Tropical Cyclone Monica (original) (raw)

16 – 27 April 2006

Summary

Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica made two significant landfalls, firstly as a category three system on the far north Queensland coast north of Cooktown on 19 April and then on the north coast of the Northern Territory near Maningrida at category 5 intensity on 24 April. Monica was the most intense tropical cyclone in the Australian region and the strongest to ever make landfall in Australia. Monica is also one of only three category 5 tropical cyclones to affect the Northern Territory coast, the others being Kathy (1984) and Ingrid (2005).

A tropical low was analysed in the far northern Coral Sea on 16 April. The low moved towards the southwest under the influence of a weakening ridge to the south. There it reached cyclone intensity on 17 April and began a more westward track toward Cape York Peninsula. The system intensified to hurricane-force strength before making landfall 40 km south of Lockhart River on the afternoon of 19 April. The system weakened over land, before entering the Gulf of Carpentaria as a weak cyclone early the following day.

Monica began to intensify rapidly as it tracked to the northwest over the Gulf of Carpentaria reaching category 5 intensity at 0600 UTC 22 April then attaining maximum intensity of 135 kn (250 km/h) 24 hours later about 110 km to the northeast of Nhulunbuy. This is the highest intensity of any cyclone in the Australian region. At this time, Monica had an eye diameter of around 30 km but the effects of the very destructive core were very much confined near to the eye wall. The Cape Wessel AWS recorded a mean wind of 70 kn (130 km/h) at 1030 UTC (2000 ACST) 23 April prior to failing as Monica 's maximum winds approached to within an estimated 15 km of the station. The convective structure of Monica maintained its intense nature until it made landfall at 1015 UTC (1945 ACST) 24 April at Junction Bay, 35 km west of Maningrida.

Monica quickly weakened after landfall, passing over northern parts of Kakadu National Park near Jabiru at category 2 intensity and then weakening below tropical cyclone intensity just 12 hours after landfall. The system passed to the north of Darwin as a tropical low during the afternoon of 25 April and then turned to the southwest then to the southeast weakening over land on 27 April.

Fortunately, Monica crossed Cape York Peninsula at a remote location, avoiding the local townships of Lockhart River and Coen. However, there was widespread tree damage and moderate damage to infrastructure along the Arnhem Land coast, extending as far west as the township of Jabiru. Maningrida community received substantial damage as the cyclone passed just to the north of the township, with several houses damaged by fallen trees and debris. The uninhabited coastal crossing point suffered severe vegetation damage, with 60-80 per cent of all trees uprooted or snapped, as well as evidence of a 5-6 m storm surge in Junction Bay.

Heavy rainfall caused flooding in the Adelaide, Victoria, Daly and Katherine River catchments.

For more information see the TC Monica Report (doc).