2014–15 Australian region cyclone season

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	10 December – 13 December
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min)  991 hPa (mbar)

During 10 December, a tropical low developed about 535 km (330 mi) to the north-east of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.[8] The system had developed within a favourable environment for further development, with low to moderate vertical wind shear and a good poleward outflow which was being enhanced by a trough of low pressure.[9] Over the next day, the system gradually intensified/developed further, with atmospheric convection deepening near the centre of the system.[10] TCWC Jakarta subsequently named the low Bakung during 11 December, as it was thought that the system had become a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian Scale.[11][12] At the same time, TCWC Jakarta reported that Bakung had peaked with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 95 km/h (60 mph) before the JTWC initiated advisories on the system later that day and designated it Tropical Cyclone 03S.[11][13]

On 12th of December, TCWC Jakarta reported that the system had weakened into a Category 1 tropical cyclone, while the JTWC reported that the system had intensified slightly and reached its peak intensity with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 65 km/h (40 mph).[14][15] Early the next day as Tropical Cyclone Bakung continued to move westwards, it moved out of the Australian region and into the South-West Indian Ocean.[16][17] However, during that day the system's low-level circulation centre became exposed and displaced about 280 km (175 mi) from the deep convection.[16][18] As a result, TCWC Jakarta and the JTWC issued their final warnings on the system, while RSMC La Reunion declared it to be a remnant low in their only warning on the system.[17][18][19]

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	21 December – 30 December (Exited basin)
Peak intensity	165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min)  955 hPa (mbar)

On 21st of December, TCWC Perth reported that Tropical Low 04U had developed within the monsoon trough to the southeast of Sumatra, Indonesia.[20][21] Over the next few days, the system gradually developed further as it moved south-eastwards before it started to move towards the southwest, passing on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands during 23 December.[20] Early the next day, it intensified into a Category 1 tropical cyclone, as BOM named the system Kate. The next day, Kate continued to intensify as an eye developed and reached peak intensity as a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone as. On 27 December, it weakened as it underwent an eyewall replacement cycle. On 30 December, TCWC Perth reported that Kate had moved out of the Australian region and into the South-west Indian Ocean basin, issuing their last bulletin.[22]

107.6mm of rain was recorded in a 24 hour period on the island. Flooding was reported from Home and West Islands. Some trees were damaged and there was some property damage.

Tropical low (Australian scale)
Duration	2 January – 10 January
Peak intensity	Winds not specified

On 2nd of January, TCWC Perth and Darwin started to monitor Tropical Low 05U, that had developed within the monsoon trough near Wyndham in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.[23][24] Over the next few days, the low moved slowly towards the southwest and passed to the southeast of Derby during 6 and 7 January. On 8 January, the low began a southward track before tracking to the east on 9 January. During the same day, the low moved south of Fitzroy Crossing and south of Halls Creek later in the evening. The system crossed into the Northern Territory early on 10 January before dissipating later that day.

In total, over 1000mm of rain was recorded over inland communities due to 05U.[25]

Tropical low (Australian scale)
Duration	10 January – 13 January
Peak intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min)  998 hPa (mbar)

On 10 January, the BoM started to monitor a tropical low south of the Solomon Islands. It gradually moved on the south, pasing just east of Australia, before it was last noted on the 13th of the same month as it dissipated to the northwest of New Caledonia.

It peaked at 55km/h (35 mph) on its lifetime, with 998 hPa (mbar).

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	12 February – 20 February
Peak intensity	185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min)  943 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Lam was the strongest storm to strike Australia's Northern Territory since Cyclone Monica in 2006. It formed from the monsoon trough on 12 February in the Coral Sea. For much of its duration, the system moved westward due to a ridge to the south. The system crossed over the Cape York Peninsula and moved into the Gulf of Carpentaria, whereupon it gradually organized due to warm waters and favorable outflow. On 16 February, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) classified it as a Category 1 on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale and gave it the name Lam. The storm intensified further while drifting toward the Wessel Islands, developing an eye and strengthening to the equivalence of a minimal hurricane on 18 February. It strengthened to reach maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) early on 19 February before turning to the southwest, making it a Category 4 cyclone. That day, it made landfall on Northern Territory between Milingimbi and Elcho Island at peak intensity, and it rapidly weakened over land. About six hours after Lam moved ashore, Cyclone Marcia struck Queensland as a Category 5 cyclone, marking the first time on record that two storms of Category 4 intensity struck Australia on the same day.

In its formative stages, Lam produced heavy rainfall and flooding in Far North Queensland. Later, the cyclone's rainfall set daily precipitation records in Northern Territory. However, the winds caused the most damage, with gusts estimated as high as 230 km/h (145 mph). The highest gust was 170 km/h (110 mph) at Cape Wessel on Rimbija Island. Lam caused considerable destruction, particularly affecting local aboriginal communities. Total damage in the Northern Territory reached at least A$82.4 million (US$64.3 million).

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	15 February – 26 February
Peak intensity	205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min)  930 hPa (mbar)

On 16th of February, the BoM started to monitor a weak tropical disturbance in the Coral Sea. It quickly developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on 18th of February, earning the name Marcia. It was upgraded to Category 2 the following day when it was approximately 555 kilometres (345 mi) north of Bundaberg and again upgraded to Category 3 severe tropical cyclone when approximately 290 kilometres (180 mi) north of Yeppoon. On 19 February, due to a developing, clear eye, the JTWC upgraded Marcia to a Category 2 whilst the BoM upgraded it as a Category 4. Due to explosive intensification, Marcia became a Category 5 according to the BoM early on 20 February. It affected Queensland, and last noted on 26th of the same month as it dissipated, west-southwest of New Caledonia.

The boat of two fishermen traveling to Fraser Island sank due to rough seas on the morning of 19 February, however, they were found safe and well on nearby Moon Boom Island the next morning.[26] The storm wrought extensive damage in Queensland, with losses amounting to A$750 million (US$590.5 million).[27]

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	8 March – 14 March
Peak intensity	140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min)  955 hPa (mbar)

On 8th of March, the BoM started to monitor a weak tropical low over Western Australia. The system was later designated as 16U a few days later. Due to an increase in convection, both the BoM and JTWC upgraded the system to a Category 1 tropical cyclone, naming it Olwyn on 11 March. Just before 12 March, Olwyn rapidly developed a ragged eye, as the BoM upgraded the system to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone. Early on 13 March, Olwyn reached its peak strength of 140 km/h (85 mph) as the JTWC classified it as a Category 2 cyclone. However, after a few hours, the JTWC downgraded it to a Category 1 cyclone as it weakened from land interaction. On the same day, Olwyn made landfall over southwestern Australia as a weakening cyclone. Rapidly weakening inland, it emerged on the Southern Ocean as a decaying remnant low. It dissipated onwards.

Olwyn caused extensive damage along the coast of Western Australia, from Onslow to Kalbarri. In preparation for the storm, the Pilbara Ports authority closed the ports of Dampier and Ashburton.[28] The entire workforce on Barrow Island was evacuated to the island's cyclone shelter. 128 km/h (80 mph) wind gusts and 141.6 mm (5.57 in) of rain was recorded on the island as it was brushed by Olwyn.[29] Upon landfall, a maximum wind gust of 180 km/h (110 mph) was recorded at Learmonth.[30] Moderate property damage occurred at nearby Exmouth, with several houses being inundated with floodwater after 141.8 mm (5.58 in) of rain fell in 24 hours.[28] Trees were uprooted and power was cut for several days.[28][31] The Exmouth Yacht Club sustained heavy damage from Olwyn's storm surge.[28] Damage was more severe further south at Carnarvon where most houses are not built to cyclone standards, unlike in Exmouth.[31] Olwyn passed over the town at category 3 status, unroofing and severely damaging multiple houses, while many sheds and outbuildings were totally destroyed.[31][32] The town's water and power facilities were damaged, leaving the area without water and electricity supplies for days.[32] The entire banana crop in the Carnarvon area was destroyed by the storm's high winds and flooding.[32] The Gascoyne River experienced its most severe flood since 2010 due to rains from Olwyn.[32] One person sustained life-threatening injuries in a storm-related car accident, he was later on pronounced dead when he died in hospital from his injuries. Total damage in Carnarvon was estimated to be in excess of A$100 million (US$76.3 million),[33] and Olwyn has been noted as the most severe cyclone to have hit the town since 1950.[31]

A total of 121.8 mm (4.80 in) of rain fell in 24 hours at Shark Bay from Olwyn, setting a record for the highest amount of rainfall recorded in March at what is normally the most arid place on the Australian coast.[34] Minor property and tree damage occurred in Denham.[31] Further south, 8 mm (0.31 in) of rain and 76 km/h (47 mph) wind gusts were reported in Geraldton.[35] The remnant low of Olwyn caused 15 mm (0.59 in) - 25 mm (0.98 in) of rain across the Wheatbelt, which was beneficial for farmers in the area. Perth recorded 12.8 mm (0.50 in) of rain and cooler temperatures as Olwyn's remnants moved into the Southern Ocean. On 15 March Olwyn's remnants brought severe storms to the Southern Western Australia. Olwyn was the first ex-tropical cyclone to affect Geraldton, the Wheatbelt region and Perth since Cyclone Iggy in 2012.[36]

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	9 March – 25 March
Peak intensity	165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min)  963 hPa (mbar)

Shortly after Cyclone Pam was classified on the South Pacific, the outer rainbands of Pam led to the formation of a tropical low near Australia on 9 March. Later that day, the BoM designated the system as 17U and intensified into Tropical Cyclone Nathan several hours later. It slowly executed a cyclonic loop over the next few days, moving across Arnhem Land.[37] {{cn span|After intensifying to an initial peak intensity of 165 km/h (105 mph), Nathan weakened while crossing the Cape York Peninsula and reintensified over the Gulf of Carpentaria. It impacted Arnhem Land as an equivalent of a Category 1 cyclone, before hitting Darwin, Northern Territory the same day. It dissipated afterwards. The remnants of Nathan brought 106 mm (4.2 in) of rainfall to Onslow, Western Australia on 30 March. Cyclone Nathan hit the Arnhem Land one month after Cyclone Lam.

Total damage in northern Queensland were about A$74.8 million (US$57 million).[38]

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	6 April (Entered basin) – 8 April
Peak intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min)  953 hPa (mbar)

On 6th of April, the BoM had reported that Ikola had entered the basin as a severe tropical cyclone from the Southwest Indian Ocean basin and was designated as 19U. Ikola rapidly weakened due to moving into a region of increasing wind shear, becoming a category 3 tropical cyclone by the evening of 7 April. Along with decreasing sea surface temperatures and further increases of wind shear caused Ikola to weaken more to a tropical low on the afternoon of 8 April. The low then proceeded to become a trough system, bringing heavy rainfall to the southwestern parts of Western Australia and severe storms to the southeast of Western Australia. Ikola soaked Central Western Australia and affected Perth from 6–12 April.

Ikola was also the first cyclone to move into the Australian basin from the Southwest Indian Ocean basin since Cyclone Alenga in 2011.

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	27 April – 1 May
Peak intensity	185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min)  950 hPa (mbar)

On 27th of April, the BoM started to monitor a tropical low over Western Australia that had formed from a monsoon trough. Later that day, the system gradually intensified as it was designated as 21U. The next day, 21U intensified into Tropical Cyclone Quang. Quang proceeded to intensify rapidly during 29 and 30 April, reaching a maximum intensity of a category 4 severe tropical cyclone. Quang was located 600 km northwest of the North West Cape region before turning in a southeast direction. Quang moved southeast during 1 May while rapidly weakening due to an increase of wind shear, disrupting the cyclones structure in the process. Quang was downgraded to a category 3 severe tropical cyclone in the morning of 1 May and continued to weaken during the course of the day, becoming a Category 1 before making landfall near the Exmouth coast on the night of 1 May and quickly weakened to a tropical low after it hit Exmouth. It dissipated thereafter. Quang did minimal damage to Exmouth, Western Australia.[39]

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	30 June (Entered basin) – 5 July
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min)  996 hPa (mbar)

Late on 30 June, Tropical Depression 17F moved into the Australian region from the South Pacific and intensified gradually into Tropical Cyclone Raquel. After drifting for the next two days, it exited the basin, moving back into the South Pacific. However, Raquel re-entered the basin early on 4 July as a weakening depression. The next day, Raquel was declared a remnant low.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, it is the only known instance of a tropical cyclone during July in the region since the satellite era began (since at least 1970).[40] As a byproduct of becoming a tropical cyclone on the first day of the new cyclone year, it marked the earliest start to a season in the basin on record.[41]

On 3rd of December, TCWC Perth reported that Tropical Low 01U had developed over open water to the southwest of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, after various applications of the Dvorak technique had produced results between T2.0 and T3.0.[42] They also reported that the low could develop into a tropical cyclone during the following six to twelve hours, however, TCWC Perth issued its final advisory on the system during the next day as the system was not likely to develop into a tropical cyclone and had started weakening.[43][44]

On 13th of December, TCWC Perth reported that a tropical low had developed, to the south of the Indonesian island of Java.[45] Conditions surrounding the system were unfavourable for further development over the next few days, however, TCWC Perth thought that there was a small chance that conditions could improve.[45][46] Over the next few days, the system moved south-westwards, before it was last noted on 15 December, as it was not expected to develop further.[46][47]

On 10 January, TCWC Brisbane reported that Tropical Low 06U had developed within the monsoon trough, within an unfavorable environment for further development to the northeast of Queensland.[48] Over the next couple of days, the system moved southeastwards and may have influenced the track of Tropical Low 07U, before it was last noted during 13 January.[49][50]

During 17 January, a tropical low that had been monitored by the BoM for a few days, moved into the Northern Kimberley region from the Northern Territory.[51] Over the next couple of days, the system moved south-westwards over land before it moved offshore and into the Indian Ocean near Broome during 19 January.[51] As computer models were predicting conditions surrounding the low to be marginally favourable for further development, TCWC Perth expected the system to develop into a tropical cyclone and issued tropical cyclone advice for coastal areas from Kuri Bay to Exmouth.[51] However, as the system spent more time over land than had been forecasted and vertical wind shear did not weaken as much as forecasted.[51] As a result, the system failed to develop into a tropical cyclone as it moved south-westwards towards the Pilbara coast before it dissipated near Port Hedland during 20 January.[51]

On 13 February, a tropical low developed roughly 700 km (430 mi) southwest of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The BoM stopped warning on it late on 16 February as it moved in a southerly direction.