Cyclone Monty

Severe Tropical Cyclone Monty

Category 4 cyclone (Australian scale) Category 3 cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Monty near its peak intensity
Formed	February 23, 2004 (2004-02-23)
Dissipated	March 3, 2004 (2004-03-04)
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph) 1-minute sustained: 205 km/h (125 mph) Gusts: 210 km/h (130 mph)
Lowest pressure	935 mbar (hPa); 27.61 inHg
Fatalities	None reported
Damage	Minimal
Areas affected	Western Australia
Part of the 2003–04 Australian region cyclone season

Severe Tropical Cyclone Monty was a powerful category 4 tropical cyclone that formed during late February 2004. Monty was the 6th tropical cyclone and the 3rd Severe tropical cyclone of the 2003-04 Australian region cyclone season. Monty made landfall in a large, thinly populated region of Western Australia called Pilbara. Do to the thin population, damages inland were not high, although there was major flooding and many roads were impassable because they were flooded or washed away by water. Monty set record high amounts of flooding in some parts of Western Australia.^[1]

Meteorological history

Cyclone Monty's Track

A low pressure area tracked westwards over Pilbara. The low moved off of the Kimberley Coast on February 26. Over the warm ocean waters, the low rapidly developed within 24 hours to a tropical cyclone. Monty paralleled the Pilbara coast and intensified to Category 4. On the 28th, a ragged eye became evident on a visible satellite image. On February 29, a buoy 10 nautical miles away from the center of Monty reported mean winds of 92 mph (80 knots, 148 kmh). That day, a well developed eye became visible on IR satellite imagery. Monty's peak intensity was estimated to be around 0900 UTC, as a category 4 storm, on February 29. Low wind shear of less than 10 knots allowed for development until Monty made landfall as a category 3 storm. Monty began to slowly weaken as it approached the coast of Pilbara. As Monty moved forwards inland, it began to rapidly weaken and speed up but still cause major flooding in Pilbara. As Monty continued inland, it weakened to a category 2 storm on March 2. On March 3, 2004, Monty had degenerated into a remnant low over central Western Australia.^[2]

Impact

While over the water, Monty caused significant disruption to oil and gas facilities off the Pilbara coast. Minor property damage occurred over land, although two vessels broke their mornings, ran aground and caused considerable damage. Monty cause major flooding and washed away a few roads in Pilbara. Due to the flooding, 2 people had to be rescued off of the roof of a home in Yarraloola on the Robe River. The town of Pannawonica was cut off by flood waters, Maitland's bridge was washed away at the Northwest coastal highway. The flooding on the Maitland, Robe and Fortescue Rivers was said to be the highest on record.

Rain Observations

• 393 mm (15.5 in) at Mardie (Gauge overflowed, this is an underestimate)

• 382 mm (15 in) at Yalleen

• 323 mm (12.7 in) at Roebourne (Highest two-day since 1945)

Wind Gust Observations

• 209 km/h (129 mph) at North Rankin Platform (Feb 29)

• 169 km/h (105 mph) at Barrow Island (Mar 1)

• 154 km/h (95 mph) at Mardie Station (Mar 1)

See also

• 2003-04 Australian region cyclone season

References