| Tropical Cyclone Stan | |
| Formed: | 27 January 2016 |
| Dissipated: | 31 January 2016 |
| Low: | 31 January 2016 |
| Winds: | 55 |
| Pressure: | 980 |
| Winds: | 65 |
| Pressure: | 980 |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Fatalities: | None |
| Damages: | Minor |
| Areas: | Western Australia, South Australia Australia |
Tropical Cyclone Stan was a strong tropical cyclone that caused minor damage across the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and caused severe flooding in Southern Australia. The third tropical low, and the first named storm, Stan formed from a weak tropical low 750round=5NaNround=5 to the north of Port Hedland. Stan rapidly intensified as it was located in a favorable environment. It later peaked as a category-2 cyclone, with winds of nearly 75 mph (120 km/h). Stan later made landfall in the Pilbara region, and turned into a remnant low. It later dissipated over Southern Australia.
On 27 January, the BoM reported that Tropical Low 08U had developed about 750round=5NaNround=5 to the north of Port Hedland.[1] The system was located within a favorable environment for further development and was forecast to develop into a tropical cyclone over the next couple of days, as it moved southwards towards the coast of Western Australia. 08U was subsequently declared a Category 1 tropical cyclone on 29 January and was named Stan by the BoM. Stan continued to intensify during the day as it slowly moved in a southeast direction towards the east Pilbara coast. Stan reached category 2 tropical cyclone strength at 8:00 pm AWST time, when it was located 280 km north of Port Hedland. Stan maintained category 2 strength during the course of 30 January. Category 1 strength hurricane-force winds formed around 9:30 am AWST the same day, near Rowley Shoales where Stan was 100 km south of the island. Stan crossed the east Pilbara coast between Port Hedland and Wallal as a strong category 2 tropical cyclone at 2:00 am AWST. Stan proceeded to weaken while moving inland, becoming a category 1 tropical cyclone at 8:00 am the same day, and further weakened to become a tropical low at 2:00 pm that afternoon.[2] It later dissipated the same day.[3]
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a Yellow alert for coastal communities between Pardoo and Mardie Station, which included the cities of Port Hedland, South Hedland, and Karratha, while a blue alert was put in place for areas between Bidyadanga to Pardoo, and between Mardie Station to Pannawonica. The ports of Port Hedland and Dampier were closed.[4] Storm surge warnings were issued for coastal areas between Wallal and Whim Creek,[5] while flood warnings were also issued.[6]
Intense rainfall ranging from 100-125 mm hit coasts of Pilbara. Two men were trapped in their cars due to rising waters in Paraburdoo.[7] Wind gusts as high as 80 mph (130 km/h) hit the community of Rowley Shoals. Roads and highways in the region were closed and were damaged by the flooding. Many trees and power lines were felled by the strong winds.[8] Some homes in the landfall site had damaged roofs.[9]
The remnants of Stan caused record-breaking rain in South Australia. Coffin Bay received 75.8mm of rain, the Nullarbor Plain received 62.4mm, and Port Lincoln received 49.6mm of rainfall. The city was affected by intense flooding, while unusually high rainfall hit Adelaide.[10]