2005-06 Australian region cyclone season

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2005-06 Australian region cyclone season
Season summary map
Season summary map
First storm formed: November 5, 2005
Last storm dissipated: April 26. 2006
Strongest storm: Monica - 905 hPa (mbar), 250 km/h (155 mph) (10-minute sustained)
Total depressions: 17
Total storms: 14
Severe Tropical Cyclones: 9
Total fatalities: 1 indirect
Total damage: $800 million (2006 USD)
$855.5 million (2008 USD)
Australian region cyclone seasons
2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-2007 2007-2008
Related articles 2005-06 South Pacific cyclone season
2005-06 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Tropical cyclone scales

The 2005-06 Australian region cyclone season was an event in the ongoing cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It began on November 1, 2005 and ended on April 30, 2006. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a tropical cyclone year separately from a tropical cyclone season, which runs from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006.

Tropical cyclones in this area are monitored by four Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs): the Australian Bureau of Meteorology in Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane; and TCWC Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.[1]

Contents

[edit] Storms

[edit] Tropical Low (02S)

Tropical low (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Tropical Cyclone 02S 2005.jpg
Duration November 5—November 8
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 995 hPa (mbar)

An area of convection persisted on November 4 about 560 km (345 mi) north of the Cocos Islands, associated with a tight low-level circulation. With good outflow and moderate but decreasing wind shear, conditions favored development.[2] By early on November 5, the system consisted of a partially exposed circulation with deep convection on its western side, tracking southwestward.[3] At 0400 UTC that day, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) in Perth issued a gale warning in association with the disturbance. Later in the day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) classified it as Tropical Cyclone 02S, and both the JTWC and TCWC Perth anticipated further strengthening.[4]

Throughout its duration, TCWC Perth maintained the system as a 55 km/h (35 mph) tropical low.[5] However, the JTWC assessed the storm as reaching peak winds of 85 km/h (50 mph), based on observations indicating the consolidation of convection over the center. The agency forecasted the storm to strengthen further; however, by late on November 6 it had began weakening.[6] Around the same time, the storm crossed into the area of warning responsibility of Météo-France in Réunion (MFR); as such, it was re-designated as Tropical Depression 04. The depression continued southwestward as it slowly weakened. Early on November 8, the JTWC issued its final warning, and six hours later, the MFR discontinued advisories while it was located about 1485 km (920 mi) southeast of Diego Garcia.[4]

  • Archive for Tropical Cyclone 02S from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Bertie-Alvin

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
STS BertieAlvin 2005.jpg Bertie-Alvin 2005 track.png
Duration November 19—November 24
Intensity 185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min), 928 hPa (mbar)

A weak tropical low persisted on November 17 at a low latitude about 740 km (460 mi) west-southwest of the Indonesia island of Sumatra. Early on November 18, the TCWC Perth issued a gale warning on the system;[4] at the time, the system consisted of cycling convection in association with several small circulations.[7] The circulations organized into a well-defined center of circulation, and at 0000 UTC on November 19 it was classified as Tropical Cyclone Bertie about 835 km (515 mi) northwest of the Cocos Islands. The storm tracked southwestward around the western periphery of a mid-level ridge between Australia and Indonesia.[4] Environmental conditions generally favored further strengthening, with good outflow though moderate wind shear,[8] and late on November 19 the JTWC initiated advisories on Bertie.[9]

Tropical Cyclone Bertie gradually strengthened and became a Severe Tropical Cyclone on November 21. The next day, TCWC Perth issued its last advisory on the cyclone, as it was expected to cross 90ºE, which is dividing longitude line between TCWC Perth and the Météo-France (MFR) area of warning responsibility. However, Bertie turned due southward, and the MFR issued advisories for 30 hours as the cyclone remained just east of 90ºE, during which the MFR estimated Bertie attained peak winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). Early on November 23, the JTWC assessed the cyclone as reaching winds of 210 km/h (135 mph), which equates to a marginal Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. On November 24, the cyclone crossed into the area of responsibility of the MFR, and it was renamed Intense Tropical Cyclone Alvin. Shortly thereafter the storm turned to a northwest drift, and encountering unfavorable conditions, Alvin rapidly weakened. The JTWC issued its last advisory on November 26 after it weakened to a tropical depression, and two days later the MFR discontinued advisories.[4] The remnants of the storm continued northwestward until turning west-southwestward and dissipating on December 3.[10]

  • Météo France's archive on the system, in French.
  • Archive for Bertie-Alvin from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Tropical Low (04S)

Tropical low (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Tropical Cyclone 04S 2005.jpg
Duration December 21—December 23
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 998 hPa (mbar)

A tropical low persisted on December 19 just west of 90ºE, which is just outside of the area of warning responsibility of TCWC Perth.[11] The system initially consisted of pulsating convection in association with an elongated and partially-exposed low-level circulation.[12] TCWC Perth began issuing gale warnings on the system on December 22 as the low tracked southeastward.[11] Moderate wind shear persisted over the system, preventing immediate development[13] The low turned southwestward, and on December 23 it entered the area of responsibility of Météo-France in Réunion (MFR).[11]

Upon entering the South-West Indian Ocean, the MFR classified the system as Tropical Depression 06. Convection increased and organized, and the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 04S on December 24. However, wind shear increased shortly thereafter, resulting in weakening. On December 25, the JTWC discontinued advisories, and a day later the MFR followed suit. The remnants tracked southwestward, and the MFR again issued advisories starting on December 27. After passing near Rodrigues, the system weakened again due to persistent vertical shear, and on December 29 the MFR again issued the final warning on the system.[11]

  • Météo France's archive on the system, in French. The system never reached Tropical Storm strength based on Météo France's advisories.
  • Archive and summary for 04S from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Clare

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Clare January 2006.jpg Clare 2006 track.png
Duration January 6—January 10
Intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min), 960 hPa (mbar)

A tropical low formed north of Northern Territory and tracked roughly parallel to the coast. On January 7, TCWC Perth started issuing tropical cyclone advisories on this system. The low became Tropical Cyclone Clare when it was located 250 km north of Cape Leveque or 430 km north of Broome. A steady strengthening trend continued and Clare peaked as a 139 km/h (75 kt) storm, or a Category 3 cyclone on the Australian scale, with a minimum pressure of 960 hPa at the centre of the system. On January 9 the cyclone made landfall near Karratha and Dampier next day, and dissipated on the 10th as it continued inland. On the 12th of December 2006, the Bureau of Meteorology announced that the name "Clare" would be retired, and will never be used for an Australian Cyclone ever again.[14]

In preparation of the storm, 1,500 people were evacuated, while incoming flights and mining operations were closed. [1] Although sustained wind speeds of 131km/h and gusts of up to 142km/h were recorded, the towns affected by TC Clare escaped with only minor structural damage. The precipitation associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Clare caused extensive flooding in the towns of Walkaway and Lake Grace over the weekend of 14-15 January. [2] Because it made landfall at low tide, storm surge damage was negligible. [3] Overall, damage was minor, and Clare was responsible for no deaths.

  • Archive for Clare from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.
  • Report on Clare from Perth TCWC.

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Daryl

Category 2 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
STC Daryl 2006.jpg Daryl 2006 track.png
Duration January 18—January 22
Intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min), 976 hPa (mbar)

On January 17, TCWC Perth started issuing tropical cyclone advices for a tropical low overland. The low tracked into Kuri Bay next day and developed into Tropical Cyclone Daryl. It continued to strengthen, and on January 21 briefly became a Severe Tropical Cyclone operationally but was downgraded to a 55kt Tropical Cyclone following the end of season analysis. Over the next two days, Daryl tracked parallel to the West Australian coast, mostly as a Category 2 system. Daryl continued tracking in a south-westerly direction before being downgraded to a low-pressure system on January 23. The cyclone did not cross the coast.

  • Archive for Daryl from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Northern Territory Monsoon Low

Tropical low (BoM)
Monsoon Low 30 jan 2006 0445Z.jpg
Duration January 24—February 1
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 989 hPa (mbar)

A tropical low developed off the north coast of the Top End in late January. It made landfall in the Darwin area and drifted down the western border of the Northern Territory. The low brought heavy falls to many parts of the western Northern Territory. The low continued to move south through the Victoria River District and into the Tanami Desert. The Victoria Highway was cut by floodwaters, isolating Timber Creek and the Victoria River Crossing. On January 31, the low deepened producing near gale force winds.

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Jim

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
STC Jim 2005.jpg Jim 2006 track.png
Duration January 27—January 30
Intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min), 970 hPa (mbar)

TCWC Brisbane issued a gale warning for a Tropical Low off the Queensland east coast on January 26. It was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Jim on the morning of January 28 as it moved in an easterly direction. Jim moved out of Brisbane's area of responsibility on January 30 and was then monitored by Fiji, where it caused extensive flooding in that country.

  • Archive for Jim from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Kate

Category 2 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Tropical cyclone kate (2006).jpg Kate 2006 track.png
Duration February 22—February 24
Intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 985 hPa (mbar)

TCWC Brisbane issued a gale warning for a Tropical Low near the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula on February 22. The low moved in an easterly direction. It quickly strengthened and became Tropical Cyclone Kate on the same day. Kate moved eastwards and weakened into a tropical low on February 24.

  • Archive for Kate from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Emma

Category 1 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Tropical Cyclone Emma 2006.jpg Emma 2006 track.png
Duration February 26—March 1
Intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min), 988 hPa (mbar)

On February 26, TCWC Perth started issuing tropical cyclone advices as a tropical low was developing far north of Exmouth. The low moved slowly southward at first, and then accelerated. The Tropical Low became a category 1 cyclone on the Australian scale on February 27. Emma accelerated southwards and crossed the coast near Mardie on February 28. At that time, Emma only had peak winds of about 67km/h. But since Emma covered a very large area, her effects were felt in almost the entire western extent of Australia. The heavy rain associated with Emma caused substantial flooding in the Pilbara region, where she came ashore. In Wittenoom, Western Australia, 200 mm of precipitation fell from the sky in 48 hours [4]. 15 days after Emma made landfall, overflowing rivers still threatened cities such as Kalbarri in Western Australia [5]. No fatalities were reported from Emma.

  • Archive for Emma from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Northern Territory Tropical Low

Tropical low (BoM)
030306 Northern Territories Low.PNG
Duration February 28—March 6
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 998 hPa (mbar)

A tropical low formed in the Arafura Sea north of Nhulunbuy on the February 24. It moved northwest into the Banda Sea and deepened during the next two days. Through the remainder of February it moved slowly southsouthwest into the Timor Sea. The low persisted into March but did not reach cyclone intensity. A cyclone watch was issued for a portion of Western Australia though the maximum sustained winds of the low were just 25 knots.

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
Cyclone Larry 2006.jpg Larry 2006 track.png
Duration March 16—March 21
Intensity 205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min), 940 hPa (mbar)
Main article: Cyclone Larry

TCWC Brisbane issued a gale warning for a Tropical Low in the Coral Sea on March 16. On the same day, RSMC Nadi classified it as a deepening tropical depression (15F). On March 17, the tropical low strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Larry. Larry moved towards the Queensland coast and gradually intensified to Category 4 on the Australian scale,[15] making landfall with that strength on March 20 over Innisfail. Larry was downgraded to a tropical low that night.

Cyclone Larry is considered to be the worst cyclone to hit Queensland since 1931. The total damage caused by Larry was estimated to be $1 billion (2006 AUD).

  • Archive for Larry from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Floyd

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
Severe Tropical Cyclone Floyd 2006.jpg Floyd 2006 track.png
Duration March 20—March 26
Intensity 195 km/h (120 mph) (10-min), 916 hPa (mbar)

On March 21, TCWC Perth started issuing advises on a Tropical Low. That low later strengthened to Tropical Cyclone Floyd as a Category 1 on the Australian scale. Overnight on March 22, it became a severe tropical cyclone. Strengthening further, Floyd reached Australian Category 4 at 8 p.m. AWST (1200 UTC) on March 23. Floyd attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds up to 105 knots (10-minute average) on March 24. A steady weakening trend occurred thereafter and Floyd became a tropical low about 285 kilometres west northwest of Exmouth on March 27.

  • Archive for Floyd from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Wati

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
Tropical Cyclone Wati 2006.jpg Wati 2006 track.png
Duration March 20—March 24
Intensity 155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min), 950 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Wati originated in the South Pacific region and moved into Brisbane's area of responsibility in late March. It later moved to the south-east where cyclone watches were issued for Lord Howe Island and cyclone warnings for Norfolk Island.

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Glenda

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 5 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
STC Glenda 28 mar 2006 0200Z.jpg Glenda 2006 track.png
Duration March 26—March 31
Intensity 205 km/h (130 mph) (10-min), 910 hPa (mbar)
Main article: Cyclone Glenda

Cyclone Glenda began as a tropical low on March 15 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 March 30 it moved ashore near Onslow as a Category 3 cyclone, and the next day it degenerated into a remnant tropical low over land.[16][5]

The precursor disturbance produced heavy rainfall in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, causing record flooding and some road damage. Minor damage was reported at the final landfall of Glenda. Due to the sparse population and preparations made, the cyclone was not responsible for any deaths or injuries.[17] However, its name was later retired from the list of tropical cyclone names.[18]

  • Archive for Glenda from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.
  • Report on Glenda from the BoM website.

[edit] Cocos Island Tropical Low

Tropical low (BoM)
032606 Cocos Islands Low.PNG
Duration March 26—March 29
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 994 hPa (mbar)

Cocos Islands faced their first cyclone threat this cyclone season on March 25 when a tropical low developed to its east-northeast. The low passed well to their east and did not develop further. The maximum sustained winds near the low were 30 knots and the minimum pressure was 994 hPa.[19]

[edit] Tropical Cyclone Hubert

Category 2 tropical cyclone (BoM)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Tropical Cyclone Hubert 2006.jpg Hubert 2006 track.png
Duration April 5—April 7
Intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 980 hPa (mbar)

TCWC Perth issued a gale warning for a Tropical Low off Northwest Australia on April 4. The low moved erratically at first, and then towards southwest. It strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Hubert (Australian Category 1) on April 5 and to Australian Category 2 on April 6. Prior to landfall, Hubert weakened rapidly in an unfavourable atmospheric environment, and the surface circulation was poorly defined. Eventually, Hubert was downgraded to a tropical low with maximum sustained winds to 33 knots as it crossed the coast during the night of April 7 (based on AWST).

  • Archive for Hubert from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[edit] Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (BoM)
Category 5 tropical cyclone (SSHS)
Tropical Cyclone Monica 2006.jpg Monica 2006 track.png
Duration April 16—April 26
Intensity 250 km/h (155 mph) (10-min), 905 hPa (mbar)
Main article: Cyclone Monica

On Monday April 17 TCWC Brisbane issued an advice on the newly formed Tropical Cyclone Monica in the extreme north Coral Sea. The system began to establish a westward track, reaching Category 3 on the Australian scale on April 18. The very destructive core of Monica crossed the coast with hurricane force wind on April 19. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage though torrential rain and flood were reported. In the wake of Monica, Cairns broke its April rainfall record of 550 millimetres (21.7 inches).[6][7][8]

Monica moved off the Cape York Peninsula and reformed southwest of Aurukun on April 20. As it moved across the Gulf of Carpentaria, it strengthened and became the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded (in terms of winds) in the Southern Hemisphere. On April 23, the storm made landfall on small islands northeast of Arnhem Land and the southern side of the storm affected the extreme northern part of Australia's Northern Territory, which is very sparsely populated. Most of the residents were evacuated or located in shelters, mainly in Nhulunbuy. The town escaped significant damage, however, as the storm track was well offshore. [9]

Infrared image of Monica near peak intensity.
Infrared image of Monica near peak intensity.

At peak strength on April 23 the TCWC in Darwin reported a minimum pressure of 905 mbar. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued an advisory on April 23 which pinned the pressure at a southern hemisphere record-tying 879 mbar, and sustained winds at 155 kt (180 mph). Some estimated unofficial preliminary data suggested that this cyclone could have produced the lowest atmospheric pressure ever recorded in the world, with a reported minimum pressure of 869 mbar, surpassing Typhoon Tip's 870 mbar record. Along with it, Monica might have had 1-minute sustained winds of 200 mph, as it plummeted below T 8.0 which cannot even be read because of the extreme intensity. [10]

Monica then made a third landfall, to the northwest of Maningrida. The storm weakened quickly overland and spared Darwin, which was devastated by Cyclone Tracy in 1974, a direct hit from a severe tropical cyclone. The remnant low of Monica dissipated on April 26 over the Timor Sea.

  • Archive for Monica from the Tropical Cyclone Center Database.

[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.[20]

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]

  • Bertie
  • Clare
  • Daryl
  • Emma
  • Floyd
  • Glenda
  • Hubert

[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]

No tropical cyclone names were used in the 2005-06 season.

[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]

Note also that Cyclone Wati from the South Pacific region also affected the area monitored by Brisbane's Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre.

[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]

No tropical cyclone names were used in the 2005-06 season.

[edit] See also

Tropical cyclones Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/TCP/TCP24-English2004.pdf
  2. ^ Charlie Forecast Team (2005). November 4 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  3. ^ Alpha Forecast Team (2005). November 5 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  4. ^ a b c d e Gary Padgett (2005). November 2005 Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Summary. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  5. ^ a b Gary Padgett (2006). March 2006 Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Summary. Retrieved on 2008-04-13.
  6. ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2005). Advisories for Tropical Cyclone 02S. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  7. ^ Delta Forecast Team (2005). November 18 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  8. ^ Bravo Forecast Team (2005). November 19 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  9. ^ Alpha Forecast Team (2005). November 19 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory (2). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  10. ^ Météo France (2007). Cyclone tropical intense: Alvin (Période du 18/11/2005 au 03/12/2005) (French). Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  11. ^ a b c d Gary Padgett (2005). December 2005 Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Summary. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
  12. ^ Alpha Forecast Team (2005). December 18 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
  13. ^ Alpha Forecast Team (2005). December 22 Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
  14. ^ Tropical Cyclone names
  15. ^ WebCite query result
  16. ^ Bureau of Meteorology (2006). Significant Weather - March 2006 (PDF). Australian Government. Retrieved on 2008-04-13.
  17. ^ Fire and Emergency Services Authority (2007). 2005-06 Cyclones in Western Australia (PDF). Retrieved on 2008-04-15.
  18. ^ Bureau of Meteorology (2008). Tropical Cyclone Names. Retrieved on 2008-04-15.
  19. ^ http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/archive/0603/06032700
  20. ^ http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/TCP/OperationPlans/TCP24-English2004.pdf

[edit] External links