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Severe Tropical Cyclone Carlos

Cyclone Carlos on 24 February
Meteorological history
Formed	14 February 2011
Dissipated	27 February 2011
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained (BOM)
Highest winds	120 km/h (75 mph)
Lowest pressure	969 hPa (mbar); 28.61 inHg
Category 1-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	120 km/h (75 mph)
Overall effects
Fatalities	None
Damage	$12.3 million (2011 USD)
Areas affected	Northern Territory, Western Australia
Part of the 2010–11 Australian region cyclone season

Severe Tropical Cyclone Carlos was a strong tropical cyclone that made landfall in Australia and resulted in $12.3 million USD in damages. Carlos was first spotted on 14 February near Batchelor and intensified to a Category 3 cyclone on 22 February. The storm affected Australia for most of its life.

Meteorological history

On 14 February, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) in Darwin reported that a tropical low formed near latitude 13.2S, longitude 130.7E, about 40 km (25 miles) west southwest of Batchelor. A severe weather warning was issued for northwest Darwin-Daly District and the Tiwi Islands. Heavy rain pounded the area on 15 February with reports of Marrara recording 179.4 mm (7.06 in) and Darwin International Airport 131.0 mm (5.16 in) of rain. This was later followed by 339.6 mm (13.37 in) of rain in just 24 hours, which is the highest 24-hour rainfall for the city on record.

On 16 February, the slow moving system strengthened into After looping around the Darwin area overnight and back over land the system weakened on 17 February and BOM downgraded it to a Tropical low. A record three-day total of 684.8 mm (26.96 in) rain was recorded at Darwin International Airport due to the lingering of the system.

The system moved slowly southwest on 18 February moving towards the Northern Territory/Western Australian border with a possibility of restrengthening. The community of Daly River received 442 mm (17.4 in) of rainfall. On 19 February the system passed into the Northern Kimberley region. Rainfall totals were not as large as in previous days. Wyndham recorded 90 mm (3.5 in) while Kalumburu recorded 80 mm (3.1 in) of rainfall.

In the early hours of 21 February the system returned to the open waters of the Indian Ocean, causing it to redevelop back into a cyclone. The system was located 75 km (47 mi) northwest of Broome. The cyclone continued to track southwest at a relatively fast pace and produced a squall line that generated four tornadoes in the mining town of Karratha. It also strengthened steadily to become a category 2 cyclone.

On 22 February the system moved parallel to the Pilbara coast. Varanus Island recorded 59 mm (2.3 in) of rainfall and the highest wind gust recorded in the area was 120 km/h (75 mph) at Bedout Island. The system became more organised and on 23 February the record rainfall amount of 283 mm (11.1 in) was recorded at Barrow Island. The strongest gusts of 139 km/h (86 mph) recorded at Varanus Island. The cyclone crossed the North West Cape and lashed Onslow and Exmouth with high winds up to 155 km/h (96 mph) and rain.

As Carlos moved away from the western coast of Australia on 24 February it strengthened into a Severe Tropical Cyclone. Carlos also caused a mini tornado to hit Ellenbrook, Perth, Western Australia on 28 February. The system dissipated on February 27.

Impact

Tropical Cyclone Carlos caused localized flooding and damage to homes, with fallen trees, resulting in schools in Darwin being closed, along with Darwin International Airport and East Arm Wharf. The tornadoes the system produced damaged 38 homes as well as numerous cars, buildings and a school. Overall, the system caused about $16 million AUS$ ($12.3 USD).

References

1. "TROPICAL CYCLONE WATCH — TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 1 (17U)". Tropical Cyclone Warning Center, Darwin. Archived from the original on 6 September 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
2. Adlam, Nigel (15 February 2011). "Cyclone warning for Darwin and coast". Northern Territory News. News Limited. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
3. "Cyclone Carlos bears down on Darwin". Weatherzone. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
4. "TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 15 (17U)". TCWC Darwin. Bureau of Meteorology. 17 February 2012. Archived from the original on 6 September 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
5. Dillon, Meagan (18 February 2011). "Wet season almost the wettest wet yet". Northern Territory News. News Limited. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
6. ^ Heimke, Nadja; Adlam, Nigel (19 February 2011). "Carlos on the move". Northern Territory News. News Limited. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
7. Hickey, Paul (20 February 2011). "Cyclone warning for Kimberley coast". Perth Now. News Limited. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
8. "TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 37 (17U)". TCWC Perth. Bureau of Meteorology. 21 February 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
9. Hickey, Paul (21 February 2011). "Flood, storm warnings as cyclone Carlos reforms". Perth Now. News Limited. Archived from the original on 23 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
10. "Karratha town centre hit by tornado". Pilbara Echo. 21 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
11. "TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 43 (17U)". TCWC Perth. Bureau of Meteorology. 21 February 2011. Archived from the original on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
12. ^ Hickey, Paul; AAP (22 February 2011). "Cyclone Carlos losing strength after brushing Karratha". Perth Now. News Limited. Archived from the original on 23 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
13. Rickard, Lucy (23 February 2011). "Cyclone Carlos takes aim at Ningaloo tourist destinations". WAToday. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 25 February 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
14. Hickey, Paul; AAP (23 February 2011). "Onslow, Exmouth blasted by 155 km/h Carlos onslaught". Perth Now. News Limited. Archived from the original on 24 February 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
15. "TROPICAL CYCLONE TECHNICAL BULLETIN 24/1815z (17U)". TCWC Perth. Bureau of Meteorology. 24 February 2011. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
16. Adlam, Nigel (16 February 2011). "Cyclone Carlos on top of Darwin". Northern Territory News. News Limited. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.

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Category

• Tropical cyclones in 2011
• 2010–11 Australian region cyclone season
• February 2011 events in Australia
• Tropical cyclones in Western Australia
• Category 3 Australian region cyclones
• Tropical cyclones in the Northern Territory
• 2000s in Western Australia
• 2000s in the Northern Territory
• Retired Australian region cyclones