Cyclone Elaine

Severe Tropical Cyclone Elaine was a severe tropical cyclone which formed in the 1998–99 Australian region cyclone season. Elaine, along with Cyclone Vance, both made landfall and caused destruction in Western Australia. Elaine had made landfall on 20 March, while Vance made landfall on 23 March.

For other storms of the same name, see Tropical Storm Elaine.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Elaine
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Elaine on 18 March, near Western Australia, Australia
Formed15 March 1999 (1999-03-15)
Dissipated20 March 1999 (1999-03-20)
(Remnant low after 20 March 1999 (1999-03-20))
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 165 km/h (105 mph)
1-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph)
Gusts: 230 km/h (145 mph)
Lowest pressure945 hPa (mbar); 27.91 inHg
Fatalities1
DamageMinimal
Areas affectedWestern Australia
Part of the 1998–99 Australian region cyclone season

Elaine formed after a monsoon trough, which spawned an area of low-pressure on 12 March. The low moved west into a favourable environment and intensified into Tropical Cyclone Elaine on 15 March. 24 hours later, on 16 March, Elaine attained severe tropical cyclone status. Two days later, Elaine reached its peak of 185 kilometres per hour (115 mph). Thereafter, the storm entered a period of weakening. On 20 March, Elaine was downgraded to a tropical cyclone. Elaine made landfall over Western Australia with 56 kilometres per hour (35 mph) winds. More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the areas of impact. Elaine degenerated into a remnant low, a few hours after impact.

Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
Elaine on the 16th (top) and on the 17th (below) of March 1999.

A monsoon trough had formed from a monsoon on 11 March 1999. While the trough moved westward, it spawned a low on 12 March.[1] The low was in a region of low shear and favorable upper outflow.[1] As the low headed westward, it entered a favorable environment and underwent intensification. On 15 March, the storm attained wind speeds more than 56 kilometres per hour (35 mph) and was designated as Tropical Cyclone 28S.[2] On 16 March, at 3:00 PM, the storm had intensified into a tropical cyclone and was designate as Tropical Cyclone Elaine.[1][2][3]

Elaine changed course and headed southward, towards Western Australia at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).[3] Elaine's winds reached 60 mph, attaining Category 1 status. The system underwent explosive intensification[2] and reached severe tropical storm status on 17 March. An eye was evident which was associated with the rapid intensification. Cyclone Elaine reached its peak the same day at 10:00 UTC.[3][2] Thereafter the storm declined as it headed south towards westerly wind shear.[2][1]

Elaine continued west on 18 March, and made landfall at 10:00 UTC.[2][3] Elaine then dropped to tropical storm status, with deep convection being stripped away from the system. Elaine declined over Western Australia as a remnant low. The low continued to impact Western Australia until Elaine dissipated on 20 March, around 12:00 UTC.

Preparations

Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated from Moora after Elaine hit.[4]

Impact

As a tropical depression/low, Elaine affected mainly Western Australia. Moora reported severe flooding and much precipitation.[1][2][3] Tropical Low Elaine crossed between Kalbarri and Geraldton around 01:00 UTC. Many emergency operations were in hand, but no fatalities from the storm were reported.[5]

The Moora River experienced flooding after an increase in water capacity.[6] The Moora overflowed to the point where it burst its banks.[4] The downpour of rain was one of the heaviest that Moora had ever seen.[7]

Retirement

Due to the damage and flooding of Moora and the Moore River, the name Elaine was retired and replaced with Emma in 2006, which would affect the same area and do more than $700,000 (2006 USD).

See also

References
  1. "Elaine report.png" (PDF). Bureau of Meteorology. 21 March 1999. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  2. "Tropical Cyclone ELAINE". australiasevereweather.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  3. "Tropical Cyclone Tracks Maps : ELAINE - Australian Tropical Cyclones Southern Hemisphere Season 1998 - 1999 Hurricanes Typhoons Bureau of Meteorology BoM Data". www.australiasevereweather.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  4. "CNN - 'Dangerous' cyclone aims for northwest Australia - March 21, 1999". CNN. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  5. Report on emergency response operations for tropical cyclones Elaine and Vance. Perth: Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia. 1999. p. 4.
  6. "Cyclone Devastation". Parliament of Australia. 31 March 1999. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  7. "Tropical Cyclone Elaine 17 to 20/3/99". cyclones.50megs.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2005. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
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