1978–79 Australian region cyclone season

none Aus 1979 1978-1979 Australian cyclone season summary.jpg 19 November 1978 12 May 1979 Hazel 935 120 10 13 12 6 17 30 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81 1978–79 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season 1978–79 South Pacific cyclone season The 1978–79 Australian region cyclone season was the only season in which a reconnaissance aircraft flew into a tropical cyclone. Operationally, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) tracked eleven tropical cyclones, while two additional systems were later added to the United States's Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) best track. Prior to 1985, the Australian region basin was defined as in the southern hemisphere between 80°E and 160°E, with the modern day season boundaries ranging from 1 November to 30 April of the following year. The first storm, an unnamed system, developed on 19 November 1978. The final cyclone, Kevin, dissipated by 12 May 1979. Tropical cyclones in this area were monitored by three Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs): the BOM in Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane.http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutrsmc.shtml Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Centers 9 September 2011 National Hurricane Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 14 November 2013 Tropical cyclogenesis in the season began when an unnamed tropical cyclone developed well west of Australia on 19 November and lasted until 23 November after moving in a generally southward direction throughout much of its duration. Cyclone Peter developed over the Gulf of Carpentaria on 29 December. During and in the few days after making landfall in Queensland on 31 December, produced heavy precipitation in the state, becoming one of the rainiest tropical cyclones in Australia. Severe flooding occurred in the Cairns area, leaving two fatalities and about $10 million in damage. Gordon became the first system to enter from another basin, entering from the South Pacific on 9 January. The storm dissipated shortly after striking Queensland on 12 January, bringing rainfall and rough seas. Cyclone Kerry remained in the Australian region from 12 February to 3 March, making it the longest-lived tropical cyclone in the basin on record. Hazel was the most intense tropical cyclone of the season, peaking as a Category 4 on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. The storm brought rough seas and strong winds to Western Australia, resulting in $20 million in damage and 15 deaths after a fishing boat capsized. None of the subsequent tropical cyclones significantly effected land. Tropical cyclogenesis concluded with the formation of Kevin on 2 May, which dissipated on 12 May. Overall, the tropical cyclones of this season collectively caused 17 deaths and over $30 million in damage. Season summary thumb|right|Cyclone Peter over Queensland on 3 January 1979 Under the modern day boundaries, a season lasts from 1 November to 30 April of the following year, while a tropical cyclone year is defined as from 1 July to 30 June of the next year.http://severe.worldweather.wmo.int/tc/sp/acronyms.html Terminologies used in the region of South-West Pacific Ocean 2008 Severe Weather Information Centre World Meteorological Organization 1 January 2016 Thirteen cyclones entered or formed in the Australian region,http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/docs/1979/broadbridge.pdf The Australian Tropical Cyclone Season 1978–79 L. W. Broadbridge May 1980 Bureau of Meteorology 1 January 2016 Perth PDF which was equal to the 1970–71 to 2001–02 average of 13 per season. By region, three cyclones developed over the Perth TCWC, three formed in the Darwin TCWC, and just one originated over the Brisbane area. Thus, seven cyclones developed in the Australian region – defined as the southern hemisphere between 80°E and 160°E – until Météo-France's Réunion area of responsibility and BOM adjusted the boundary eastward to 90°E in 1985.Philippe Caroff June 2011 Operational procedures of TC satellite analysis at RSMC La Réunion World Meteorological Organization 1 January 2016 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/RSMCLaReunionforIWSATC.pdf PDF etal This was slightly below the 1952–53 to 1970–71 average of eight per season. There was a total of eleven coastal crossings, which is either a landfall or a tropical cyclone moving from land to sea. This was well above the 1949–50 to 1974–75 average of five per season. This was the first and only season that reconnaissance aircraft flew into cyclones in this basin.http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/kerry79.shtml Severe Tropical Cyclone Kerry Bureau of Meteorology 1 January 2016 A WP-3D Orion operated by the United States's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) flew into Cyclone Kerry on three occasions – 21 February, 22 February, and 4 March. Another flight mission was conducted for observing Cyclone Rosa as the storm was making landfall in Northern Territory on 26 February. Overall, the tropical cyclones of this season resulted in 17 deaths and slightly more than $30 million in damage. Activity began in November 1978, when Tropical Cyclone 01S formed the Australian region in the Perth TCWC area on 18 November. The next cyclone, later designated as 03S, developed about a month later on 20 December. In addition, Peter formed on 29 December. January also featured two more cyclones, Greta and Gordon, the latter of which entered the basin from the South Pacific on 9 January. Likewise, there were two tropical cyclones in the month of February, Rosa and Kerry, both of which existed simultaneously for almost three weeks. Hazel and Ivan originated in March. The former was the most intense tropical cyclone of the season, peaking with 10-minute maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h mph 5 on and a minimum barometric pressure of 935 mbar inHg on on. April was the most active, with three cyclones originating or entering the basin during that month. The last storm, Kevin existed in May between 2 May and 12 May, after the end of the modern day season, which is 30 April. Systems Tropical Cyclone 01S Aus 01S Nov 22 1978 0856Z.png 01S 1978 track.png 19 November 23 November 40 40 An unnamed cyclone, later designated as 01S, developed about 185 km mi off north of North Keeling on 19 November at 12:00 UTC. After six hours, the storm intensified into a Category 1 cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. The cyclone headed southwestward and intensified further on 20 November, peaking with 1-minute sustain winds of 75 km/h mph 5 on by 06:00 UTC. Early on 21 November, the system curved west-southwestward, before turning on the following day. Thereafter, the storm began weakening and dissipated early on 23 November, while situated about 1,210 km mi on southwest of Cocos Islands.Joint Typhoon Warning Center 2012 1 January 2016 JTWC Best Track for Cyclone 01S http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh011979.txt https://web.archive.org/web/20100311212525/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh011979.txt dead March 11, 2010 Tropical Cyclone 03S Aus 03S Dec 20 1978 0915Z.png 03S 1978 track.png 20 December 24 December (Exited basin) 55 40 Another unnamed cyclone, designated as 03S, developed on 20 December while located about 1,055 km mi on off west-northwest of North Keeling. The storm strengthened and became a Category 1 cyclone about twelve hours later. After initially moving east-southeastward, the system re-curved to the west-southwest by 21 December. Further intensification occurred, and by 00:00 UTC on 22 December, the storm peaked with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h mph 5 on. Thereafter, the cyclone slowly weakened and fell to tropical depression intensity on 24 December. Several hours later, the system entered the southwest Indian Ocean basin, where it dissipated on 26 December.Joint Typhoon Warning Center 2012 1 January 2016 JTWC Best Track for Cyclone 03S http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh031979.txt https://web.archive.org/web/20100311212529/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh031979.txt dead March 11, 2010 Severe Tropical Cyclone Peter Aus Peter Dec 31 1978 0538Z.png Peter 1978 track.png 29 December 4 January 80 50 980 Cyclone Peter A weak low-pressure area over the Arafura Sea developed into Cyclone Peter on 29 December. Peter moved southeastward and deepened while brushing Arnhem Land. Initially a tropical low, it strengthened into a Category 1 cyclone by 12:00 UTC on 29 December.Joint Typhoon Warning Center 2012 1 January 2016 JTWC Best Track for Cyclone 05S http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh051979.txt https://web.archive.org/web/20100311212540/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh051979.txt dead March 11, 2010 Peter intensified further on 30 December and became a Category 2 cyclone. On the following day, the cyclone peaked with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h mph 5 on. Peter weakened to a Category 1 cyclone before making landfall near the mouth of the Edward River in Queensland. While crossing the Cape York Peninsula, the storm weakened slowly. After reaching the Pacific Ocean near Cooktown, the storm decelerated and meandered offshore,http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/nt/Peter.shtml Tropical Cyclone Peter Bureau of Meteorology 15 January 2016 but dissipated about 105 km mi on north of Cape Melville. While trekking slowly offshore the east coast of Queensland, the storm dropped very heavy rainfall, peaking at 1,947 mm in off at Mount Bellenden Ker, making it the wettest tropical cyclone in Australia at the timeBureau of Meteorology 18 January 2011 Climate Education: Flood http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/flood.htm https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/flood.html 17 March 2009medic until Cyclone Jasper of 2023.Tropical Cyclone Jasper: December 2023 https://www.jbarisk.com/products-services/event-response/tropical-cyclone-jasper-december-2023/ January 25, 2024 JBA Risk Management Severe flooding occurred, especially in the Cairns area. The most severe damage was dealt to sugar cane, which suffered 70 to 90 percent destruction.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136973685 Damage to sugar cane 'in millions' January 7, 1979 The Canberra Times 3 15 January 2016 Brisbane, Queensland Some flights were canceled at the Cairns Airport due to standing water.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136973062 Telephone, roads cut by cyclone January 3, 1979 The Canberra Times 3 January 14, 2016 Brisbane, Queensland Floodwaters forced at least 50 people to flee their homes in Cairns.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136973158 Flooding, food shortages in north Qld January 4, 1979 The Canberra Times 3 January 15, 2016 Brisbane, Queensland A number of roads, including major highways, were flooded throughout coastal areas of Far North Queensland. Rainfall and winds also resulted in many power and telephone service outages through the region. There were two fatalities and damage reached approximately $10 million. Tropical Cyclone Greta Aus Greta 1979-01-09 2333Z.png Greta 1979 track.png 8 January 13 January 50 55 986 A weak low-pressure area associated with the remnants of Peter developed into a tropical disturbance over the Gulf of Carpentaria on 8 January.http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/greta.shtml Tropical Cyclone Greta Bureau of Meteorology 1 January 2016 After six hours, the disturbance intensified into a tropical low, which was named Greta. Moving east-northeast, the system strengthened into a Category 1 cyclone late on 9 January. By 00:00 UTC the next day, Greta became a Category 2 and peaked with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h mph 5 on.Joint Typhoon Warning Center 2012 1 January 2016 JTWC Best Track for Cyclone 08S http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh081979.txt https://web.archive.org/web/20100311212550/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh081979.txt dead March 11, 2010 A few hours later, the system made landfall to the south of Weipa, Queensland. The city of Weipa recorded a barometric pressure of 986 mbar inHg on, the lowest in relation to Greta. While traversing the Cape York Peninsula, the cyclone weakened, falling to Category 1 intensity by midday on 10 January. Eventually, Greta curved southward and briefly moved offshore, before making another landfall near Princess Charlotte Bay early on 11 January. The storm curved west-southwestward and soon weakened to a tropical low. After re-emerging into the Gulf of Carpentaria again on 12 January, Greta almost immediately weakened to a tropical disturbance. The storm then meandered offshore Gulf Country before dissipating around 00:00 UTC on 13 January. Greta brought rainfall to portions of the Cape York Peninsula flooded during the passage of Cyclone Peter, but the former resulted in much less damage than the latter. Tropical Cyclone Gordon SPac Gordon 1979-01-09 0533Z.png Gordon SPac 1979 track.png 9 January (Entered basin) 11 January 45 45 990 Cyclone Gordon developed over the South Pacific basin on 2 January, where it peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h mph 5 on and a minimum barometric pressure of 965 mbar inHg on on 7 January. However, between 7 January and 8 January, satellite imagery indicated a significant weakening trend. Upon reaching the Australian region early on 9 January, Gordon had deteriorated to a Category 1.Joint Typhoon Warning Center 2012 1 January 2016 JTWC Best Track for Cyclone 06S http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh061979.txt https://web.archive.org/web/20100311213657/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh061979.txt dead March 11, 2010 Around that time, the cyclone attained its peak intensity while in the basin, with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h mph 5 on and a minimum barometric pressure of 990 mbar inHg on. Weakening continued, with Gordon decreasing to a tropical low on 10 January, following by to tropical disturbance intensity on 11 January. Several hours later, Gordon made landfall near Proserpine, Queensland, and promptly dissipated. Some coastal towns in Queensland observed up to 50 mm in in a 24‑hour period. However, there was no flood damage. Rough seas and strong winds resulted in some beach erosion. Severe Tropical Cyclone Rosa SPac Rosa 1979-02-26 0230Z.png Rosa 1979 track.png 12 February 4 March 80 95 955 A persistent cluster of clouds over the South Pacific basin developed into a tropical low, named Rosa, near the Solomon Islands on 12 February. Shortly thereafter, Rosa entered the Australian region. Initially, the system remained weak and moved across the Cape York Peninsula on 16 February. Upon reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria, the storm slowly strengthened and moved in an erratic motion. Early on 26 February, Rosa peaked with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h mph 5 on and a minimum barometric pressure of 955 mbar inHg on. A reconnaissance flight into the cyclone recorded winds of 170 km/h mph 5 on at an altitude of 540 m ft on, while located about 35 km mi on northeast of the eye early on 26 February. The cyclone then made landfall near Bing Bong. Northern Territory, at the same intensity. Rosa moved west-southwestward across Australia and dissipated offshore Western Australia near Exmouth on 4 March. Observation stations in the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria reported abnormally high tides. At Bing Bong, the water level rose an estimated 2 m ft on above the spring high tide mark. On Groote Eylandt island, a tide gauge was washed away. These weather stations suffered thousands of dollars in damage. Trees in extensive tracts of forests were felled, especially in the Roper-McArthur district, which stretches from the Roper to McArthur rivers. On North Island, located within the Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands, a stranded light aircraft was destroyed. Severe Tropical Cyclone Kerry Aus Kerry 1979-02-19 0233Z.jpg Kerry 1979 track.png 15 February (Entered basin) 5 March 100 105 945 Kerry developed over the South Pacific basin from a low-pressure area on 12 February. After later striking Makira in the Solomon Islands on 15 February, Kerry reached the Bureau of Meteorology's area of responsibility on 16 February as a Category 2 cyclone. Shortly thereafter, the system became a Category 3 cyclone. Reaching Category 4 on 18 February, the storm peaked with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h mph 5 on. After peak intensity, the storm began to move erratically, executing multiple cyclonic loops and decelerating between 20 February and 25 February. At that time, Kerry weakened significantly due to dry air, falling to Category 3 on 21 February and Category 2 on 24 February. The storm curved southwestward by 26 February and deteriorated to a Category 1 later that day. Shortly thereafter, Kerry turned westward and began approaching the east coast of Queensland. Late on 28 February, the cyclone struck the Whitsunday Islands as a Category 1 and later made multiple landfalls on the mainland as a tropical low on 1 March. Kerry curved northward several hours later and re-emerged into the Pacific Ocean. The storm reintensified into a Category 1 on 2 March, before a trough forced the cyclone to curve southeastward. Kerry again weakened while traversing above the Great Barrier Reef and finally dissipated on 5 March. In Queensland, much of the damage occurred in the vicinity of Mackay, where a wind gust of 141 km/h mph on was observed. Twenty-seven homes were damaged, one severely, and a warehouse lost a large section of its roof. Wave heights up to 4.02 m ft on in the city caused about $1 million (1979 AUD) in damage to boats at the harbor. On Brampton Island, the resort's staff quarters building was deroofed and many trees were downed throughout the island.Bureau of Meteorology (1992). Climate of Queensland, Commonwealth of Australia 978-0-644-24331-5 Severe Tropical Cyclone Hazel Aus Hazel 1979-03-13 1200Z.png Hazel 1979 track.png 6 March 14 March 105 100 936 Hazel grazed the Western Australia coast on March 13, 1979. Fifteen crewmen drowned when their fishing boat sank during the storm.http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/54273a46a9c753b3ca256d0900180220/c96854d69c2d0932ca256d3300057bc8?OpenDocument https://web.archive.org/web/20071021112331/http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/54273a46a9c753b3ca256d0900180220/c96854d69c2d0932ca256d3300057bc8?OpenDocument Central/South-Western, WA: Cyclone 21 October 2007 Emergency Management Australia 23 January 2016 The storm caused $41 million in damage, among the costliest Western Australian cyclones.Bureau of Meteorology 2010 27 January 2010 Tropical Cyclones in Western Australia – Extremes http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/about/extremes.shtml Tropical Cyclone Ivan Aus Ivan 1979-03-17 0930Z.jpg Ivan 1979 track.png 16 March 21 March 49 60 988 Ivan was the second cyclone to form in the Western Region. Satellite imagery showed that Ivan wasn't an intense storm, but the central pressure dropped to 988 hPa inHg on on 18 March. Gales were likely confined to within 100 km mi on of the centre.THE AUSTRALIAN TROPICAL CYCLONE SEASON 1978-79 http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/1979/broadbridge.pdf 2025-04-23 Tropical Cyclone Jane Aus Jane 1979-04-10 0800Z.jpg Jane 1979 track.png 9 April 14 April 50 45 988 A tropical disturbance formed about 220 mi (135 mi) west-southwest of Cocos Island early on 8 April. Early on the next day, the disturbance strengthened into a tropical low, which was named Jane.Joint Typhoon Warning Center 2012 4 January 2016 JTWC Best Track for Cyclone 26S http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh061979.txt https://web.archive.org/web/20100311213657/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1979/1979s-bsh/bsh061979.txt dead March 11, 2010 The storm only intensified slightly further and later peaked with a minimum barometric pressure of 988 mbar inHg on. Jane dissipated by 14 April. Tropical Cyclone Stan Aus Stan 1979-04-13 1800Z (Colored).jpg Stan 1979 track.png 11 April 16 April 40 40 995 A tropical low formed over the northern Coral Sea on 6 April, reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria on 8 April. The system remained stationary between 11 and 12 April, with a central pressure of 1000 hPa inHg on off. By 13 April, the system developed to tropical cyclone intensity. The system attained its lowest estimated central pressure reading at 995 mbar inHg on. Also on 14 April, the cyclone accelerated as it approached the Queensland coast. It started to lose intensity as it crossed the Cape York peninsula and into the Coral Sea, until it became unrecognizable on 16 April. The highest wind speed associated with Stan was recorded at 74 km/h mph on on 12 April in Cape Wessel, Queensland. The highest 24-hour rainfall associated with Stan was 233 mm in on in Iron Range, Queensland on 15 April, with other reports including 127 mm in on in Moreton, Queensland, and 84 mm in on in Weipa, Queensland. No damage, loss of life, or significant flooding occurred.THE AUSTRALIAN TROPICAL CYCLONE SEASON 1978-79 http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/1979/broadbridge.pdf 2025-04-23 Severe Tropical Cyclone Idylle Aus Idylle 1979-04-13 0430Z.jpg Idylle 1979 track.png 13 April (Entered basin) 20 April 95 100 950 Idylle originated in the Mauritius Region of responsibility on 5 April. 5 days later, on 10 April, the cyclone exhibited recurvature and moved southeast, and steadily accelerated. The system likely peaked in intensity on 12 April, with maximum winds reaching 175 km/h mph on. The system then started to weaken, eventually dissipating on 16 April. However, the system became cold cored and intensified as a non-tropical storm. Gale warnings were issued for ships and for southwest Western Australia. Near Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, gale-force winds were reported. The only reported damage from the storm was some erosion in Perth metropolitan beaches.Severe Tropical Cyclone Idylle http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/idylle.shtml https://web.archive.org/web/20241213121113/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/idylle.shtml 2024-12-13 2025-04-24 Bureau of Meteorology en Tropical Cyclone Kevin Aus Kevin 1979-05-06 0901Z.jpg Kevin 1979 track.png 2 May 12 May 50 50 986 Kevin existed from 2 to 12 May. As it churned in open ocean, it took an unusual "zig-zag" path. Kevin did not strengthen much and dissipated out to sea. See also Tropical cyclones Tropical cyclones in 1978 Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1978, 1979 Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1978, 1979 Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1978, 1979 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1978, 1979 References 30em 1970 Australian region cyclone yes 1978 y Category:Australian region cyclone seasons Aust Cyclones Cyclones Cyclones Cyclones