List of Category 5 Australian region severe tropical cyclones explained

Category 5 severe tropical cyclones are tropical cyclones that reach Category 5 intensity on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale within the Australian region. They are by definition the strongest tropical cyclones that can form on Earth. A total of 48 recorded tropical cyclones have peaked at Category 5 strength in the Australian region, which is denoted as the part of the Southern Hemisphere between 90°E and 160°E. The earliest tropical cyclone to be classified as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone was Pam which was classified as a Category 5 between February 3 – 5, 1974, as it moved through the Coral Sea. The latest system to be classified as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone was Ilsa, which was classified on 13 April 2023 off the coast of Western Australia.

Background

The Australian region tropical cyclone basin is located to the south of the Equator between 90°E and 160°E and is officially monitored by the Indonesian Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG), Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the Papua New Guinea National Weather Service. Other meteorological services such as New Zealand's MetService, Météo-France as well as the Fiji Meteorological Service and the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center monitor the basin. Within the basin a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone is a tropical cyclone that has 10-minute mean maximum sustained wind speeds over 107kn or greater on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale.[1] A named storm could also be classified as a Category 5 tropical cyclone if it is estimated, to have 1-minute mean maximum sustained wind speeds over 137kn on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.[2] Within the basin this scale is not officially used, however, systems are commonly compared to the SSHWS using 1-minute sustained wind speeds from the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center.[3] [4] On both scales, a Category 5 tropical cyclone is expected to cause widespread devastation, if it significantly impacts land at or near its peak intensity.[1] [2]

20th century

|-| Trixie || || 110kn || 925hPa || Western Australia || || ||[5] [6] |-| Beverley || || 110kn || 929hPa || Western Australia || || ||[7] [8] |-| Joan || || 115kn || 915hPa || Western Australia || || ||[9] [10] |-| Alby || || 110kn || 930hPa || Western Australia || || ||[11] [12] |-| Amy || || 115kn || 915hPa || Indonesia, Western Australia || || ||[13] |-| Dean || || 110kn || 930hPa || Indonesia, Northern Australia || || ||[14] |-| Enid || || 110kn || 930hPa || Western Australia || || ||[15] |-| Carol || || 110kn || 940hPa || Indonesia || || ||[16] |-| Mabel || || 110kn || 930hPa || Western Australia || || ||[17] |-| Dominic || || 115kn || 950hPa || Northern Australia, New Guinea || || ||[18] |-| Elinor || || 110kn || 935hPa || Queensland || Minor || ||[19] [20] |-| Kathy || || 120kn || 920hPa || Cape York Peninsula, Northern Territory || || ||[21] [22] |-| Harry || || 110kn || 925hPa || Vanuatu, New Caledonia || || ||[23] |-| Aivu || || 110kn || 935hPa || Queensland || || ||[24] [25] |-| Orson || || 130kn || 905hPa || Western Australia || || ||[26] [27] |-| Alex || || 120kn || 927hPa || Indonesia, Christmas Island || || ||[28] |-| Graham || || 110kn || 915hPa || Sumatra, Cocos Islands, Christmas Island || || ||[29] |-| Neville || || 110kn || 945hPa || Northern Territory || || ||[30] [31] |-| Rewa || || 110kn || 920hPa || New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea
Queensland, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu || Unknown || ||[32] |-|Theodore || || 115kn || 910hPa || Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea
Vanuatu, New Caledonia
Norfolk Island, New Zealand || || ||[33] |-| Chloe || || 120kn || 920hPa || Timor, Western Australia || || ||[34] [35] |-| Pancho-
Helinda || || 115kn || 910hPa || Sumatra, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Madagascar || || ||[36] |-| Thelma || || 120kn || 920hPa || Northern Territory, Western Australia || N/A || ||[37] |-| Frederic–
Evrina || || 110kn || 920hPa || None || None || None ||[38] [39] |-| Vance || || 120kn || 910hPa || Northern Territory, Western Australia || || ||[40] |-| Gwenda || || 120kn || 900hPa || Timor, Indonesia, Western Australia || || ||[41] |-| John || || 110kn || 915hPa || Timor, Indonesia, Western Australia || || None ||[42] |}

21st century

|-| Paul || || 110kn || 915hPa || None || || ||[43] [44] |-| Rosita || || 120kn || 930hPa || Indonesia, Western Australia, Northern Territory || || ||[45] [46] |-| Sam || || 110kn || 940hPa || Northern Territory, Western Australia || || ||[47] [48] |-| Chris || || 110kn || 915hPa || Western Australia || || ||[49] [50] |-| Inigo || || 125kn || 900hPa || Eastern Indonesia, Timor, Western Australia || || ||[51] [52] |-| Fay || || 115kn || 910hPa || Northern Territory, Timor, Western Australia || || ||[53] [54] |-| Ingrid || || 125kn || 924hPa || New Guinea, Northern Australia || || ||[55] [56] |-| Glenda || || 110kn || 910hPa || Northern Territory, Western Australia || || ||[57] [58] |-| Monica || || 135kn || 916hPa || New Guinea, Northern Australia || || ||[59] |-| George || || 110kn || 902hPa || Northern Territory, Western Australia || || ||[60] |-| Hamish || || 115kn || 924hPa || Queensland || || ||[61] |-| Laurence || || 110kn || 925hPa || Northern Territory, Western Australia || || ||[62] |-| Yasi || || 110kn || 929hPa || Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Australia || || 1 ||[63] |-| Gillian || || 120kn || 927hPa || New Guinea, Indonesia, Queensland
Northern Territory, Christmas Island || || ||[64] [65] |-| Ita || || 120kn || 922hPa || Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Queensland || || ||[66] |-| Marcia || || 110kn || 932hPa || Queensland, New South Wales || || ||[67] |-| Ernie || || 120kn || 924hPa || None || || ||[68] |-| Marcus || || 135kn || 905hPa || Northern Territory, Western Australia || || ||[69] |-| Veronica || || 115kn || 928hPa || Western Australia || || ||[70] |-| Niran || || 110kn || 936hPa || Queensland, New Caledonia || || ||[71] |-| Darian || || 125kn || 915hPa || None || || ||[72] |-| Herman || || 115kn || 930hPa || None || || ||[73] |-| Ilsa || || 125kn || 915hPa || Indonesia, East Timor, Northern Territory, Western Australia || > || ||[74] [75] [76] |-| Jasper || || 115kn || 926hPa || Queensland || || |||-| Olga || || 110kn || 933hPa || Lesser Sunda Islands, Western Australia || || |||}

Other systems

In addition to the 52 tropical cyclones listed above, three other tropical cyclones are considered by the BoM to have been a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone within the Australian region.[77] These are Cyclone Mahina of 1899 and two tropical cyclones that struck Innisfail and Mackay during 1918.[77] Severe tropical cyclones Erica (2003) and Harold (2020) became Category 5 severe tropical cyclones, after they moved out of the Australian region and into the South Pacific basin.[78] Severe Tropical Cyclones Fran (1992) and Beni (2003) were Category 5 severe tropical cyclones, before they moved into the Australian region from the South Pacific basin.[79] [80] Severe Tropical Cyclone Ului weakened into a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone, as it moved across 160°E into the Australian region.[81]

The BoM estimates that Severe Tropical cyclones Viola–Claudette (1979), Jane–Irna (1992), Daryl–Agnielle (1995), Bruce (2013) and Freddy (2023) peaked as Category 5 severe tropical cyclones, after they had moved out of the Australian region and into the South-West Indian Ocean.[82] [83] [84]

Operationally Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle was estimated to have peaked as a category 5 severe tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained winds of 110kn. However, during the post-storm analysis process, it was downgraded to a Category 4 system, with 10-minute sustained winds of 105kn.[85]

During December 21, 2022 Severe Tropical Cyclone Darian moved into the South-West Indian Ocean as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone, where it was immediately classified as a Very Intense Tropical Cyclone.

Impacts

Category 5 severe tropical cyclones are expected to cause widespread devastation if they significantly impact land.[1] [2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. 2017/2018 Tropical Cyclone Season Summary of Alerts and Warnings Procedures for Fiji. Fiji Meteorological Service . October 23, 2017 . 3 & 11. https://web.archive.org/web/20180413033258/http://www.met.gov.fj/TC_Procedures.pdf. live . April 13, 2018.
  2. The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. United States National Hurricane Center. Schott, Timothy. Landsea, Christopher. Hafele, Gene. Lorens, Jeffrey. Taylor, Arthur. Thrum, Harvey. Ward, Bill. Willis, Mark. Zaleski, Walt. January 2, 2019. June 4, 2019.
  3. Hoarau, Karl. Chalonge, Ludovic. Pirard, Florence . Peyrusaubes, Daniel . Extreme tropical cyclone activities in the southern Pacific Ocean . International Journal of Climatology . March 2018 . 38 . 3 . 1409–1420 . 10.1002/joc.5254. 2018IJCli..38.1409H. 133864648.
  4. Masters, Jeff. Henson, Bob. Fiji Pounded by its First Category 5 Storm on Record: Tropical Cyclone Winston. Weather Underground. February 19, 2016.
  5. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1975046S17124}} 1975 Severe Tropical Cyclone Trixie (1975046S17124)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  6. Tropical Cyclone Trixie. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Courtney, Joe B. 23 September 2012. 13 August 2009.
  7. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1975081S12116}} 1975 Severe Tropical Cyclone Beverley (1975081S12116)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  8. http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/beverley.pdf
  9. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1975334S11128}} 1975 Severe Tropical Cyclone Joan (1975334S11128)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  10. Web site: 1979. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 20 June 2019. Cyclone Joan December 1975.
  11. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1978086S14115}} 1978 Severe Tropical Cyclone Alby (1978086S14115)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  12. Web site: Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 1979. 20 June 2019. Severe Tropical Cyclone Alby.
  13. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1980005S14120}} 1980 Severe Tropical Cyclone Amy (1980005S14120)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  14. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1980027S11129}} 1980 Severe Tropical Cyclone Dean (1980027S11129)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  15. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1980043S16131}} 1980 Severe Tropical Cyclone Enid (1980043S16131)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  16. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1980348S11116}} 1980 Severe Tropical Cyclone Carol (1980348S111164)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  17. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1981012S12110}} 1981 Severe Tropical Cyclone Mabel (1981012S12110)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  18. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1982095S11138}} 1982 Severe Tropical Cyclone Dominic (1982095S11138)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  19. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1983042S11158}} 1983 Severe Tropical Cyclone Elinor (1983042S11158)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  20. http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/elinor.shtml
  21. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1984077S12149}} 1984 Severe Tropical Cyclone Kathy (1984077S12149)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  22. Web site: Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 24 February 2011. 2011. Severe Tropical Cyclone Kathy.
  23. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1989037S16164}} 1989 Severe Tropical Cyclone HARRY (1989037S16164)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  24. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1989089S11158}} 1989 Severe Tropical Cyclone Aivu (1989089S11158)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  25. Web site: Report on Severe Tropical Cyclone Aivu. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6–27. 20 June 2019.
  26. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1989106S11128}} 1989 Severe Tropical Cyclone Orson (1989106S11128)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  27. Web site: Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 20 June 2019. Severe Tropical Cyclone Orson.
  28. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1990074S12115}} 1990 Severe Tropical Cyclone Alex (1990074S12115)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  29. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1991335S04095}} 1991 Severe Tropical Cyclone Graham (1991335S04095)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  30. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1992096S08132}} 1992 Severe Tropical Cyclone Neville (1992096S08132)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  31. http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/neville.shtml
  32. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1993360S04171}} 1993 Severe Tropical Cyclone Rewa (1993360S04171)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  33. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1994053S08155}} 1994 Severe Tropical Cyclone Theodore (1994053S08155)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  34. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1995089S09131}} 1995 Severe Tropical Cyclone Chloe (1995089S09131)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  35. Severe Tropical Cyclone Chloe. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 23 September 2012. 13 August 2009.
  36. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1997013S08101}} 1997 Severe Tropical Cyclone Helinda:Pancho (1997013S08101)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  37. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2014092S11159}} 1998 Severe Tropical Cyclone Thelma (1998335S12138)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  38. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1999084S12119}} 1999 Severe Tropical Cyclone Evrina:Frederic (1999084S12119)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  39. Severe Tropical Cyclone Frederic. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 20 June 2019.
  40. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1999074S13132}} 1999 Severe Tropical Cyclone Vance (1999074S13132)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  41. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1999092S11131}} 1999 Severe Tropical Cyclone Gwenda (1999092S11131)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  42. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1999343S11123}} 1999 Severe Tropical Cyclone John (1999343S11123)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 20 June 2019.
  43. Severe Tropical Cyclone Paul. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6 June 2022. 9 February 2021.
  44. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2000102S13128}} 2000 Severe Tropical Cyclone Paul (2000102S13128)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  45. Severe Tropical Cyclone Rosita. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6 June 2022. 9 February 2021.
  46. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2000105S09127}} 2000 Severe Tropical Cyclone Rosita (2000105S09127)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  47. 11 June 2009. Severe Tropical Cyclone Sam. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6 June 2022.
  48. Web site: International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. [{{IBTRACS url|id=2000333S11140}} 2014 Severe Tropical Cyclone Sam (2000333S11140)]. 6 June 2022.
  49. Severe Tropical Cyclone Chris. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6 June 2022. 11 June 2009.
  50. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2002033S13121}} 2002 Severe Tropical Cyclone Chris (2002033S13121)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  51. Severe Tropical Cyclone Inigo. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6 June 2022. 11 June 2009.
  52. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2003088S07131}} 2003 Severe Tropical Cyclone Inigo (2003088S07131)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  53. Severe Tropical Cyclone Fay. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6 June 2022. 11 June 2009.
  54. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2004072S11146}} 2004 Severe Tropical Cyclone Fay (2004072S11146)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  55. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ingrid. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6 June 2022. 7 August 2009.
  56. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2005063S12141}} 2014 Severe Tropical Cyclone Ingrid (2005063S12141)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  57. Severe Tropical Cyclone Glenda. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6 June 2022. 5 August 2009.
  58. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2006081S14129}} 2006 Severe Tropical Cyclone Glenda (2006081S14129)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  59. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2006106S10153}} 2006 Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica (2006106S10153)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  60. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2007058S12135}} 2007 Severe Tropical Cyclone George (2007058S12135)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  61. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2009064S13148}} 2009 Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish (2009064S13148)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  62. 19 May 2010. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Severe Tropical Cyclone Laurence. 6 June 2022. Paterson, Linda A.
  63. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2011028S13180}} 2011 Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi (2011028S13180)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  64. March 2017. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Severe Tropical Cyclone Gillian. 6 June 2022.
  65. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2014065S10139}} 2014 Severe Tropical Cyclone Gillian (2014065S10139)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  66. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2014092S11159}} 2014 Severe Tropical Cyclone Ita (2014092S11159)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. 6 June 2022.
  67. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia. 6 June 2022.
  68. August 2017. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ernie. 6 June 2022.
  69. Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcus. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 6 June 2022. 9 February 2021.
  70. May 2019. Severe Tropical Cyclone Veronica. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Paterson, Linda A. 5 June 2022.
  71. Severe Tropical Cyclone Niran. Earl-Spurr, Craig. 6 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221206220155/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/Niran2021_report.pdf. 6 December 2022. live. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 2 September 2022.
  72. Severe Tropical Cyclone Darian. Boterhoven, Matthew. Prasad, Vikash. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 31 August 2023. 7 June 2023.
  73. Severe Tropical Cyclone Herman. Conroy, Adam. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 31 August 2023. 22 August 2023.
  74. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa. Boterhoven, Matthew. Paterson, Linda A. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 10 June 2022. 6 June 2023.
  75. News: Murphy . Hannah . Barker . Anne . Brann . Matt . Bieundurry . Tallulah . 3 May 2023 . Roadhouse at centre of Cyclone Ilsa estimates damage at more than $4 million . 10 May 2023 . The Age . en.
  76. News: Indonesian fishermen who survived cyclone that killed eight off WA coast won't face charges . en-AU . ABC News . 10 May 2023.
  77. News: Cyclone Marcia to make landfall as category 5. 19 February 2015. 29 June 2019. Courier Mail.
  78. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2003061S21148}} 2003 Tropical Cyclone Erica (2003061S21148)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. April 2, 2019.
  79. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1992064S10184}} 1992 Tropical Cyclone Fran (1992064S10184)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. April 2, 2019.
  80. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2003021S10163}} 2002 Tropical Cyclone Beni (2003021S10163)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. April 2, 2019.
  81. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=2010070S15168}} 2010 Tropical Cyclone Ului (2010070S15168)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. April 2, 2019.
  82. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. [{{IBTRACS url|id=1979343S08093}} 1980 Intense Tropical Cyclone Viola-Claudette (1979343S08093)]. April 28, 2020.
  83. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. [{{IBTRACS url|id=1992096S05101}} 1992 Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Irna:Jane (1992096S05101)]. April 28, 2020.
  84. Web site: [{{IBTRACS url|id=1995319S05092}} 1996 Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Daryl:Agnielle (1995319S05092)]. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. May 7, 2020.
  85. Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 2 June 2022. January 2016.

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