1978–79 Australian region cyclone season
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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.[1]
1978–79 Australian region cyclone season | |
---|---|
Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | 19 November 1978 |
Last system dissipated | 12 May 1979 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Hazel |
• Maximum winds | 220 km/h (140 mph) (10-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 935 hPa (mbar) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Tropical lows | 13 |
Tropical cyclones | 12 |
Severe tropical cyclones | 6 |
Total fatalities | 17 |
Total damage | $30 million (1979 USD) |
Related articles | |
Australian region tropical cyclone seasons 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81 |
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.