Responsible for the sinking, & hence rapid breaking-up, of the MV Korean Star (1984) near Cape Cuvier on the 20th May. These conditions should result in about average number of tropical cyclones (TC) over the Australian Region, with about 9 expected and with 5 becoming severe tropical cyclones (STC). [16] Before any significant intensification could occur, however, the tropical low exited the Australian region on 30 November, passing into the area of responsibility of Météo-France's tropical cyclone warning centre in Réunion. [93], On 20 December 2020, a tropical disturbance that was being monitored by Météo-France's tropical cyclone warning centre in Réunion crossed into the Australian region from the South-West Indian Ocean basin. [89][90], Tropical Low 03U generated strong winds in the Kimberley region and on nearby islands for several days while located nearby. NSW and Queensland weather expected to worsen: 'Similar to a category one cyclone' ... Australian Associated Press. [19] Satellite scatterometer data revealed maximum sustained winds of approximately 45 km/h (30 mph) at 02:30 UTC on 30 November, a few hours prior to the system exiting the Australian region. [13] On 29 November, the tropical low began to be steered slowly towards the west-northwest on the northern side of the subtropical high pressure belt. By this time, however, the system was quickly approaching the Australian coast, so the time available for further intensification was very limited. Cyclones, dangerous rain feared as La Niña forms Australia's eastern states are likely to experience dangerous weather events, with the Bureau of Meteorology declaring La Niña has developed in the Pacific Ocean. The season officially began on 1 November 2020 and will end on 30 April 2021, however, a tropical cyclone could form at any time between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021 and would count towards the season total. The 2020–21 Australian Region Cyclone Season is the period of the year when most tropical cyclones form within the Southern Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans between 90°E and 160°E. 10-minute sustained winds of at least 50 km/h (31 mph) persisted for approximately four hours on Adele Island late on 8 December (UTC), peaking at 56 km/h (35 mph) at 21:00 UTC, with a 76 km/h (47 mph) gust observed shortly thereafter. There were 4 tropical lows in total. [79] The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) classified the system as a tropical low by 06:00 UTC the following day while it was located near the Tiwi Islands, and assigned the identifier code 03U. [17] The system later intensified into Severe Tropical Storm Bongoyo in the South-West Indian Ocean cyclone region on 7 December. On Wednesday morning, the low was around 2,700 km to the northwest of the Australian mainland, out past the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says it expects Queensland's first cyclone this season will form by Sunday afternoon in the Gulf of Carpentaria, near the Northern Territory-Queensland border. The BOM predicted that the La Niña pattern will persist into early 2021, and waters north of Australia and the Southwestern Pacific Ocean will be warmer than average in the coming three months. There were only 3 tropical cyclones, of which only one caused any damage. Forecast models suggest the system will move south and then west away from our continent. [95] Initially situated approximately 825 km (510 mi) west-northwest of the Cocos Islands, the system was located in an environment that was generally unfavourable for intensification, with moderate to strong vertical wind shear offsetting otherwise conducive upper-level outflow and warm sea surface temperatures of 28–29 °C (82–84 °F).[86][87][95]. [86] After reaching the Dampier Peninsula on 20 December, the system turned sharply to the east and began tracking further inland. In October 2020, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued its tropical cyclone outlook for the 2020–21 season, and in the same month, the agency contributed towards the Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook, along with New Zealand's MetService, NIWA and the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS). In October 2020, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued its tropical cyclone outlook for the 2020–21 season, and in the same month, the agency contributed towards the Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook, along with New Zealand's MetService, NIWA and the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS). [1] The Northwestern sub-region had a probability of two tropical cyclones crossing the Western Australian coast, with a significant risk of at least one of these to be a severe tropical cyclone. The next 12 names on the naming list are listed below: The tropical cyclone warning centre in Jakarta monitors tropical cyclones from the Equator to 11°S, between the longitudes 90°E and 145°E. [42] Despite these wind readings, the BOM did not classify the low as a Category 1 tropical cyclone because they determined that gale-force winds did not extend more than halfway around the centre. [26][27] The system was assigned the official identifier code 02U upon formation. [23] Maximum 10-minute sustained winds of 39 km/h (24 mph) with gusts to 46 km/h (29 mph) were observed at the airport on West Island at 04:30 UTC on 27 November. Below average sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and atmospheric conditions indicated a La Niña pattern, and it was declared that a La Niña had emerged on 29 September 2020. [10] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assessed environmental conditions as being only marginally conducive for tropical cyclogenesis, with good poleward outflow and sea surface temperatures near 30 Â°C (86 Â°F) being offset by the effects of moderate vertical wind shear. Bureau of Meteorology says cyclone off WA’s northern coast is likely to bring heavy rain and gale-force winds, First published on Mon 6 Jan 2020 00.42 EST. Tom Saunders said: “Australia’s severe weather season (SWS) will see a wet La Niña-induced summer for the first time in nine years, increasing the risk of cyclones, flooding and thunderstorms. [96] These warning centres monitor all tropical cyclones that form within the Australian region, including any within the areas of responsibility of TCWC Jakarta or TCWC Port Moresby. Each of the outlooks accounted for analogue seasons and the effects of various climate drivers, which included the state of the El Niño Southern Oscillation(ENSO). [4], The Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook covered a portion of the Australian region that comprised waters surrounding Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Coral Sea, and the northern Tasman Sea including Norfolk Island. [14][15] The system encountered somewhat weaker wind shear along its new track, allowing deep convection to develop closer to the low-level circulation centre. Cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April and the Bureau of Meteorology's National Cyclone … September's TCO-AU guidance suggests normal to above normal risk for Australia for the coming tropical cyclone season (November 2020—April 2021). Tropical cyclones that develop between the Equator and 11°S, between the longitudes 151°E and 160°E, are assigned names by the tropical cyclone warning centre in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Image: The area of cloud inside the green circle has the potential to become Australia's frist tropical cyclone of the 2020/21 season. Retiring a cyclone name. The season officially runs from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021, however a tropical cyclone could form at any time between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 and would count towards the season total. ( 59 mph ) during a thunderstorm on 21 December to slightly above average number of tropical for... Subdued in 2020 as rain begins to replenish the dry land and empty dams ], the BOM 11... Drought across the eastern states is being subdued in 2020 as rain begins to replenish the dry land empty. 40 ] [ 9 ] the system was assigned the identifier code 02U upon formation winds and,! April although the first tropical cyclone of our 2020/21 season and be named Imogen 63 km/h ( mph... 26 ] [ 41 ] Ten-minute sustained winds also reached 63 km/h ( 39 ). ] [ 27 ] the system moved inland over the following days tracking..., paralleling the coast, resulting in significant damage and potentially loss of life ( e.g circulation. Ensuing hours, paralleling the coast, resulting in significant damage and potentially loss of life ( e.g [... [ 26 ] [ 9 ] the system was assigned the identifier code 01U by the.! Cyclones for the season weather event could affect Australia for the rest of 2020 Mr Pippard said 13 2020! It 's located way out in the marginal environment, with an elongated low-level circulation.! Tracking in a generally south-southeasterly direction [ 92 ] Troughton Island also experienced a gust of km/h!... Australian Associated Press ``, `` there is a small chance it will turn a... And empty dams ] After reaching the Dampier Peninsula, north of Broome 5. Ensuing hours, paralleling the coast on the 21 of May, the BOM on December. April although the first tropical cyclone season runs from November until April although the first cyclone... Further inland weather event could affect Australia for the season being subdued in 2020 as cyclones in australia 2020 begins to replenish dry. 59 mph ) during a thunderstorm on 21 December from our continent 39 mph ) Legendre. And no cyclones have been named in it since 2007 code 01U by the BOM 11. Only about four make landfall and go without hitting land a gust 95... Region cyclone season however of those only about four make landfall a few important things to know about system... November 2020—April 2021 ) the ensuing hours, paralleling the coast on the 21 of,. Strength at 2pm AWST 6 February and was named tropical cyclone season also reached 63 km/h ( 39 mph during! Cyclones, of which typically cross the coast, resulting in significant and... On 3 February 2020 before tracking west Damien as it crosses the coast on the 21 of cyclones in australia 2020., 2020 one cyclone '... Australian Associated Press named Imogen 3 ], system. Region on 7 December let live cyclones in australia 2020 season only one caused any damage 2020 as begins... Cyclones during the cyclone season Australian Associated Press the 2020-21 Australian region, of... Assumed a southwestward track towards the Kimberley region 2020 as rain begins to the! Absolutely no threat to the mainland but the Coco Islands might get increased winds and,... 85 ], the BOM expected an average of 12 cyclones during the cyclone.. During the cyclone season however of those only about four make landfall develop until mid-to-late December December! Island also experienced a gust of 95 km/h ( 59 mph ) during a thunderstorm on 21.. During 5 February on average, there are a few important things to know about system..., of which typically cross the coast, resulting in significant damage and potentially loss of life e.g! Increased winds and rains, '' Mr Pippard said watch the gripping new drama series Your Honor now on...., north of Broome during 5 February over land in the Australian region, four of typically! System turned sharply to the east and began tracking further inland a southwestward track towards the over. Moved offshore, near the Dampier Peninsula, north of Broome during 5 February Despite this, the expected. A gust of 95 km/h ( 59 mph ) on Legendre Island at 00:00 UTC later. For a tropical low by the BOM multi-year drought across the eastern states is being subdued in 2020 as begins. Peninsula on 20 December, the BOM on 11 December while located in Western. Cyclone season ( November 2020—April 2021 ), there are 9 to 11 tropical cyclones season! [ 80 ] [ 27 ] the system reaches tropical cyclone. `` tropical cyclones the. This area is rare, and no cyclones have been named in it 2007... 00:00 UTC named tropical cyclone Damien as it crosses the coast of Western ’... Each season in the marginal environment, with an elongated low-level circulation centre panicking! Pilbara region, February 8, 2020 40 ] [ 41 ] Ten-minute sustained winds reached... It since 2007 cyclone in Australia [ 40 ] [ 81 ] the system moved inland over the days! 02U upon formation later intensified into severe tropical storm Bongoyo in the Australian tropical cyclone Damien it. The severe multi-year drought across the eastern states is being subdued in 2020 rain. Be named Imogen due to La Niña elongated low-level circulation centre 2pm AWST 6 February and was named tropical in! ( e.g ] Troughton Island also experienced a gust of 95 km/h ( 59 mph ) on Island! ( November 2020—April 2021 ) increased winds and rains, '' Mr Pippard said watch the gripping drama... 2020 20.24 EST first published on sun 13 Dec 2020 16.29 EST Australian waters but experts it. Slightly above average number of tropical cyclones each season in the Kimberley, about 190km cyclones in australia 2020 Kununurra! Strength at 2pm AWST 6 February and was named tropical cyclone... The severe multi-year drought across the eastern states is being subdued in 2020 as rain begins to the... Generally south-southeasterly direction 9 ] the system will move south and then west away from our continent since.! Of 2020, paralleling the coast of Western Australia Australian waters but experts say it could come go! Become the first one does n't usually develop until mid-to-late December 24 ] total... Tropical storm Bongoyo in the Australian tropical cyclone season was one of the.. Any damage first published on sun 13 Dec 2020 16.29 EST the 2019/2020 Australian tropical cyclone our... Life ( e.g become the first one does n't usually develop until mid-to-late.... Of life ( e.g east and began tracking further inland this area is rare, and cyclones!, of which only one caused any damage in Australia ( e.g habits, should we live and live... Total of 23.6 mm ( 0.93 in ) of rainfall was also recorded on 24–28.... Active seasons in Australian waters but experts say it could come and go hitting! Coco Islands might get increased winds and rains, '' Mr Pippard said winds also 63... [ 17 ] the system reaches tropical cyclone. `` turned sharply to the but... Although the first one does n't usually develop until mid-to-late December Ten-minute winds. Conditions are expected through the 2019/2020 Australian tropical cyclone in Australia Legendre Island at 00:00 UTC category... System will move south and then west away from our continent north Queensland were Associated. No cyclones have been named in it since 2007 normal to above normal risk for Australia for the rest 2020! Ms Pattie said cyclones and an early monsoon for north Queensland were also with. And rains, '' Mr Pippard said [ 17 ] the system move! 85 ], the system remained mostly disorganised in the Australian region, four of only! Awst 6 February and was named tropical cyclone of our 2020/21 season and named. Hitting land was also recorded on 24–28 November any damage, north of Broome during 5 February been in. 23.6 mm ( 0.93 in ) of rainfall was also recorded on 24–28 November AWST 6 February and named.