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Severe Tropical Cyclone Lua
Cyclone Lua near landfall on 17 March
Meteorological history
Formed12 March 2012
Dissipated18 March 2012
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained(BOM)
Highest winds155 km/h (100 mph)
Highest gusts220 km/h (140 mph)
Lowest pressure935hPa(mbar); 27.61inHg
Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained(SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds175 km/h (110 mph)
Lowest pressure952hPa(mbar); 28.11inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
Damage>$230 million (2012USD)
Areas affectedWestern Australia
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the2011–12 Australian region cyclone season

Severe Tropical Cyclone Luaaffected a sparsely populated region ofWestern Australiaduring mid-March 2012. Originating in a broad low pressure area that formed northwest of Australia by 8 March, the storm was plagued by inhibitingwind shearfor the duration of its formative stages. However, it gradually organised, and received the name Lua on 13 March. The cyclone meandered for the first several days of its existence, caught between weak and competing steering currents. After the cyclone drifted northwestward, a buildingridgeof high pressure to the north drove Lua southeastward toward thePilbararegion. Ultimately intensifying into an upper-endCategory 3 severe tropical cyclonewith maximum sustained 10-minute winds of 155 km/h (96 mph), Lua madelandfallnear the remote community of Pardoo, about 150 km (93 mi) east ofPort Hedland.It steadily weakened as it progressed south over interior Western Australia, diminishing below tropical cyclone status on 18 March.

The threat of the impending cyclone halted local industries such as oil production and iron ore mining and exporting. ThePort of Port Hedland,a highly important iron ore shipping terminal, was forced to close for about 52 hours, contributing to inflated iron ore prices and delayed shipments. Multiple companies suspended work at oil fields and mines throughout the region, cutting national oil production by 25% and iron ore exports by 4.7% versus the previous month. Overall, Lua is attributed to $217 million (2012AUD;$230 million 2012USD) in lost revenue. Lua produced strong winds and widespread rainfall on land, but damage was limited by the lack of population in the storm's path. ThePardoo Roadhousebore the brunt of the storm, and damage was reported at several othercattle stationsand homesteads; at these sites, the storm damaged the exteriors of various structures and brought down swaths of trees. Central Western Australia endured several days of record-breaking rainfall and cool weather. TheGovernment of Western Australiaprovided disaster relief funds to the hardest-hit areas, andLuawas laterretiredfrom the list of tropical cyclone names.

Meteorological history

[edit]
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
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
triangleExtratropical cyclone,remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Cyclone Lua originated in a broad area of disturbed weather that was spawned by a deeptroughof low pressure and enhanced by aMadden–Julian oscillationpulse.[1]The precursor to Lua was first identified through satellite imagery by 8 March 2012, while situated about 1,100 km (680 mi) to the north-northwest ofLearmonth.[2]Analysis of the disturbance revealed a diffuse low-level centre of circulation loosely bounded by sporadic, but multiplying, convection.[2]On 9 March, theBureau of Meteorology's (BoM) Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) inPerthrecognised the developing system and remarked on the potential fortropical cyclone formationover the following several days.[3]The low pressure area meandered for several days, making some progress toward the east, and gradually consolidated.[4]

By 12 March, the system had developed persistent deepconvectionover the eastern half of its core and organisedbanding featureselsewhere. Moderate verticalwind shearinitially hampered intensification,[5]though the BoM designated the system Tropical Low16U;at the time, it was centred roughly 230 km (140 mi) northwest ofKarratha, Western Australia.[6]At 2300UTCon 12 March, theJoint Typhoon Warning Center(JTWC) issued aTropical Cyclone Formation Alert.[7]With increasingly favourable environmental conditions—including warm ocean waters and dwindling wind shear—the low organised significantly between 12 and 13 March, and at 0600 UTC on the 13th, TCWC Perth upgraded the low to Tropical CycloneLua.[8]Simultaneously, the JTWC issued its first tropical cyclone warning on17S.[9]Contrary to real-time operations, the official BoM "best track" database does not list the storm as having attainedCategory 1 tropical cycloneintensity until 0000 UTC on 14 March.[4]

At the time of its designation, Lua was nearly stationary in terms of forward movement, caught in the equilibrium between a blockingridgeto the southwest and increasingmonsoonalwinds from the northwest.[8]The ridge began to drive Lua north-northwestward at up to 20 km/h (12 mph),[10]before the storm resumed its slow pace on 14 March.[11]The storm remained relatively disorganised, its strengthening limited by moderate wind shear and dry air entering its centre. Consequently, a large void of thunderstorm activity created a "horseshoe pattern".[12]Nonetheless, Lua proved resilient, and good outflow helped compensate for the adverse shear.[13]The southwesterly steering currents weakened, causing the storm to begin its anticipated curve toward the east and east-southeast.[14]According to the JTWC, the storm completed a small loop as a result of competing steering factors. At the same time, the upper levels of the atmosphere became far more conducive to the cyclone's intensification, and the storm's banding pattern tightened.[15]With a building ridge to its north, Lua accelerated east-southeastward on 15 March,[16]and with wind shear oscillating but generally decreasing, the storm became a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone at 1800 UTC.[4]

Continuing to intensify, Lua began to exhibit an ill-definedeyeon visible satellite imagery on 16 March. The storm was expansive, producing storm-force winds in a circular area 850 km (530 mi) across.[17]Still, the deepest convection and most favourable outflow was focused away from the eastern semicircle due to persistent light easterly wind shear.[18]The storm's structure improved throughout the day and into the night,[19]and at 1800 UTC on 16 March, the storm attained its peak 10-minute maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h (96 mph), classifying it as an upper-end Category 3 severe tropical cyclone.[20]Early on 17 March, the storm turned due south toward thePilbaracoast, and the JTWC reported that Lua's peak strength was marked by 1-minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (109 mph), at 0600 UTC.[21]At its deepest, the storm possessed a central barometric pressure of 935 hPa (27.6 inHg). Lua madelandfallnearPardoo,about 150 km (93 mi) east-northeast ofPort Hedland,at 0700 UTC while still at peak intensity.[1]The cyclone steadily weakened as it progressed southward,[22]tracking directly over theYarrie minebefore passing about halfway betweenNewmanandJigalong.[1]With little extant convection and a shallow, exposed centre, Lua deteriorated below tropical cyclone status early on 18 March nearWiluna.The cyclone's remnants later entered theGoldfields-Esperanceregion.[11]

Preparations and economic impact

[edit]
Tropical Low 16U meandering off the Australian coast on 13 March

The BoM hoisted its first Cyclone Watch on 14 March for coastal areas betweenMardie StationandCape Leveque.[23]A Cyclone Warning was posted the next day for a smaller stretch of coastline within that range.[24]As Lua approached the coastline, the Cyclone Warning was in place from Cape Leveque toDampier.Communities betweenBidyadangaandPort Hedlandwere under a Red Alert, the highest level of caution issued by theFire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia(FESA). The alert advised included residents to "go to shelter immediately". Localities elsewhere betweenBroomeandWhim Creekwere on Yellow Alert, while a Blue Alert was issued between Whim Creek and Dampier, to the west of the Yellow Alert area.[25]Work at multiple oil fields and mining sites was suspended or slowed, with non-essential staff being removed at the sites remaining in operation.[26]It was estimated that national oil production was reduced by about 25% during the storm's approach.[27]

Officials of thePort of Port Hedland,an important iron ore exporting terminal, closed and evacuated the port by the morning of 16 March, operating under standard emergency preparedness procedure.[28]Overall, nearly 40 ships in the port were relocated from the port out of the path of the storm.[29]ThePort of Dampierwas also closed.[30]The Port of Port Hedland reopened to shipping on 18 March, about 52 hours after its closure, with little or no damage reported,[31]though the downtime drove iron ore prices up for a time, and reduced exports of the raw material by 4.7% compared to the previous month. In total, Lua cost natural resources companies over $217 million (2012AUD;$230 million 2012USD) in stunted industry, accounting for nearly all of the monetary losses resulting from the storm.[32][33]

With the destruction wrought byCyclone Laurencein 2009 still fresh in their minds, residents, business owners, and farmers worked hurriedly to prepare their properties and livestock for Lua's onslaught.[26]Horizon Powertemporarily redirected power supply in the towns ofMarble BarandNullaginefromsolar powerstations to diesel generator stations.[34]Evacuation shelters were opened to refugees of the storm with no safe living arrangements starting 16 March.[29]About 110 individuals sought shelter at one such location in Nullagine.[35]As the storm moved inland, flood warnings were posted throughout theKimberleyand the Pilbara,[26]where officials closed public access toKarijini National Park.[29]The impending cyclone forced the closure of theGreat NorthernandNorth West Coasthighways,[30]while flights to and from several airports were cancelled.[36]

Meteorological effects and aftermath

[edit]
Microwave-enhanced satellite image of Lua at 0000 UTC on 17 March, at peak intensity; a well-defined centre is visible

On coming ashore, Cyclona Lua produced strong winds, gusting to 150 km/h (93 mph) at Port Hedland,[37]and appreciable rainfall, peaking at 88.6 mm (3.49 in) at Bidyadanga.[1]The precipitation was widespread, affecting a large area of interior Western Australia. The overcast weather led to abnormally cool temperatures, which broke monthly records in portions of the central and eastern Pilbara. For instance, thePort Hedland Airportrecorded a maximum temperature of 24.1 °C on 17 March, the coldest March day in the station's history; the previous record of 25.8 °C was set 64 years prior. As the remnants of Lua continued poleward, they continued to drop heavy rainfall, including a daily total (19 March) of 75.0 mm (2.95 in) atEdjudina,setting the record for the wettest March day there.[11]A barometer reading of 939 hPa (27.7 inHg) atRowley Shoalsrepresented the lowest observed pressure associated with the storm.[1]

Striking a relatively isolated area, the cyclone's effects were limited, and no fatalities or injuries were reported. Indeed, a FESA official noted that initial reports of damage were "scant".[38]Preliminary assessments suggested thatPardoo Roadhouseand the small surrounding community bore the brunt of the storm, as most towns and farms in the region escaped relatively unscathed.[39]The manager of the roadhouse relayed that the height of the storm was "absolutely horrific", downing numerous trees and causing some structural damage.[37]Some destruction was also observed at theYarrie Homestead,[1]where return to normalcy was expected to take as long as 12 months.[37]Numerous buildings on theWarrawagine Homesteadsustained damage such as compromised roofs and doors, which amounted to an estimated $70,000 (2012 AUD; 74,000 2012 USD[40]). Several head of cattle were killed by the storm.[41]Moderate to major flooding took place in several areas, especially along theDe Grey Riverdrainage basin,[42]though the rainfall proved beneficial in much of the climatologically dry area.[41]The above-normal precipitation allowed farmers to get a head-start on planting winter crops.[43]

In the aftermath of the storm, the Western Australia state government allocated relief funds to offset the cost of recovery and clean-up in several of the affected towns. Individuals and families became eligible to apply for personal grants and small business owners would be considered for special interest rates on new loans.[44]Local government entities listed under the proclamation were theshiresofAshburton,Broome,East Pilbara,Meekatharra,and the Town of Port Hedland. Disaster assistance money in these jurisdictions would be used to restore public assets and infrastructure impaired by the storm.[45]The nameLuawas laterretiredfrom the cyclical list of tropical cyclone names due to the system's adverse effects on land and was replaced by the nameLuana.[46]

See also

[edit]
  • Cyclone Yasi,which struckQueenslandin early 2011
  • Cyclone Laurence,which struckWestern Australiain late 2009
  • CyclonesRusty(2013),Kelvin(2018) andIlsa(2023), which all made landfall in the same region between Port Hedland and Broome as severe tropical cyclones after Lua
  • CyclonesGwenda(1999) andInigo(2003), tied for the strongest Australian region tropical cyclones on record; both would strike Western Australia after peaking in strength.

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdef"Severe Tropical Cyclone Lua".Bureau of Meteorology.Retrieved22 November2013.
  2. ^ab"Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Indian Ocean, 8 March 2012 1951z".Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 8 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  3. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth (9 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone three-day outlook for the Western Region, 12:47 pm WST on Friday the 9th of March 2012".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  4. ^abcInternational Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship."2012 LUA (2012069S14111)".University of North Carolina, Asheville. Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2016.Retrieved22 November2013.
  5. ^"Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Indian Ocean, 12 March 2012 0752z".Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 12 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  6. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth (12 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone three-day outlook for the Western Region, 12:27 pm WST on Friday the 12th of March 2012".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  7. ^"Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, 12 March 2012 2300z".Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 12 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 21 October 2011.Retrieved22 November2012.
  8. ^abTropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth."Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin, 0704z 13/03/2012".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  9. ^"Tropical Cyclone 17S (Lua) Warning Number 1".Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 13 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  10. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth."Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin, 0145z 14/03/2012".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  11. ^abcWestern Australia Climate Services Centre (24 May 2012)."March 2012 Western Australia Monthly Weather Review"(PDF).Bureau of Meteorology.Retrieved22 November2013.
  12. ^"Tropical Cyclone 17S (Lua) Warning Number 5".Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 14 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  13. ^"Tropical Cyclone 17S (Lua) Warning Number 6".Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 14 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  14. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth (15 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin, 0104z 15/03/2012".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  15. ^"Tropical Cyclone 17S (Lua) Warning Number 7".Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 14 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  16. ^"Tropical Cyclone 17S (Lua) Warning Number 8".Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 15 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  17. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth (16 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin, 0701z 16/03/2012".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  18. ^"Tropical Cyclone 17S (Lua) Warning Number 9".Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 16 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  19. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth (16 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin, 1853z 16/03/2012".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  20. ^Meteorology, corporateName=Bureau of."Tropical Cyclones".bom.gov.au.Retrieved9 August2017.
  21. ^"17S.Lua Best Track"(txt).Joint Typhoon Warning Center.Retrieved22 November2013.
  22. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth (17 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin, 2109z 17/03/2012".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2024.Retrieved22 November2013.
  23. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth (14 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 1".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 26 July 2009.Retrieved22 November2013.
  24. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth (15 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 6".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 26 July 2009.Retrieved22 November2013.
  25. ^Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Perth (17 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 26".Bureau of Meteorology. Archived fromthe originalon 26 July 2009.Retrieved22 November2013.
  26. ^abc"Pilbara residents brace for cyclone Lua".NewsComAu. 16 March 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 17 March 2012.Retrieved22 November2013.
  27. ^"Northwest Australia takes measures to face cyclone".The Taipei Times.Reuters. 18 March 2012.Retrieved23 November2013.
  28. ^Rania Spooner (16 March 2012)."Pilbara miners brace for Cyclone Lua".WA News.Retrieved22 November2013.
  29. ^abcRania Spooner (16 March 2012)."Cyclone Lua gains strength as it nears WA coast".WA News.Retrieved22 November2013.
  30. ^abJoe Schneider (17 March 2012)."Cyclone Lua Batters Western Australian Mining Region".Bloomberg Businessweek.Archived fromthe originalon 17 March 2012.Retrieved22 November2013.
  31. ^Daisy Tseng (18 March 2012). "Iron ore shipping resumes as Port Hedland avoids big hit from cyclone".Metal Bulletin.(subscription required)
  32. ^Rania Spooner and Peter Ker (20 March 2012). "Mining recovers after cyclone hit".The Melbourne Age.(subscription required)
  33. ^Ginger Ding (9 April 2012). "Iron ore from Port Hedland to China drops in March".Metal Bulletin.(subscription required)
  34. ^Jennifer Fry (18 March 2012)."Tropical Cyclone Lua passes Marble Bar and Nullagine and continues towards the Mid-West".Horizon Power.Archived fromthe originalon 13 February 2014.Retrieved22 November2013.
  35. ^"Pilbara on alert for Cyclone Lua".Sunshine Coast Sunday.Australian Associated Press. 18 March 2012.(subscription required)
  36. ^"The Pilbara braces as Cyclone Lua approaches".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.16 March 2012.Retrieved22 November2013.
  37. ^abcCortlan Bennett (18 March 2012). "WA:Little damage from scary Cyclone Lua". Australian Associated Press.(subscription required)
  38. ^"Cyclone hammers small WA community". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 March 2012.(subscription required)
  39. ^"Clean up begins after cyclone Lua hits". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 March 2012.(subscription required)
  40. ^"USD (US Dollars) to AUD (Australian Dollars) exchange rate for March 17, 2012".Exchange-rates.org.Retrieved24 November2013.
  41. ^ab"Cyclone Lua's fury also brings welcome rains". The Western Australia Countryman. 22 March 2012.(subscription required)
  42. ^Yasmine Phillips (18 March 2012). "Lua Lashes Coast".The Sunday Times.(subscription required)
  43. ^"Seeding begins in WA". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 April 2012.(subscription required)
  44. ^Attorney-General for Australia,Nicola Roxon (24 March 2012). "Tropical Cyclone Lua- Affected Western Australia Communities To Receive Disaster Assistance Under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements".Australian Government News.(subscription required)
  45. ^Department of Fire and Emergency Services."2011/12 Wandrra Eligible Disaster Proclamation Notification: Tropical Cyclone Lua and Associated Flooding (17 March 2012)"(PDF).Government of Western Australia. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 24 April 2013.Retrieved24 November2013.
  46. ^"Tropical Cyclone Operation Plan for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean"(PDF).World Meteorological Organization. 2012.Retrieved24 November2013.
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