Timeline of the 2008–09 Australian region cyclone season

Track map of all storms during the season

This timeline documents all the storm formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, as well as dissipation during the 2008–09 Australian region cyclone season. The 2008–09 Southern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclone year started on 1 July 2008 and ended on 1 July 2009.[1] The Australian region Cyclone season officially runs between 1 November 2008, and 30 April 2009.[1] The timeline will also include information which was not operationally released, meaning that information from post-storm reviews by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), such as information on a storm that was not operationally warned on, will be included when its available.[1]

So far this year, a total of twenty one tropical lows, ten tropical cyclones, whilst three of the Tropical cyclones have intensified enough to become severe tropical cyclones have formed. All Tropical Cyclone's in this basin are monitored by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), who run the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC) in Perth, Darwin and Brisbane, there are also TCWC's in Jakarta, Indonesia and in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea which issue warnings for Tropical Cyclones between 90°E and 160°E.[1] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center also issue warnings within the South Pacific, designating them with the P suffix when they form to the east of 135°E and S when they form to the west of 135°E.[1] Within this basin all of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers in this region use the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale.[1] Whilst the Joint Typhoon Warning Center uses the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. To avoid confusion, the JTWC storms are referred to numerically, as the JTWC sometimes recognises a storm at a different intensity compared to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Timeline of recent events

Below is a timeline of the 2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, documenting all the storm formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, as well as dissipation. The 2008–09 Australian region cyclone season officially began on 1 November, and will last until 30 April. The first official storm, Cyclone Anika, developed 18 days after the official start, on 18 November. The timeline will also include information that was not operationally released, including post-storm reviews from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, when it becomes available.

The graphical bar above gives a brief overview of storm activity during the season, and for convenience, the storm's maximum intensity is included as a colour bar.

Timeline

November

1 November
The 2008–09 Australian region cyclone season officially starts.
17 November
1200 UTC – TCWC Jakarta reports that Tropical Depression 01U has formed, on the edge of its area of responsibility with RSMC La Reunion.[2]
18 November
1200 UTC – TCWC Jakarta transfers primary warning responsibility of Tropical Depression 01U to TCWC Perth.[2]
1800 UTC – The JTWC designates Tropical Depression 01U as Tropical Cyclone 02S.[3]
19 November
0000 UTC – TCWC Perth names Tropical Depression 01U as Cyclone Anika.[2]
20 November
0000 UTC – Cyclone Anika reaches its peak 10 minute windspeeds of 95 km/h (60 mph) which makes it a Category Two Tropical Cyclone on the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale.[2]
0000 UTC – Cyclone 01S reaches its 1 minute windspeeds of 110 km/h (70 mph).[4]
1800 UTC – Cyclone Anika weakens into a Category one cyclone.[2]
1800 UTC – RSMC La Reunion transfers primary warning responsibility of Tropical Depression ex Bernard to TCWC Perth, who designate it as Tropical Low 02U.[5]
21 November
0000 UTC – Cyclone Anika weakens into a Tropical low.[2]
0000 UTC – Tropical Depression ex Bernard dissipates.[5]
22 November
0000 UTC – Cyclone Anika dissipates.[2]

December

15 December
1200 UTC (2100 WDT) – TCWC Darwin reports that Tropical Low 03U has formed to the northwest of Darwin.[6]
18 December
1200 UTC (2100 WDT) – TCWC Darwin reports that Tropical Low 03U, has become a Category One Tropical Cyclone and is named as Cyclone Billy.[6]
1200 UTC – The JTWC designates Tropical Low 03U as Tropical Cyclone 05S.[7]
19 December
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – Cyclone Billy intensifies into a Category Two Cyclone.[6]
1800 UTC (0300 WDT, 20 December) – Cyclone Billy makes landfall near too Wyndham.[6]
20 December
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – Cyclone Billy weakens into a Category One Cyclone.[8]
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – Cyclone Billy weakens into a Tropical Low.[9]
0900 UTC (1800 WDT) – TCWC Darwin passes primary warning responsibility for ex Cyclone Billy to TCWC Perth.[10]
21 December
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Darwin reports that Tropical Low 04U has formed within the Gulf of Carpentria.[11]
22 December
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – Tropical low ex Billy redevelops into a Category One Cyclone.[6]
c.2100 UTC (0600 AEST) – TCWC Darwin reports that Tropical Low 04U has made landfall near the Roper-McArthur district.[12]
23 December
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – TCWC Port Moresby reports that Tropical Low 05U has formed near the southern tip of Papua New Guinea.[13]
24 December
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – Cyclone Billy intensifies into a Category Two Tropical Cyclone.[14]
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – TCWC Darwin issues its last advisory on Tropical Low 04U.[15]
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – Cyclone Billy intensifies into a Category Three Severe Tropical Cyclone.[16]
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – TCWC Port Moresby hands Primary warning responsibility of Tropical Low 05U to TCWC Brisbane.[13]
1200 UTC (2100 WDT) – Cyclone Billy intensifies into a Category Four Severe Tropical Cyclone.[17]
1800 UTC (0300 WDT), 25 December) – Cyclone Billy reaches its 10-minute peak windspeeds of 175 km/h (110 mph), which makes it a Category Four Severe Tropical Cyclone on the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale.[18]
25 December
1800 UTC (0300 WDT), 26 December) – Cyclone Billy weakens into a Category Three Severe Tropical Cyclone.[19]
26 December
1800 UTC (0300 WDT), 27 December) – Cyclone Billy weakens into a Category Two Tropical Cyclone.[20]
27 December
0600 UTC (1400 AEST) – TCWC Brisbane hands primary warning responsibility of Tropical Low 05U to TCWC Darwin as it moves into the Gulf of Carpentria.[13]
1200 UTC (2100 WDT), – Cyclone Billy weakens into a Category One Tropical Cyclone.[21]
28 December
1200 UTC (2100 WDT), – Cyclone Billy weakens into a Tropical Low.[6]
30 December
0600 UTC (1400 AEST), – TCWC Darwin issue the last advisory on Tropical Low 05U.[22]

January

3 January
2100 UTC (0300 AEST, 4 January) – TCWC Perth hands primary warning responsibility of Tropical Low ex Billy to RSMC La Reunion.
8 January
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – TCWC Darwin reports that Tropical Low 06U has formed near to Mornington Island within the Gulf of Carpentaria.[23]
11 January
0000 UTC (1000 AEST) – TCWC Brisbane reports that Tropical Low 06U previously located near Mornington Island, has intensified into a Category One Tropical Cyclone and has been named as Cyclone Charlotte.[24]
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – The JTWC designates Tropical Cyclone Charlotte, as Tropical Cyclone 07P.[25]
1800 UTC (0400 AEST, 12 January) – Tropical Cyclone Charlotte, makes landfall near the Gilbert River Mouth.[26]
12 January
0000 UTC (1000 AEST) – TCWC Brisbane downgrades Tropical Cyclone Charlotte to a tropical low.[27]
13 January
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – Tropical Cyclone Charlotte dissipates over land.[28]
24 January
0300 UTC (1200 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Tropical Low 07U has formed to the northwest of Broome.[29]
25 January
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Perth issues its first and only advisory on Tropical Low 08U.[29]
1200 UTC – The JTWC designates Tropical Low 07U as Tropical Cyclone 10S.[30]
26 January
0300 UTC (1200 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Tropical Low 07U has intensified into a Category One Tropical Cyclone and has been named Dominic.[29]
1200 UTC (2100 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Cyclone Dominic has reached its ten minute peak wind speeds of 95 km/h (60 mph), which makes it a Category Two Tropical Cyclone.[29]
1800 UTC – The JTWC reports that Cyclone 10S has reached its one minute peak windspeeds of 95 km/h (60 mph), which makes it a Category Two Tropical Cyclone.[31]
2200 UTC (0700 WDT) – Tropical Cyclone Dominic makes landfall as a Category Two Tropical Cyclone near to the Pilbara coast.[29]
27 January
0300 UTC (1200 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Tropical Cyclone Dominic has weakened into a Category One Tropical Cyclone.[29]
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Tropical Cyclone Dominic has weakened into a Tropical Low.[29]
28 January
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – Tropical Cyclone Dominic dissipates.[31]
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – TCWC Darwin report that Tropical Low 09U has formed within the Gulf of Carpentria.[32]
29 January
2300 UTC (0900 AEST, 30 January) – TCWC Brisbane reports that Tropical Low 10U has formed.[33]
30 January
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – TCWC Darwin issues its final advisory on Tropical Low 09U.[34]
31 January
1700 UTC (0300 AEST) – TCWC Brisbane reports that Tropical Low 10U has developed into a Category One Tropical Cyclone and has been named as Cyclone Ellie. They also report at this time that Cyclone Ellie has reached its 10 minute peak windspeeds of 75 km/h (45 mph).[33]
1800 UTC – The JTWC designate Tropical Cyclone Ellie as Tropical Cyclone 12P. They also report at this time that Cyclone Ellie has reached its 1 minute peak windspeeds of 75 km/h (45 mph).[35]

February

1 February
1200 UTC (2200 AEST) – Tropical Cyclone Ellie makes landfall on Mission Beach, Queensland in Australia.[33]
1500 UTC (0100 AEST) – TCWC Brisbane reports that Tropical Cyclone Ellie has weakened into a Tropical Low.[33]
3 February
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Tropical Low 11U has formed over Kimberley in northwest Australia.[36]
4 February
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – TCWC Brisbane reports that Tropical Low 12U has formed to the northeast of Flinders Island.[37]
1200 UTC (2100 AEST) – Tropical Cyclone Ellie dissipates.[38]
6 February
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – TCWC Brisbane issues its final advisory on Tropical Low 12U.[39]
1200 UTC – The JTWC designates Tropical Low 11U as Tropical Cyclone 14S.[38]
1800 UTC (0300 WDT, 7 February) – TCWC Perth reports that Tropical Low 11U has developed into a Category one Tropical Cyclone and has been named as Cyclone Freddy.[36]
8 February
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Cyclone Freddy has reached its ten minute peak wind speeds of 95 km/h (60 mph), which makes it a Category Two Tropical Cyclone.[36]
1800 UTC (0300 WDT, 7 February) – TCWC Perth reports that Cyclone Freddy has weakened into a Category One Cyclone.[36]
10 February
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Darwin reports that Tropical Low 13U has formed overland near to Port Keats.[40]
1200 UTC (2100 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Tropical Cyclone Freddy has weakened into a Tropical Low.[36]
12 February
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Darwin passes primary warning responsibility for Tropical Low 13U to TCWC Perth.[41]
16 February
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Perth issues its final warning on Tropical Low 13U.[42]
18 February
0600 UTC (1600 AEST) – The remnants of Tropical cyclone Innis moves into the region and are assigned the designation of 14U by TCWC Brisbane. However, primary warning responsibility remains with TCWC Wellington at this time.[43]
19 February
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Darwin reports that Tropical low 15U has formed within the Gulf of Carpentria.[44]
26 February
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Darwin passes Primary Warning responsibility for Tropical Low 15U to TCWC Perth.[45]
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Tropical Low 16U has formed within TCWC Jakartas area of responsibility.
28 February
1200 UTC (2100 WDT) – TCWC Perth issues its last advisory on Tropical Low 15U as it makes landfall near Port Hedland in Western Australia.

March

2 March
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – The JTWC designates Tropical Low 16U as Tropical Cyclone 17S.
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Perth reports that Tropical Low 16U has developed into a Category One Tropical Cyclone and has been named Gabrielle.
4 March
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – TCWC Perth downgraded Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle to a Tropical Low.
0500 UTC (1500 EST)- TCWC Brisbane reports that a Tropical Low formed over Cape York.
5 March
0600 UTC (1600 EST)- TCWC Brisbane designates the Tropical Low previously located over Cape York as 17U.
1200 UTC (2200 EST) – TCWC Brisbane upgrades Tropical Low 17U to Tropical Cyclone Hamish.
1500 UTC (0100 EST 6 March) – The JTWC designates Hamish as Tropical Cyclone 18P.
1800 UTC (0400 EST 6 March) – TCWC Brisbane upgrades Hamish to a Category 2 cyclone.
6 March
1200 UTC (2200 EST) – TCWC Brisbane upgrades Hamish to a Category 3 Severe Tropical Cyclone.
7 March
0300 UTC (1300 EST) – TCWC Brisbane upgrades Hamish to a Category 4 cyclone.
1200 UTC (2200 EST) – TCWC Brisbane upgrades Hamish to a Category 5 cyclone.
8 March
0300 UTC (1300 EST) – TCWC Brisbane downgrades Hamish to a Category 4 cyclone.
10 March
0000 UTC (1000 EST) – TCWC Brisbane downgrades Hamish to a Category 3 cyclone.
2100 UTC (0700 EST 11 March) – TCWC Brisbane downgrades Hamish to a Category 2 cyclone.
11 March
1200 UTC (2200 EST)- TCWC Brisbane downgrades Hamish to a tropical low.
17 March
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Perth identifies a tropical low has formed well north of mainland Australia.
18 March
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – TCWC Perth upgrades the tropical low 19U to Tropical Cyclone Ilsa.
0600 UTC (1500 WDT) – TCWC Perth upgrades Tropical Cyclone Isla to a Category 2 cyclone.
19 March
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – TCWC Perth upgrades Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, Category 2 to a category 3 severe cyclone.
0600 UTC (1600 EST) – TCWC Brisbane identifies a tropical low has formed over the Coral Sea.
1200 UTC (2100 WDT) – TCWC Perth upgrades Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, Category 3 to a Category 4 severe cyclone.
20 March
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – TCWC Perth downgrades Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, Category 4 to a Category 3 severe cyclone.
0600 UTC (1600 EST) – TCWC Brisbane issues its final advisory on Tropical Low 19U.
23 March
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – TCWC Perth downgrades Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, Category 3 to a Category 2 cyclone.
1200 UTC (2100 WDT) – TCWC Perth downgrades Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, Category 2 to a Category 1 cyclone.
1800 UTC (0400 EST) – TCWC Brisbane designates a tropical low in the Coral Sea as Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
2100 UTC (0700 EST) – TCWC Brisbane upgrades Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Category 1 to a Category 2 cyclone.
24 March
0000 UTC (0900 WDT) – TCWC Perth downgrades Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, Category 1 to a tropical low.
0400 UTC (1400 EST) – Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Category 2 cyclone moves east of 160E into RSMC Nadi area of responsibility.

April

27 April
0600 UTC (1530 CST) – TCWC Darwin designates a tropical low in the Arafura Sea as Tropical Cyclone Kirrily.
28 April
0600 UTC (1530 CST) – TCWC Darwin downgrades Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, Category 1 to a tropical low.
1800 UTC (0330 CST, 29 Apr) – TCWC Darwin issues its final advisory on Tropical Low, Ex-Kirrily.
30 April

The 2008–09 Australian region cyclone season officially ends.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee. "Tropical Cyclone Operational plan for the South Pacific & Southeast Indian Ocean". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Tropical Cyclone Anika". Bureau of Meteorology. 01-03-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-01. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Advisory 18-11-2008 18z". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  4. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone 02S". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Tempete tropicale moderée Bernard". Météo-France. 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "Tropical Cyclone Billy". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  7. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Warning 18-12-2008 12z". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2009-12-18. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  8. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  9. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  10. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Warning". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  11. ↑ "Tropical Low 04U". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-21. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  12. ↑ "Tropical Low 04U". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-22. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Tropical Cyclone 05U". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-27. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  14. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-24. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  15. ↑ "Tropical Low 04U". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-24. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  16. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-24. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  17. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-24. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  18. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-24. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  19. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-25. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  20. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-26. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  21. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-12-27. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  22. ↑ "Tropical Low 05U". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  23. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Outlook 08-01-09 05z". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
  24. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Advice 11-01-09 00z". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
  25. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Warning 11-01-2009 06z". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 11-01-2009. Retrieved 2009-01-12. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Advice 11-01-09 18z". Bureau of Meteorology. 11-01-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Advice 12-01-09 00z". Bureau of Meteorology. 12-01-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Charlotte". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2009-01-13. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 "Tropical Cyclone Dominic". Bureau of Meteorology. 02-03-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Warning 25-01-2009 12z". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2009-01-28. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Tropical Cyclone Dominic". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2009-01-28. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  32. ↑ "Tropical Low 09U". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-01-28. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 "Tropical Cyclone Ellie". Bureau of Meteorology. 02-03-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ↑ "Tropical Low 09U". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-01-28. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  35. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Advisory 31-01-2009 18z". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2009-01-31. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 "Tropical Cyclone Freddy". Bureau of Meteorology. 03-02-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ↑ "Tropical Low 12U". Bureau of Meteorology. 04-02-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Tropical Cyclone Ellie". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
  39. ↑ "Tropical Low 12U". Bureau of Meteorology. 06-02-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ↑ "Tropical Weather Outlook for the Northern Territory". Bureau of Meteorology. 10-02-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ↑ "Tropical Weahter Outlook for the Northern Territory". Bureau of Meteorology. 10-02-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ↑ "Tropical Weather Outlook for Western Australia". Bureau of Meteorology. 10-02-2009. Retrieved 2009-03-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Outlook for the Coral Sea". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  44. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Outlook for the Northern Territory". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  45. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Outlook for the Northern Territory". Bureau of Meteorology. 2009-02-26. Retrieved 2009-03-03.