Cyclone Jasper

{{Short description|Category 5 Australian region and South Pacific cyclone in 2023}}

{{About|the 2023 Australian region tropical cyclone|other storms of the same name|List of storms named Jasper}}

{{Infobox weather event

| name = Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper

| image = Jasper 2023-12-08 0240Z.jpg

| caption = Cyclone Jasper at peak intensity on 8 December

| formed = 2 December 2023

| dissipated = 18 December 2023

}}{{Infobox weather event/BOM

| winds = 115

| pressure = 926

}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC

| winds = 120

| pressure = 937

}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects

| missing = 1 total

| year = 2023

| fatalities = 1 total

| currency = AUD

| damage = 1000000000

| areas = Solomon Islands, Far North Queensland

| damage-suffix = {{Cite news |last=Nicholson |first=Dylan |date=31 December 2023 |title=Cyclone Jasper damage bill estimated to hit $1 billion |work=The Cairns Post |url=https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news%2Fcairns%2Fmore-assessors-on-the-ground-in-fnq-to-aid-recovery-from-cyclone-jasper%2Fnews-story%2F70a712eb54756195c16c347986cd37d8 |access-date=2 January 2024 |archive-date=15 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215075709/https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news%2Fcairns%2Fmore-assessors-on-the-ground-in-fnq-to-aid-recovery-from-cyclone-jasper%2Fnews-story%2F70a712eb54756195c16c347986cd37d8?nk=0799c5c06a48b462d1885535119ac09e-1707983829 |url-status=live }}

}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer

| season = 2023–24 South Pacific and Australian region seasons

}}

Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper was the wettest tropical cyclone in Australian history, surpassing Peter of 1979.{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Jasper: December 2023|publisher=JBA Risk Management|accessdate=25 January 2024|url=https://www.jbarisk.com/products-services/event-response/tropical-cyclone-jasper-december-2023/|archive-date=25 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125202502/https://www.jbarisk.com/products-services/event-response/tropical-cyclone-jasper-december-2023/|url-status=live}} The third disturbance of the 2023–24 South Pacific cyclone season and the first named storm and severe tropical cyclone of the 2023–24 Australian region cyclone season, Jasper was first noted as an area of low pressure located in the South Pacific Ocean, which was initially slow to develop as it tracked southwestwards through the South Pacific Ocean in Fiji's area of responsibility. The system began to consolidate as it moved towards the Australian region, with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) upgrading the system to a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale and naming it Jasper. The storm quickly intensified and became a Category 5 tropical cyclone on 7 December; the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated sustained winds of {{convert|120|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5}}. Jasper soon entered an environment of increasing wind shear, causing the system to steadily weaken. Its low-level circulation centre became totally exposed and it maintained a poorly defined convective structure as it approached northern Queensland. Jasper later reintensified, and on 13 December, made landfall as a Category 2 tropical cyclone off the eastern coast of the Cape York Peninsula near Wujal Wujal. Jasper then weakened into a ex-tropical low and remained traceable overland as it moved southeast, and was last noted on 18 December.

Throughout Jasper's existence, moderate to locally intense rainfall accompanied the system; the storm dropped very heavy rainfall, peaking at {{convert|2252|mm|in|abbr=on}} at Bairds near the Daintree River. Many locals used personal watercraft to extract people who were trapped on their roofs within the coastal suburbs. Some flights were cancelled at the Cairns Airport. One man died and another went missing due to flooding caused by Jasper. Insurance Council of Australia estimate that Jasper was responsible at AU$1 billion (US$670 million).

Meteorological history

On 2 December, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) began to monitor Tropical Disturbance 03F—which was re-designated as Tropical Low 02U—in the South Pacific Ocean in Fiji's area of responsibility.{{cite report |url=https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/NFFN/Alphanumeric/Warning/Warnings_and_weather_summary/20231202/060000/A_WWPS21NFFN020600_C_RJTD_20231202062919_42.txt |title=Tropical Disturbance Summary For area Equator to 25S, 160E to 120W issued from RSMC Nadi Dec 020627 UTC. |date=2 December 2023 |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |access-date=2 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202141235/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/NFFN/Alphanumeric/Warning/Warnings_and_weather_summary/20231202/060000/A_WWPS21NFFN020600_C_RJTD_20231202062919_42.txt |archive-date=2 December 2023}}{{Cite report|date=2 December 2023 |title=Tropical cyclone forecast 7 day forecast map|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/|url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231202234411/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/|archive-date=2 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology}} At this stage, the system was located within a favourable environment for further development with radial outflow in the upper troposphere, low vertical wind shear, and warm (30–31 °C) sea surface temperatures.{{cite report |url=https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2023-12-01-1420-abpwweb.txt |title=Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans December 1, 2023 14:30z |date=1 December 2023 |publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center |accessdate=1 December 2023 |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204114634/https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2023-12-01-1420-abpwweb.txt |url-status=live }} During 4 December, the system subsequently crossed 160°E, where it exited the South Pacific basin and entered the Australian region—which prompted the FMS to pass the primary warning responsibility to the BoM.{{Cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/ |title=Tropical cyclone forecast 7 day forecast map |date=4 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231204062053/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/ |archive-date=4 December 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite report |url=https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/NFFN/Alphanumeric/Warning/Warnings_and_weather_summary/20231203/060000/A_WWPS21NFFN030600_C_RJTD_20231203074117_56.txt |title=Tropical Disturbance Summary For area Equator to 25S, 160E to 120W issued from RSMC Nadi Dec 030740 UTC. |date=4 December 2023 |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231203125316/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/NFFN/Alphanumeric/Warning/Warnings_and_weather_summary/20231203/060000/A_WWPS21NFFN030600_C_RJTD_20231203074117_56.txt |archive-date=3 December 2023}} The low was in a favourable environment, evident by excellent radial outflow, deep convective banding and very low shear, resulting the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) later that day, projecting a high likelihood of a significant tropical cyclone developing.{{Cite JTWC|date=4 December 2023|type=tcfa|designation=92P|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9024web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9024web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2023-12-04-1450-sh9224web.txt Alt URL]

File:Jasper 2023-12-12 0430Z.jpg on 12 December.]]

Later the next day, the JTWC subsequently initiated advisories on the system and classified it as Tropical Cyclone 03P.{{cite JTWC|date=5 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=1|name=Three|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0323web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0323web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 December 2023|access-date=5 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-05-0310-sh0324prog.txt Alt URL] The BoM followed suit at 06:00 UTC on 5 December—officially upgrading the system to a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale and assigning the name Jasper.{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 0740 UTC 05/12/2023 |date=5 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231205074743/https://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/data/raw/ax/axau21.abrf..txt |archive-date=5 December 2023 |accessdate=5 December 2023}} The cyclone started to track southward under the steering influence of a near equatorial ridge to the east.{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |title=Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin for Tropical Cyclone Jasper issued at 13:14 UTC on 5 December 2022 (Eastern Region) |date=18 December 2022 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205144959/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |archive-date=5 December 2023 |accessdate=5 December 2023}} During the next day, the cyclone core's center continued to organise, with deep convective bands starting to wrap around the center, prompting the JTWC to upgrade the system to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS).{{cite JTWC|date=6 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=5|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2023|access-date=6 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-06-0210-sh0324prog.txt Alt URL] Jasper rapidly intensified into a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, fuelled by warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear.{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 0728 UTC 06/12/2023 |date=6 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231206072935/https://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/data/raw/ax/axau21.abrf..txt |archive-date=6 December 2023 |accessdate=6 December 2023}} Convective banding blossomed around the storm, and a formative eye appeared on satellite imagery.{{cite JTWC|date=7 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=11|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 December 2023|access-date=7 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-07-1440-sh0324prog.txt Alt URL] Late on the next day, the BoM reported that Jasper had peaked in intensity around 06:00 UTC as a high-end Category 5 severe tropical cyclone,{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 1911 UTC 07/12/2023 |date=7 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231207235452/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/ABRF/Alphanumeric/Analysis/Miscellaneous/20231207/191100/A_AXAU21ABRF071911_C_RJTD_20231207191318_84.txt |archive-date=7 December 2023 |accessdate=7 December 2023}} with estimated maximum 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|115|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5}}, and a central barometric pressure of {{convert|926|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4|comma=off}}. Around the time, the JTWC stated that Jasper peaked with one-minute sustained winds of {{convert|120|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5}}—equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.{{cite JTWC|date=8 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=13|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 December 2023|access-date=8 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-08-0220-sh0324prog.txt Alt URL]{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 0706 UTC 08/12/2023 |date=8 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231208085310/https://www.wis-jma.go.jp/d/o/ABRF/Alphanumeric/Analysis/Miscellaneous/20231208/070600/A_AXAU21ABRF080706_C_RJTD_20231208070818_79.txt |archive-date=8 December 2023 |accessdate=8 December 2023}} Operationally, the BoM classified Jasper as a high-end Category 4 severe tropical cyclone with winds of {{convert|105|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5}}, but during post-cyclone reanalysis concluded a peak wind speed of {{convert|115|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5}} based on Synthetic-aperture radar measurements.{{BoM TC Database}}{{Cite web |date=17 May 2024 |title=Australia's 2023–24 northern wet season |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/season/tropics/archive/202404.summary.shtml |access-date=15 June 2024 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology}}

Shortly thereafter, Jasper began weakening, with its eye becoming cloud-filled and the deep convection eroding due to dry air entrainment.{{cite JTWC|date=8 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=14|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 December 2023|access-date=8 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-08-0900-sh0324prog.txtt Alt URL] Jasper managed to maintain its intensity while battling unfavorable conditions, but soon significantly weakened due to strong ({{convert|20|-|25|km/h|abbr=on|mph|}} vertical wind shear.{{cite JTWC|date=9 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=18|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0324prog.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 December 2023|access-date=9 December 2023}} Early on 9 December, increasing wind shear severely disrupted the convection,{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 0132 UTC 10/12/2023 |date=10 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231210014002/https://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/data/raw/ax/axau21.abrf..txt|archive-date=10 December 2023 |accessdate=10 December 2023}} with deep convection persisting along the southern periphery and weakening the cyclone back to tropical storm status.{{cite JTWC|date=9 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=20|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209233343/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0324prog.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 December 2023|access-date=9 December 2023}}{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 0734 UTC 10/12/2023 |date=10 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210090240/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=10 December 2023 |accessdate=10 December 2023}} The system's low-level circulation center became totally exposed,{{cite JTWC|date=11 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=25|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211025351/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0324prog.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023}} with strong wind shear eroding the entire system.{{cite JTWC|date=10 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=24|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-10-2040-sh0324prog.txt Alt URL]

Jasper turned westward on the morning of 11 December and accelerated toward the Queensland coast as deep convection re-developed near the center.{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 1923 UTC 11/12/2023 |date=11 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211233935/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt|archive-date=11 December 2023 |accessdate=11 December 2023}}{{cite JTWC|date=11 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=28|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-11-2120-sh0324prog.txt Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615143925/https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-11-2120-sh0324prog.txt |date=15 June 2024 }} Despite that, Jasper retained a poorly defined convective structure to its southwest which was wrapped into the convective banding.{{cite JTWC|date=12 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=31|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2023|access-date=12 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-12-1420-sh0324prog.txt Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615143902/https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-12-1420-sh0324prog.txt |date=15 June 2024 }} An eye-like feature developed in the center of the storm on 13 December, indicative of an intensifying storm.{{cite JTWC|date=13 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=33|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2023|access-date=13 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-13-0430-sh0324prog.txt Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615143904/https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-13-0430-sh0324prog.txt |date=15 June 2024 }} The storm maintained a banding eye, surrounded by a symmetric ring of cold, {{convert|-55–65|C|F|abbr=on|order=flip}} cloud tops around the eyewall.{{cite JTWC|date=13 December 2023|type=prog|category=TC|designation=03P|no=34|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2023|access-date=13 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-13-0940-sh0324prog.txt Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615143905/https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2023-12-13-0940-sh0324prog.txt |date=15 June 2024 }} Jasper further strengthened before making landfall off the eastern coast of the Cape York Peninsula near Wujal Wujal at 12:00 UTC with sustained winds of {{convert|50|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on|order=out|round=5}}.{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20018.txt |title=Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 1214 UTC 13/11/2023 |date=13 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231213141302/https://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/data/raw/ax/axau21.abrf..txt |archive-date=13 December 2023 |accessdate=13 December 2023}} The JTWC discontinued warnings on the system later that day.{{cite JTWC|date=13 December 2023|type=warn|category=TC|designation=03P|no=35|name=Jasper|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213000000/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0123web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2023|access-date=13 December 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2023-12-13-1440-sh0324web.txt Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615143928/https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2023-12-13-1440-sh0324web.txt |date=15 June 2024 }} By 14:00 UTC that day, the BoM reported that Jasper had weakened to a tropical low.{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html |title=Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 38 issued at 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday 13 December 2023 |date=13 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231213142104/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html |archive-date=13 December 2023 |accessdate=13 December 2023}} However, Jasper remained traceable, and the BoM would give the tropical low a moderate chance of redeveloping into a tropical cyclone on 15 December.{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone|title=Tropical Cyclone 7 Day Forecast issued at 08:38 am UTC 15 December 2023 |date=15 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231215151705/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/|archive-date=15 December 2023 |accessdate=15 December 2023}} However, they would soon downgrade its chances of re-developing into a very low as the storm turned southeast further inland, causing the tropical low to rapidly weaken, and on 18 December, Jasper was last noted over the Cape York Peninsula.{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone|title=Tropical Cyclone 7 Day Forecast issued at 08:35 am UTC 18 December 2023 |date=18 December 2023 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231218123847/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/ |archive-date=18 December 2023 |accessdate=19 December 2023}}

Preparations

During 6 December, warnings were issued by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service for parts of Rennell and Bellona Province in the Solomon Islands, after it became apparent that Jasper was moving towards the southernmost islands of New Georgia.{{cite report |url=https://met.gov.sb/tropical-cyclone-warning/ |title=Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 2 December 6, 2023 01:30 AM |date=2 April 2020 |publisher=Solomon Islands Meteorological Service |access-date=16 April 2020 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205165854/https://met.gov.sb/tropical-cyclone-warning/ |url-status=bot: unknown }} They warned that the system was expected to produce gale-force winds, rough seas, moderate to heavy swells of {{convert|2.5-4.5|m|ft}} and coastal flooding over the islands. Ships across the country were to be suspended.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=7 December 2023 |title=Ships cancel trips due to bad weather |url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/ships-cancel-trips-due-to-bad-weather/ |access-date=15 December 2023 |website=Solomon Star News |language=en-US |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213222748/https://www.solomonstarnews.com/ships-cancel-trips-due-to-bad-weather/ |url-status=live }} Operations at Solomon Airlines were suspended throughout 5 December.{{Cite web |date=8 December 2023 |title=Tropical cyclone Jasper impacts Solomon Islands as it slowly moves away |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/504209/tropical-cyclone-jasper-impacts-solomon-islands-as-it-slowly-moves-away |access-date=15 December 2023 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208054701/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/504209/tropical-cyclone-jasper-impacts-solomon-islands-as-it-slowly-moves-away |url-status=live }} In anticipation of the possibility of Jasper making landfall on the Queensland coast at tropical cyclone intensity, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a number of official warnings to the public in advance of the system's arrival. Upon weakening to Category 1 strength at 12:00 UTC on 11 December, several storm warnings and a cyclone watch were issued for coastal and inland areas between Cooktown and Townsville.{{cite report |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html|title=Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 4 issued at 10:46 am EST on Monday 11 December 2023 |date=11 December 2023|publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211013805/http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html|archive-date=11 December 2023|access-date=11 December 2023}}

In preparation for Jasper, the Queensland police sent several people to help local councils.{{Cite news |last=Touma |first=Rafqa |date=11 December 2023 |title='Stay safe': Bureau of Meteorology staff evacuated and businesses close as Queensland braces for cyclone |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/11/stay-safe-bureau-of-meteorology-staff-evacuated-and-businesses-close-as-queensland-braces-for-cyclone-jasper |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211215257/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/11/stay-safe-bureau-of-meteorology-staff-evacuated-and-businesses-close-as-queensland-braces-for-cyclone-jasper |archive-date= 11 December 2023 |access-date=12 December 2023}} In the city of Cairns, all flights for 13 December were postponed.{{Cite news |date=12 December 2023 |title=Tropical Cyclone Jasper moves towards Australia |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2023/12/weather-tropical-cyclone-jasper-moves-towards-australia.html |agency=Reuters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213020646/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2023/12/weather-tropical-cyclone-jasper-moves-towards-australia.html |archive-date= 13 December 2023 |access-date=12 December 2023}} Evacuation centers were also set up in Cairns, Port Douglas, and Cooktown in preparation for the storm.{{Cite news |date=12 December 2023 |title=Far North Queensland makes final preparations for Tropical Cyclone Jasper as Cairns authorities tell residents to prepare to leave |work=Seven News |url=https://7news.com.au/news/far-north-queensland-makes-final-preparations-for-tropical-cyclone-jasper-as-cairns-authorities-tell-residents-to-prepare-to-leave-c-12872416 |url-status=live |access-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213134403/https://7news.com.au/news/far-north-queensland-makes-final-preparations-for-tropical-cyclone-jasper-as-cairns-authorities-tell-residents-to-prepare-to-leave-c-12872416 |archive-date=13 December 2023}} Services Australia temporarily closed some of its Medicare and Centrelink offices in Far North Queensland.{{Cite news |date=12 December 2023 |title=Services Australia responds to impacts of Cyclone Jasper |work=Ministers in the Department of Social Services |url=https://ministers.dss.gov.au/media-releases/13516 |access-date=13 December 2023 |archive-date=3 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103082750/https://ministers.dss.gov.au/media-releases/13516 |url-status=live }} Meteorology staff on Willis Island, about {{convert|450|km|round=5}} from the coast were evacuated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) before the cyclone passed through the area on 11 December.{{Cite web |title=Willis Island's BOM weather station evacuated as Cyclone Jasper approaches Queensland - ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-11/cyclone-jasper-willis-island-bom-emergency-evacuation/103213430 |access-date=15 December 2023 |website=amp.abc.net.au |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214161747/https://amp.abc.net.au/article/103213430 |url-status=live }} Tourists towns prepared for flooding as they were in the firing line of the cyclone, while homeless people were offered shelter through local charities before Jasper arrived. Additionally, the mayor of Douglas Shire, Michael Kerr, urged tourists in the region to have a plan to bunker down during the cyclone.{{Cite news |date=12 December 2023 |title=Far North Queensland 'like a movie scene' ahead of Cyclone Jasper's arrival |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-12/cyclone-jasper-cairns-prepares-storms-weather/103217180 |access-date=14 December 2023 |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214135822/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-12/cyclone-jasper-cairns-prepares-storms-weather/103217180 |url-status=live }}

Impact

File:Barronriver18.jpg on 18 December]]

In Far North Queensland, Jasper caused thousands of properties to lose power.{{Cite news |last=McGuiness |first=Anna |date=13 December 2023 |title=Far North Queensland braces for Tropical Cyclone Jasper landfall |work=The Canberra Times |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8458145/far-north-queensland-braces-for-tropical-cyclone-jasper-landfall/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213021813/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8458145/far-north-queensland-braces-for-tropical-cyclone-jasper-landfall/ |archive-date=13 December 2023}} Authorities rescued twelve people and a dog in Mossman who were stranded due to flooding.{{Cite news |date=13 December 2023 |title=Ex-Cyclone Jasper saw 12 people and dog rescued in north Queensland amid metre-deep floodwaters |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/australia-news-live-eight-rescued-in-queensland-in-wake-of-ex-cyclone-jasper-snowy-hydro-tunnelling-at-tantangara-restarts/ar-AA1lsonp |access-date=13 December 2023 |archive-date=3 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103082757/https://www.msn.com/en-gb |url-status=live }} Officials sent authorities to monitor areas affected by Jasper after looters raided homes and businesses.{{Cite web |date=14 December 2023 |title=Police increase patrols in cyclone-affected areas after thefts and vandalism |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/trinity-beach-vandals-queensland-police-patrol-after-cyclone-thefts/dcaeae17-1b57-4441-8f7b-376dbc17a93a |access-date=14 December 2023 |website=www.9news.com.au |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214085453/https://www.9news.com.au/national/trinity-beach-vandals-queensland-police-patrol-after-cyclone-thefts/dcaeae17-1b57-4441-8f7b-376dbc17a93a |url-status=live }} The Queensland State Emergency Service (QSES) received 846 calls for help within Far North Queensland due to Jasper.{{Cite news |date=13 December 2023 |title=Residents begin to assess damage from ex-Cyclone Jasper as heavy rain and flood threat persist — as it happened |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-14/tropical-cyclone-jasper-tropical-low-clean-updates/103226492 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215221008/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-14/tropical-cyclone-jasper-tropical-low-clean-updates/103226492 |url-status=live }} Numerous roads remained closed after the storm passed, including the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas.{{Cite news |agency=Australian Associated Press |date=15 December 2023 |title=Ex-Cyclone Jasper: Residents in far north Queensland brace for more rain as flooding cuts off towns |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/16/ex-cyclone-jasper-residents-in-far-north-queensland-brace-for-more-rain-as-flooding-cuts-off-towns |access-date=16 December 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216011122/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/16/ex-cyclone-jasper-residents-in-far-north-queensland-brace-for-more-rain-as-flooding-cuts-off-towns |url-status=live }} Jasper produced torrential rain throughout Northern Queensland, with five-day totals of {{convert|2166|mm|in|abbr=on}} reported at Black Mountain and {{convert|2025|mm|in|abbr=on}} at Myola, both near the town of Kuranda, making Jasper the wettest tropical cyclone in Australia.{{Cite web |date=20 December 2023 |title=Tropical Climate Update |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/tropical-note/ |access-date=18 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220020527/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/tropical-note/ |archive-date=20 December 2023 }}Bureau of Meteorology. [https://web.archive.org/web/20231218033224/https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/two-qld-locations-register-australias-3rd-and-4th-wettest-day-on-record-provisional-data-shows/1685632 Two Qld locations register Australia's 3rd and 4th wettest day on record, provisional data shows.] Retrieved on 18 December 2023. 24-hour totals include the Daintree catchment recording {{convert|624|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain, while the town of Diwan recorded exactly {{convert|500|mm|in|abbr=on}}.{{Cite news |date=14 December 2023 |title=Tropical Cyclone Jasper: flying mangoes and an almighty downpour but north Queensland residents remain unfazed |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/14/tropical-cyclone-jasper-qld-update-roof-rescue-mossman-flood-warnings-daintree-flooding-far-north-queensland |url-status=live |access-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214030514/https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/14/tropical-cyclone-jasper-qld-update-roof-rescue-mossman-flood-warnings-daintree-flooding-far-north-queensland |archive-date=14 December 2023}}

Cyclone Jasper also brought brief heavy rainfall accumulations in the Bloomfield River, averaging from {{convert|625-796|mm|in|abbr=on}} with rainfall pushing {{convert|803|mm|in|abbr=on}} in Wujal Wujal and Daintree Village.{{Cite news |last= |date=14 December 2023 |title=Far North weather: Cyclone Jasper BOM update and emergency advice for Cairns, Port Douglas |work=The Cairns Post |url=https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news%2Fcairns%2Fthe-latest-bom-update-on-cyclone-jasper%2Fnews-story%2F5ded0447f30480a7e91b7890f48770a4 |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213221904/https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/the-latest-bom-update-on-cyclone-jasper/news-story/5ded0447f30480a7e91b7890f48770a4 |url-status=live }} The Barron River surpassed the March 1977 record of {{convert|3.8|metres}}, making the event the worst flooding event since records began in 1915.{{cite news |last1=Jacques |first1=Owen |last2=Whiteman |first2=Hilary |last3=Staff |date=17 December 2023 |title=Cairns cut off with 'worst flood on record' as mayors call for help from Australian Defence Force |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/qld-flooding-fnq-cyclone-jasper-sunday/103238806 |access-date=25 December 2023 |archive-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216232137/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/qld-flooding-fnq-cyclone-jasper-sunday/103238806 |url-status=live }} (updated 18 December 2023) The water spilling over Copperlode Dam reached 2.69 metres (8.8 ft) at peak, the second highest on record.https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/556393/Copperlode-Falls-Dam-Emergency-Action-Plan-2024.pdf This caused its catchment creek, Freshwater Creek, to break its banks, threatening the suburbs of Redlynch, Brinsmead and lower Freshwater.{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Cairns Regional |date=17 December 2023 |title=Prepare to leave - Redlynch, Brinsmead, Lower Freshwater and Kamerunga |url=https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/news-notices/media-releases/media-releases/prepare-to-leave-redlynch,-brinsmead,-lower-freshwater-and-kamerunga |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=Cairns Regional Council |language=en-AU |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217104141/https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/news-notices/media-releases/media-releases/prepare-to-leave-redlynch,-brinsmead,-lower-freshwater-and-kamerunga |url-status=live }} The flooding was historic, breaking all records according to the BoM.{{Cite news |date=16 December 2023 |title=Live: BOM forecasts rainfall until Tuesday as Far North Queensland flood risk remains high |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/far-north-queensland-flooding-tropical-cyclone-jasper/103238820 |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217043313/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/far-north-queensland-flooding-tropical-cyclone-jasper/103238820 |url-status=live }} The BoM announced that 21 stations had received over {{convert|1000|mm|in|abbr=on}} since Jasper made landfall.{{cite news |title=Emergency flood alerts issued for parts of Far North Queensland in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/far-north-queensland-flooding-tropical-cyclone-jasper/103238820 |newspaper=ABC News |date=16 December 2023 |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217043313/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-17/far-north-queensland-flooding-tropical-cyclone-jasper/103238820 |url-status=bot: unknown }} A man was found dead in a flooded home in Far North Queensland due to flooding caused by the cyclone.{{Cite news |last1=Jeffries |first1=Sian |last2=McCarthy |first2=Isaac |last3=Roberts |first3=Jami |last4=Achenza |first4=Madeleine |date=18 December 2023 |title=Person confirmed dead after flood disaster |work=The Cairns Post |url=https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news%2Fcairns%2Fweather%2Fcairns-down-to-30-hours-of-water-supply-tinaroo-dam-to-spill%2Fnews-story%2F0a25a5096a1219ae031f02fd6c0ea145 |access-date=3 January 2024 |archive-date=15 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215080430/https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news%2Fcairns%2Fweather%2Fcairns-down-to-30-hours-of-water-supply-tinaroo-dam-to-spill%2Fnews-story%2F0a25a5096a1219ae031f02fd6c0ea145 |url-status=live }} An 85-year-old male went missing due to the flooding in the town of Degarra.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Search and rescue for missing man, Degarra |url=https://www.miragenews.com/search-and-rescue-for-missing-man-degarra-1146914/ |access-date=19 December 2023 |website=Mirage News |language=en-AU |archive-date=3 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103073650/https://www.miragenews.com/search-and-rescue-for-missing-man-degarra-1146914/ |url-status=live }} Later damage assessments stated that 18 homes were destroyed, with another 168 severely damaged by the storm.{{Cite web |title=Flooding response update: 18 homes destroyed according to latest damage assessment |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/cairns/flooding-response-update-18-homes-destroyed-according-to-latest-damage-assessment/news-story/c0dd5918e06679a2e52347bc01c3d97c?amp&nk=48ad55ad015b4b8cc79567440ab11a96-1704297397 |website=The Cairns Post}}

Aftermath

The QSES responded to over 1,000 calls for help by people within the Cairns region.{{Cite news |last1=Newton |first1=Matthew |last2=McCarthy |first2=Isaac |date=18 December 2023 |title=Far North Qld floods: Raw sewage leaking onto Cairns' streets as water supply restarted, Airport ready for flight |work=The Cairns Post |url=https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/watch-and-act-major-flooding-at-barron-river-at-cairns/news-story/8db012ec7d9f5a5943b790a6a73958b4 |access-date=18 December 2023 |archive-date=3 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103073615/https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/watch-and-act-major-flooding-at-barron-river-at-cairns/news-story/8db012ec7d9f5a5943b790a6a73958b4 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Cassidy |first1=Caitlin |last2=Wind |first2=Emily |last3=Wind (earlier) |first3=Emily |date=18 December 2023 |title=December rainfall records smashed – as it happened |language=en-GB |work=the Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/dec/18/australia-news-live-queensland-floods-rain-weather-updates-labor-poll-lead-red-sea-warship-request |access-date=18 December 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217210658/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/dec/18/australia-news-live-queensland-floods-rain-weather-updates-labor-poll-lead-red-sea-warship-request |url-status=live }} Queensland Fire and Emergency Services swift water rescue crews and QSES were also tasked with numerous requests for evacuations, within the coastal suburbs. Many locals used personal watercraft to extract people who were trapped on their rooves within the coastal suburbs. Cairns Airport also halted all operations, due to the low visibility and the extreme flooding occurring on the landing strip of the airport.{{Cite news |last1=McLeod |first1=Catie |last2=Wind |first2=Emily |date=17 December 2023 |title=Cairns airport closed as Queensland premier declares 'serious weather emergency' amid record flood fears |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/17/cairns-airport-closed-as-queensland-premier-declares-serious-weather-emergency-amid-record-flood-fears |access-date=17 December 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217070336/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/17/cairns-airport-closed-as-queensland-premier-declares-serious-weather-emergency-amid-record-flood-fears |url-status=live }}

Insurance Council of Australia estimated that Jasper was responsible for AU$1 billion (US$670 million). The Albanese government provided funding to residents who had been directly impacted by the event. A total of more than AU$15 million (US$10 million) was distributed to residents.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Australian Govt Pays $15M Disaster Aid for Cyclone Jasper Victims |url=https://www.miragenews.com/australian-govt-pays-15m-disaster-aid-for-1150304/ |access-date=3 January 2024 |website=Mirage News |language=en-AU |archive-date=3 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103073701/https://www.miragenews.com/australian-govt-pays-15m-disaster-aid-for-1150304/ |url-status=live }} The National Australia Bank announced that AU$1 million (US$670,000) would be relief measures for customers that had been affected by the storm.{{Cite web |title=Banks offer support after Cyclone Jasper |url=https://www.mpamag.com/au/news/general/banks-offer-support-after-cyclone-jasper/470778 |access-date=3 January 2024 |website=www.mpamag.com |language=en |archive-date=3 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103082746/https://www.mpamag.com/au/news/general/banks-offer-support-after-cyclone-jasper/470778 |url-status=live }} In January 2024, the Federal and Queensland governments jointly contributed AU$5 million (US$3.35 million) as a tourism recovery plan aimed at attracting travellers back to Far North Queensland.{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Andrew |title=Tourism support package announced for Far North Queensland in wake of Cyclone Jasper |url=https://psnews.com.au/tourism-support-package-announced-for-far-north-queensland-in-wake-of-cyclone-jasper/125155/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=PS News |language=en |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615144037/https://psnews.com.au/tourism-support-package-announced-for-far-north-queensland-in-wake-of-cyclone-jasper/125155/ |url-status=live }}