| First storm formed | 9 December 1999 |
|---|---|
| Last storm dissipated | 22 April 2000 |
| Strongest storm | John and Paul – 915 hPa (mbar), 205 km/h (125 mph) (10-minute sustained) |
| Total storms | 12 |
| Tropical cyclones | 5 |
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Total damage | Unknown |
| Australian region cyclone seasons 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02 |
|
| Related articles | |
The 1999–00 Australian region cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation and ran from 1 November 1999 to 30 April 2000. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a "tropical cyclone year" separately from a "tropical cyclone season", with the "tropical cyclone year" for this season lasting from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000.
Two of the most notable cyclones of the season were Steve and Rosita. Cyclone Steve transversed the entire Australian continent, and although a fairly weak cyclone, caused widespread flooding in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia, while Cyclone Rosita made an almost direct hit on Broome as a severe Category 4 cyclone, devastating several remote stations and the town itself. Rosita surprised many residents of its arrival, as it made landfall very late in the season.
The scope of this section is limited to tropical cyclones that existed in the Southern Hemisphere between longitudes 90°E and 160°E during the 1999-2000 season. Furthermore, storms are listed below in chronological order of naming. There are four warning centres in this region, each responsible for naming and warning for a small portion of the region, but this section does not list the storms by the area they formed in.
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical storm (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 10 December – 17 December | ||
| Intensity | 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min), 980 mbar (hPa) | ||
Ilsa formed to the northeast of the Cocos Islands on the 11 December 1999. The cyclone moved to the south of Christmas Island on the 13th producing a heavy swell which caused some damage. Its development was impeded by vertical windshear for a large part of its lifetime. After a long track eastwards across the Indian Ocean it eventually crossed the Western Australian coastline on the Eighty Mile Beach near the Sandfire Roadhouse during the early afternoon of 17 December 1999. Apart from producing heavy rainfall, Ilsa did not produce any significant damage.[1]
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 10 December – 15 December | ||
| Intensity | 205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min), 915 mbar (hPa) | ||
Tropical Cyclone John started as a low to the south-west of Timor on 9 December 1999. It rapidly intensified and moved towards the Pilbara coast of Western Australia. Just before landfall it was a severe category 5 storm with a central pressure of 915 hPa, with winds estimated at being up to 290 km/h (180 mph). The cyclone crossed the coast just to the west of Whim Creek between Port Hedland and Karratha on 8:30 am (WST) 15 December 1999. At the time of coastal crossing, it was estimated to have a central pressure between 930 and 940 hPa. The cyclone moved inland before dissipating the next day.
Port Hedland experienced gale force winds for a period of 18 hours and near storm force winds with gusts to 124 km/h (78 mph) were observed on 15 December for most of the day. A maximum storm surge of 2 metres was recorded by the Port Hedland Authority at 6 am WST. At Karratha, on the western side of the circulation, the maximum wind gust recorded was 113 km/h (70 mph). At Cape Lambert, winds averaged 150 km/h (95 mph) for 5 hours with a maximum gust of 210 km/h (130 mph).[1]
There was some minor damage in Karratha. High winds and flooding caused extensive structural damage at many stations in the Pilbara and mining operations were suspended at many sites. The 113-year old Whim Creek Hotel suffered major damage with the top floor lost, and the town of Newman experienced some flooding (500 mm (20 in) of rain was recorded). However, major towns in the Pilbara escaped any serious damage, and the damage was relatively light due to the sparseness of population in the area John hit. There were no deaths from John.[2]
Ten hours prior to landfall on the Australian coastline, John was moving southwards directly towards Karratha and Dampier. Had John failed to turn to the south-east like what it did, damage to the towns of Karratha, Dampier, Roebourne and Wickham caused by John would have been much worse.[3]
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 24 January – 1 February | ||
| Intensity | 110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min), 975 mbar (hPa) | ||
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily formed about 350 km (215 mi) east of the Cocos Islands on 24 January 2000 and moved west southwest towards the Western Australian coast. Kirrily intensified, reaching Category 2 status on 27 January. On 28 January, Kirrily turned southwest, moving away from the coast, weakening to below cyclone strength by 31 January, while located approximately 900 km (560 mi) west of Carnarvon. The lowest central pressure was estimated to have reached 970 hPa.[1]
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 1 February – 8 February | ||
| Intensity | 140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min), 960 mbar (hPa) | ||
A developing low approximately 230 km (145 mi) south of Christmas Island on 3 February was named Leon on 4 February. Following a general southwesterly track during the 5th and 6th, the system developed into a severe tropical cyclone with an estimated central pressure of 960 hPa. By the 8th, Tropical Cyclone Leon passed to the south of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.[4] Leon was re-named Leon-Eline once it moved outside Perth's area of responsibility; for more information on Leon-Eline, see 1999-00 South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season.
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Duration | 14 February – 18 February | ||
| Intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min), 992 mbar (hPa) | ||
Marcia was a Category 1 cyclone that formed on 15 February, and remained quasi-stationary in the open Indian Ocean at around 15˚S, 103˚E. Perth issued its final warning on 17 February at 0400 UTC, downgrading to a tropical low. Marcia dissipated on 21 February. The lowest central pressure was 992 hPa achieved on 16 February at 1000 UTC.[5]
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 27 February – 11 March | ||
| Intensity | 110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min), 975 mbar (hPa) | ||
A long lived cyclone lasting 13 days, Steve actually made landfall four times on the Australian mainland. It formed on 25 February 2000 and crossed the Queensland coast north of Cairns the same day as a strong Category 2 in the Australian Scale. It weakened to a low and then redeveloped in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Steve then crossed into the Northern Territory and weakened again. The low then moved over the Indian Ocean near Broome and reformed again into a tropical cyclone. It intensified into a strong Category 2, reaching its peak intensity, and made landfall to the west of Karratha. It weakened to a Category 1 and emerged again over the Indian Ocean near Carnarvon. It finally made its fourth landfall as a weak Category 1 on 9 March 2000 near Shark Bay. It accelerated to the south-east towards Esperance and emerged over the Great Australian Bight where it became extratropical.[6]
There was extensive damage across a wide area of Australia, from Cairns in Queensland to Esperance in Western Australia on 11 March. Most of the damage was caused by severe flooding which resulted with costs in excess of $100 million (AUD). There were no reports of deaths from Cyclone Steve.[7]
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 29 February – 9 March | ||
| Intensity | 185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min), 930 mbar (hPa) | ||
Severe Tropical Cyclone Norman developed from a low that moved off the west Kimberley coast on 29 February 2000. The cyclone tracked parallel to the Pilbara coastline for 3 days at a distance of about 250 km (155 mi), before continuing on a westward track away from the Western Australian coast. Norman quickly reached a peak intensity as a Category 5 cyclone on 2 March with a central pressure estimated at 920 hPa, while about 780 km (485 mi) to the west-northwest of Exmouth. Norman soon weakened over the following 2 days. During 6 March, the cyclone changed direction to a southerly track. The system finally dissipated on 8 March. Norman had no direct impact on Western Australia.[1]
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical storm (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 16 March – 20 March | ||
| Intensity | 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 985 mbar (hPa) | ||
Olga formed from a low that developed in the Timor Sea on 15 March 2000. The low maintained a west southwest track, paralleling the Kimberley and Pilbara coasts. The low was named Tropical Cyclone Olga on 17 March while located approximately 570 km (355 mi) to the north of Exmouth. Olga intensified to Category 2 status with a central pressure of 980 hPa. By the 20th the system had weakened to a tropical low while located about 970 km (605 mi) to the west of Carnarvon. The system had no direct effect on Western Australia.[1]
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical storm (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 1 April – 2 April | ||
| Intensity | 110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min), 980 mbar (hPa) | ||
A tropical low in the northern Coral Sea moved toward the coast, deepened into Tropical Cyclone Tessi on 2 April and crossed the coast near Bambaroo and Crystal Creek (80 km (50 mi) north of Townsville) early on 3 April as a Category 2 system on landfall.
Tessi's winds unroofed buildings, uprooted trees, downed power lines in the area between Ingham and Ayr. The Strand suffered wave damage with several boats destroyed. Heavy rain caused landslides on Townsville's Castle Hill destroying two homes and requiring the evacuation of another fifty homes. Considerable damage to personal property and to Townsville City infrastructure was reported. Townsville Aero reported a record April wind gust of 130 km/h (81 mph), a record April daily rainfall total of 271.6 mm (10.7 in) and the cyclone was the main contribution to a record April monthly total of 546.2 mm (21.5 in). In addition, moderate damage was also reported throughout Magnetic Island and the then Thuringowa.
Minor to moderate flooding in the Haughton River increased to major in the lower reaches with the highest level since the start of records in 1978 being recorded at Giru.[8]
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical storm (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 3 April – 6 April | ||
| Intensity | 110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min), 977 mbar (hPa) | ||
A tropical low was first identified near New Caledonia on 29 March. The low tracked northwest through the Coral Sea to become Tropical Cyclone Vaughan early on 4 April. The system rapidly intensified to Category 2 during the morning of the 4th and tracked westward toward the north Queensland tropical coast. Cyclone Vaughan weakened a little during 5 April and was downgraded to a Category 1 system before re-intensifying to Category 2 early on 6 April. However by late morning on the 6th the system again rapidly weakened and was downgraded below cyclone strength during the afternoon. The remnants of Cyclone Vaughan drifted slowly northwest and dissipated during 7 April. There was no evidence of any significant impact on the coast from Vaughan.[8]
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 11 April – 20 April | ||
| Intensity | 205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min), 915 mbar (hPa) | ||
Paul formed about 1000 km (620 mi) north of Karratha on 13 April 2000 and moved west, away from the West Australian coastline, thus never posing any threat to coastal communities. The cyclone showed rapid intensification and Severe Tropical Cyclone Paul reached Category 5 status during 15 April, and the lowest central pressure was estimated to be have been about 920 hPa the following day. Severe Tropical Cyclone Paul passed about 200 km (125 mi) to the south of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands during the 17th and the central pressure was estimated to be about 940 hPa. Wind gusts at Cocos Islands were in the order of around 50 km/h (30 mph). TC Paul continued to weaken as the system followed a general west-south-west track across the Indian Ocean. The cyclone slowed to be almost stationary on 20 April and weakened to below cyclone strength. Perth issued the final warning for TC Paul on 20 April when the Category 1 cyclone was in the vicinity of latitude 14.7° south and longitude 94.3° east.[1]
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHS) | |||
|
|
|||
| Duration | 15 April – 20 April | ||
| Intensity | 185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min), 930 mbar (hPa) | ||
Rosita was named on 17 April while located 670 km (415 mi) north of Port Hedland. It rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm on 19 April while moving to the east south-east. Rosita struck the Kimberley coast as a Category 4 at 0100 hours WST on 20 April 2000, 40 km (25 mi) south of Broome. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Rosita made landfall as a Category 5 cyclone.[9] Its lowest central pressure was estimated to be 930 hPa a couple of hours prior to landfall. The small cyclone left severe structural damage in Eco Beach tourist resort, Yardoogarra and Thangoo Stations. Elsewhere there was considerable tree and powerline damage.[1]
Most tropical cyclones in the region are assigned names by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Tropical cyclones are named if they are non-frontal low pressure systems of synoptic scale developing over warm waters, or if Dvorak intensity analysis indicate the presence of gale force or stronger winds near the centre. Therefore, tropical systems with gales in one or more quadrants, but not near the centre, are not named.[10] All names assigned in the Australian region are selected sequentially. Only the names used during this cyclone season are listed below. The complete list of names for each basin are found in the World Meteorological Organization's official lists.[11]
Each Australian Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane) maintains a list of names arranged alphabetically and alternating male and female. Tropical cyclones that develop in the South-East Indian Ocean are assigned names by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Perth. This region includes the areas east of 90°E, south of the Equator, and west of 125°E. Tropical cyclones that develop south of the Equator between 125°E and 141°E are assigned names by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Darwin, Northern Territory. This area includes most of the cyclones that form in the Arafura Sea and Western Gulf of Carpentaria. Tropical cyclones in the Coral Sea and Eastern Gulf of Carpentaria between 141°E and 160°E and south of 10°S are assigned names by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Brisbane, Queensland.[11]
Perth
Brisbane
No storms formed in Darwin region during the 1999-2000 season. However, Cyclone Steve was named by TCWC Brisbane before passing through the warning area of Darwin. Additionally, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea reserves the right to name cyclones that develop in the Solomon Sea and Gulf of Papua, north of 10°S between 141°E and 160°E. Names are selected randomly from their list and retired once they are used.[12] No cyclones were named by this warning centre during the 1999-00 season.