Cyclone Carlos Explained

Severe Tropical Cyclone Carlos
Formed:14 February 2011
Dissipated:27 February 2011
Winds:65
Pressure:969
Winds:65
Year:2011
Fatalities:None
Damages:12300000
Areas:Northern Territory, Western Australia
Season:2010–11 Australian region cyclone season

Severe Tropical Cyclone Carlos was a strong tropical cyclone that made landfall in Australia and resulted in $12.3 million USD in damages. Carlos was first spotted on 14 February near Batchelor and intensified to a Category 3 cyclone on 22 February. The storm affected Australia for most of its life.

Meteorological history

On 14 February, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) in Darwin reported that a tropical low formed near latitude 13.2S, longitude 130.7E, about 40km (30miles) west southwest of Batchelor. A severe weather warning was issued for northwest Darwin-Daly District and the Tiwi Islands.[1] Heavy rain pounded the area on 15 February with reports of Marrara recording 179.4mm and Darwin International Airport 131mm of rain.[2] This was later followed by 339.6mm of rain in just 24 hours, which is the highest 24-hour rainfall for the city on record.[3]

On 16 February, the slow moving system strengthened into After looping around the Darwin area overnight and back over land the system weakened on 17 February and BOM downgraded it to a Tropical low.[4] A record three-day total of 684.8mm rain was recorded at Darwin International Airport due to the lingering of the system.[5]

The system moved slowly southwest on 18 February moving towards the Northern Territory/Western Australian border with a possibility of restrengthening.[6] The community of Daly River received 442mm of rainfall. On 19 February the system passed into the Northern Kimberley region. Rainfall totals were not as large as in previous days. Wyndham recorded 90mm while Kalumburu recorded 80mm of rainfall.[7]

In the early hours of 21 February the system returned to the open waters of the Indian Ocean, causing it to redevelop back into a cyclone.[8] The system was located 75km (47miles) northwest of Broome.[9] The cyclone continued to track southwest at a relatively fast pace and produced a squall line that generated four tornadoes in the mining town of Karratha.[10] It also strengthened steadily to become a category 2 cyclone.[11]

On 22 February the system moved parallel to the Pilbara coast. Varanus Island recorded 59mm of rainfall and the highest wind gust recorded in the area was 120km/h at Bedout Island. The system became more organised and on 23 February the record rainfall amount of 283mm was recorded at Barrow Island. The strongest gusts of 139km/h recorded at Varanus Island.[12] The cyclone crossed the North West Cape and lashed Onslow and Exmouth with high winds up to 155km/h and rain.[13]

As Carlos moved away from the western coast of Australia on 24 February it strengthened into a Severe Tropical Cyclone. Carlos also caused a mini tornado to hit Ellenbrook, Perth, Western Australia on 28 February.[14] The system dissipated on February 27.

Impact

Tropical Cyclone Carlos caused localized flooding and damage to homes, with fallen trees, resulting in schools in Darwin being closed, along with Darwin International Airport and East Arm Wharf.[15] The tornadoes the system produced damaged 38 homes as well as numerous cars, buildings and a school.[16] Overall, the system caused about $16 million AUS$ ($12.3 USD).

References

  1. Web site: TROPICAL CYCLONE WATCH — TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 1 (17U). dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110906143538/http://dynasmon.fortunecity.com/Darwin.html. 6 September 2011. 15 February 2011. Tropical Cyclone Warning Center, Darwin.
  2. Web site: Adlam. Nigel. 15 February 2011. Cyclone warning for Darwin and coast. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110222180003/http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/15/212791_ntnews.html. 22 February 2011. 15 February 2011. Northern Territory News. News Limited.
  3. Web site: Cyclone Carlos bears down on Darwin. 16 February 2011. Weatherzone. 19 February 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110219015325/http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/cyclone-carlos-bears-down-on-darwin/16392. dead.
  4. Web site: 17 February 2012. TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 15 (17U). dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110906143538/http://dynasmon.fortunecity.com/Darwin.html. 6 September 2011. 17 February 2012. TCWC Darwin. Bureau of Meteorology.
  5. Web site: Dillon. Meagan. 18 February 2011. Wet season almost the wettest wet yet. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110706110705/http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/18/213211_ntnews.html. 6 July 2011. 18 February 2011. Northern Territory News. News Limited.
  6. Web site: Heimke. Nadja. Adlam. Nigel. 19 February 2011. Carlos on the move. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110706110708/http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/19/213411_ntnews.html. 6 July 2011. 19 February 2011. Northern Territory News. News Limited.
  7. Web site: Hickey. Paul. 20 February 2011. Cyclone warning for Kimberley coast. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110222220633/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/cyclone-warning-for-kimberley-coast/story-e6frg1rc-1226008947756. 22 February 2011. 20 February 2011. Perth Now. News Limited.
  8. Web site: 21 February 2011. TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 37 (17U). dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090726132921/http://dynasmon.fortunecity.com/Perth.html. 26 July 2009. 20 February 2011. TCWC Perth. Bureau of Meteorology.
  9. Web site: Hickey. Paul. 21 February 2011. Flood, storm warnings as cyclone Carlos reforms. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110223001048/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/cyclone-warning-for-kimberley-coast/story-e6frg1rc-1226009223678. 23 February 2011. 21 February 2011. Perth Now. News Limited.
  10. Web site: 21 February 2011. Karratha town centre hit by tornado. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110302153200/http://www.pilbaraecho.com.au/echo/content/view/2847/63/. 2 March 2011. 21 February 2011. Pilbara Echo.
  11. Web site: 21 February 2011. TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 43 (17U). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100703004606/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ax/axau01.aprf..txt. 3 July 2010. 21 February 2011. TCWC Perth. Bureau of Meteorology.
  12. Web site: Rickard. Lucy. 23 February 2011. Cyclone Carlos takes aim at Ningaloo tourist destinations. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110225011218/http://www.watoday.com.au/environment/weather/cyclone-carlos-takes-aim-at-ningaloo-tourist-destinations-20110223-1b4po.html. 25 February 2011. 23 February 2011. WAToday. Fairfax Media.
  13. Web site: Hickey. Paul. AAP. Australian Associated Press. 23 February 2011. Onslow, Exmouth blasted by 155 km/h Carlos onslaught. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110224013430/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/cyclone-warning-for-kimberley-coast/story-e6frg12c-1226010486514. 24 February 2011. 23 February 2011. Perth Now. News Limited.
  14. Web site: 24 February 2011. TROPICAL CYCLONE TECHNICAL BULLETIN 24/1815z (17U). dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110605170344/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ax/axau02.aprf..txt. 5 June 2011. 24 February 2011. TCWC Perth. Bureau of Meteorology.
  15. Web site: Adlam. Nigel. 16 February 2011. Cyclone Carlos on top of Darwin. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110222175652/http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/02/16/212951_ntnews.html. 22 February 2011. 16 February 2011. Northern Territory News. News Limited.
  16. Web site: Hickey. Paul. AAP. Australian Associated Press. 22 February 2011. Cyclone Carlos losing strength after brushing Karratha. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110223065524/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/cyclone-warning-for-kimberley-coast/story-e6frg12c-1226009846315. 23 February 2011. 22 February 2011. Perth Now. News Limited.

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