAA.jpg Bernie 2002 track.png
Duration December 30, 2001—January 6, 2002
Intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 985 hPa (mbar)

A weak tropical low developed in the Arafura Sea northeast of Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory on January 1, 2002. It moved slowly to the south into the Gulf of Carpentaria and intensified to Tropical Cyclone Bernie on January 3. It peaked in intensity early the next day as a Category 2 cyclone,[4] with wind gusts reaching 130 km/h (80 mph).[5] Bernie was moving to the southwest and started to weaken, before crossing the coast near the borderline between Queensland and Northern Territory early on January 5 as a Category 1 cyclone. It weakened to a rain depression shortly after[6] and continued to move southwards into the Barkly district on January 6.[4]

Early on January 4, Bernie was close to making landfall over Mornington Island, and cyclone warnings were declared between the Northern Territory border and Kowanyama in Queensland.[7] However, the cyclone warnings were shifted to the west later in the day for areas between Port McArthur in the Northern Territory and the Gilbert-Einasleigh River mouth in Queensland.[8] As the cyclone neared the island, many residents in Mornington Island were moved to a more secure shelter. A few hours later, residents between Port McArthur and Karumba, Queensland were warned of a dangerous storm surge associated with Bernie.[9]

Mornington Island recorded more than 300 mm (12 in) of precipitation in a 24 hour period and experienced gusts of 100 km/h (60 mph).[10] A few houses in the island lost power.[11] However, only light damages occurred, and there were no casualties on the island.[12] The town of Karumba also experienced heavy damage, with the storm surge damaging the beach.[13] The towns Burketown and Doomadgee in Queensland were isolated for two weeks due to flooded roads.[14]

Pastoralists in the Gulf country were anticipating high rainfall from Bernie, but only received low rainfall.[15] Further south in Roma, Queensland, the rains helped lift up the prices in the cattle market.[16] People in inland areas of the Gulf country were hit by bushfires in November and December, 2001 and were anticipating the arrival of Bernie, hoping that it will bring rain to extinguish the fires.[17] However, Bernie delivered very little rain to the area.[11]

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Chris

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
TC Chris NOAA.jpg Chris 2002 track.png
Duration February 2—February 6, 2002
Intensity 205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min), 915 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Chris developed on February 2 off the north Western Australia coast. The storm peaked with 230 km/h (145 mph) winds before making landfall to the east of Port Hedland, Western Australia and dissipated overland on February 6. Chris was responsible for some inland flooding.

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Claudia

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
Temporary cyclone south.svg Claudia 2002 track.png
Duration February 11—February 15, 2002
Intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min), 970 hPa (mbar)

The origins of Claudia came from an area of convection which formed 1020 km (635 mi) east-southeast of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on February 9, 2002. The system did not develop further until on February 11 where it began to develop rapidly. The Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) in Brisbane identified the storm as a tropical low 990 km (615 mi) east of Townsville, Queensland, while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert for the system. A couple hours later, the low was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Claudia by TCWC Brisbane, while the JTWC also upgraded the storm to tropical cyclone status, designating it as Tropical Cyclone 14P. Later that day, the JTWC upped Claudia's peak winds to 120 km/h (75 mph), after a well-defined eye was spotted in infrared imagery. The very small cyclone was moving southeastwards and continued to rapidly intensify due to good outflow. Early on February 12, TCWC Brisbane upgraded Claudia to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, with estimated peak winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), while the JTWC estimated peak winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). Claudia was moving quickly to the southeast towards Fiji's area of responsibility and TCWC Brisbane its last warning for Claudia later that day when it moved east of 160°E out of TCWC Brisbane's area of responsibility; see 2001-02 South Pacific cyclone season.[18]

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Des

Category 2 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Temporary cyclone south.svg Des 2002 track.png
Duration March 4—March 7, 2002
Intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 985 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Des originated from an area of convection which formed on March 3, 835 km (520 mi) east-southeast of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Late on March 4, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) in Brisbane initiated warnings for the tropical low as the system's convection deepened. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert for the storm, and later upgraded it to Tropical Cyclone 17P at 0600 UTC on March 5. The cyclone was moving to the east-southeast, steered by a low to mid-level ridge east of the storm. Favourable conditions and good outflow enabled the cyclone to strengthen, and TCWC Brisbane upgraded it to Tropical Cyclone Des at 0900 UTC on the same day with peak winds of 75 km/h (45 mph). At the time of upgrade, Des was located only 55 km (35 mi) west of 160°E, near the border between Brisbane's and Nadi's respective areas of responsibility. Warnings were issued by RSMC Nadi thereafter as the cyclone continued to move to the southeast; see 2001-02 South Pacific cyclone season.[19]

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Dianne

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
Temporary cyclone south.svg Dianne-Jery 2002 track.png
Duration April 7—April 11, 2002
Intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min), 954 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Dianne formed after a long period of cyclone inactivity off northwestern Australia and in the Southeast Indian Ocean since Cyclone Chris in early February. On April 4, 2002 an area of convection developed 350 km (220 mi) northeast of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The system intensified under favourable conditions and outflow improved over the storm. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on April 6 for the system, and upgraded to Tropical Cyclone 21S on April 7, when convection deepened rapidly over the storm. It moved west-southwestward, influenced by a mid-level ridge which extended from the Australian west coast.[20] As the cyclone edged closer to the Cocos Islands, a cyclone warning was issued by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Perth for possible gale force winds developing over the islands.[21] TCWC Perth issued its first gale warning for the developing cyclone at 0300 UTC on April 7, and upgraded it to Tropical Cyclone Dianne just two hours later with peak winds of 85 km/h (50 mph).[20] Although Dianne passed about 30 km south of the islands, no gale force winds were reported there.[21] Dianne moved away from the Cocos Islands, and intensified further, developing a banding eye feature. Early on April 8, the JTWC upgraded Dianne from tropical storm to tropical cyclone status with peak winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), equivalent to a minimal hurricane. Later that day, TCWC Perth followed suit, upgrading Dianne to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone with peak winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). Dianne continued moving to the west-southwest and crossed the boundary at 90°E into La Réunion's area of responsibility and was renamed Tropical Cyclone Jery by the Mauritius Meteorological Service; see 2001-02 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season.[20]

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Bonnie

Category 2 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
TC Bonnie NOAA.jpg Bonnie 2002 track.png
Duration April 9—April 14, 2002
Intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 985 hPa (mbar)

An area of convection formed 600 km (375 mi) northeast of Darwin, Northern Territory on April 7. An increase in deep convection occurred late on April 9, with the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issuing a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert for the developing system. At this time, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) in Darwin initiated gale warnings for the tropical low, but it was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Bonnie six hours later, 240 km (150 mi) east of Timor. Bonnie was moving west-southwestwards andmade landfall on the Timorese coast on April 10. The cyclone entered TCWC Perth's area of warning responsibility as it moved west of 125°E. Land interaction inhibited the storm from developing, but the cyclone later moved into the Savu Sea where good outflow enabled the storm to strengthen. Bonnie later moved over the south coast of Sumba on April 11 where the land mass weakened the storm again. After moving over water for the second time on April 12, TCWC Perth and the JTWC increased Bonnie's peak winds to 95 km/h (60 mph). Bonnie continued to move west-southwestwards but the storm began to slowly weaken as its deep convection decreased and interacted with the island of Java. TCWC Perth issued its last gale warning on Bonnie late on April 14. The JTWC continued to issue advisories on the low until late on April 15 465 km (290 mi) south-southeast of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.[20]

Bonnie caused heavy rainfall and gusty winds in Timor and Sumba. Flash flooding in Sumba killed 19 people. Bonnie also caused a moist northeast wind flow that triggered above average rainfall to northern Western Australia.[22]

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Errol

Category 1 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
TC Errol NOAA.jpg Errol 2002 track.png
Duration May 9—May 15, 2002
Intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min), 995 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Errol was a late season storm that attained tropical cyclone on May 9, 2002. It did not last long, and weakened early on May 10, located about 600 km north of Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Errol was operationally tracked as maintaining tropical cyclone intensity until May 14, however post-analysis indicated that the cyclone's winds were below gale force, therefore, it was not a tropical cyclone during this time. The remaining tropical low passed just east of Cocos Islands on May 15.[21]

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Upia

Category 2 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Temporary cyclone south.svg Upia 2002 track.png
Duration May 25—May 29, 2002
Intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 995 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Upia formed on May 23 to the east of Papua New Guinea. It reached a peak strength with 65 km/h (40 mph) winds before it dissipated on May 29.

Tropical Cyclone Upia passed over Budibudi Island on May 26. All coconut trees on the island and surrounding islands were flattened. Food crops in a nearby island were damaged by rising sea waters. Seven houses and a church building were destroyed during the event.[23]

[edit] Storm names

Tropical cyclones are assigned names by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology or Papua New Guinea.

Tropical cyclones are named if they are non-frontal low pressure systems of synoptic scale developing over warm waters, or Dvorak intensity analysis indicate the presence of gale force or stronger winds near the centre. Therefore, a tropical system with gales in one or more quadrants, but not near the centre, are not named.[24]

All names assigned in the Australian region are used sequentially, unlike lists used annually by the National Hurricane Centre in the Atlantic Ocean and east Pacific Ocean. Only the names used during this cyclone season are listed below. The complete list of names for each basin are found in the World Meteorological Organization's official list.

[edit] Southeast Indian Ocean

Tropical cyclones that develop east of 90°E, south of the Equator, and west of 125°E are assigned names by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Perth, Western Australia.[1] The name Chris was retired after its usage.

  • Alex
  • Bessi
  • Chris
  • Dianne
  • Errol

[edit] Arafura Sea and Western Gulf of Carpentaria

Tropical cyclones that develop south of the Equator between 125°E and 141°E are assigned names by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Darwin, Northern Territory.[1]

  • Bonnie

[edit] Coral Sea and Eastern Gulf of Carpentaria

Tropical cyclones that develop south of 10°S between 141°E and 160°E are assigned names by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Brisbane, Queensland.[1]

  • Bernie
  • Claudia
  • Des

[edit] Solomon Sea and Gulf of Papua

Tropical cyclones that develop north of 10°S between 141°E and 160°E are assigned names by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.[1]

  • Upia

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/TCP-24-OP-PLN-2006-edition-english.pdf
  2. ^ Gary Padgett (2001). Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary October 2001. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
  3. ^ Gary Padgett (2001). Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary November 2001. Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
  4. ^ a b SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - January 2002. Bureau of Meteorology (Australia). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  5. ^ Gale force winds predicted as Cyclone Bernie strengthens. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-04). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  6. ^ Cyclone Bernie threat downgraded. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-05). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  7. ^ Winds increase as Cyclone Bernie heads for coast. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-04). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  8. ^ Cyclone draws nearer to coastal communities. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-04). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  9. ^ Disaster centre ready as cyclone makes approach. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-04). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  10. ^ Coastal communities prepare for Cyclone Bernie. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-04). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  11. ^ a b Fire still a worry despite Bernie's appearance. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-08). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  12. ^ Cyclone Bernie passes quietly over Australian coastline. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-05). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  13. ^ Cyclone hit Karumba, Mornington Is hardest. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-09). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  14. ^ Residents continue to clean-up after cyclone. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-07). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  15. ^ Cyclone Bernie a fizzer for Qld. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-07). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  16. ^ Lift in QLD cattle prices with the rain. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-02-06). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  17. ^ NT bushfires destroy 6,500 sq km of farmland. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2002-01-04). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  18. ^ Gary Padgett (2002). Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary February 2002. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  19. ^ Gary Padgett (2002). Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary March 2002. Retrieved on 2008-05-03.
  20. ^ a b c d Gary Padgett (2002). Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary April 2002. Retrieved on 2008-05-03.
  21. ^ a b c WA Tropical Cyclone Season Summary 2001-02. Bureau of Meteorology (Australia). Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
  22. ^ Climate of 2002 - April - Global Regional Analysis: Australia and Indonesia. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  23. ^ Regional Association V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean pp. 53-54. World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  24. ^ http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/TCP/OperationPlans/TCP24-English2004.pdf

[edit] See also

Tropical cyclones Portal

[edit] External links