1978–79 Australian region cyclone season

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	19 November – 23 November
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min);

An unnamed cyclone, later designated as 01S, developed about 185 kilometres (115 miles) north of North Keeling on 19 November at 12:00 UTC. After six hours, the storm intensified into a Category 1 cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. The cyclone headed southwestward and intensified further on 20 November, peaking with 1-minute sustain winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) by 06:00 UTC. Early on 21 November, the system curved west-southwestward, before turning on the following day. Thereafter, the storm began weakening and dissipated early on 23 November, while situated about 1,210 km (750 mi) southwest of Cocos Islands.[4]

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	20 December – 24 December (Existed basin)
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (1-min);

Another unnamed cyclone, designated as 03S, developed on 20 December while located about 1,055 km (656 mi) west-northwest of North Keeling. The storm strengthened and became a Category 1 cyclone about twelve hours later. After initially moving east-southeastward, the system re-curved to the west-southwest by 21 December. Further intensification occurred, and by 00:00 UTC on 22 December, the storm peaked with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (55 mph). Thereafter, the cyclone slowly weakened and fell to tropical depression intensity on 24 December. Several hours later, the system entered the southwest Indian Ocean basin, where it dissipated on 26 December.[5]

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	29 December – 4 January
Peak intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min); 980 hPa (mbar)

A weak low pressure area over the Arafura Sea developed into Cyclone Peter on 29 December. Peter moved southeastward and deepened while brushing Arnhem Land.[3] Initially a tropical low, it strengthened into a Category 1 cyclone by 12:00 UTC on 29 December.[8] Peter intensified further on 30 December and became a Category 2 cyclone. On the following day, the cyclone peaked with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph). Peter weakened to a Category 1 cyclone before making landfall near the mouth of the Edward River in Queensland. While crossing the Cape York Peninsula, the storm weakened slowly. After reaching the Pacific Ocean near Cooktown, the storm decelerated and meandered offshore,[9] but dissipated about 105 km (65 mi) north of Cape Melville.[8]

While trekking slowly offshore the east coast of Queensland, the storm dropped very heavy rainfall, peaking at 1,947 millimetres (76.7 inches) at Mount Bellenden Ker, making it the wettest tropical cyclone on record in Australia.[10] Severe flooding occurred, especially in the Cairns area.[3] The most severe damage was dealt to sugar cane, which suffered 70 to 90 percent destruction.[11] Some flights were canceled at the Cairns Airport due to standing water.[12] Floodwaters forced at least 50 people to flee their homes in Cairns.[13] A number of roads, including major highways, were flooded throughout coastal areas of Far North Queensland. Rainfall and winds also resulted in many power and telephone service outages through the region.[12] There were two fatalities and damage reached approximately $10 million.[3]

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)

A weak low pressure area associated with the remnants of Peter developed into a tropical disturbance over the Gulf of Carpentaria on 8 January.[14] After six hours, the disturbance intensified into a tropical low, which was named Greta. Moving east-northeast, the system strengthened into a Category 1 cyclone late on 9 January. By 00:00 UTC the next day, Greta became a Category 2 and peaked with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph).[15] A few hours later, the system made landfall to the south of Weipa, Queensland. The city of Weipa recorded a barometric pressure of 986 mbar (29.1 inHg), the lowest in relation to Greta.[14] While traversing the Cape York Peninsula, the cyclone weakened, falling to Category 1 intensity by midday on 10 January.[15]

Eventually, Greta curved southward and briefly moved offshore, before making another landfall near Princess Charlotte Bay early on 11 January.[14] The storm curved west-southwestward and soon weakened to a tropical low. After re-emerging into the Gulf of Carpentaria again on 12 January, Greta almost immediately weakened to a tropical disturbance. The storm then meandered offshore Gulf Country before dissipating around 00:00 UTC on 13 January.[15] Greta brought rainfall to portions of the Cape York Peninsula flooded during the passage of Cyclone Peter, but the former resulted in much less damage than the latter.[14]

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	9 January (Entered basin) – 11 January
Peak intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min); 990 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Gordon developed over the South Pacific basin on 2 January, where it peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h (80 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 965 mbar (28.5 inHg) on 7 January.[16] However, between 7 January and 8 January, satellite imagery indicated a significant weakening trend.[3] Upon reaching the Australian region early on 9 January, Gordon had deteriorated to a Category 1.[16] Around that time, the cyclone attained its peak intensity while in the basin, with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 990 mbar (29 inHg).[16]

Weakening continued, with Gordon decreasing to a tropical low on 10 January, following by to tropical disturbance intensity on 11 January. Several hours later, Gordon made landfall near Proserpine, Queensland, and promptly dissipated.[16] Some coastal towns in Queensland observed up to 50 millimetres (2.0 in) in a 24‑hour period. However, there was no flood damage. Rough seas and strong winds resulted in some beach erosion.[3]

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)

A persistent cluster of clouds over the South Pacific basin developed into a tropical low, named Rosa, near the Solomon Islands on 12 February. Shortly thereafter, Rosa entered the Australian region. Initially, the system remained weak and moved across the Cape York Peninsula on 16 February. Upon reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria, the storm slowly strengthened and moved in an erratic motion. Early on 26 February, Rosa peaked with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (95 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 955 mbar (28.2 inHg). A reconnaissance flight into the cyclone recorded winds of 170 km/h (105 mph) at an altitude of 540 m (1,770 ft), while located about 35 km (22 mi) northeast of the eye early on 26 February. The cyclone then made landfall near Bing Bong. Northern Territory, at the same intensity. Rosa moved west-southwestward across Australia and dissipated offshore Western Australia near Exmouth on 4 March.[3]

Observation stations in the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria reported abnormally high tides. At Bing Bong, the water level rose an estimated 2 m (6.6 ft) above the spring high tide mark. On Groote Eylandt island, a tide gauge was washed away. These weather stations suffered thousands of dollars in damage. Trees in extensive tracts of forests were felled, especially in the Roper-McArthur district, which stretches from the Roper to McArthur rivers. On North Island, located within the Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands, a stranded light aircraft was destroyed.[3]

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)

Kerry developed over the South Pacific basin from a low pressure area on 12 February. After later striking Makira in the Solomon Islands on 15 February, Kerry reached the Bureau of Meteorology's area of responsibility on 16 February as a Category 2 cyclone. Shortly thereafter, the system became a Category 3 cyclone. Reaching Category 4 on 18 February, the storm peaked with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). After peak intensity, the storm began to move erratically, executing multiple cyclonic loops and decelerating between 20 February and 25 February. At that time, Kerry weakened significantly due to dry air, falling to Category 3 on 21 February and Category 2 on 24 February. The storm curved southwestward by 26 February and deteriorated to a Category 1 later that day. Shortly thereafter, Kerry turned westward and began approaching the east coast of Queensland.

Late on 28 February, the cyclone struck the Whitsunday Islands as a Category 1 and later made multiple landfalls on the mainland as a tropical low on 1 March. Kerry curved northward several hours later and re-emerged into the Pacific Ocean. The storm reintensified into a Category 1 on 2 March, before a trough forced the cyclone to curve southeastward. Kerry again weakened while traversing above the Great Barrier Reef and finally dissipated on 5 March. In Queensland, much of the damage occurred in the vicinity of Mackay, where a wind gust of 141 km/h (88 mph) was observed. Twenty-seven homes were damaged, one severely, and a warehouse lost a large section of its roof. Wave heights up to 4.02 m (13.2 ft) in the city caused about $1 million (1979 AUD) in damage to boats at the harbor. On Brampton Island, the resort's staff quarters building was deroofed and many trees were downed throughout the island.

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	March 6 – March 14
Peak intensity	195 km/h (120 mph) (10-min); 938 hPa (mbar)

Hazel grazed the Western Australia coast on March 13, 1979. Fifteen crewmen drowned when their fishing boat sank during the storm.[17] The storm caused $41 million in damage, among the costliest Western Australian cyclones.[18]

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	March 16 – March 21
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 988 hPa (mbar)

Ivan existed from 16 March to 21 March.

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	April 6 – April 15
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 995 hPa (mbar)

Stan existed from 6 April to 15 April.

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	9 April – 14 April
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 988 hPa (mbar)

A tropical disturbance formed about 220 mi (135 mi) west-southwest of Cocos Island early on 8 April.[3] Early on the next day, the disturbance strengthened into a tropical low, which was named Jane.[19] The storm only intensified slightly further and later peaked with a minimum barometric pressure of 988 mbar (29.2 inHg). Jane dissipated by 14 April.

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	April 13 – April 20
Peak intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min); 945 hPa (mbar)

Idylle hit the Southern Coast of Western Australia.

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	May 2 – May 12
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 986 hPa (mbar)

Kevin existed from 2 May to 12 May. As it churned in open ocean, it took an unusual "zig-zag" path. Kevin did not strengthen much and dissipated out to sea.