Lexi Webster
Western Australia has been impacted by several cyclones, with the most recent one being TC Ilsa in April 2023. Classified as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone, Ilsa was the latest in a series of 48 recorded tropical cyclones that have peaked at Category 5 strength in the Australian region. These cyclones are known for their immense destructive potential, with wind speeds exceeding 198 km/h (123 mph) on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. Western Australia's proximity to the cyclone basin located south of the Equator between 90°E and 160°E makes it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of these powerful storms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of recorded tropical cyclones in the Australian region | 48 |
| Earliest recorded tropical cyclone | Pam, 1974 |
| Latest recorded tropical cyclone | Ilsa, 13 April 2023 |
| Region | Southern Hemisphere, between 90°E and 160°E |
| Monitoring agencies | BMKG, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Papua New Guinea National Weather Service |
| Warning system | Yellow, orange, and red triangles |
| Distance from the mainland | 492 km northwest of Nickol in Western Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, April 2023
Cyclone Ilsa, which hit Western Australia in April 2023, was one of the most potent storms to hit the Pilbara region in recent years. It made landfall as a Category 5 system on the Australian scale, equivalent to a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.
On April 6, an active burst of the Madden-Julian oscillation, along with a westward-propagating equatorial Rossby wave, led to the formation of a tropical low. This low-pressure system, designated 23U by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), slowly moved southwest around a mid-level ridge above northeastern Australia. By April 11, the BoM reported that the symmetrical tropical low had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone, naming it Ilsa.
On April 12, Ilsa changed course to a more southerly direction and intensified into a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone. By April 13, Ilsa had rapidly intensified into a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone with winds of up to 230 km/h (143 mph) and was approaching the Pilbara coast. Around midnight local time, Ilsa made landfall in Western Australia, with winds gusting to around 300 km/h (186 mph).
As Ilsa moved inland, it began to weaken, decreasing below Category 3 intensity by April 14 and then below tropical cyclone intensity by 12:00 UTC the same day. Ilsa caused over US$10 million in damage and unfortunately led to eight deaths after two boats capsized off the coast of Western Australia. The cyclone also caused severe damage to the Pardoo Roadhouse and pastoral stations, including Pardoo and Warrawagine. Communities further inland, such as Telfer, Punmu, and Parnngurr, experienced mostly minor building damage.
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Cyclone Pam, February 1974
Cyclone Pam, which occurred in February 1974, was a large and intense cyclone that wreaked havoc in Australia. It formed during the 1973-74 Australian region cyclone season, which was the third most active tropical cyclone season in the country. Cyclone Pam moved southwest into the Australian region as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone, with estimated peak wind speeds of 205 km/h (125 mph).
The cyclone passed about 500 kilometres to the east of Brisbane, causing a 0.68-metre storm surge that was recorded on the Moreton Bay gauge. This storm surge, combined with a king tide, resulted in a record-breaking high tide of 3.13 metres on February 7. The resulting rise in sea level led to flooding in Brisbane creeks and caused the cancellation of bus services. The already eroded beaches along the open coast were further impacted by the large waves generated by Pam, and residents of Palm Beach had to evacuate as seawater surged through their homes.
The South Nobby Wave Station recorded significant wave heights of 3.8 metres during the cyclone. As Pam gradually weakened and recurved southeastward, it moved back into the South Pacific basin on February 7. The system's impact extended beyond Brisbane, with Cyclone Yvonne forming on February 8 and striking the Cape York Peninsula. On February 28, Cyclone Helen formed offshore Western Australia, moving westward before dissipating on March 8.
The 1973-74 cyclone season produced several other cyclones that affected Western Australia. Cyclone Ines formed in November 1973 and intensified into a 130 km/h (80 mph) storm before making landfall in Kimberley, Western Australia, on November 19. Cyclone Annie developed northwest of Western Australia on November 21 but dissipated by December 8. Cyclone Beryl formed near the Lesser Sunda Islands on November 26 and made landfall near Carnarvon, Western Australia, causing minor wind damage. Additionally, Cyclone Jenny struck northern Western Australia during this active cyclone season.
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Cyclone Mahina, 1899
Cyclone Mahina was a Category 5 cyclone that struck Princess Charlotte Bay on Cape York Peninsula in March 1899. It is Australia's deadliest recorded cyclone, claiming an estimated 400 lives. The cyclone destroyed almost the entire pearling fleet of Bathurst Bay in North Queensland, sinking 55 ships. The storm holds the world record for the highest storm surge, estimated at 13 metres (43 feet).
The historical status of Cyclone Mahina is complicated. Measured by the number of lives lost, it is the most severe natural disaster in Australian history since European settlement. However, most of the pearlers were either indigenous or foreign and excluded from the national imaginary. This has led to the postponement of acknowledging Mahina's status in national weather history.
The cyclone contributed significantly to the personal history of Queensland Government Meteorologist Clement Wragge, who named it. Mahina was the first cyclone in world history to be given a personal name rather than a place name.
Cyclones form in the tropical part of northern Australia and are much larger and longer-lived weather systems than tornadoes. They require a water temperature of at least 26 degrees Celsius to form and typically occur during the cyclone season from November to April. On average, the Australian region experiences 11 cyclones per year, with only four to five making landfall.
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Tropical Cyclone Harold, 2020
Tropical cyclones are a common occurrence in Australia, with the country experiencing several cyclones each year. In 2020, Tropical Cyclone Harold formed in the Australian region and caused significant damage in the South Pacific.
On February 2, 2020, an inland tropical low formed over the Northern Territory, within a developing monsoon trough. This system would eventually become Cyclone Harold. On February 16, the system had developed into a tropical cyclone and was named Harold. The cyclone initially moved in a south-westerly direction but changed course to the southeast on February 18. During this time, Harold attained its maximum wind speed of 60 knots. By February 22, the system had degenerated into a low-pressure system, and no damage was reported.
In early April, Tropical Cyclone Harold re-formed in the Coral Sea and exited the basin towards the South Pacific Ocean, where it intensified. On April 2-3, the cyclone passed through the Solomon Islands with a Category 1 rating, causing widespread damage to crops, homes, and buildings. Tragically, 27 people lost their lives in the Solomon Islands when they were swept overboard on a ferry during the storm. On April 5, the cyclone intensified to a Category 5 as it hit Vanuatu, affecting more than 159,000 people and causing severe damage to infrastructure and agriculture. The Vanuatu Health Emergency Operations Centre confirmed three deaths in the country. On April 8, the cyclone impacted Fiji as a Category 4, affecting over 180,000 people and causing significant damage to homes, agriculture, and infrastructure. The Australian Defence Force played a crucial role in transporting humanitarian relief supplies to Vanuatu and Fiji in the aftermath of the cyclone.
Tropical Cyclone Harold was one of the most destructive cyclones of the 2019-2020 Australian region cyclone season. The season featured eight tropical cyclones, with three intensifying into severe tropical cyclones. The Bureau of Meteorology retired the name Harold due to the damage caused by the system in the South Pacific.
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Tropical Cyclone Freddy, 2023
Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which formed in February 2023, was the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever recorded worldwide, spanning 36 days. Freddy originated from a tropical low located south of the Indonesian archipelago on February 4, 2023, and traversed the southern Indian Ocean for over five weeks. The cyclone caused significant damage and loss of life in several countries, particularly Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique.
Freddy quickly intensified as it travelled westward across the Indian Ocean, becoming a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian scale. The cyclone then crossed the Indian Ocean basin, reaching southern Africa in February and March 2023. Madagascar, southeastern Africa, Malawi, and Mozambique were among the worst-affected regions, with major human and economic losses.
In Madagascar, Freddy's landfall resulted in at least 17 deaths, with seven from the initial landfall on February 21 and ten from subsequent rains on March 5 and 6. Nearly 299,000 people were affected, and localized floods were observed in Morombe city and surrounding areas, as well as in Toliara city. The impact of the storm was less severe than expected in some areas, with minimal wind damage reported in villages along the western coast.
Mozambique also experienced significant effects from the cyclone, with over 1.3 million people impacted and more than 180 deaths reported. The cyclone brought torrential rains and damaging winds to the southern region, with forecasts predicting rainfall accumulations of 400-500 mm. The cyclone's second landfall in Mozambique occurred in the Quelimane District, Zambezia Province, on March 11.
In Malawi, Freddy resulted in over 1,200 reported deaths or missing persons and more than 2,100 injuries. The cyclone was expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains to the country, prompting the suspension of classes in at-risk districts.
Tropical Cyclone Freddy was an exceptionally long-lived and powerful cyclone that caused widespread devastation and loss of life in its path. The cyclone's prolonged duration and intensity contributed to its destructive nature, particularly in the affected regions of Africa.
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Frequently asked questions
48 recorded tropical cyclones have hit the Australian region, with the earliest being Cyclone Pam in 1974 and the latest being Cyclone Ilsa in 2023.
These are the strongest tropical cyclones that can form on Earth. They have 10-minute mean maximum sustained wind speeds of over 198 km/h.
There used to be a 4-stage warning system in Australia, with blue, yellow, orange, and red warnings. This was standardized at the end of 2023 with yellow, orange, and red warning triangles indicating the hazard level.
These cyclones can cause widespread devastation if they make landfall near populated areas. They can result in danger to life, property damage, and disruption to food supplies.
It's hard to determine exactly how often cyclones hit Western Australia, but historical data shows that cyclones have impacted the region as recently as 2023 and as far back as 1899.
