Cyclone Carlos (2011)

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 west southwest of Batchelor. A severe weather warning was issued for northwest Darwin- Daly District and the Tiwi Islands. Heavy rain pounded the area on 15 February with reports of Marrara recording and Darwin International Airport of rain. This was later followed by of rain in just 24 hours, which is the highest 24-hour rainfall for the city on record.

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. A record three-day total of rain was recorded at Darwin International Airport due to the lingering of the system.

The system moved slowly southwest on 18 February moving towards the Northern Territory/Western Australian border with a possibility of restrengthening. The community of Daly River received 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 while Kalumburu recorded of rainfall.

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. The system was located northwest of Broome. 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. It also strengthened steadily to become a category 2 cyclone.

On 22 February the system moved parallel to the Pilbara coast. Varanus Island recorded of rainfall and the highest wind gust recorded in the area was at Bedout Island. The system became more organised and on 23 February the record rainfall amount of was recorded at Barrow Island. The strongest gusts of recorded at Varanus Island. The cyclone crossed the North West Cape and lashed Onslow and Exmouth with high winds up to and rain.

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. 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. The tornadoes the system produced damaged 38 homes as well as numerous cars, buildings and a school. Overall, the system caused about $16 million AUS$ ($12.3 USD).

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carlos
Tropical cyclones in 2011
2010–11 Australian region cyclone season
February 2011 events in Australia
Tropical cyclones in Western Australia
Category 3 Australian region cyclones
Tropical cyclones in the Northern Territory
2000s in Western Australia
2000s in the Northern Territory
Retired Australian region cyclones