1990–91 Australian region cyclone season

none Aus 1991 1990-91 Australian region cyclone season summary.png 10 December 1990 11 May 1991 Marian 930 113 10 12 10 3 56 63.87 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 1990–91 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season 1990–91 South Pacific cyclone season The 1990–91 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly below average cyclone season, with ten tropical cyclones occurring within the region between 90°E and 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 1990, to April 30, 1991, with the first disturbance of the season forming on 10 December and the last disturbance moving out of the region during 11 May. Six people were killed by Cyclone Joy when it made landfall on Australia. During the season, tropical cyclones were monitored by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, who ran Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWC) in Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane. The United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and Papua New Guinea National Weather Service also monitored systems within the basin during the season. The JTWC designated systems with a number and either a S or a P suffix depending on which side of 135E. The Bureau of Meteorology and Papua New Guinea national Weather Service both used the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, and estimated windspeeds over a ten-minute period, while the JTWC estimated sustained winds over a one-minute period and are comparable to the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. Seasonal summary Systems Tropical Cyclone Laurence Aus Laurence Dec 10 1990 2208Z.jpg Laurence 1990 path.png 10 December 12 December 35 60 992 On 8 December, a cluster of clouds developed over the Timor sea and moved towards the south-east, following a large scale mid-latitude forcing event.http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/laurence.shtml Tropical Cyclone Laurence Australian Bureau of Meteorology 30 September 2013 During the next day, the system developed into a tropical low about 360 km mi on 5 to the south-east of Dili, East Timor while continuing to develop and move towards the south-east.The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1990–1991 Bannister Anthony J 42 111–121 Smith, K J 4 December 1993 Australian Meteorological Magazine Australian Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/docs/1993/bannister.pdf 16 June 2010 4 21 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120321172120/http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/docs/1993/bannister.pdf dead During 10 January as the low became detectable on Darwin's radar, TCWC Darwin reported that the low had developed into a category one tropical cyclone and named it Laurence while reporting that the cyclone had reached its 10-minute peak intensity of 65 km/h (40 mph). Early on 11 January, the JTWC designated Laurence as 05S and initiated warnings on the cyclone with 1-minute windspeeds equivalent to a tropical depression.1991 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report 6. Tropical Cyclone Warning Verification Statistics: Southern Hemisphere Joint Typhoon Warning Center http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1991atcr.pdf United States Navy, United States Airforce 6 December 2013 Naval Western Oceanography Center dead 30 September 2013 213–220 https://web.archive.org/web/20131206153810/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1991atcr.pdf 1992 Later that day TCWC Darwin, reported that Laurence had weakened below cyclone intensity under the influence of vertical wind shear from low-level easterlies while the JTWC reported that Laurence had reached its 1-minute peak intensity of 65 km/h (40 mph). The JTWC kept Laurence at its peak intensity until 2000 WST (1200 UTC) the next day when they reported that the cyclone had become equivalent to a tropical depression.http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bsh/bsh051991.txt https://web.archive.org/web/20120920201611/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bsh/bsh051991.txt dead September 20, 2012 JTWC Tropical Cyclone 05S (Laurence) Best Track Analysis 12 December 2002 Joint Typhoon Warning Center United States Navy, United States Air Force 30 September 2013 Laurence's remnants moved west over the next few days before dissipating near Rowley Shoals early on 16 December. The only damage that was associated with the cyclone, was the sinking of a fishing boat on 11 December, however TCWC Darwin considers this damage to be indirect because the boat was 150 km mi 5 on away, from the cyclone centre and the radius of gales was less than 55 km mi 5 on. Severe Tropical Cyclone Joy SPac Joy dec 22 1990 0440Z.jpg Joy 1990 path.png 17 December (Crossed 160°E) 27 December 90 110 940 Cyclone Joy On 17 December, TCWC Brisbane started to monitor a tropical low that had moved into the basin from the South Pacific. Beginning 24 December 1990, the outer bands of Cyclone Joy reached Queensland, Australia. The storm killed 5 people and caused extensive flooding. Joy reached Category 4 intensity off the coast of Cairns on 24 December 1990, before crossing the coast to the North of Townsville, on 26 December 1990.http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/54273a46a9c753b3ca256d0900180220/fcf428cce63838c0ca256d3300058046 North and Central Coast, QLD: Cyclone www.ema.gov.au 12 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20071028082523/http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/54273a46a9c753b3ca256d0900180220/fcf428cce63838c0ca256d3300058046 28 October 2007 dead The remnants of Joy created a convergence zone along the central Queensland coast, with many locations around the Mackay region recording over 2000 mm of rain during the following week. Tropical Cyclone Chris Aus Chris feb 19 1991 0709Z.jpg Chris 1991 path.png 15 February 21 February 60 50 976 On 15 February, the cyclone formed 170 km northwest from the Kimberly coastline, and travelled west. Its intensity peaked on 19 February, and dissipated on 21 February, without impacts. Tropical Cyclone Daphne Aus Daphne feb 23 1991 0622Z.jpg Daphne 1991 path.png 21 February 28 February 60 60 976On 21 February, Daphne formed near the Gulf of Carpentaria, reaching peak intensity on 23 February in the Indian Ocean, before weakening below category 1 strength and dissipating 28 February.Tropical Cyclone Daphne https://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/daphne.shtml 2026-02-13 Bureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Kelvin Aus Kelvin mar 3 1991 0452Z.jpg Kelvin 1991 path.png 24 February 5 March 60 50 980Kelvin developed from a tropical low which moved east from the Gulf of Carpentaria into the Coral Sea, where it intensified and was named on 25 February. Later that day it reached peak intensity near Willis Island, where gusts to 160 km/h were recorded. The cyclone moved erratically in the Coral Sea, before weakening below cyclone strength on 5 March.Tropical Cyclone Kelvin https://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/kelvin.shtml 2026-02-13 Bureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Elma Aus Elma mar 1 1991 0838Z.jpg Elma 1991 path.png 1 March (Entered basin) 5 March (Exited basin) 60 70 965 The cyclone formed on 26 February in the South–West Indian Ocean basin, reaching peak intensity on 1 March, and crossed 90°E into the Australian Region, where it tracked south. The system weakened below category 1 strength on 3 March, dissipating on 5 March.Severe Tropical Cyclone Elma https://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/elma.shtml 2026-02-14 Bureau of Meteorology Severe Tropical Cyclone Errol Aus Errol mar 26 1991 0719Z.jpg Errol 1991 path.png 23 March 31 March 90 110 950 Cyclone Errol formed on 23 March 1991 and never hit land. The storm was responsible for a sinking of an Indonesian fishing boat.http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/54273a46a9c753b3ca256d0900180220/fd3185292a8a58a0ca256d33000581a4 Indian Ocean, off WA: Cyclone www.ema.gov.au 17 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20071020112221/http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/54273a46a9c753b3ca256d0900180220/fd3185292a8a58a0ca256d33000581a4 20 October 2007 dead Severe Tropical Cyclone Marian Aus Marian Apr 14 1991 0703Z.jpg Marian 1991 path.png 9 April 19 April 100 95 930 Severe tropical cyclone Marian was first evident as a middle-level depression over the western Arafura Sea. In response to a southeasterly surge and a weaker monsoonal surge, it intensified to cyclone strength about 110 km south of Timor, under a divergent upper northeasterly wind regime. Its initial development may have been inhibited by restrictions to its low-level inflow caused by the mountains of Timor to its north. Once clear of this barrier, the cyclone intensified rapidly as it continued to move west-southwest, under the influence of a subtropical high over Australia. It moved slowly and erratically between 13 and 16 April as a new middle-level ridge developed to its west. Its peak estimated intensity of 930 hPa was reached during this period and weakening commenced as vertical shear increased across the system. For a period of about one day, commencing 1000, 13 April, Tropical Cyclone Watch advices were issued for parts of the Pilbara and Kimberley coastline. These advices were cancelled when the shearing process become apparent. Marian weakened further as its remnants drifted southwest before being absorbed into the circulation associated with cyclone Fifi. Tropical Cyclone Fifi Aus Fifi apr 18 1991 0759Z.jpg Fifi 1991 path.png 15 April 20 April 60 55 975 A severe cyclone, Fifi struck Western Australia in mid April 1991. The storm killed 29 people, 27 of which were from the sinking of bulk ore ship Mineral Diamond and left 100,000 homes without power.http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/6a1bf6b4b60f6f05ca256d1200179a5b/c44c9303a84c78beca256d3300057bfc South-Western WA: Cyclone www.ema.gov.au 12 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20071027081551/http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/6a1bf6b4b60f6f05ca256d1200179a5b/c44c9303a84c78beca256d3300057bfc 27 October 2007 dead Tropical Cyclone Lisa Aus Lisa 1991-05-10 0100Z.png Lisa 1991 path.png 7 May 11 May (Crossed 160°E) 60 80 975 During 7 May, the BoM and the JTWC started to monitor a Tropical Low that had developed, along the South Pacific Convergence Zone near the island of Bouganville.Fiji Meteorological Service Tropical Cyclone Lisa, 7 - 13 May, 1991 1 June 2022 1 June 2022 3 July 1992 Pandaram, Sudha http://www.pacificdisaster.net/doc/JB_DM393c_FJI_1991_TC_Lisa.pdf dead Tropical Cyclone Report 91/1 https://web.archive.org/web/20220601161057/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/doc/JB_DM393c_FJI_1991_TC_Lisa.pdf During that day the low moved southwards and acquired the characteristics of a tropical cyclone, before it was named Lisa by TCWC Brisbane early the next day, after it had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale.Australian Bureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Lisa, 8 - 13 May, 1991 4 July 2013 30 September 2013 http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/lisa.shtml https://web.archive.org/web/20130704032602/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/lisa.shtml live During that day the system continued to intensify as it moved towards the south-southwest across the axis of a ridge of high pressure towards a strong subtropical jet stream before it recurved and started to move towards the southeast during 9 May. During 9 May, the BoM reported that Lisa had become a category 2 tropical cyclone, before the system peaked with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 60 kn km/h mph 5 out on during the next day.1991 Severe Tropical Cyclone Lisa (1991124S08154) 1991124S08154 28 May 2022 International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship The JTWC also reported during 10 May, that Lisa had peaked with 1-minute sustained winds of 80 kn km/h mph 5 out on), which made it equivalent to a category 1 hurricane on the SSHWS. After it had peaked in intensity, Lisa encountered strong vertical windshear and started to gradually weaken during 11 May, as it moved out of the Australian region with TCWC Brisbane passing the primary warning responsibility for Lisa to the FMS. There was no reports of any significant damage associated with Lisa in either Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands or Vanuatu.dead Tropical cyclones in Vanuatu: 1847 to 1994 Vanuatu Meteorological Service http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/VUT_TC_1847_1994.pdf September 30, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20110724001104/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/VUT_TC_1847_1994.pdf 2011-07-24 May 19, 1994 Other systems During March, 3 significant tropical lows including 15 and 16P were observed within the Coral Sea/Australian region, which did not become tropical cyclones on the Australian scale but were subject to gale warnings.1991 March 1991 Darwin Tropical Diagnostic Statement Australian Bureau of Meteorology 10 3 3 Darwin Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre 1321-4233 http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ntregion/statements/tropical/dtds-199103.pdf 19 August 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131101000011/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ntregion/statements/tropical/dtds-199111.pdf 1 November 2013 live 15P was first noted on 3 March, while it was located about 900 km mi 5 on to the east of the Solomon Islands.Tropical Depression 15P best track analysis Joint Typhoon Warning Center United States Navy, United States Air Force 19 August 2013 http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bsh/bsh151991.txt https://web.archive.org/web/20120920201702/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bsh/bsh151991.txt dead September 20, 2012 Over the next couple of days the system moved towards the south-west, before it moved into the Australian region during 5 March. The system was subsequently designated as Tropical Cyclone 15P by the JTWC who issued two advisories on it, before it was last noted during the next day while it was located about 500 km mi 5 on to the northeast of Mackay, Australia. 16P was first noted within the Australian region on 14 March, while located about 300 km mi 5 on to the southeast of Honiara in the Solomon Islands.Tropical Depression 16P best track analysis Joint Typhoon Warning Center United States Navy, United States Air Force 19 August 2013 http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bsh/bsh161991.txt https://web.archive.org/web/20110607011831/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bsh/bsh161991.txt dead June 7, 2011 Over the next couple of days the system moved towards the south-east before the JTWC designated the system 16P, and initiated advisories on it during 18 March after it had moved into the South Pacific basin. Over the next couple of days the system moved towards the south-southeast before it turned towards the southwest and passed over New Caledonia on 20 March, before it was last noted during the next day as it moved back into the Australian region. Tropical Depression Fatima east of 90°E on 20 March, before crossing the meridian and entering the South West Indian OCean basin on 22 March (midnight UTC).IBTrACS - International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship https://ncics.org/ibtracs/index.php?name=v04r01-1991080S06092 2026-02-14 ncics.org Season effects |- | Laurence || 19901208 8 – 12 December || bgcolor=#A1|2 Category 1 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A1|35 kn km/h mph 5 out on on || bgcolor=#A1|992 hPa inHg 4 on on || None || 0 None || 0 None ||1990 Tropical Cyclone Laurence (1990343S10128) International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship 1990343S10128 28 May 2022 |- | Joy || 17 – 27 December || bgcolor=#A4|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A4|165 km/h (100 mph) || bgcolor=#A4|940 hPa inHg on 4 on || Queensland || 63.84 || 6 || |- | Chris || 19910215 15 – 21 February || bgcolor=#A2|Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A2|60 kn km/h mph 5 out on on || bgcolor=#A2|976 hPa inHg on 4 on || Western Australia || 0 None || 0 None ||1991 Tropical Cyclone Chris (1991046S15122) 1991046S15122 28 May 2022 International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship |- | Daphne || 19910224 24 February – 6 March 1991 || bgcolor=#A2|Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A2|60 kn km/h mph 5 out on on || bgcolor=#A2|976 hPa inHg on 4 on || Northern Australia || 1 Unknown || 1 Unknown ||1991 Tropical Cyclone Daphne (1991046S18150) 1991046S18150 28 May 2022 International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship |- | Kelvin || 24 February – 5 March || bgcolor=#A2|Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A2|50 kn km/h mph 5 out on on || bgcolor=#A2| 980 hPa inHg on 4 on || None || 0 None || 0 None || |- | Elma || 19910302 2 – 5 March 1991 || bgcolor=#A2|Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A2|60 kn km/h mph 5 out on on || bgcolor=#A2|975 hPa inHg on 4 on || Queensland || 0 None || 0 None ||1991 Tropical Cyclone Elma (1991057S10087) 1991057S10087 28 May 2022 International Best Track Archive for Climate StewardshipImpacts May 2022 |- | 15P || 5 – 7 March || bgcolor=#TD|Tropical depression || bgcolor=#TD|55 km/h (35 mph) || bgcolor=#TD|1000 hPa (29.53 inHg) || None || 0 None || 0 None || |- | 16P || 16 – 21 March || bgcolor=#TD|Tropical depression || bgcolor=#TD|55 km/h (35 mph) || bgcolor=#TD|1000 hPa (29.53 inHg) || None || 0 None || 0 None || |- | Errol || 23 – 31 March || bgcolor=#A4|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A4|175 km/h (110 mph) || bgcolor=#A4|950 hPa (28.05 inHg) || None || 0 None || 21 || |- | Marian || 9 – 19 April || bgcolor=#A4|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A4|210 km/h (130 mph) || bgcolor=#A4|930 hPa (27.46 inHg) || None || 0 None || 0 None || |- | Fifi || 19910414 14 – 21 April 1991 || bgcolor=#A2|Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A2|60 kn km/h mph 5 out on on || bgcolor=#A2|975 hPa inHg on 4 on || Western Australia || 1 Unknown || 1 Unknown ||1991 Tropical Cyclone Fifi (1991105S12103) 1991105S12103 28 May 2022 International Best Track Archive for Climate StewardshipImpacts May 2022 |- | Lisa || 19910507 7 – 11 May 1991 || bgcolor=#A2|Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#A2|60 kn km/h mph 5 out on on || bgcolor=#A2|975 hPa inHg on 4 on || Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands Vanuatu || 0 None || 0 None ||1991 Severe Tropical Cyclone Lisa (1991124S08154) 1991124S08154 28 May 2022 International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship |- 12 systems 10 December – 19 May 210 km/h (130 mph) 930 hPa inHg on 4 >63870000 $ 56 See also Tropical cyclones List of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons Tropical cyclones in 1990 and 1991 Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1990, 1991 Pacific hurricane seasons: 1990, 1991 Pacific typhoon seasons: 1990, 1991 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1990, 1991 References 2 1990 Australian region cyclone yes 1990 y Category:Australian region cyclone seasons Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines