Cyclone Seth

{{Storm path|Seth 2021 track.png}}

On 21 December, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) began to monitor the northern Arafura Sea and Timor Sea for possible development of a tropical low.{{Cite web |title=Tropical Cyclone Outlook {{!}} Ghostarchive |url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/gD34F |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=ghostarchive.org}} Two days later, the tropical low formed within a monsoon trough of low pressure over the eastern Timor Sea, with the BoM designating it as Tropical Low 08U. The agency initially gave 08U a moderate chance of development into a tropical cyclone in the next 3 days.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Outlook for the Northern Region, including the Gulf of Carpentaria issued at 2:16 pm CST on Thursday 23 December 2021|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/tcoutlook.shtml|date=23 December 2021|accessdate=28 January 2023|publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205210952/http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/tcoutlook.shtml|url-status=bot: unknown}} At 00:30 UTC on 24 December, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) started to monitor the low, giving the unofficial designation Invest 97S and a low chance of development within the next 24 hours. At that time, broad and flaring convection was surrounding the low's partially exposed low-level circulation center, and was within a favorable environment of {{convert|30-31|C}} sea surface temperatures, low to moderate vertical wind shear, and strong poleward and equatorial outflow aloft.{{Cite JTWC|date=24 December 2021|time=0030Z|type=abio|reissued=1|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abioweb.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190611011407/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abioweb.txt|url-status=live|archive-date=2019-06-11|access-date=24 January 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2021-12-24-0030-abioweb.txt Alt URL] The BoM then increased 08U's chances of development into high at 04:30 UTC.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Outlook for the Northern Region, including the Gulf of Carpentaria issued at 2:15 pm CST on Friday 24 December 2021|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/tcoutlook.shtml|date=24 December 2021|accessdate=28 January 2023|publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology|archive-date=24 December 2021|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211224051210/http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/tcoutlook.shtml|url-status=live}} The JTWC followed suit, and upgraded the low's chances of development into medium at 14:30 UTC,{{Cite JTWC|date=24 December 2021|time=1430Z|type=abio|reissued=2|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abioweb.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190611011407/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abioweb.txt|url-status=live|archive-date=2019-06-11|access-date=28 January 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2021-12-24-1440-abioweb.txt Alt URL] before subsequently increasing it into high with the issuance of a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) at 21:00 UTC that same day, noting the low's consolidating center and deep convection to its southern quadrant.{{Cite JTWC|date=24 December 2021|type=tcfa|designation=97S|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9721web.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210103065357/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9721web.txt|url-status=live|archive-date=2021-01-03|access-date=28 January 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2021-12-24-2120-sh9722web.txt Alt URL] However, by 18:30 UTC the next day, the JTWC cancelled the TCFA as 08U moved over the western Top End region of Australia.{{Cite JTWC|date=25 December 2021|type=tcfa|cancelled=1|designation=97S|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9721web.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210103065357/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9721web.txt|url-status=live|archive-date=2021-01-03|access-date=28 January 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2021-12-25-1840-sh9722web.txt Alt URL] The BoM then decreased the low's chances of development into medium by 26 December.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Outlook for the Northern Region, including the Gulf of Carpentaria issued at 2:15 pm CST on Sunday 26 December 2021|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/tcoutlook.shtml|date=26 December 2021|accessdate=28 January 2023|publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205210952/http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/tcoutlook.shtml|url-status=bot: unknown}} As it moved east-southeast, it emerged into the Gulf of Carpentaria by the next day, while becoming elongated. The JTWC then upgraded 08U's chances of development into medium as it moved over the Gulf.{{Cite JTWC|date=27 December 2021|time=0800Z|type=abio|reissued=1|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abioweb.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190611011407/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/abioweb.txt|url-status=live|archive-date=2019-06-11|access-date=28 January 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2021-12-27-0740-abioweb.txt Alt URL] The system later moved inland over the Cape York Peninsula, before entering the Coral Sea on 30 December.

Upon entering the Coral Sea, the JTWC re-issued its TCFA at 02:30 UTC, as 08U was consolidating under an environment of warm sea surface temperatures, lowering wind shear, and a developing anticyclone providing improved equatorial and poleward outflow.{{Cite JTWC|date=30 December 2021|type=tcfa|designation=97S|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9721web.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210103065357/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9721web.txt|url-status=live|archive-date=2021-01-03|access-date=30 January 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2021-12-30-0230-sh9722web.txt Alt URL] The system was also positioned near a monsoonal flow to its north that was producing near gale-force winds, and strong southeasterlies between its broad circulation and land, which aided its development. Gale-force winds were briefly reported at Holmes Reef later that same day, however, deep convection was not organized enough for the BoM to upgrade 08U into a tropical cyclone. By 00:00 UTC the next day, the tropical low intensified into a category 1 tropical cyclone in the Australian scale, with the BoM naming it as Seth. The JTWC later canceled its TCFA again, and classified Seth as a subtropical cyclone, due to the storm possessing both tropical and mid-latitude cyclone characteristics.{{Cite JTWC|date=31 December 2021|type=tcfa|cancelled=1|designation=97S|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9721web.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210103065357/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh9721web.txt|url-status=live|archive-date=2021-01-03|access-date=30 January 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2021-12-31-0250-sh9722web.txt Alt URL] Seth then intensified into a Category 2 tropical cyclone six hours later. The JTWC started issuing advisories on the storm at 15:00 UTC that same day, noting that the storm transitioned into a well-defined tropical cyclone, with deep convection surrounding its center.{{Cite JTWC|date=31 December 2021|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04P|name=Seth|no=1|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0421prog.txt|access-date=16 February 2023}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2021-12-31-1400-sh0422prog.txt Alt URL] Around the same time, the BoM reported that Seth reached peak intensity, with maximum 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|55|knots}}. The storm would later weaken into a Category 1 tropical cyclone, as it became elongated due to a dry air intrusion and strong northwesterly wind shear.{{Cite JTWC|date=1 January 2022|type=prog|category=TC|designation=04P|name=Seth|no=3|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0421prog.txt|access-date=16 February 2023}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/prog/2022-01-01-0320-sh0422prog.txt Alt URL]

As Seth moved south under a mid-latitude upper low, it became strongly influenced by the low and started to exhibit subtropical characteristics, prompting the BoM to reclsssify the storm as ex-tropical cyclone at 06:00 UTC on 1 January. The JTWC followed suit, reclassifying the storm as a subtropical cyclone.{{Cite JTWC|date=1 January 2022|type=warn|category=TC|designation=04P|name=Seth|no=4|url=https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0421web.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211064137/https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/sh0421web.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-12-11|access-date=16 February 2023}} [https://wiki.chlod.net/jtwc/text/2022-01-01-0800-sh0422web.txt Alt URL] By the next day, the BoM reclassified Seth as a subtropical low, as convection was still confined to the south of its broad center. As the steering influence became weak, the low moved slowly northwest for the next few days, before turning west on 6 January and crossing over the Queensland coast by the next day and dissipating overland.

As Seth's precursor low was forming in the Timor Sea, cyclone warnings were issued in parts of the Northern Territory, including the city of Darwin.{{Cite news|date=24 December 2021|last1=Perera|first1=Alicia|last2=Dick|first2=Samantha|title=Boxing Day cyclone set to approach Dundee Beach south of Darwin on Sunday|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-25/nt-top-end-prepares-for-possible-boxing-day-cyclone/100725152|access-date=17 February 2023|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} It brought heavy rain on the region and later on northern Queensland. The city recorded a minimum temperature of {{convert|27.3|C}} on 25 December, making it the "coolest Christmas Day on record".{{Cite news|date=26 December 2021|last1=Dick|first1=Samantha|title=Cyclone warning cancelled, but heavy rainfall, flooding and fierce winds expected in Darwin|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-26/nt-darwin-coolest-christmas-rainfall-top-end/100726062|access-date=16 February 2023|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} The highest recorded rainfall in the Northern Territory was reported at Thorak Cemetery on 29 December, with {{convert|242|mm|in}} of rain recorded over the day, as well as Kowanyama in northern Queensland with {{convert|235.2|mm|in}} of rain being recorded at the same day.

File:Seth 2022-01-06 2350Z.jpg

The remnants of Seth caused major damage in Southern Australia, resulting in 5 fatalities. Many beaches were closed in preparation for Seth.{{Cite web |title=Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth Drives Damaging Surf Conditions |url=https://www.triplem.com.au/story/ex-tropical-cyclone-seth-drives-damaging-surf-conditions-192212 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Triple M |language=en}} Low-level flood warnings were issued due to Seth.{{Cite web |last=Read |first=Cloe |date=2022-01-02 |title=Ex-tropical Cyclone Seth to bring damaging winds and hazardous surf |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/ex-tropical-cyclone-seth-to-bring-damaging-winds-and-hazardous-surf-20220103-p59lfe.html |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Brisbane Times |language=en}} A 47-year-old woman drowned off the coast of New South Wales. Tens of hundreds of rescues were necessary according to lifeguards. Erosion was reported along the coast of New South Wales. Two emergency calls near Arrawarra. Hazardous conditions were reported as south as Sydney and Illawarra. One man died after being blown off of a rock by strong winds and drowning on Windang Island.{{Cite news |date=2022-01-03 |title=Woman in NSW drowns amid hazardous surf from ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-03/ex-tropical-cyclone-seth-hazardous-surf-conditions/100735770 |access-date=2022-11-25}} Eight children were rescued after a massive swell turned a calm estuary into deep, fast-moving waters.{{Cite news|date=3 January 2022|last1=Ruddick|first1=Baz|last2=Utting|first2=Alexandra|last3=Bernard|first3=Kimberley|last4=Brewster|first4=Alex|title=Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth brings more damaging surf and wild weather to south-east Queensland and northern NSW|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-03/qld-wild-weather-set-to-continue-from-ex-tc-seth-monday/100735544|access-date=17 February 2023|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} Another man died after being pulled unconscious due to strong surf. A large swell exposed many unexposed beaches, and further erosion was reported. Many roads and sidewalks suffered damage.{{Cite news |date=2022-01-04 |title=Man dies after being pulled from Gold Coast surf as ex-tropical cyclone Seth brings abnormally high tides, heatwave |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-05/qld-ex-tropical-cyclone-seth-wild-weather-seas/100724676 |access-date=2022-11-25}} Dangerous swell and high tides washed away hundreds of turtle nests before they were due to hatch.{{Cite news|date=25 January 2022|last=Marie|first=Johanna|title=Extent of devastation to turtle season becoming clearer in cyclone's wake|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-25/loggerhead-turtle-nests-destroyed-cyclone-seth/100777730|access-date=17 February 2023|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} Waves in Kirra, Queensland were very high.{{Cite web |last=Inertia |first=The |title=Cyclone Seth Hit Kirra With the Best Waves of 2022 Already |url=https://www.theinertia.com/surf/cyclone-seth-hit-kirra-with-the-best-waves-of-2022-already/ |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=The Inertia |language=en-US}}

As the remnants of the cyclone moved inland into southeast Queensland, heavy rainfall inundated areas of the Wide Bay-Burnett, Fraser Coast Region and Gympie Region. Emergency alerts were issued in Goomeri, Kilkivan and Woolooga due to significant flooding. A 22-year old man was found dead in his car which was submerged in floodwaters. Four people were rescued from the floods. A 14-year old girl was reported missing after being swept away by the flood. Her 53-year old father was rescued after being located to be clinging to a tree.{{Cite news|date=8 January 2022|title=Man dead, girl missing after flooding rain from ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth, falls of 650mm across south-east Queensland|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-08/queensland-flooding-rain-wide-bay-burnett-ex-cyclone-seth/100745466|access-date=17 February 2023|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}{{Cite news|date=9 January 2022|title=Maryborough CBD evacuated as 'catastrophic failure' of gates under levee threatens major flooding|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-09/qld-weather-flooding-fraser-coast-maryborough/100746184|access-date=17 February 2023|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} Widespread rainfall totals of {{Convert|150-230|mm|in}} were recorded across the Mary River as well as parts of the Burnett River. In the hills to the north-west of Gympie, {{Convert|400-674|mm|in}} was recorded by the BoM's rain gauges. In these areas, the 24-hour totals exceeded records set by Cyclone Oswald in January 2013. There were some anecdotal reports of falls exceeding {{Convert|800|mm|in}}. The highest official rainfall reported was in Marodian, with {{Convert|674|mm|in}}. Damage from Seth totaled over US$80 million.{{cite report|url=https://www.aon.com/getmedia/f34ec133-3175-406c-9e0b-25cea768c5cf/20230125-weather-climate-catastrophe-insight.pdf|title=2023 Weather, Climate and Catastrophe Insight|work=AON|date=25 January 2023|access-date=31 January 2024|format=pdf}}

{{Main article|List of retired Australian region cyclone names}}

Due to its impacts on New South Wales and Queensland, the name Seth was retired after the 2021–22 season. It was replaced with Stafford.{{Cite web |title=Tropical cyclone names |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/tropical-cyclone-knowledge-centre/understanding/tc-names/ |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=bom.gov.au}}

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Category:Category 2 Australian region cyclones

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Seth

Category:Tropical cyclones in the Northern Territory

Category:Tropical cyclones in Queensland

Category:2022 floods in Oceania

Category:2022 disasters in Australia