The Australian cyclone season officially
runs from November to April, although very few have occurred in November. The
earliest cyclone to impact the northwest coast in a season was on 19 November
1910 when the eye passed over Broome. The latest cyclone was Herbie that
formed near Cocos Islands and passed over Shark Bay on 21 May 1988. At the
start of the cyclone season, the most likely area to be affected by tropical
cyclones is the Kimberley and Pilbara coastline. Later in the season, the area
threatened extends further south including the west coast. The chance of
experiencing an intense category 4 or 5 cyclone is highest in March and April.
Australia government in addition to having buoys in the ocean has a tropical
cyclone warning services online that cover these areas,
- · Tropical cyclone seasonal outlook
- · Tropical cyclone outlook
- · Tropical cyclone information bulletin
- · Tropical cyclone watch
- · Tropical cyclone warning
- · Technical summary
- · Tropical cyclone forecast track map
- · Marine warnings
 |
| Tracks of cyclones in the Australian region from 1989/90 to 2002/03 |
A recent series
of destructive tornadoes in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria have
shattered the myth the violent storms don't strike Australia. A review of
Bureau of Meteorology data by Fairfax Regional Media has also shattered that
commonly-held perception. The data, which charts recorded tornadoes between
1795 and 2012, shows more than 1200 tornadoes have killed 28 people, injured dozens
and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. Australia has just recently
just implemented a tornado warning system in its most recent hit areas. The area
is also known for fire tornados. Which when the condition are just right this phenomenon
happen creating an amazing spectacle.
Sources:
Hi, Robert! Really informative entry! I had no idea that Australia has had a history of tropical cyclones, even though it seems that this is not a very frequent phenomenon. Regarding tornadoes, I personally am hearing for the first time that they are an occurrence in Australia. I am glad to hear Australian authorities have put in place a tornado warning system and tropical cyclones warning services available. It would definitely be interesting to track the frequency of cyclones and tornadoes and see what kind of tendencies are forming especially now that global warming is being recognized as a huge problem.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of fire tornados. They look super awesome (although of course they are probablyvreally bad for people). I guess I should have thought of their existence give the fact that pressure systems combined with a wildfire would cause such a phenomenon. I am not surprised by the fact that Australia experiences devastating storms such as cyclones because almost everything there is dangerous it seems. Although I am with Camelia: it would be very cool to track frequency and proximity of tropical storms to populous areas as climate change continues on its merry way.
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