Cyclone Craig (2003)

Cyclone Craig (2003)
Tropical Cyclone Craig
Category 2 cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Cyclone Craig on 11 March
Formed 8 March 2003 (2003-03-08)
Dissipated 12 March 2003 (2003-03-13)
Highest winds 10-minute sustained:
100 km/h (65 mph)
1-minute sustained:
65 km/h (40 mph)
Lowest pressure 976 mbar (hPa; 28.82 inHg)
Areas affected Australia
Part of the 2002-03 Australian region cyclone season

Cyclone Craig was a moderate tropical cyclone that impacted northern Australia in March 2003. The storm formed on 8 March from an area of disturbed weather that originated in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. Intensifying as it tracked eastward, Craig impacted the Northern Territory before entering the Gulf of Carpentaria on 11 March. A disorganized cyclone, the storm came ashore in Queensland the next day and quickly deteriorated. Despite the relatively large area affected, damage was generally minimal and limited to gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and downed trees.

Contents

Meteorological history

Storm path

By 7 March 2003, an area of disturbed weather associated with the monsoon trough developed in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and drifted northward as it organized itself. On 8 March, the Bureau of Meteorology in Darwin began to monitor the system. With conditions favorable for continued intensification, the maturing low pressure area completed a clockwise loop to the west of Bathurst Island. At around 0500 UTC on 9 March, the storm had attained tropical cyclone status while situated to the northwest of Cape Fourcroy; as such, it was assigned the name Craig. The storm drifted eastward, then southeastward, strengthening as it did so. On 10 March the storm had entered the Timor Sea, and shortly thereafter, Craig made landfall on the northeastern end of Melville Island with estimated 10-minute sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph).[1]

Upon emerging into the Van Diemen Gulf, Tropical Cyclone Craig attained its peak intensity, packing winds of 100 km/h (65 mph; 10-minute sustained) and a minimum barometric pressure reading of 976 mbar.[2] It then struck the Coburg Peninsula and began to slowly deteriorate due to its interaction with land. Skirting eastward along the Northern Territory coast, Craig began to pick up forward speed. At the same time, increasingly strong vertical wind shear took its toll on the cyclone, leading to further weakening. However, it retained tropical cyclone status until reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria late on 11 March.[1]

Once over open waters, the storm system continued to accelerate as it turned southeastward and eventually east-southeastward. Due to relentless wind shear, the storm had difficulty in regaining organization and the circulation structure had become asymmetric. As Craig approached the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria, the apparent center visible on radar continued tracking southeastwards. However, the low-level center slowed and remained stationary for around 12 hours. On 12 March at 0600 UTC, the cyclone made its final landfall, south of Kowanyama. On moving ashore, the storm quickly weakened and slowed. Shortly thereafter, wind shear caused it to dissipate that night.[1]

Preparations and impact

In advance of the storm, tropical cyclone advisories were declared for communities between Weipa and Mornington Island.[3] The local government of the Tiwi Islands evacuated some residents to shelters.[4] In and around Darwin, certain schools were closed temporarily as a precaution. However, the city and surrounding regions were spared severe conditions.[5]

Damage from the storm was generally insignificant due to the sparse population in the areas affected, and no casualties were reported. At Ramingining, 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain fell in just 24 hours. Storm surge ran 2 to 2.5 m (6.6 to 8.2 ft) on Goulburn Island and the Cobourg Peninsula, while tides were estimated at 1.5 m (4.9 ft) at Nhulunbuy.[6] McCluer Island reported sustained winds of about 75 km/h (47 mph) with gusts up to 96 km/h (60 mph). At Maningrida, following a brief lull, southeasterly winds picked up in intensify, downing numerous trees. Elcho Island recorded 87 km/h (54 mph) gusts, and at Nhulunbuy winds of similar force were reported on 11 March.[1]

Craig inflicted minor damage to small craft in the northwestern Gulf of Carpentaria. Craig impacted, to some extent, the Tiwi Islands, Melville Island, and the Northern Territory; however, its effects along the Queensland coast were minimal. An uprooted tree at Kowanyama damaged one house, and the winds downed several others trees and tree limbs nearby. Throughout the region, roads were cut by the cyclone. Weipa recorded significant wave heights of 3 m (9.8 ft).[1]

See also

Cyclone Catarina from the ISS on March 26 2004.JPG Tropical cyclones portal

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • 2002–03 Australian region cyclone season — Season summary map First storm formed: 5 January 2003 Last storm dissipated: 7 June 2003 …   Wikipedia

  • Cyclone (Revere Beach) — Cyclone Postcard illustrating the Cyclone roller coaster at Revere Beach Location Revere Beach Status …   Wikipedia

  • Craig Switzer — Données clés Nationalité  Canada Né le 16 octobre 1984, Peachland (Canada) Taille 1,86  …   Wikipédia en Français

  • List of historic tropical cyclone names — Part of a series on Tropical cyclones …   Wikipedia

  • Hurricane Jimena (2003) — Infobox Hurricane Name=Hurricane Jimena Type=hurricane Year=2003 Basin=EPac Image location=Hurricane Jimena (2003).jpg Formed=August 28, 2003 Dissipated=September 5, 2003 1 min winds=90 Pressure=970 Da Inflated= Fatalities=None Areas=Hawaii… …   Wikipedia

  • Contenu:Australie — Projet:Australie/Liste des articles Liste mise à jour régulièrement par MyBot (d · c · b) à partir des articles liés au bandeau {{Portail Australie}} Modifications récentes des articles ayant le bandeau de ce portail… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • List of North Carolina hurricanes (1980–present) — The list of North Carolina hurricanes from 1980 to the present encompasses 107 tropical or subtropical cyclones that affected the U.S. state of North Carolina. Collectively, cyclones in North Carolina during the time period resulted in over $10… …   Wikipedia

  • Earth Sciences — ▪ 2009 Introduction Geology and Geochemistry       The theme of the 33rd International Geological Congress, which was held in Norway in August 2008, was “Earth System Science: Foundation for Sustainable Development.” It was attended by nearly… …   Universalium

  • Townsville — This article is about the metropolitan area of Townsville. For the Townsville CBD suburb, see Townsville City, Queensland. For the local government area, see City of Townsville. For other uses, see Townsville (disambiguation). Townsville… …   Wikipedia

  • Townsville, Queensland — Infobox Australian Place | type = city name = Townsville state = qld caption = The CBD from Palmer Street, South Townsville Castle Hill in the background pop = 143,328Census 2006 AUS|id=3057|name=Townsville (QLD) (Statistical… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”