The 1996–97 Australian region cyclone season was an above average

tropical cyclone A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depend ...

season. It ran from 1 November 1996 to 30 April 1996. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a ''tropical cyclone year'' separately from a ''tropical cyclone season'', and the "tropical cyclone year" ran from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997. Tropical cyclones in this area were monitored by four

Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre A Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) is responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, and warnings regarding the specific program they have a part of, agreed by consensus at the World Meteorological Organization as p ...

s (TCWCs): the

Australian Bureau of Meteorology Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Aus ...

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

, Darwin, and

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

; and TCWC

Port Moresby (; Tok Pisin: ''Pot Mosbi''), also referred to as Pom City or simply Moresby, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea. It is one of the largest cities in the southwestern Pacific (along with Jayapura) outside of Australia and New Z ...

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...

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Season summary

ImageSize = width:800 height:200 PlotArea = top:10 bottom:80 right:20 left:20 Legend = columns:3 left:30 top:58 columnwidth:270 AlignBars = early DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/07/1996 till:01/06/1997 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal ScaleMinor = grid:black unit:month increment:1 start:01/07/1996 Colors = id:canvas value:gray(0.88) id:GP value:red id:TL value:rgb(0.38,0.73,1) legend:Tropical_Low_=_<63_km/h_(<39_mph) id:C1 value:rgb(0,0.98,0.96) legend:Category_1_=_63-87_km/h_(39-54_mph) id:C2 value:rgb(0.80,1,1) legend:Category_2_=_88-142_km/h_(55-74_mph) id:C3 value:rgb(1,1,0.80) legend:Category_3_=_143-158-km/h_(75-98_mph) id:C4 value:rgb(1,0.76,0.25) legend:Category_4_=_159-204_km/h_(99-127_mph) id:C5 value:rgb(1,0.38,0.38) legend:Category_5_=_≥205_km/h_(≥128_mph) Backgroundcolors = canvas:canvas BarData = barset:Hurricane bar:Month PlotData= barset:Hurricane width:10 align:left fontsize:S shift:(4,-4) anchor:till from:09/07/1996 till:13/07/1996 color:C1 text:"Lindsay (C1)" from:28/10/1996 till:01/11/1996 color:C1 text:"Melanie (C1)" from:12/12/1996 till:15/12/1996 color:C1 text:"Nicholas (C1)" from:13/12/1996 till:19/12/1996 color:C2 text:"Ophelia (C2)" from:23/12/1996 till:25/12/1996 color:C2 text:"Fergus (C2)" from:26/12/1996 till:03/01/1997 color:C2 text:"Phil (C2)" from:02/01/1997 till:10/01/1997 color:C3 text:"Rachel (C3)" from:04/01/1997 till:06/01/1997 color:C4 text:" Drena (C4)" barset:break from:07/01/1997 till:12/01/1997 color:C1 text:"Unnamed (C1)" from:18/01/1997 till:04/02/1997 color:C5 text:"Pancho (C5)" from:10/02/1997 till:12/02/1997 color:C1 text:"Gillian (C1)" from:16/02/1997 till:21/02/1997 color:C2 text:"Harold (C2)" from:23/02/1997 till:24/02/1997 color:C1 text:"Ita (C1)" from:03/03/1997 till:29/03/1997 color:C3 text:" Justin (C3)" from:10/05/1997 till:16/05/1997 color:C4 text:" Rhonda (C4)" barset:break bar:Month width:5 align:center fontsize:S shift:(0,-20) anchor:middle color:canvas from:01/07/1996 till:01/08/1996 text:July from:01/08/1996 till:01/09/1996 text:August from:01/09/1996 till:01/10/1996 text:September from:01/10/1996 till:01/11/1996 text:October from:01/11/1996 till:01/12/1996 text:November from:01/12/1996 till:01/01/1997 text:December from:01/01/1997 till:01/02/1997 text:January from:01/02/1997 till:01/03/1997 text:February from:01/03/1997 till:01/04/1997 text:March from:01/04/1997 till:01/05/1997 text:April from:01/05/1997 till:01/06/1997 text:May TextData = pos:(569,23) text:"(For further details, please see" pos:(713,23) text:"

scales Scale or scales may refer to: Mathematics * Scale (descriptive set theory), an object defined on a set of points * Scale (ratio), the ratio of a linear dimension of a model to the corresponding dimension of the original * Scale factor, a number w ...

Systems

Tropical Cyclone Lindsay

On 9 July, TCWC Perth reported that a tropical low had developed within the

near-equatorial trough The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ ), known by sailors as the doldrums or the calms because of its monotonous windless weather, is the area where the northeast and the southeast trade winds converge. It encircles Earth near the thermal e ...

of low pressure, located about 500 km (310 mi) to the northeast of the Cocos Islands. During that day the system moved to the southwest around a weak mid-upper level

anticyclone An anticyclone is a weather phenomenon defined as a large-scale circulation of winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure, clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere as viewed from abov ...

, before it came under the starting to move southwards during 10 July. At 1000 UTC that day, TCWC Perth reported that the low had developed into a category one tropical cyclone, and named it Lindsay as the system reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 75 km/h (45 mph). At 1500 UTC, the JTWC reported that Lindsay was becoming better organized and issued a

Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Fleet Weather Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming ...

on the system. Six hours later while Lindsay was at its 1-minute peak intensity of 65 km/h (40 mph), the JTWC designated the system Tropical Cyclone 01S and started to issue warnings on it. After the JTWC had initiated warnings on the system, it began to rapidly weaken as it came under the influence of strong upper level north-westerlies. During the next day, both the JTWC and TCWC Perth issued their final advisories on Lindsay as it weakened below cyclone intensity and became extratropical. Lindsay's remnants were tracked as they moved towards the southeast until they were absorbed into a broad trough of low pressure on 13 July.

Tropical Cyclone Melanie–Bellamine

Melanie formed from a low near

Cocos Island Cocos Island ( es, Isla del Coco) is an island in the Pacific Ocean administered by Costa Rica, approximately southwest of the Costa Rican mainland. It constitutes the 11th of the 13 districts of Puntarenas Canton of the Province of Puntarenas ...

on 30 October 1996. It deepened to a category 2 storm overnight on 1 November and it moved westwards, with a subsequent name change to Bellamine. It dissipated on 11 November.http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/wa/1997.shtml

Tropical Cyclone Nicholas

tropical depression A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depend ...

formed on 12 December 1996 near

Timor Timor is an island at the southern end of Maritime Southeast Asia, in the north of the Timor Sea. The island is East Timor–Indonesia border, divided between the sovereign states of East Timor on the eastern part and Indonesia on the western p ...

. The depression moved south before being classified as a

cyclone In meteorology, a cyclone () is a large air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure, counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere as viewed from above (opposite to an anti ...

on 14 December and was named Nicholas. The storm made landfall west of

Derby Derby ( ) is a city and unitary authority area in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of Derbyshire, which is in the East Midlands Region. It was traditionally the county town of Derbyshire. Derby gai ...

, Australia as a

tropical storm A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depend ...

on the 15th and dissipated the next day.

Tropical Cyclone Ophelia

Ophelia formed between two tropical cyclones, Nicholas (near the north Kimberley coast) and Elvina near 80°E, to the east of

Christmas Island Christmas Island, officially the Territory of Christmas Island, is an Australian external territory comprising the island of the same name. It is located in the Indian Ocean, around south of Java and Sumatra and around north-west of the ...

on 13 December 1996. Its track was somewhat unusual in that it moved towards the southeast for most of its lifetime. The weak cyclone had no impact on Christmas Island or northwest Australia and dissipated on 19 December.

Tropical Cyclone Fergus

Fergus was a Category 2 storm that formed in the Pacific Ocean, lasting from 29 December to 31 December 1996 until becoming extratropical near New Zealand. The storm dropped heavy rainfall across an already saturated area, with totals of over 16.5 inches (425 mm) near

Thames The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the R ...

. The rainfall led to widespread flooding and forced many to evacuate. Severe road damage occurred, with some roads remaining closed for over a week. Gusty winds from Fergus downed trees and power lines, and caused property damage.

Tropical Cyclone Phil

A weak cyclone, Phil crossed the northern part of Australia between 26 December and 27 December 1996. The storm then moved westward where it encountered vertical

wind shear Wind shear (or windshear), sometimes referred to as wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and/or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere. Atmospheric wind shear is normally described as either vertical or horizontal ...

and dissipated on 31 December. It reformed on 9 January 1997 and finally dissipated on 12 January.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Rachel

On 31 December, a tropical low formed from a monsoon trough inland, near Darwin. At that time, the convection was persistent on the mid-level circulation of the low as it moved slowly to the southwest. On 3 January, with favourable environmental conditions—including warm ocean waters and low wind shear, the low strengthened to Tropical Cyclone ''Rachel'', while located to the south-southwest of Melville Island. The cyclone then slowly accelerated to the southwest, before passing over Northern

Kimberley Kimberly or Kimberley may refer to: Places and historical events Australia * Kimberley (Western Australia) ** Roman Catholic Diocese of Kimberley * Kimberley Warm Springs, Tasmania * Kimberley, Tasmania a small town * County of Kimberley, a ...

, which weakened the storm. On 5 January, it moved offshore near

Cape Leveque Cape Leveque is at the northernmost tip of the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Cape Leveque is (via the Cape Leveque Road) north of Broome, and is remote with few facilities. Nevertheless, the Cape's sandy bea ...

as it moved parallel to the coastline. It rapidly strengthened to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone as it accelerated to the south-southeast, before making a direct hit on

Port Hedland A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Ham ...

on the afternoon of 7 January. It rapidly weakened inland and it was last noted on 10 January as it entered

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

. Despite the cyclone passing directly over

, the damages are mostly minor. The power was lost in parts of the town, and some trees are uprooted. There were also reports of flooding. The highest accumulated rainfall by Rachel was on Yarrie, with 196 mm (7.17 Inches) in over 24 hours.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Drena

Cyclone Drena crossed from the South Pacific on 4 January with winds of 140 miles per hour. The storm again crossed out 2 days later.

Tropical Cyclone 18S

Severe Tropical Cyclone Pancho-Helinda

Pancho formed to the north of

Cocos Islands ) , anthem = "''Advance Australia Fair''" , song_type = , song = , image_map = Australia on the globe (Cocos (Keeling) Islands special) (Southeast Asia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands , map_caption = ...

during 20 January 1997. It moved south towards Cocos Islands, then moved southwest, intensifying rapidly to a Category 4 or Category 5 cyclone with an estimated central pressure of 925 hPa by the morning of 22 January. Pancho then was renamed Helinda by the Mauritian TCWC and weakened. By 29 January Pancho/Helinda was moving from the northwest towards Cocos Islands again, however again it changed direction to the southwest and reintensified to Category 4. It finally weakened to a tropical depression by 5 February.

Tropical Cyclone Gillian

Tropical Cyclone Gillian existed from 10 February to 12 February.

Tropical Cyclone Harold

Tropical Cyclone Harold existed from 16 February to 21 February.

Tropical Cyclone Ita

Tropical Cyclone Ita developed rapidly off the north coast of

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

on 23 February 1997. The system moved southernly then southwest. The development inhibited from the northerly upper flow between an upper low over Queensland and an anticyclone in the

Coral Sea The Coral Sea () is a marginal sea of the South Pacific off the northeast coast of Australia, and classified as an interim Australian bioregion. The Coral Sea extends down the Australian northeast coast. Most of it is protected by the Fre ...

and the lowest central pressure is reached with 994 hPa on 24 February. On the same day it makes landfall on the coast southeast of

Townsville Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. With a population of 180,820 as of June 2018, it is the largest settlement in North Queensland; it is unofficially considered its capital. Estimated resident population, 3 ...

where it dissipated quickly. Minimal wind damage, moderate flooding in rivers and creeks, and a tornado that occurred in Yukan were reported on 24 February.

Tropical Cyclone Justin

Justin had a long 3 week life in March 1997. Peaking as a Category 3 cyclone, and making landfall as a Category 2, it caused significant damage in the

Cairns Cairns (, ) is a city in Queensland, Australia, on the tropical north east coast of Far North Queensland. The population in June 2019 was 153,952, having grown on average 1.02% annually over the preceding five years. The city is the 5th-most-p ...

region which it approached on two occasions. It was the largest cyclone to hit Northern Queensland in 1997. Houses were undermined by huge waves, a marina and boats were severely damaged, roads and bridges suffered from flood and landslide damage and huge losses were inflicted on sugar cane, fruit and vegetable crops. The death toll in Queensland was seven including five on a yacht which sank. There were 26 who died in

which was also severely affected. Total estimated costs in Australia were $190 million (1997 values).

Severe Tropical Cyclone Rhonda

Cyclone Rhonda formed from an area of persistent convection near 10°S 80°E. It reached cyclone strength on 11 May 1997. Rhonda intensified into a Category 4 status. The cyclone continued moving south. The upper shear increased, resulting in rapid weakening before dissipating and being absorbed to a cut-off low pressure system near the

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

coast on 17 May. No damages were reported from the cyclone.http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/rhonda.pdf

Other systems

On October 15, TCWC Perth reported that a tropical low developed within a near equatorial trough of low pressure, to the southwest of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Over the next few days, the low moved into the South-West Indian Ocean basin while developing further, before being named Antoinette by RSMC La Réunion during October 18.

Seasonal effects

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New Caledonia, New Zealand , , , , , , , - ,

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, , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Northern Australia, Western Australia , , , , , , , - , Rachel , , 2–10 January , , bgcolor=#, Category 3 severe tropical cyclone , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Northern Territory, Western Australia , , , - , Drena , , , , bgcolor=#, Category 4 severe tropical cyclone , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
New Caledonia, New Zealand , , , - , 18S , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , None , , , , , , , - , Pancho , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , None , - , Gillian , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Papua New Guinea, Queensland , , , , , , , - , Harold , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , New Caledonia , , , , , , , - , Unnamed , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Western Australia , , , , , , , - , Unnamed , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Western Australia , , , , , , , - , Ita , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Queensland , , , , , , , - , Unnamed , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Northern Territory, Western Australia , , , , , , , - , Justin , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea
Queensland , , , - , Rhonda , , , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , bgcolor=#, , , Cocos Island, Western Australia , , None , , None , , , -

References

External links

World Meteorological Organization

Australian Bureau of Meteorology (TCWC's Perth, Darwin & Brisbane)

Joint Typhoon Warning Center
. {{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Australian region cyclone season Australian region cyclone seasons Articles which contain graphical timelines