Cyclone Elaine
{{Other hurricanes|Tropical Storm Elaine}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{infobox weather event
| name = Severe Tropical Cyclone Elaine
| image = Elaine 1999-03-18 0502Z.png
| caption = Cyclone Elaine on 18 March, near Western Australia, Australia
| formed = {{start date|1999|03|15|df=y}}
| low = {{start date|1999|03|20|df=y}}
| dissipated = {{end date|1999|03|20|df=y}}
}}{{infobox weather event/BOM
| winds = 90
| gusts = 125
| pressure = 945
}}{{infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 100
| pressure =
}}{{infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1999
| fatalities = 1
| damage = Minimal
| areas = Western Australia
| refs =
}}{{infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 1998–99 Australian region cyclone season
}}
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.
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 {{convert|115|mph|order=flip}}. 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 {{convert|35|mph|order=flip}} 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
{{Storm path|Elaine 1999 track.png}}{{Multiple image
| align = left
| image1 = Elaine 16 March 1999.jpg
| image2 = Elaine 17 March 1999.jpg
| caption2 = Elaine on the 16th (top) and on the 17th (below) of March 1999.
| direction = vertical
| total_width = 200
}}
A monsoon trough had formed from a monsoon on 11 March 1999. While the trough moved westward, it spawned a low on 12 March.{{Cite news|date=March 21, 1999|title=Elaine report.png|work=Bureau of Meteorology|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/elaine.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=March 18, 2021|archive-date=20 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320214038/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/elaine.pdf}} The low was in a region of low shear and favorable upper outflow. As the low headed westward, it entered a favorable environment and underwent intensification. On 15 March, the storm attained wind speeds more than {{convert|35|mph|order=flip}} and was designated as Tropical Cyclone 28S.{{Cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone ELAINE|url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1999/elaine.htm|access-date=2021-03-18|website=australiasevereweather.com|archive-date=6 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106045643/http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1999/elaine.htm|url-status=live}} On 16 March, at 3:00 PM, the storm had intensified into a tropical cyclone and was designate as Tropical Cyclone Elaine.{{Cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Tracks Maps : ELAINE - Australian Tropical Cyclones Southern Hemisphere Season 1998 - 1999 Hurricanes Typhoons Bureau of Meteorology BoM Data|url=https://www.australiasevereweather.com/tropical_cyclones/1998_1999/bom/tropical_cyclone_elaine.htm|access-date=2021-03-18|website=www.australiasevereweather.com|archive-date=15 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115031303/http://australiasevereweather.com/tropical_cyclones/1998_1999/bom/tropical_cyclone_elaine.htm|url-status=live}}
Elaine changed course and headed southward, towards Western Australia at {{convert|11|kn}}. Elaine's winds reached 60 mph, attaining Category 1 status. The system underwent explosive intensification 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. Thereafter the storm declined as it headed south towards westerly wind shear.
Elaine continued west on 18 March, and made landfall at 10:00 UTC. 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.{{Cite web|title=CNN - 'Dangerous' cyclone aims for northwest Australia - March 21, 1999|url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9903/21/australia.cyclone/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-18|website=CNN|archive-date=26 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226021032/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9903/21/australia.cyclone/}}
Impact
As a tropical depression/low, Elaine affected mainly Western Australia. Moora reported severe flooding and much precipitation. 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.{{Cite book|title=Report on emergency response operations for tropical cyclones Elaine and Vance|publisher=Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia|year=1999|location=Perth|pages=4}}
The Moora River experienced flooding after an increase in water capacity.{{Cite news|date=March 31, 1999|title=Cyclone Devastation|work=Parliament of Australia|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansards%2F1999-03-31%2F0114;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F1999-03-31%2F0027%22|url-status=live|access-date=March 18, 2021|archive-date=26 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226021034/https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansards%2F1999-03-31%2F0114;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F1999-03-31%2F0027%22}} The Moora overflowed to the point where it burst its banks. The downpour of rain was one of the heaviest that Moora had ever seen.{{Cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Elaine 17 to 20/3/99|url=http://cyclones.50megs.com/1999/tcelaine.htm|access-date=2021-03-18|website=cyclones.50megs.com|archive-date=12 February 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212235103/http://cyclones.50megs.com/1999/tcelaine.htm|url-status=live}}
Retirement
References
{{reflist|2}}{{Retired Australian region cyclones}}{{1998–99 Australian region cyclone season buttons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elaine}}