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1984–85 Australian region cyclone season

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1984–85 Australian region cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed3 December 1984
Last system dissipated15 April 1985
Strongest storm
NameKirsty
• Maximum winds220 km/h (140 mph)
(10-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure925hPa(mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Tropical lows20
Tropical cyclones18
Severe tropical cyclones10
Total fatalities>25
Total damage$43.5 million (1985USD)
Related articles
Australian region tropical cyclone seasons
1982–83,1983–84,1984–85,1985–86,1986–87

The1984–85 Australian region cyclone seasonwas one of the most active seasons on record. It officially started on 1 November 1984, and officially ended on 30 April 1985.

Seasonal summary

[edit]
Cyclone NigelTropical cyclone scales#Comparisons across basins

Systems

[edit]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Emma

[edit]
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration3 December – 13 December
Peak intensity120 km/h (75 mph)(10-min);
967hPa(mbar)

A Category 3 tropical cyclone, Emma struckWestern Australiaon 12 December 1984, as a Category 1 tropical cyclone.[1]

Tropical Storm 04S

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration8 December – 13 December
Peak intensity65 km/h (40 mph)(1-min);
996hPa(mbar)

Due to its minimal intensity, 04S was designated only as a tropical storm strength cyclone by theJoint Typhoon Warning Center(JTWC). The storm remained unnamed by the warning center in Darwin.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Frank

[edit]
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration19 December – 28 December
Peak intensity155 km/h (100 mph)(10-min);
950hPa(mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Frank was a significant tropical cyclone which formed off the western coast of Australia. It peaked as a Category 1 storm on theSaffir–Simpson scaleaccording to the JTWC. Perth assessed it as a category 3 on the Australian scale. After it turned to the south-east on 25 December, it made landfall as a Category 2 two days later nearPort Hedland, Western Australia.

Tropical Cyclone Monica

[edit]
Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration25 December – 28 December
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph)(10-min);
985hPa(mbar)

Monica peaked as a category 2 storm, tracking roughly south-eastward, passing into the South Pacific basin on 28 December.

Tropical Cyclone Nigel

[edit]
Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration14 January – 16 January
Peak intensity110 km/h (70 mph)(10-min);
996hPa(mbar)
Main article:Cyclone Nigel

During the middle of January, an ill-defined tropical low formed within the Intertropical Convergence Zone, near the Cape York Peninsula and moved eastwards into the Coral Sea.[2]Over the next few days, the system moved eastwards into the Coral Sea, before its circulation became better defined during 14 January.[2]The system continued to move eastwards over the next couple of days, before the JTWC initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 13P on 16 January.[3]Later that day, as the system approached 160°E and the South Pacific basin, TCWC Brisbane reported that the low had become a tropical cyclone and named it Nigel.[2][4]The newly named system subsequently moved out of the Australian region later that day, with 10-minute sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph), which made it a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale.[2][4]Nigel caused no damage while located within the Australian region, however, the system later caused significant impacts to Fiji and Vanuatu.[2][5]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Odette

[edit]
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration16 January – 19 January
Peak intensity185 km/h (115 mph)(10-min);
930hPa(mbar)

Odette was a powerful cyclone. It lasted for 4 days.

Tropical Cyclone Gertie

[edit]
Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration26 January – 3 February
Peak intensity110 km/h (70 mph)(10-min);
973hPa(mbar)

Gertie made landfall in Western Australia before dissipating.

Tropical Low 18P

[edit]
Tropical low (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration2 February – 6 February
Peak intensity55 km/h (35 mph)(10-min);
996hPa(mbar)

This system remained weak.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hubert

[edit]
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration10 February – 19 February
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph)(10-min);
954hPa(mbar)

Hubert had major differences in peak intensity from BOM and JTWC, but did not touch land.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Isobel

[edit]
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration11 February – 22 February
Peak intensity140 km/h (85 mph)(10-min);
960hPa(mbar)

Isobel failed to affect land.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Jacob

[edit]
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration15 February – 28 February
Peak intensity140 km/h (85 mph)(10-min);
950hPa(mbar)

Jacob was a Category 3 system on the Australian scale.

Tropical Cyclone Pierre

[edit]
Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration18 February – 24 February
Peak intensity95 km/h (60 mph)(10-min);
986hPa(mbar)

On 17 February the BoM reported that an ill-defined tropical low had developed within the intertropical convergence zone, near the tip of the Cape York Peninsula.[6]The system became more defined over the next few days, as it moved out into the Coral Sea and slowly moved south-eastwards parallel to the Queensland coast.[6][7]During 20 February TCWC Brisbane reported that the low had become a tropical cyclone and named it Pierre, while it was located about 160 km (100 mi) to the east ofCooktown.[6]At around the same time, the JTWC initiated advisories and designated the system as Tropical Cyclone 26P, before they reported that Pierre had peaked as a tropical storm with 1-minute sustained winds of 85 km/h (50 mph) later that day.[3][7]

The system subsequently accelerated south-eastwards, before the BoM reported that Pierre had peaked as a Category 2 tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) during 21 February.[6][7]Later that day, the system made landfall in Shoalwater Bay and weakened below tropical cyclone intensity, before it moved back into the Coral Sea near Yeppoon.[6][7]Pierre subsequently moved almost due eastwards, before it was last noted during 24 February as it moved out of the Australian region and into theSouth Pacific basin.[6][7]As Pierre moved south-eastwards parallel to the Queensland coast, it produced high seas, gale-force winds, minor flooding and minimal damage.[6][8]

Tropical Cyclone Rebecca

[edit]
Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Duration20 February – 23 February
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph)(10-min);
994hPa(mbar)

During the middle of February, a cloud mass persisted for several days in the Arafura sea, to the north of the Arnhem Land in northern Australia.[9]During 20 February the BoM reported that the cloud mass had developed a surface circulation and classified it as a tropical low, while it was located around 750 km (465 mi) to the north ofGaliwin'ku.[9]During that day the system gradually intensified as it moved north-eastwards, before it gradually started to move south-eastwards and entered the Gulf of Carpentaria.[9]During 21 February, the low continued to move south-eastwards and gradually intensify as it moved south-eastwards through the Gulf of Carpentaria, before TCWC Brisbane reported that it had become a tropical cyclone and named it Rebecca.[9]

The newly named system peaked during 22 February as a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, with 10-minute sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph).[9][10]Later that day, Rebecca made landfall on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula just to the north ofWeipaand weakened into a tropical low, before it dissipated during 23 February about 300 km (185 mi) to the west of Cairns.[9][11]The initial tropical low produced a moderate amount of rainfall over the Arnhem Land, with a 24-hour rainfall total of 129 mm (5.1 in) reported atWarruwion 19 February.[12]There was no significant damage associated with Rebecca in the Northern Territory, while some damage to trees was reported in Weipa.[12][11]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirsty

[edit]
Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration1 March – 7 March
Peak intensity220 km/h (140 mph)(10-min);
920hPa(mbar)

Although powerful, Kirsty failed to make landfall.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Lindsay

[edit]
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration6 March – 11 March
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph)(10-min);
950hPa(mbar)

Cyclone Lindsay formed on 6 March 1985. The storm moved south-southeast reachingCategory 3status before making landfall nearBroome, Western Australia.[13]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Sandy

[edit]
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration19 March – 3 April
Peak intensity195 km/h (120 mph)(10-min);
953hPa(mbar)

Sandy formed on 19 March in theGulf of Carpentariaand strengthened rapidly into a Category 4 cyclone, before it made landfall nearSir Edward Pellew Group of Islandsas a Category 2 cyclone on 24 March. Over the next days, Sandy moved into the Indian Ocean and dissipated on 3 April.

Similar toCyclone Kathy,the storm was not as intense as Kathy. Twotrawlerswere devastated by Sandy, where swells of 12 m (39 ft) were measured. Storm surges were measured at 3 to 3.5 m (9.8 to 11.5 ft) atCentre Island.Flooding was extensive along the southern gulf coast. A total of 860 mm (35 in) of rain recorded in the island during a four-day time span.[14]

Tropical Cyclone Tanya

[edit]
Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration27 March – 1 April
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph)(10-min);
982hPa(mbar)

During 27 March, the BoM started to monitor a tropical low that had developed within theIntertropical Convergence Zone,about 700 km (435 mi) to the southeast of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.[15][16]Over the next couple of days, the system moved westwards and gradually developed further, before the JTWC initiated advisories on the low and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 32P during 29 March.[15][3]The BoM subsequently reported that the system had developed into a tropical cyclone and named it Tanya, as it continued to develop further and moved westwards towards the Cape York Peninsula.[15]During 30 March, the BoM reported that Tanya had peaked with 10-minute sustained winds of 100 km/h (65 mph) and a minimum pressure of 982 hPa (29.00 inHg), which made it a category 2 tropical cyclone on the modern day Australian scale.[15][16]At around the same time, the JTWC reported that the system had peaked with 1-minute sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) and a minimum pressure of 979 hPa (28.91 inHg).[3][16]

Tanya maintained its peak intensity for around 24 hours, before it started to weaken as it approached Cape York during 31 March.[15][16]The system subsequently made landfall nearCoenon the Cape York Peninsula, at around 14:00 AEST (0400 UTC) on 1 April and rapidly weakened below tropical cyclone intensity.[15][17]Tanya's remnant tropical low was last noted by the BoM later that day as it moved towards the centre of Cape York.[15][16]However, over the next couple of days, the JTWC continued to monitor Tanya's remnants as they moved across the Gulf of Carpentaria, before they made landfall and dissipated over the Arnhem Land during 4 April.[3][16]Tanya caused some minor damage to vegetation, while there were no deaths or structural damage reported.[15][17]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Margot

[edit]
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration11 April – 21 April
Peak intensity155 km/h (100 mph)(10-min);
942hPa(mbar)

Cyclone Margot was a tropical cyclone that stayed out to sea during its entire duration. It was first identified on 10 April, off the coast ofSunda Strait.Margot then traveled to the southwest during 12 April, gradually intensifying to a tropical cyclone. In the noon hours of 13 April, it began to move to the southeast, under the influence of an intense high-pressure area to the south. The cyclone reached a peak intensity on 14 April, as a category three cyclone using the Australian scale, with winds of 155 km/h (95 mph). This intensity was based on satellite estimates, but the strongest report was from a ship eighteen hours earlier. After peak intensity Margot gradually weakened up until the 19, when it briefly underwent intensification, and turned west. This was short lived however, as dry, easterly low-level winds and wind shear began to influence the cyclone. Margot began to rapidly weaken and move in an easterly direction on 20 April. On the 21 Margot had become a remnant low after completing a figure-eight path. On the 25 the remnant low was absorbed by a broad low-pressure system located in the northeast Indian Ocean.[18]

Tropical Cyclone Gretel

[edit]
Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration9 April – 14 April
Peak intensity95 km/h (60 mph)(10-min);
984hPa(mbar)

On 9 April, the BoM started to monitor a weak tropical low that had developed within theGulf of Papua,to the west of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.[19][20]Over the next couple of days, the system moved south-westwards through the Torres Strait and over the southern Arafura Sea, however, it remained poorly organised, which made it hard for the BoM to track the system and assess its intensity.[19][21]During 11 April, the JTWC initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 34S, before they reported that the system had peaked as a tropical storm with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph).[3][21]During the following day, TCWC Darwin reported that the system had become a tropical cyclone and named the system Gretel, after they had received various reports of gale-force winds from ships.[19][20]

The newly named system subsequently passed over theCobourg Peninsulainto theVan Diemen Gulf,where it started to moved south-westwards and passed just to the north-west of Darwin at about 06:50 ACST on 13 April (21:20 UTC, 12 April).[19][20][21]The BoM subsequently reported that Gretel had peaked as a category 2 tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph), after sustained winds of 84 km/h (52 mph) were recorded atDarwin Airport.[19][21]Over the next couple of days, Gretel moved south-westwards parallel to the coastline of the Northern Territory, as upper-level windshear caused the systems low-level circulation centre to become displaced from the surrounding atmospheric convection.[19][21]During 14 April the system weakened into a tropical low, while it was located near Port Keats, before it dissipated over the Northern Territory.[21][22]

Overall Gretel had a minimal impact on Darwin and the Northern Territory, with damages estimated at AU$3 million, while no deaths were reported.[23]The majority of the damage was caused by gale force winds uprooting hundreds of trees, which fell onto roads and power lines and caused power outages across the territory.[24]

The system produced significant rainfall over the Northern Territory, with a rainfall total of 480 mm (18.9 in) recorded at theNabarlek Uranium Mine.[25]

Gretel produced significant rainfall over the Top End, with rainfall totals of 480–749 mm (18.9–29.5 in) recorded over the territory.[26][27]

A large number of trees were brought down in Darwin, which fell onto power lines and caused power outages across the territory.[28]It was later reported by the NT News that 95% of Darwin's overhead power connections were brought down by Gretel.[27]

Season effects

[edit]

This table lists all the storms that developed in the Australian Region during the 1984–85 season. It includes their intensity on theAustralian Tropical cyclone intensity scale,duration, name, areas affected, deaths, and damages.

Name Dates Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD) 		Deaths Refs
Category Wind speed Pressure
Monica 28 December – 3 January Category 2 tropical cyclone 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) New Caledonia None None [citation needed]
Drena 9–16 January Category 1 tropical cyclone 85 km/h (50 mph) 987 hPa (29.15 inHg) [citation needed]
Nigel 14 – 16 January 1985 Category 2 tropical cyclone 110 km/h (70 mph) 996 hPa (29.41 inHg) Queensland None None [2][4]
Odette 19–21 January Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 165 km/h (105 mph) 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) Vanuatu Minor None [citation needed]
Freda 25–30 January Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 150 km/h (90 mph) 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) [citation needed]
Pierre 18 – 24 February 1985 Category 2 tropical cyclone 95 km/h (60 mph) 986 hPa (29.12 inHg) Queensland Minimal None [6][7]
Rebecca 20 - 23 February 1985 Category 1 tropical cyclone 75 km/h (45 mph) 994 hPa (29.35 inHg) Arnhem Land, Cape York Peninsula Minimal Unknown [9][10]
Sandy 20 – 24 March 1985 Category 4 severe tropical cyclone 195 km/h (120 mph) 953 hPa (28.14 inHg) Northern Territory, Western Australia None [29]
Tanya 27 March – 4 April 1985 Category 2 tropical cyclone 100 km/h (65 mph) 982 hPa (29.00 inHg) Cape York Peninsula Minimal None [15][16]
Margot 10 – 25 April 1985 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 155 km/h (100 mph) 942 hPa (27.82 inHg) Western Australia None [citation needed]
Gretel 9 – 14 April 1985 Category 2 tropical cyclone 95 km/h (60 mph) 984 hPa (29.06 inHg) Northern Territory None [19][21]
Season aggregates
systems 26 December – 25 April 1985 220 km/h (140 mph) 910 hPa (26.87 inHg) $40 million 37

See also

[edit]
  • Atlantic tropical cyclone seasons:1984,1985,
  • Eastern Pacific tropical cyclone seasons:1984,1985
  • Western Pacific typhoon seasons:1984,1985
  • North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons:1984,1985

References

[edit]
  1. ^Cyclones 1985Australia Severe Weather. Retrieved 26 December 2022
  2. ^abcdefTropical Cyclone Nigel(Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology.Archivedfrom the original on 6 July 2022.Retrieved14 December2022.
  3. ^abcdefAnnual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1985(PDF)(Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center.Archived(PDF)from the original on 10 August 2018.Retrieved14 December2022.
  4. ^abc"1985 Tropical Cyclone Nigel (1985014S16151)".International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship.Retrieved14 December2022.
  5. ^Tropical cyclones in Vanuatu: 1847 to 1994(PDF)(Report). Vanuatu Meteorological Service. 19 May 1994.Archived(PDF)from the original on 28 July 2024.Retrieved21 February2015.
  6. ^abcdefghTropical Cyclone Pierre(Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology.Archivedfrom the original on 5 July 2022.Retrieved14 December2022.
  7. ^abcdef"1985 Tropical Cyclone Pierre (1985049S12143)".International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship.Retrieved14 December2022.
  8. ^"Late News: Cyclone nears Qld coast".The Canberra Times.22 February 1985. p. 1.Retrieved15 December2022– via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^abcdefgTropical Cyclone Rebecca(Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology.Archivedfrom the original on 19 March 2011.Retrieved12 December2022.
  10. ^ab"1985 Tropical Cyclone Rebecca (1985051S11135)".International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship.Retrieved13 December2022.
  11. ^abCallaghan, Jeffery (5 August 2011).Archive: Known Impacts of Tropical Cyclones, Gulf of Carpentaria, 1885 – 2007(PDF)(Report). Greencross Australia.Archived(PDF)from the original on 27 November 2022.Retrieved12 December2022.
  12. ^abTropical Cyclone Rebecca(Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology.Archivedfrom the original on 31 March 2011.Retrieved12 December2022.
  13. ^Cyclones 1985Australia Severe Weather. Retrieved 26 December 2022
  14. ^"Severe Tropical Cyclone Sandy".Bureau of Meteorology. 2010.Retrieved17 September2012.
  15. ^abcdefghiTropical Cyclone Tanya(Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology.Archivedfrom the original on 5 July 2022.Retrieved14 December2022.
  16. ^abcdefg"1985 Tropical Cyclone Tanya (1985086S13152)".International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship.Retrieved14 December2022.
  17. ^abCallaghan, Jeffery (13 October 2011).Archive: Known Impacts of Tropical Cyclones, East Coast, 1858 – 2008(PDF)(Report). Greencross Australia.Archived(PDF)from the original on 24 March 2022.Retrieved12 December2022.
  18. ^Severe Tropical Cyclone Margot(PDF)(Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology.Retrieved14 December2012.
  19. ^abcdefgTropical Cyclone Gretel(Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology.Archivedfrom the original on 6 July 2022.Retrieved14 December2022.
  20. ^abc"Cyclone Gretel threatens".Northern Territory News.13 April 1985. p. 1.
  21. ^abcdefg"1985 Tropical Cyclone Gretel (1985101S10136)".International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship.Retrieved15 December2022.
  22. ^"Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology Weather".The Canberra Times.16 April 1985. p. 17.Retrieved16 December2022– via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^"Darwin, NT: Cyclone".Archived fromthe originalon 2 April 2012.Retrieved22 April2013.
  24. ^"Cyclone Gretel blacks out Darwin".The Canberra Times.14 April 1985. p. 3.Retrieved16 December2022– via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^Supervising Scientist for the Alligator Rivers Region: 7th Annual Report 1984-85(Report). The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. 20 February 1986.Retrieved15 December2022.
  26. ^Supervising Scientist for the Alligator Rivers Region: 7th Annual Report 1984-85(Report). The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. 20 February 1986.Retrieved15 December2022.
  27. ^ab"Long-term Darwin residents may remember this day in 1985 when Cyclone Gretel hit Darwin".Facebook.Library & Archives NT.
  28. ^"Cyclone Gretel blacks out Darwin".The Canberra Times.14 April 1985. p. 3.Retrieved16 December2022– via National Library of Australia.
  29. ^"Severe Tropical Cyclone Sandy".Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 2010.Retrieved17 September2012.
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