1978–79 Australian region cyclone season
| 1978–79 Australian region cyclone season |
Season summary map
|
| Seasonal boundaries |
| First system formed |
19 November 1978 |
| Last system dissipated |
12 May 1979 |
| Strongest storm |
|
| Name |
Hazel |
| • Maximum winds |
220 km/h (140 mph)
(10-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure |
935 hPa (mbar) |
|
| Seasonal statistics |
| Tropical lows |
13 |
| Tropical cyclones |
12 |
| Severe tropical cyclones |
5 |
| Total fatalities |
17 |
| Total damage |
$30 million (1979 USD) |
| Related articles |
|
|
Australian region tropical cyclone seasons
1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81
|
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
19 November – 23 November |
| Peak intensity |
75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
20 December – 24 December (Existed basin)
|
| Peak intensity |
85 km/h (55 mph) (10-min) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
29 December – 4 January |
| Peak intensity |
110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min) 980 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
8 January – 13 January |
| Peak intensity |
95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min) 986 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
9 January (Entered basin) – 11 January |
| Peak intensity |
75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min) 990 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
12 February – 4 March |
| Peak intensity |
150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min) 955 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
12 February – 5 March |
| Peak intensity |
185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min) 945 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
March 6 – March 14 |
| Peak intensity |
220 km/h (140 mph) (10-min) 935 hPa (mbar) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
March 16 – March 21 |
| Peak intensity |
110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min) 988 hPa (mbar) |
The 1978–79 Australian region cyclone season was the only season in which a reconnaissance aircraft flew into a tropical cyclones. Operationally, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) tracked eleven tropical cyclones, while two additional systems were later added to the United States's Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) best track. Prior to 1985, the Australian region basin was defined as in the southern hemisphere between 80°E and 160°E, with the modern day season boundaries ranging from 1 November to 30 April of the following year. The first storm, an unnamed system, developed on 19 November 1978. The final cyclone, Kevin, dissipated by 12 May 1979. Tropical cyclones in this area were monitored by three Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs): the BOM in Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane.
Tropical cyclogenesis in the season began when an unnamed tropical cyclone developed well west of Australia on 19 November and lasted until 23 November after moving in a generally southward direction throughout much of its duration. Cyclone Peter developed over the Gulf of Carpentaria on 29 December. During and in the few days after landfall in Queensland on 31 December, the storm produced heavy precipitation in the state and became the rainiest tropical cyclone in Australia. Severe flooding occurred in the Cairns area, leaving two fatalities and about $10 million in damage. Gordon became the first system to enter from another basin, entering from the South Pacific on 9 January. The storm dissipated shortly after striking Queensland on 12 January, bringing rainfall and rough seas.
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