Cyclone Ann
{{Short description|Category 2 South Pacific and Australian region cyclone in 2019}}
{{distinguish|Cyclone Ana}}
{{Other hurricanes|List of storms named Ann|the Australian cyclone in 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Tropical Cyclone Ann
| image = Ann 2019-05-13 0251Z.jpg
| caption = Tropical Cyclone Ann shortly after peak intensity on 13 May
| formed = 7 May 2019
| remnant = 14 May 2019
| dissipated = 18 May 2019
}}{{Infobox weather event/BOM
| winds = 55
| gusts = 75
| pressure = 990
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 60
| pressure = 989
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = None
| damages = None
| areas = Solomon Islands, Queensland, Northern Territory, Eastern Indonesia, East Timor
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 2018–19 South Pacific and Australian region cyclone seasons
}}
Tropical Cyclone Ann was a small off-season tropical cyclone that brought minor impacts to the Solomon Islands, Far North Queensland and coastal regions of the Northern Territory's Top End during May 2019. Ann was the twenty-fifth tropical low, eleventh tropical cyclone, ninth Category 2 tropical cyclone and second off-season tropical cyclone of the 2018–19 Australian region cyclone season. The system developed from a tropical low that formed on 7 May in the South Pacific cyclone region. The low gradually intensified while moving southwards, and strengthened into a tropical cyclone on 11 May.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Forecast Track Map #1 (18Z)|date=11 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511221135/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|archive-date=11 May 2019|access-date=11 May 2019}} The storm then turned to the west-northwest and continued to strengthen over the Coral Sea. Ann reached peak intensity on 12 May as a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, with 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|55|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on}} and a central barometric pressure of {{convert|990|hPa|inHg|sortable=on|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}. One-minute sustained winds of {{convert|60|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on}} made Ann equivalent to a strong tropical storm on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Warning #5 (18Z)|date=12 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512232707/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|archive-date=12 May 2019|access-date=12 May 2019}} The storm began to decay soon afterwards, and weakened to a gale-force tropical low on 14 May.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Technical Bulletin #11 (03Z)|date=14 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514044421/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=14 May 2019|access-date=14 May 2019}} Ann made landfall near Lockhart River on Cape York Peninsula on 15 May, before re-emerging over water a few hours later.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ21037.shtml|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Severe Weather Warning (0430Z)|date=15 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515084846/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ21037.shtml|archive-date=15 May 2019|access-date=15 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/nahighseas.shtml|title=Northern Area High Seas Forecast (06Z)|date=15 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515141503/http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/nahighseas.shtml|archive-date=15 May 2019|access-date=15 May 2019}} Ann maintained a steady west-northwestwards track for several days before dissipating as a tropical low near East Timor on 18 May.
Impacts associated with Ann were minor, and no fatalities or damages were attributed to the system. Willis Island experienced marginal gale-force winds as Ann passed nearby on 13 May,{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94299.shtml|title=Willis Island weather observations|date=14 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514123426/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94299.shtml|archive-date=14 May 2019|access-date=14 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Forecast Track Map #10 (21Z)|date=13 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513231306/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|archive-date=13 May 2019|access-date=13 May 2019}} and several other islands closer to the Queensland coast experienced similar conditions. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds were experienced in many areas to the south of the remnant tropical low as it made landfall. Precipitation totals exceeding {{convert|50|mm|in|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} were recorded, with one 24-hour total reaching {{convert|93|mm|in|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}. Increased winds also occurred in coastal areas of the Top End on 15–17 May. By maximum sustained winds, Ann was the strongest entirely off-season tropical cyclone in the Australian region since Alex in 2001, and the strongest to form in the region during May since Rhonda in 1997. Ann was also the first tropical system of any intensity to make landfall in Queensland during the off-season since Zane in 2013.
Meteorological history
{{storm path|Ann 2019 track.png|300px|left}}
During late April and early May, a strong pulse of the Madden–Julian oscillation tracked eastwards across the tropical Indian Ocean and the Maritime Continent. Despite the traditional Australian wet season having concluded at the end of April, the pulse led to the redevelopment of monsoonal conditions to the north of Australia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/tropical-note/archive/20190430.archive.shtml|title=Weekly Tropical Climate Note|date=30 April 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=4 May 2019}} Additionally, the presence of the pulse led to environmental conditions which were more favourable for tropical cyclogenesis than normal for the cyclone off-season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/tropical-note/|title=Weekly Tropical Climate Note|date=14 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516031400/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/tropical-note/|archive-date=16 May 2019|access-date=16 May 2019}} As the pulse continued into the Pacific Ocean,{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/tropical-note/|title=Weekly Tropical Climate Note|date=7 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516031400/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/tropical-note/|archive-date=16 May 2019|access-date=19 May 2019|url-status=bot: unknown}} the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) noted the formation of a weak tropical low embedded within a low-pressure trough on 7 May, located within the northwestern South Pacific cyclone region. The BOM assigned the system the identifier code 26U.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Technical Bulletin #1 (18Z)|date=11 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511221011/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=11 May 2019|access-date=11 May 2019}}
The tropical low moved slowly towards the southwest while organisation gradually proceeded in a generally favourable environment. By 00:00 UTC on 8 May, the system was located just to the east of Honiara in the Solomon Islands.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/cyclone.shtml|title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Outlook|date=8 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508235627/http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/cyclone.shtml|archive-date=8 May 2019|access-date=8 May 2019}} After passing over the Solomon Islands, the developing low assumed a more southerly track under the influence of a mid-level high-pressure ridge located to the east. Over the following few days, the tropical low skirted the boundary of the Australian cyclone region and South Pacific cyclone region, passing between the two basins three times in total.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/nehighseas.shtml|title=North Eastern Area High Seas Forecast (06Z)|date=9 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509130152/http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/nehighseas.shtml|archive-date=9 May 2019|access-date=9 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/nehighseas.shtml|title=North Eastern Area High Seas Forecast (06Z)|date=10 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510110923/http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/nehighseas.shtml|archive-date=10 May 2019|access-date=10 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/nehighseas.shtml|title=North Eastern Area High Seas Forecast (18Z)|date=10 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511021631/http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/nehighseas.shtml|archive-date=11 May 2019|access-date=11 May 2019}} By 10 May, disagreement emerged between meteorological agencies regarding the prospect of future development for the system. The BOM anticipated that further development into a tropical cyclone was very unlikely, citing an atmospheric environment that they expected to be unconducive for maintaining a significant tropical system.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/cyclone.shtml|title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Outlook|date=10 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510111511/http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/cyclone.shtml|archive-date=10 May 2019|access-date=10 May 2019}} Conversely, the United States' Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) analysed the environment to be supportive of tropical cyclogenesis overall, and forecast a gradual strengthening to tropical cyclone intensity over the following days, in accordance with numerical weather prediction model solutions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abpwweb.txt|title=Tropical Weather Advisory for the Pacific Ocean|date=10 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510114730/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abpwweb.txt|archive-date=10 May 2019|access-date=10 May 2019}} Aided by warm sea surface temperatures and the favourable outflow provided by an anticyclone in the upper troposphere, deep convection continued to grow over the consolidating low-level circulation centre on 11 May.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abpwweb.txt|title=Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Pacific Ocean|date=11 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511112120/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abpwweb.txt|archive-date=11 May 2019|access-date=11 May 2019}} The storm was upgraded to a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale by the BOM at 18:00 UTC on 11 May, while located approximately {{convert|1420|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Cairns. Located just within the Australian region at this time, the newly formed cyclone was named Ann by the BOM. The JTWC indicated that Ann had become equivalent to a tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale at this time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Warning #1 (18Z)|date=11 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511221234/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|archive-date=11 May 2019|access-date=11 May 2019}}
An eastwards-propagating trough in the upper troposphere began to erode the ridge which had been steering the strengthening system southwards. A new mid-level ridge to the south began to develop, causing Ann to accelerate west-northwestwards across the Coral Sea towards Queensland. Environmental conditions remained favourable for development, and the system quickly reached high-end Category 1 intensity at 00:00 UTC on 12 May.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Technical Bulletin (00Z)|date=12 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512032407/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=12 May 2019|access-date=12 May 2019}} Soon afterwards, however, competing environmental influences began to arrest the intensification trend. The cyclone was maintained at Category 1, although the BOM noted that this assessment may have been conservative, with the possibility that the system may have already reached marginal Category 2 intensity. Analysis of satellite imagery indicated that easterly vertical wind shear had begun to increase near the system, and that drier air had started to become entrained into the circulation from the southwest.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Technical Bulletin #3 (06Z)|date=12 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512093606/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=12 May 2019|access-date=12 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Technical Bulletin #4 (12Z)|date=12 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512133705/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=12 May 2019|access-date=12 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Warning #3 (06Z)|date=12 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512094230/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|archive-date=12 May 2019|access-date=12 May 2019}} Ann reached peak intensity at 18:00 UTC on 12 May as a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, generating ten-minute sustained winds of {{convert|55|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on}} and gusts to {{convert|75|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on}}, with a central barometric pressure of {{convert|990|hPa|inHg|sortable=on|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}. The JTWC reported that one-minute sustained winds reached an estimated {{convert|60|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on}} at this time, equivalent to a strong tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.
File:Ann 2019-05-15 0045Z.jpg on 15 May, with the exposed low-level circulation centre clearly visible|alt=]]
Ann began to weaken on 13 May. Good poleward outflow provided by the trough had been mitigating the negative effects of other environmental conditions up until this point; however, this had now begun to diminish as the trough receded further eastwards. Dry air intrusion began to damage the storm, disrupting the central deep convection.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Warning #6 (00Z)|date=13 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513035458/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|archive-date=13 May 2019|access-date=13 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Technical Bulletin #6 (00Z)|date=13 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513040420/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=13 May 2019|access-date=13 May 2019}} The BOM downgraded the cyclone to Category 1 at 06:00 UTC on 13 May as the central dense overcast shrunk to less than {{convert|20|nmi|km mi}} in diameter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Warning #7 (06Z)|date=13 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513134919/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|archive-date=13 May 2019|access-date=13 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Technical Bulletin #7 (06Z)|date=13 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513075040/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=13 May 2019|access-date=13 May 2019}} The BOM once again noted the possibility of underestimating the true intensity of the cyclone due to the very small circulation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Technical Bulletin #9 (18Z)|date=13 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513231149/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=13 May 2019|access-date=13 May 2019}} The system's decay was evident on satellite imagery, which displayed the effects of dry air, marginal ocean heat content, and increasing wind shear from the previously favourable upper-level anticyclone, now located well to the east.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Technical Bulletin #10 (00Z)|date=14 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514012853/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=14 May 2019|access-date=14 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann #9 (18Z)|date=13 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513231436/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|archive-date=13 May 2019|access-date=13 May 2019}} Gale-force winds soon became confined to the southwestern quadrant as the storm became devoid of central deep convection, leaving the low-level circulation centre exposed. With gales no longer extending more than halfway around the system, Ann was downgraded to a tropical low at 03:00 UTC on 14 May.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Warning #10|date=14 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514025933/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|archive-date=14 May 2019|access-date=14 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/about/|title=About Tropical Cyclones|website=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=19 May 2019}} Located {{convert|375|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of Cairns, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ann continued quickly west-northwestwards towards the coast of Far North Queensland.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Forecast Track Map #12 (03Z)|date=14 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514040850/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|archive-date=14 May 2019|access-date=14 May 2019}} The tropical low made landfall near the town of Lockhart River on the east coast of Cape York Peninsula about 24 hours later, at 2:30 p.m. local time (04:30 UTC) on 15 May.
The tropical low passed quickly over land and emerged over the northeastern Gulf of Carpentaria. Despite the warm sea surface temperatures in the vicinity, unfavourable atmospheric conditions prevented reintensification to tropical cyclone strength.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDY00008.shtml|title=Northern Territory Sea Surface Temperature Analysis|date=18 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519114436/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDY00008.shtml|archive-date=19 May 2019|access-date=19 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Warning #11 (06Z)|date=14 May 2019|website=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514113822/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh2719web.txt|archive-date=14 May 2019|access-date=14 May 2019}} Continuing on the same west-northwestwards track that it had maintained for the previous five days, the tropical low passed the northeastern coast of the Top End on 16 May while moving into the Arafura Sea. After persisting for several days as a remnant tropical low, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ann eventually dissipated by 06:30 UTC on 18 May in the Banda Sea, while located near East Timor and Indonesia's southern Maluku Islands.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/darwin_MSLP_00z.shtml|title=South-East Asia MSLP Analysis (15 May 2019 to 18 May 2019, 00Z)|date=18 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604004116/http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/darwin_MSLP_00z.shtml|archive-date=4 June 2019|access-date=18 May 2019|url-status=bot: unknown}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/arafura-coast.shtml|title=Arafura Coast Forecast: Cape Don to Cape Wessel (1915Z)|date=17 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518031209/http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/arafura-coast.shtml|archive-date=18 May 2019|access-date=18 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/arafura-coast.shtml|title=Arafura Coast Forecast: Cape Don to Cape Wessel (0630Z)|date=18 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518151604/http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/arafura-coast.shtml|archive-date=18 May 2019|access-date=18 May 2019}}
Preparations and impacts
= Official warnings =
In preparation for the possibility of Ann making landfall on the Queensland coast at tropical cyclone intensity, the BOM issued a number of official warnings to the public in advance of the system's arrival. Upon weakening to Category 1 strength at 18:00 UTC on 12 May, a tropical cyclone watch was issued for coastal and inland areas between Cape York and Port Douglas.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Forecast Track Map #7 (06Z)|date=13 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513075132/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|archive-date=13 May 2019|access-date=13 May 2019}} At this stage, Ann was expected to make landfall as a Category 1 tropical cyclone with sustained winds of {{convert|75|km/h|mph}}. The BOM noted that a storm surge could occur upon landfall, with the potential to cause inundation of low-lying areas along the shoreline. Heavy rainfall was also anticipated, with the possibility of leading to flash flooding.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Forecast Track Map #8 (12Z)|date=13 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513134812/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|archive-date=13 May 2019|access-date=13 May 2019}} Areas between Coen and Cooktown were placed under a tropical cyclone warning by 18:00 UTC on 13 May, indicating that gale-force winds were expected within 24 hours, with the warning area extended to Lockhart River by 00:00 UTC on 14 May. By this time, cyclone watches for other areas of the coast had been cancelled.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|title=Tropical Cyclone Ann Forecast Track Map #11 (00Z)|date=14 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514011847/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml|archive-date=14 May 2019|access-date=14 May 2019}} Three hours later, however, Ann was downgraded to a tropical low, and all cyclone warnings were cancelled, and it was noted that a significant storm surge was no longer likely.
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= Impacts =
Tropical Cyclone Ann brought only minor impacts to Far North Queensland due to weakening to tropical low strength before crossing the coast. Moderate to heavy rainfall was experienced in numerous locations on the southern side of the system, in addition to gusty winds.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.95283.shtml|title=Cooktown weather observations|date=16 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516022114/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.95283.shtml|archive-date=16 May 2019|access-date=16 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.99218.shtml|title=Cowley Beach weather observations|date=15 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515143208/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.99218.shtml|archive-date=15 May 2019|access-date=15 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94280.shtml|title=Innisfail Airport weather observations|date=15 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515143104/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94280.shtml|archive-date=15 May 2019|access-date=15 May 2019}} Some areas between Cairns and Innisfail recorded up to {{convert|93|mm|in|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} of rainfall in the 24 hours to 9:00 a.m. local time on 15 May (23:00 UTC on 14 May).{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWwwEkn3sbU|title=Weather Update: Ex-tropical cyclone Ann crossing northern Queensland 15 May 2019|date=14 May 2019|website=YouTube|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|type=Video|access-date=20 May 2019}} Rainfall and increased winds were also recorded in coastal regions of the Top End as the remnants of the system passed nearby on 15–17 May.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDD60801/IDD60801.94150.shtml|title=Gove Airport weather observations|date=17 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517150511/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDD60801/IDD60801.94150.shtml|archive-date=17 May 2019|access-date=17 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDD60801/IDD60801.94135.shtml|title=McCluer Island weather observations|date=18 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518152031/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDD60801/IDD60801.94135.shtml|archive-date=18 May 2019|access-date=18 May 2019}} The strongest winds to occur on land areas were on small islands off the Queensland coast. Willis Island, located approximately {{convert|450|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Cairns, experienced intermittent gale-force winds as Ann passed to the north, peaking at {{convert|72|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} at 19:30 UTC on 13 May.{{Cite web|url=http://media.bom.gov.au/social/blog/881/living-and-working-on-willis-island/|title=Living and Working on Willis Island|date=25 January 2016|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515113006/http://media.bom.gov.au/social/blog/881/living-and-working-on-willis-island/|archive-date=15 May 2019|access-date=15 May 2019}} Sustained winds reached only {{convert|30|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} at Lockhart River as the system made landfall.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94186.shtml|title=Lockhart River weather observations|date=15 May 2019|website=Bureau of Meteorology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515143537/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94186.shtml|archive-date=15 May 2019|access-date=15 May 2019}}
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See also
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
- List of off-season Australian region tropical cyclones
- Severe Tropical Cyclone Rhonda (1997)—the strongest off-season tropical cyclone on record in the Australian region
- Severe Tropical Cyclone Donna (2017)—the strongest off-season tropical cyclone on record in the South Pacific region
- Tropical Cyclone Liua (2018)—the other off-season tropical cyclone in the 2018–19 South Pacific cyclone season
- Tropical Cyclone Penny (2018)—another storm that affected Lockhart River as a tropical low during the 2018–19 season
- Severe Tropical Cyclone Trevor (2019)—made landfall near Lockhart River as a high-end Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, during the 2018–19 season
- Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Fani—the MJO pulse which contributed to Ann's development also contributed to Fani's intensification
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Cyclone Ann}}
- [http://www.bom.gov.au/ Australian Bureau of Meteorology]
- [http://www.met.gov.fj/ Fiji Meteorological Service]
- [https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html Joint Typhoon Warning Center]
{{2018–19 Australian region cyclone season buttons}}
{{Category 2 Australian region tropical cyclones}}
{{Off-season Australian region tropical cyclones}}
{{Retired Australian region cyclones}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ann (2019)}}
Category:Tropical cyclones in 2019
Category:2018–19 Australian region cyclone season
Category:Tropical cyclones in Queensland
Category:Category 2 Australian region cyclones
Category:Off-season Australian region tropical cyclones