1979–80 Australian region cyclone season

none August 2022 Aus 1980 1979-80 Australian region cyclone season summary.png 26 August 1979 31 March 1980 Amy 915 115 10 15 15 9 25 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82 1979–80 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season 1979–80 South Pacific cyclone season The 1979–80 Australian region cyclone season was an above average tropical cyclone season that was very active. The season featured 15 total cyclones, with 9 of them attaining severe tropical cyclone status. The strongest of these was Cyclone Amy, which ended up making landfall in the north-western portion of Western Australia. Seasonal summary Systems Tropical Cyclone Tony Aus Tony Aug 27 1979 0924Z.png 50 45 Tony 1979 path.png 990 26 August 30 August (Exited basin) On 26 August, TCWC Perth reported that a tropical low had developed on a shear line about 1300 km (810 mi) to the northwest of Cocos Island.2010 Tropical Cyclone Tony 1979-80 http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/tony.shtml Unattributed Bureau of Meteorology 14 June 2011 Over the next couple of days the depression gradually developed further before at 1800 UTC on 27 August, TCWC Perth estimated that it had become a tropical cyclone and named it Tony. During the next couple of days, the system moved towards the west-southwest before on 29 August it reached its peak intensity of 95 km/h mph on 5 and a peak pressure of 990 hPa inHg 4 on as it approached the edge of TCWC Perth's area of responsibility. During the next day, Tony moved into the South West Indian Ocean and weakened gradually before it dissipated during 31 August. Neither the Mauritius or Reunion meteorological services monitored Tony as a tropical cyclone while it was active, while it was not included in the JTWC's analysis of the season.La saison cyclonique 1979-1980 a Madagascar Direction de la Meteorologie Service de La Réunion 38 14 June 2011 Janv-Juin 1981 115–120 G. Madagascar Rev. De Geo fr Donque http://madarevues.recherches.gov.mg/revues/pdfxfiles/rev-geo38%287%29.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20110722175641/http://madarevues.recherches.gov.mg/revues/pdfxfiles/rev-geo38(7).pdf 22 July 2011 deadSouthern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclone Season 1979-1980 Bath Michael 23 July 2010 http://www.australiasevereweather.com/tropical_cyclones/jtwc_1979_1980_southern_hemisphere_tropical_cyclones.htm Australian Severe Weather 14 June 2011 Severe Tropical Cyclone Viola–Claudette Aus Viola-Claudette 1979-12-17 0833Z.png Viola-Claudette 1979 path.png 110 110 930 9 December 18 December (Crossed 80°E) The disturbance from which Viola developed formed on 7 December about 600 km 5 northwest of Cocos. A tropical depression developed on 9 December, moved slowly southwestward, and strengthened into Cyclone Viola two days later. It then moved westward under the influence of an easterly middle level flow north of the sub-tropical ridge, and attained its maximum intensity on 16 December 1979, with a maximum mean wind speed of about 205 km/h 5 and an estimated central pressure of 930 mbar inHg on 4. Early on 18 December, Viola crossed 80° E and was renamed Claudette.Severe Tropical Cyclone Viola Bureau of Meteorology Melbourne, Victoria http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/viola.shtml 19 September 2022 Severe Tropical Cyclone Wilf–Danitza Aus Wilf Dec 28 1979 0905Z.png Wilf-Danitza 1979 path.png 70 70 973 23 December 2 January (Crossed 80°E)The depressional phase of Wilf began about 300 km of the Cocos Island on 23 December 1979. Estimated from satellite pictures, Wilf was recorded as a tropical cyclone early Christmas Day. Wilf began a period of rapid intensification and reached its peak on 28 December. Wilf began to weaken as shear from the northwest began to tear the storm apart. While its convection did weaken a lot, it was still able to maintain tropical cyclone status. The storm crossed into the Southwest Indian Ocean on the first day of 1980, being renamed to Danitza. Tropical Cyclone Paul Aus Paul 1980-01-07 0533Z.png Paul 1980 path.png 60 45 990 2 January 12 January On 2 January, the BoM reported that a tropical depression had developed in the Southwest Gulf of Carpentaria.http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/paul80.shtml Tropical Cyclone Paul 1979-80 Unattributed 2010 Bureau of Meteorology 14 June 2011 During that day the depression moved towards the southwest and developed early signs of having a cyclonic circulation, however before it could intensify into a tropical cyclone, the system made landfall near the Northern Territory border with Queensland at 135°E. Over the next couple of days the depression weakened slightly, as it moved in a general east-southeast direction across the Carpentaria and Central Coast districts of Queensland. On 7 January, the depression moved out into the Coral Sea just to the south of Sarina with a central pressure of 995 hPa. During that day the depression developed gale-force windspeeds and was named as Paul by TCWC Brisbane. Before later that day, Paul reached its peak intensity as a tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 75 km/h mph on 5 and its lowest central pressure of 989 hPa as it moved rapidly towards the southeast. This southeastern movement continued until 1200 UTC on 8 January when it slowed down and started to move to the southwest as it developed a cold core and became extratropical. The extratropical remnants of Paul subsequently lingered in the Australian region and peaked with stronger windspeeds than when it was a tropical cyclone. The US Navy's analysis of this system shows that they would have considered Paul a tropical storm with peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 110 km/h mph on 5. As a tropical depression, Paul forced a strong area of convergence in the moist airstream onto the tropical Queensland coast. As a result of the moisture, very heavy rain caused one of the highest floods of the 20th Century down the Don River through Bowen. In its lower reaches the river changed its course and washed away two homes and caused several million Australian dollars' worth of damage to the market garden industry. Severe Tropical Cyclone Amy Aus Amy 1980-01-09 0833Z.png Amy 1980 path.png 140 115 915 4 January 12 January What would form into Amy began on 3 January 1980 as a collection of clouds located over the Timor Sea, and would drift west-southwest as it reached tropical cyclone status on 5 January. Amy sped towards the south on the 7th, towards Port Hedland. As it approached landfall, it continued to switch direction. Amy made landfall the morning of 10 January about 110 km east of Port Hedland. Amy passed close to the town of Goldsworthy and caused extensive damage. In total, Amy caused around $25 million in damages. No injuries or deaths were reported. The lowest central pressure was 915 hPa.http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/amy.pdf Wayback Machine www.bom.gov.au Severe Tropical Cyclone Brian Aus Brian 1980-01-22 2333Z.png 120 100 Brian 1980 path.png 930 18 January 27 JanuaryBrian began as a depression located east of Bathurst Island on 18 January 1980. The system moved west-southwest as it began to rapidly intensify late 19 January. Winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) were recorded 50 km from the eye. Continuing to intensify, Brian reached its peak intensity on 23 January of 185 km/h (115 mph). Brian began to move southwest before dissipating on 27 January. Tropical Cyclone Clara Aus Clara 1980-01-26 0833Z.jpg 60 60 Clara 1980 path.png 980 21 January 29 JanuaryClara began as a tropical depression located about 1000 km west-northwest of Cocos Island. Clara moved southwest before being named late on 21 January. However, Clara was located close to Cyclone Brian and rapidly weaken due to shear from Brian. Clara regained tropical cyclone status on 24 January with peak intensity occurring 2 days later on 26 January. Strong winds traveling northwest in the troposphere ripped Clara up, causing her to dissipate on 29 January. Severe Tropical Cyclone Dean Aus 120 110 Dean 1980-01-31 2333Z.jpg Dean 1980 path.png 930 28 January 3 February Dean was the third tropical cyclone to develop between 19 and 28 January in a persistent monsoonal low pressure trough, extending from northern Australia westward across the Indian Ocean. Late on 26 January, a pre-cyclone cloud cluster and an associated surface low formed near Bathurst Island and slowly moved westward. The system intensified rapidly, and by 28 January, the storm was estimated to have reached tropical cyclone intensity. During the next 36 hours, intensification was slow as Dean moved to the west-southwest at about 20 km/h mph on. Late on 30 January, the speed of movement slowed down as the system turned to the south. Dean continued to intensify as it accelerated towards the coast. It reached peak intensity on 31 January, with winds of 200 km/h mph on, with the lowest atmospheric pressure recorded at 930 hPa inHg on. Early on 1 February, Dean made landfall 48 km mi on east of Port Hedland. It weakened slowly over land, eventually dissipating 2 days later. In Port Hedland, Western Australia, a wind speed of 130 km/h mph on was recorded, with extensive damage also being reported. Goldsworthy, Marble Bar, and Mt. Newman all reported wind damage, but not as severe as Port Hedland. Flooding between Port Hedland and Mt. Newman caused damage to roads and the railway line. Overall, total damage and industrial losses were estimated at $20 million.Severe Tropical Cyclone Dean http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/dean.pdf 2025-04-24 Tropical Cyclone Ruth Aus 65 55 Ruth Feb 12 1980 2033Z.png Ruth Aus 1980 path.png 980 11 February 18 February Severe Tropical Cyclone Enid Aus Enid 1980-02-16 2333Z.png 120 110 Enid 1980 path.png 930 12 February 18 February Enid developed near a weak surface low found near Victoria River Downs, Northern Territory on 12 February. The low deepened as it moved westward, and by 15 February, it had a central pressure of 990 hPa inHg on. Enid intensified rapidly over the warm waters. It made landfall on 17 February 25 km mi on west of Wallal, Western Australia, with its central pressure estimated to 930 hPa inHg on. Significant damage to windmills and buildings occurred at Wallal. Cattle worth over $200,000 drowned in the ocean. At Shay Gap, Western Australia, severe damage to blocks of flats and houses, which were unroofed, was observed. No deaths were reported, but minor injuries were sustained. 115 mm in on of rain was reported at Bonney Downs, Western Australia, 113 mm in on at Marble Bar, Western Australia, and 99 mm in on at Newman, Western Australia. Wind gusts up to 200 km/h mph on 3 are estimated to have occurred near Wallal.Severe Tropical Cyclone Enid http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/enid.pdf 2025-05-18 Severe Tropical Cyclone Fred Aus Fred 1980-02-25 0833Z.png 120 105 Fred 1980 path.png 930 20 February 28 February On 19 February, TCWC Perth reported that a tropical depression had developed out of an active area of convection that was associated with a monsoonal shear line about midway between the Cocos and Christmas Islands.January 2025 Fred developed from an active area of convection associated with the monsoon shear line about midway between Cocos and Christmas Islands late on 19 February 1980. It reached tropical cyclone strength early on 21 February 1980 and attained its maximum intensity on the afternoon of 24 February 1980 when the central pressure was estimated to be near 930 hPa. Despite the small size of the cyclone it maintained this intensity with minor fluctuations until about 1200 UTC 25 February 1980. Early on 26 February the direction of movement changed from southwestward to southward as Fred came under the influence of a northwesterly upper-level flow. It weakened rapidly as it moved into a strong ridge of high pressure located at about latitude 33°S.Tropical Cyclone Fred http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/fred.shtml Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Melbourne, Victoria 11 January 2022 Severe Tropical Cyclone Simon Aus Simon 1980-02-23 0533Z.png 100 90 Simon 1980 path.png 950 21 February 28 February (Crossed 160°E) Tropical Cyclone Sina Aus Sina 1980-03-11 1603Z.jpg 40 35 Sina 1980 path.png 995 10 March 11 March (Crossed 160°E)During 9 March the precursor tropical low to Severe Tropical Cyclone Sina, moved south-westwards into the region of the South Pacific.The Australian tropical cyclone season 1979–80 Crane, Geoff D 29 Australian Meteorological Magazine 41–53 http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/docs/1981/crane.pdf 1 May 2016 The system subsequently developed into a tropical cyclone and was named Sina by the BoM, before it moved south-eastwards out of the region early the next day. Severe Tropical Cyclone Doris–Gloria Aus 110 90 Doris-Gloria 1980-03-26 0232Z.png Doris-Gloria 1980 path.png 955 14 March 29 March Unnamed tropical cyclone Aus 27S Mar 28 1980 2232Z.png 27P 1980 path.png 60 40 998 27 March 30 March On 27 March, TCWC Darwin reported that a tropical depression had developed in the Gulf of Carpentaria about 300 km (190 mi) to the southwest of Wallaby island. During that day the system intensified enough to produce localized and intermittent gale-force winds, over the northeast Arnhem land as it moved into the Arafura sea. Early on 28 March, TCWC Darwin reported that despite the depression having reached cyclone intensity of 65 km/h mph on 5, it was not a tropical cyclone as the system had not developed a "deep convective warm cored structure". However, during post storm analysis TCWC Darwin reported that the depression had become a tropical cyclone at 0000 UTC (0800 WST) on 28 March. During 28 March, the system moved towards the north, before during the next day as the cyclone turned towards the west and moved into the Arafura sea it reached its lowest central pressure of 998 hPa inHg 4 on. As the system moved further into the Arafura sea, a very strong amount of vertical windshear and an intrusion of dry air made the cyclone rapidly weaken into a tropical depression before the residual depression dissipated on 31 March just to the north of the Cobourg peninsular. The Cyclone caused no deaths and only minor damage was reported to have occurred.April 2021 Seasonal effects |- | Tony || 0826 26–31 August || bgcolor=#Aus2|2 Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#Aus2|095 95 km/h mph on 5 || bgcolor=#Aus2|990 990 hPa inHg 4 on || None || None || None || None || |- | Simon || 19800221 21–28 February 1980 || bgcolor=#A4|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A4|165 km/h mph on 5 on || bgcolor=#A4|950 hPa inHg 4 on || Queensland, New Zealand || 1 Minor || 1 Minor || 0 None ||Bureau of Meteorology 2010 11 December 2011 Severe Tropical Cyclone Simon http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/simon.shtml |} See also Tropical cyclones Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1979, 1980 Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1979, 1980 Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1979, 1980 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1979, 1980 References 1970 Australian region cyclone yes 1979 y Category:Australian region cyclone seasons Aust Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines Cyclones Cyclones Cyclones Cyclones