:1985–86 Australian region cyclone season

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Nicholas Dec 3 1985 0710Z.jpg

|Track=Nicholas 1985 path.png

|Formed=November 26

|Dissipated=December 7

|1-min winds=105

|10-min winds=85

|Pressure=945

}}

Tropical Cyclone Nicholas originated from a broad area of low pressure associated with a monsoonal trough south of Sumatra on November 25. It tracked south and gradually organized itself and became a tropical cyclone early on November 29. It then began to move east and passed through major shipping routes near Christmas Island, though none of the ships record any extensive winds from the nearby cyclone. Nicholas, while remaining a small system, continued to intensify and by December 3 reached a peak intensity as a category four cyclone with winds of {{convert|115|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} 10-min sustained and a pressure of 945 hPa. Afterwards the cyclone turned almost directly south and gradually weakened. On December 7 the Nicholas's convection began to wane and the system had fully dissipated by that evening.Australian Meteorological Magazine Vol 34 No 3 (September 1986) The Australian tropical cyclone season 1985–86

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=

|Track=03P 1985 path.png

|Formed=December 12

|Dissipated=December 16

|1-min winds=30

|Pressure=1000

}}

Tropical Cyclone 03S existed from December 11 to December 14.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Ophelia Jan 10 1986 0848Z.jpg

|Track=Ophelia 1986 path.png

|Formed=January 7

|Dissipated=January 12

|1-min winds=35

|10-min winds=45

|Pressure=986

}}

Tropical Cyclone Ophelia occurred from 7 January until 12 January 1986 near Cocos Island. Its estimated lowest pressure was 985 hPa.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=08S Jan 13 1986 0300Z.png

|Track=08S 1986 path.png

|Formed=January 11

|Dissipated=January 14

|1-min winds=35

|Pressure=997

}}

Tropical Cyclone 08S existed from January 11 to January 14.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Hector Jan 22 1986 0636Z.jpg

|Track=Hector 1986 path.png

|Formed=January 17

|Dissipated=January 24

|1-min winds=45

|10-min winds=40

|Pressure=982

}}

Tropical Cyclone Hector occurred from 17 January until 24 January 1986. It crossed the coast near Wyndham, Western Australia and its estimated lowest pressure was 982 hPa. Hector caused significant flooding in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Pancho Jan 20 1986 0659Z.jpg

|Track=Pancho 1986 path.png

|Formed=January 18

|Dissipated=January 21

|1-min winds=65

|10-min winds=55

|Pressure=976

}}

Tropical Cyclone Pancho occurred from 18 January until 22 January 1986 and remained entirely within the Indian Ocean off Western Australia. Its estimated lowest pressure was 976 hPa.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=Vernon Jan 24 1986 0432Z.jpg

|Track=Vernon 1986 path.png

|Formed=January 21

|Dissipated=January 24

|1-min winds=45

|10-min winds=45

|Pressure=990

}}

Vernon was a weak cyclone that occurred from 21 January until 24 January 1986 and formed in the Gulf of Carpentaria. It crossed Cape York and continued on into the Coral Sea. Its estimated lowest pressure was 990 hPa.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=Winifred Feb 1 1986 0448Z.jpg

|Track=Winifred 1986 path.png

|Formed=January 27

|Dissipated=February 5

|1-min winds=90

|10-min winds=85

|Pressure=957

}}

{{main|Cyclone Winifred}}

The precursor tropical low to Severe Tropical Cyclone Winifred was first observed on 27 January, about 450 km (280 mi) north of Cairns, Queensland. Initially drifting toward the east, the low pressure system showed signs of slow development. Early on 29 January, the system turned south as it gradually continued to gain in strength. Based on data from the GMS, the low had become sufficiently well-organized to be classified as a tropical cyclone by 30 January, retaining a minimum central pressure of 995 mbar (hPa; 29.38 inHg). Accordingly, the system was assigned the name Winifred at 1400 UTC that same day, as it slowly proceeded southward.{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/winifred.pdf|title=Report on Cyclone Winifred|author=Zillman, J.W.|publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology|date=October 1986|access-date=4 December 2010}}

Steady intensification continued, and the cyclone reached winds of {{convert|118|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} early on 1 February, the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale.{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/tmp/aus198519856.html|title=Cyclone Winifred Track Details|publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology|year=2010|access-date=4 December 2010}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} During all of Winifred's existence, a canopy of high-level cirrus clouds covered the eye and rainbands of the cyclone, preventing precise location of its centre through satellite observation. Initially, estimates showed the intensifying cyclone retracing to the southeast on the evening of 30 January, almost immediately turning to the southwest overnight on 31 January. Though the eye retained a relatively large diameter of approximately 51 km (32 mi), Winifred continued to deepen as it approached the coast of north Queensland; however, a contraction of the eyewall became evident by 0300 UTC the next day. With time, the eye further decreased in size, with the smallest diameter assessed at 41 km (26 mi) just prior to landfall. In addition, this decrease suggested a reach of peak intensity, and correspondingly, minimum central pressure dropped to 957 mbar (hPa; {{convert|957|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} upon landfall near Silkwood, Queensland at 0445 UTC, the lowest recorded throughout the duration of the cyclone. This pressure, combined with peak winds of around 155 km/h (100 mph 10-minute sustained), would designate Winifred as the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale. Moving further inland, Winifred began to lose its discernible radar features and quickly decreased in intensity; however, the cyclone persisted as a weakening tropical depression for approximately five days. Operationally, Winifred was declared dissipated on 6 February.

Prior to the formation of a tropical depression, Tropical Cyclone Advices were initiated at 0600 UTC 29 January. At the time, the precursor low was located about 340 km (210 mi) northeast of Cooktown, Queensland. Consequently, a cyclone watch was declared for coastal areas between Thursday Island and Cooktown; in subsequent advices, the area under watch was extended further to the south. As the storm approached the coastline, the watch was upgraded to a warning from Cape Flattery to Townsville by 1900 UTC 30 January, though watches remained in effect to the north from Lockhart River and to the south from St Lawrence. Over the subsequent days, the area under threat extended further, and by late 31 January, a cyclone warning was in effect from Cooktown to Bowen, as well as a cyclone watch for areas between Cairns and Bowen extending southward to St Lawrence. As the storm turned more toward the south, however, a Flash Tropical Cyclone Advice was issued at 0100 UTC on 1 February, warning of locally destructive winds between Fitzroy Island and Innisfail, as far south as Cardwell. Initially, the forecast position of landfall was pinned near Babinda, where specialists warned of maximum gusts near of {{convert|190|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.

Winifred struck Innisfail, Queensland in February 1986 causing extensive damage. There were three deaths attributed to Winifred.[http://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/disasters/cyc_history.asp]

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Rhonda Feb 20 1986 0000Z.png

|Track=Rhonda 1986 path.png

|Formed=February 17

|Dissipated=February 21

|1-min winds=75

|10-min winds=65

|Pressure=968

}}

Tropical Cyclone Rhonda occurred from 17 February until 21 February 1986. It formed off the Pilbara coast and followed the Western Australian coast before weakening and crossing near Perth. Areas around Perth received heavy rain. Its estimated lowest pressure was 968 hPa.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Selwyn Feb 24 1986 0726Z.png

|Track=Selwyn 1986 path.png

|Formed=February 21

|Dissipated=February 26

|1-min winds=60

|10-min winds=60

|Pressure=980

}}

Tropical Cyclone Selwyn occurred from 21 February until 26 February 1986 and remained away from land in the Indian Ocean. Its estimated lowest pressure was 980 hPa.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Tiffany Feb 27 1986 0654Z.png

|Track=Tiffany 1986 path.png

|Formed=February 25

|Dissipated=March 1

|1-min winds=55

|10-min winds=50

|Pressure=984

}}

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany occurred from 25 February until 1 March 1986 and remained away from land in the Indian Ocean. Its estimated lowest pressure was 984 hPa.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Victor Mar 5 1986 0600Z.png

|Track=Victor 1986 path.png

|Formed=March 2

|Dissipated=March 9

|1-min winds=110

|10-min winds=100

|Pressure=930

}}

Tropical Cyclone Victor occurred from 2 March until 9 March 1986 and was the most severe cyclone of the Australian region for the season. It remained off the Western Australian coast for all its life. Its estimated lowest pressure was 930 hPa and highest gusts about 255 km/h.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=

|Track=Alfred 1986 path.png

|Formed=March 2

|Dissipated=March 7 (Exited basin)

|1-min winds=45

|10-min winds=40

|Pressure=995

}}

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Alison Apr 11 1986 0919Z.png

|Track=Alison-Krisostoma 1986 path.png

|Formed=April 4

|Dissipated=April 9 (Exited basin)

|1-min winds=70

|10-min winds=55

|Pressure=978

}}

Tropical Cyclone Alison occurred from 4 April until 14 April 1986 within the Indian Ocean. It moved westward into the Mauritius area of responsibility and was renamed Krisostoma. Its estimated lowest pressure was 974 hPa.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Manu Apr 25 1986 0506Z.png

|Track=Manu 1986 path.png

|Formed=April 21

|Dissipated=April 27

|1-min winds=75

|10-min winds=70

|Pressure=970

}}

Tropical Cyclone Manu occurred from 21 April until 27 April 1986 off the Queensland coast. Its estimated lowest pressure was 970 hPa.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=Aus

|Image=Billy-Lila May 10 1986 0911Z.png

|Track=Billy-Lila 1986 path.png

|Formed=May 4 (out of basin between May 9-10)

|Dissipated=May 15

|1-min winds=100

|10-min winds=90

|Pressure=950

}}

Tropical Cyclone Billy occurred from 4 May until 15 May 1986. It temporarily moved west into the Mauritius area of responsibility where it was renamed Lila but then moved back again. It crossed the Western Australian coast near Geraldton just after dissipating. Its estimated lowest pressure was 950 hPa.This tropical cyclone is the only category 4 cyclone in the Australian Scale in the month of May.

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{{Infobox Hurricane Small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=Cyclone Namu.png

|Track=Namu 1986 path.png

|Formed=May 19 (entered basin)

|Dissipated=May 21 (exited basin)

|Pressure=960

|10-min winds=80

|1-min winds=95

}}

{{main|Cyclone Namu}}

Cyclone Namu was responsible for the deaths of 103 people and caused US$100 million in economic losses in the Solomon Islands.{{cite web|title=Solomon Islands Country Environmental Analysis|url=http://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Countries/Solomon_Islands/43.pdf|publisher=Asian Development Bank|access-date=17 August 2012|author=Berdach, James T.|author2=Llegu, Michelle|page=40|date=December 2007}} It was considered the worst tropical cyclone to impact the area in five years.{{cite web|title=Flood and landslide hazard mapping, Solomon Islands|url=http://iahs.info/redbooks/a192/iahs_192_0138.pdf|publisher=International Association of Hydrological Sciences|access-date=14 August 2012|author=Trustrum, N.A.|author2=Whitehouse, I.E.|author3=Blaschke, P.M.|author4=Stephens, P.R}} The storm was estimated to have caused a maximum wave height of {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|title=Geological Impacts of Cyclone Namu on the Coastal Plain of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands - June 1986|url=http://ict.sopac.org/VirLib/PR0022.pdf|publisher=Secretariat of the Pacific Community's Applied Geoscience and Technology Division|access-date=15 August 2012|author=Roy, Peter|date=June 1986|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221358/http://ict.sopac.org/VirLib/PR0022.pdf|archive-date=2013-12-17|url-status=dead}} Much of the damage caused by Namu was due to phenomenal flooding, and was widespread across the island chain. At Honiara International Airport, {{convert|340|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain was measured over a three-day period. Increased river flow caused by the depositing of saturated material in rivers was the cause for much of the flood damage that occurred. Of all the islands, Malaita was the worst affected by the cyclone. On the island of Guadalcanal, a single mudslide was responsible for killing 38 villagers.{{cite news|title=Slide ravages Guadalcanal village|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SiocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BlwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4946,4841391&dq=cyclone+namu&hl=en|access-date=15 August 2012|newspaper=They Daily Courier|date=22 May 1986|agency=United Press International|location=Port Moresby|page=3A}} Attaining a clean water supply was issue on Guadalcanal, and 22% of homes on the island were either damaged or destroyed.{{cite web|title=Natural Disasters in the Solomon Islands |url=http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/SLB_Nat_Disasters_v1_1992_s.pdf |work=The Australian International Development Assistance Bureau |access-date=17 August 2012 |author=Radford, D.A. |location=Sydney, Australia |pages=114–122 |year=1992 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422154755/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/SLB_Nat_Disasters_v1_1992_s.pdf |archive-date=22 April 2012 }}

As a result of the havoc caused by the cyclone, approximately 90,000 people, equal to a third of the country's population, were reported as homeless. The government of the Solomon Islands declared a national state of emergency for the entirety of the island chain.{{cite web|title=IMF Emergency Assistance Related to Natural Disasters and Postconflict Situations|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/albania/imf-emergency-assistance-related-natural-disasters-and-postconflict-Tsituations|publisher=ReliefWeb|access-date=17 August 2012|author=International Monetary Fund|author-link=International Monetary Fund|date=5 September 1999}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The United Kingdom, Papua New Guinea, the United States, and Japan also sent supplies and goods to the Solomon Islands.

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• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1985, 1986
• Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1985, 1986
• Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1985, 1986
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1985, 1986

{{Reflist}}

• [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma99183794521002061 Queensland cyclone photographs], State Library of Queensland. Includes photographs of the aftermath of Cyclone Winifred

{{TC Decades|Year=1980|basin=Australian region|type=cyclone|shem=yes}}

{{Tropical cyclone season|1985|split-year=y}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1985-86 Australian region cyclone season}}

Aust

Category:Australian region cyclone seasons

Category:Tropical cyclones in 1985

Category:Tropical cyclones in 1986