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1988–89 Australian region cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	8 November 1988
Last system dissipated	12 May 1989
Strongest storm
Name	Orson
• Maximum winds	250 km/h (155 mph) (10-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	904 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Tropical lows	14
Tropical cyclones	13
Severe tropical cyclones	6
Total fatalities	6 direct
Total damage	$93.9 million (1989 USD)
Related articles
1988–89 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season 1988–89 South Pacific cyclone season
Australian region tropical cyclone seasons 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91

The 1988–89 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly above average tropical cyclone season. It officially started on 1 November 1988, and officially ended on 30 April 1989. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a "tropical cyclone year" separately from a "tropical cyclone season"; the "tropical cyclone year" began on 1 July 1988 and ended on 30 June 1989.

Seasonal summary

Systems

Tropical Cyclone Barisaona

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	8 November – 11 November (Exited basin)
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min);

On 5 November, the JTWC started to monitor a tropical disturbance, that was located about 840 km (520 mi) to the southeast of Jakarta, Indonesia. Over the next 24 hours the disturbance remained near stationary before moving slowly towards the north-west over the next few days. The JTWC then initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 02S during 8 November, with 1-minute sustained windspeeds equivalent to a tropical storm on the SSHS. During that day while 02S continued to move towards the west, 02S intensified quickly to obtain 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 100 km/h (60 mph). The system continued to move westwards without intensifying any further until it moved into the South-West Indian Ocean during 11 November where it was named Barisaona, by the Mauritius Meteorological service. According to the Reunion Meteorological Service, Barisaona ultimately peaked on 16 November with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 140 km/h (85 mph), while the JTWC estimated that the cyclone peaked on 17 November with 1-minute windspeeds of 185 km/h (115 mph). The cyclone then dissipated around 23 November.

While Barisaona was in the Australian region TCWC Perth did not monitor it as a named storm. However, when the system was added to their database, it was estimated that while it was in the Australian region it had peaked as a Category 2 tropical cyclone with 10-minute windspeeds of 95 km/h (60 mph).

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilona

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	12 December – 19 December
Peak intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min); 960 hPa (mbar)

Ilona developed off the Western Australian coast on 12 December 1988 and made landfall northeast of Onslow, Western Australia on 17 December 1988. Ilona attained a minimum central pressure of 960 mb and maximum wind speed of 85 knots.

Tropical Cyclone Delilah

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	28 December – 1 January (Exited basin)
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min); 988 hPa (mbar)

The tropical low that was to develop into Tropical Cyclone Delilah, was first noted within the South Pacific convergence zone during 28 December to the northeast of Townsville in Queensland, Australia. Over the next few days the system moved eastwards and slowly intensified further before TCWC Brisbane named it Delilah, during 1 January after it had developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale. Later that day as the system started to move south-eastwards it crossed 160°E and moved out of the Australian region into the South Pacific basin.

Tropical Cyclone John

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	23 January – 2 February
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min); 990 hPa (mbar)

On 20 January, an area of convection near Sumatra within a monsoon flow became increasingly organised. By 23 January, a low-pressure area developed to the northwest of Christmas Island and the system was classified a tropical low. Initially moving southeast, the system later turned west-southwest on 24 January. Two days later, the system passed just 20 km (12 mi) north of the Cocos Islands, where wind gusts reached 70 km/h (43 mph) and pressures dropped to 999 mb (hPa; 29.50 inHg). After bypassing the islands, the low attained gale-force winds and was named Tropical Cyclone John. The cyclone reached its peak strength on 26 January with winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and a pressure of 990 mbar (hPa; 29.23 inHg). John's forward motion slowed by this time as it began recurving east and southeast. By 29 January, the accelerating storm struggled to maintain its structure and was left with an exposed circulation. Weakening below cyclone strength that day, John continued over the open waters of the southeast Indian Ocean before completely losing its identity on 2 February well to the west of Australia.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirrily

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	3 February – 11 February
Peak intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min); 955 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirrily existed from 3 to 11 February.

Tropical Cyclone Leon–Hanitra

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	13 February – 19 February (Exited basin)
Peak intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min); 988 hPa (mbar)

A weak tropical low formed between the Cocos and Christmas Islands on 13 February. Moving along a slow, generally westward track, the system steadily organised. After passing south of the Cocos Islands on 17 February, where it produced wind gusts up to 45 km/h (28 mph) it reached cyclone strength on 18 February. Steady strengthening ensued as the newly named Leon approached the western bounds of the Australian cyclone region. Before crossing 90°E on 19 February, it attained winds of 85 km/h (55 mph) and a pressure of 988 mb (hPa; 29.18 inHg). Responsibility of warnings was subsequently passed on to the Mauritius Meteorological Service, at which time it was given the name Hanitra. Cyclone Leon–Hanitra ultimately attained peak winds of 150 km/h (95 mph) and a pressure of 940 mb (hPa; 27.76 inHg) before turning south and becoming extratropical.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Harry

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	13 February (Entered basin) – 17 February (Exited basin)
Peak intensity	205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min); 925 hPa (mbar)

On 7 February, an eastward moving tropical depression developed about 800 km (500 mi) west of Vanuatu. After intensifying to a tropical cyclone the following day, Harry turned southward and further intensified to a severe tropical cyclone before striking New Caledonia on 11 February. After moving back over water, the cyclone turned towards the east-northeast and crossed 160°E, entering the Australian cyclone basin, on 13 February. Harry gradually strengthened over the following two days, ultimately attaining its peak intensity on 15 February with winds of 205 km/h (125 mph) and a minimum pressure of 925 mbar (hPa; 27.32 inHg). Around this time, the cyclone's eye had expanded to 85 km (50 mi) in diameter. Throughout the remainder of 15 February and into the following day, Harry became almost stationary before turning towards the southwest. By 17 February the storm weakened below severe tropical cyclone status before exiting the Australian Basin.

Tropical Low 16S

Tropical low (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	23 February – 25 February
Peak intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (1-min); 989 hPa (mbar)

On 23 February the BoM started to monitor a tropical low that had developed within the monsoon trough about 1,665 km (1,035 mi) to the north of Perth, Western Australia. Over the next day the system moved southwards before it was designated as Tropical Cyclone 16S by the JTWC, as it reached its peak intensity with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 85 km/h (55 mph). The system subsequently made landfall on Western Australia during 24 February, having nearly become a tropical cyclone on the Australian scale. The system was subsequently last noted over Western Australia during 25 February.

Tropical Cyclone Marcia

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	2 March – 5 March
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 995 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Marcia existed from March 2 to March 5.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ned

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	25 March – 1 April
Peak intensity	185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min); 941 hPa (mbar)

Occurring between 26 and 31 March 1989, Ned crossed the Western Australian coast near Rockingham on 1 April 1989.

Prior to Ned's landfall, emergency services across Perth, Western Australia were placed on stand-by. Across southwestern Western Australia, Ned brought gusty winds that caused scattered power outages. In the Perth metropolitan area, gusts peaked at 110 km/h (68 mph) and caused some roof damage. Winds in excess of 100 km/h (62 mph) also took place on Rottnest Island and in Fremantle. Possible gales were observed just south of the Perth metro area in Rockingham. High winds in Collie caused a starting pontoon along the Wellington Dam course in the Australian Rowing Championships to sink. This prompted referees at the event to cancel the remainder of the race. The entire King's Cup portion of the championships was abandoned, marking the first time since World War II that it was cancelled. Excluding times of war or depression, it was the first time in the 111 years of the King's Cup that it had been abandoned entirely. Following the storm, the name Ned was retired and will never be used again for an Australian cyclone.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Aivu

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	1 April – 5 April
Peak intensity	205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min); 935 hPa (mbar)

Aivu made landfall near Ayr, Queensland on 4 April 1989, causing serious damage and killing one person.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Orson

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 5 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	17 April – 24 April
Peak intensity	250 km/h (155 mph) (10-min); 904 hPa (mbar)

Forming out of a tropical low on 17 April, Orson gradually intensified as it tracked towards the west. After attaining Category 5 intensity on 20 April, the storm began to track southward and accelerated. The following day, the cyclone reached its peak intensity with winds of 250 km/h (155 mph) and a barometric pressure of 904 hPa (mbar). Orson maintained this intensity for nearly two days before making landfall near Dampier. The cyclone rapidly weakened after landfall as it accelerated to the southeast. After moving into the Great Australian Bight on 24 April, the storm dissipated.

Despite Orson's extreme intensity, damage was relatively minimal as it struck a sparsely populated region of Western Australia. Five people were killed offshore and damages amounted to A$20 million (US$16.8 million). The storm damaged a new gas platform that explored a possible oil field, believed to contain nearly 200 million barrels (32,000,000 m) of oil. The damage delayed the project for nearly two weeks. The most severe impacts took place in Pannawonica, where 70 homes were damaged. Following the storm, cleanup costs reached A$5 million (US$4.1 million). Due to the severity of the storm, the name Orson was retired after the season.

Tropical Cyclone Meena

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	5 May (Entered basin) – 10 May
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 990 hPa (mbar)

On 5 May Tropical Cyclone Meena moved into the Australian region, from the South Pacific region as a category 1 tropical cyclone. During the next day the system continued to move towards the southwest, before the BoM estimated during 6 May that the system had reached its peak intensity with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 85 km/h (55 mph). At around the same time the JTWC also estimated that the system had peaked as a tropical storm, with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 95 km/h (60 mph). Over the next couple of days the system weakened as it moved westwards, before it made landfall on the Cape York Peninsular during 9 May. The systems remnants subsequently emerged into the Gulf of Carpentaria, where they dissipated during the following day. There were no reports of any damage to the Cape York Peninsula though it was noted that Meena may have been responsible for some minor damage to the Peninsula.

Tropical Cyclone Ernie

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration	9 May (Entered basin) – 12 May
Peak intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min); 998 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Ernie existed from 9 to 12 May.

Season effects

See also

• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1988, 1989
• Pacific hurricane seasons: 1988, 1989
• Pacific typhoon seasons: 1988, 1989
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1988, 1989

References

1. "Tropical Cyclone Operational plan for the South Pacific & Southeast Indian Ocean 2008" (PDF). WMO. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
2. Unattributed (12 December 2002). "JTWC Tropical Cyclone 02S (Barisaona) Best Track Analysis". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
3. ^ "Australian Tropical Cyclone Database" (CSV). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023. A guide on how to read the database is available here.
4. Kumar, Pradeep (1989). DeAngellis, Richard M (ed.). Tropical Cyclone Delilah (Mariners Weather Log: Fall 1989). Vol. 33. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 42.
5. Drosdowsky, L; Woodcock, F. "The South Pacific and southeast Indian Ocean Cyclone Season 1988–89" (PDF). Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal (39). Australian Bureau of Meteorology: 113–129. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
6. Perth Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (2014). Tropical Cyclone John (PDF). Australian Bureau of Meteorology (Report). Government of Australia. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
7. Perth Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (2014). Tropical Cyclone Leon (PDF). Australian Bureau of Meteorology (Report). Government of Australia. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
8. Tropical Cyclone Harry
9. ^ Darwin Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (1989). "February 1989" (PDF). Darwin Tropical Diagnostic Statement. 8 (2). Australian Bureau of Meteorology: 2–6. ISSN 1321-4233. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
10. ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "Tropical Cyclone 16S best track analysis". United States Navy, United States Air Force. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
11. Joint Typhoon Warning Center; Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center. Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1989 (PDF) (Report). United States Navy, United States Air Force. pp. 194, 241–249. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
12. Fitzpatrick, K. (1 April 1989). "Rain, Floods to Stay". Courier-Mail.  – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
13. ^ Perth Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (2014). Tropical Cyclone Ned (PDF). Australian Bureau of Meteorology (Report). Government of Australia. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
14. Joe Courtney and Miriam Middelmann (2005). "Meteorological Hazards" (PDF). Natural hazard risk in Perth, Western Australia (Report). Geoscience Australia. p. 46. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
15. "Our rowers grab gold before cyclone halts titles". Sunday Mail. Australian Associated Press. 2 April 1989.  – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
16. "Sculler Hawkins caps off big day for Tasmania". Hobart Mercury. 3 April 1989.  – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
17. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Names Retired from the Australian Region" (PDF). Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean. RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific Ocean (Report) (24th ed.). World Meteorological Organization. 2008. p. 28. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
18. "Ayr, QLD: Cyclone (Incl Storm Surge)". www.ema.gov.au. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
19. Buchan, S.J.; Tron, S.M.; Lemm A.J. (4 September 2002). Measured Tropical Cyclone Seas (PDF). 7th International Workshop on Wave hindcasting and forecasting preprints. Banff, Alberta, Canada. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
20. ^ Hanstrum, B.; Foley, G (1992). Report on Tropical Cyclone Orson (PDF) (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
21. "Cyclone Delays News of 'Major Oil Find'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 April 1989. p. 23.
22. "Cyclone Orson's bill may top $20M". Courier-Mail. 25 April 1989. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
23. ^ Tropical Cyclone Meena (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014.
24. ^ Kishore, Satya; Fiji Meteorological Service (1989). DeAngellis, Richard M (ed.). Tropical Cyclone Meena (Mariners Weather Log: Fall 1989). Vol. 33. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 42.
25. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "Tropical Cyclone 27P (Meena) best track analysis". United States Navy, United States Air Force. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
26. Tropical Cyclone John (PDF) (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
27. Tropical Cyclone Leon (PDF) (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
28. Tropical Cyclone Marcia (PDF) (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
29. "1989 Tropical Cyclone Ernie (1989126S13178)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved 28 May 2022.

Notes

External links

v t e Tropical cyclones of the 1988–89 Australian region cyclone season
	2Barisaona 3Ilona 1Delilah 1John 3Kirrily 1Leon–Hanitra 4Harry TL16S 1Marcia 4Ned 5Aivu 5Orson 1Meena 1Ernie
Category

• 1988–89 Australian region cyclone season
• 1988–89 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
• Australian region cyclone seasons
• Tropical cyclones in 1988
• Tropical cyclones in 1989