Cyclone Kimi
![]() Tropical Cyclone Kimi intensifying over the Coral Sea on 17 January | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | 15 January 2021 |
Dissipated | 19 January 2021 |
Category 1 tropical cyclone | |
10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
Highest winds | 85 km/h (50 mph) |
Highest gusts | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 990 hPa (mbar); 29.23 inHg |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 100 km/h (65 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 990 hPa (mbar); 29.23 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | None reported |
Damage | None |
Areas affected | Queensland |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2020–21 Australian region cyclone season |
Tropical Cyclone Kimi was a small tropical cyclone which briefly threatened the Eastern Coast of North Queensland in January 2021. The tenth tropical low and third tropical cyclone of the 2020–21 Australian region cyclone season, Kimi originated from a weak tropical low which formed northeast of Queensland on 16 January. The low strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Kimi early the next day, as it slowly moved towards the coastline of northeastern Australia. Despite most forecasts depicting a track south into the coast, a vigorous increase in wind shear made the storm shift west away from the coastline just hours ahead of a potential landfall and caused Kimi to significantly weaken, becoming a tropical low by 18 January and dissipating entirely the next day.
Preparations of the storm begun shortly after formation, with watches and warnings being issued for the land in the path of Kimi. Impacts were anticipated to be significant, with the effects of the previous storm to hit the state at the time,
Meteorological history
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Kimi_2021_track.png/300px-Kimi_2021_track.png)
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
![triangle](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/ArrowUp.svg/18px-ArrowUp.svg.png)
On 12 January, the
Late on 17 January, radar imagery from
Preparations and impact
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/91P_2021-01-16_2230Z.jpg/220px-91P_2021-01-16_2230Z.jpg)
On 17 January, a Tropical Cyclone Warning was put in effect from
As Kimi moved further south, the Townsville Airport ceased operations between 18 and 19 January. The cyclone prompted an emergency alert for Palm Island, which expected a close pass.[21] Once preparations were complete, many residents of Queensland hunkered down for the storm.[22] However, forecast tracks soon depicted Kimi moving away from the coast of Australia.[23] The Bureau of Meteorology officials called the storm "erratic" and "unusually unpredictable" due to its small size.[24]
As early as 18 January, large waves occurred between the towns of Yarrabah and Lucinda in the Australian state of Queensland.[25] At that time, stormy weather was also affecting portions of the state.[26] Areas still received flash flooding despite the absence of a direct hit from Kimi, most notably around Innisfail, which recorded some of the highest rainfall totals including a 158 mm (6.22 in) reading at a gauge in the town.[27]
See also
References
- ^ "Weekly Tropical Climate Note". bom.gov.au. Bureau of Meteorology. January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Outlook for the Coral Sea". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 16 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert Graphic". metoc.navy.mil. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "Flash Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 1 (Kimi)". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 17 January 2021. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 6 (Kimi)". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 18 January 2021. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "TROPICAL CYCLONE 11P (KIMI) WARNING NR 004". metoc.navy.mil. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 17, 2021. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ "TROPICAL CYCLONE TECHNICAL BULLETIN: AUSTRALIA – EASTERN REGION". bom.gov.au. Bureau of Meteorology. January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "TROPICAL CYCLONE TECHNICAL BULLETIN: AUSTRALIA – EASTERN REGION". bom.gov.au. Bureau of Meteorology. January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "TROPICAL CYCLONE 11P (KIMI) WARNING NR 007". metoc.navy.mil. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 18, 2021. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 15 (Kimi)". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 18 January 2021. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "TROPICAL CYCLONE 11P (KIMI) WARNING NR 008". metoc.navy.mil. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 18, 2021. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 2". bom.gov.au. Bureau of Meteorology. January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ "TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 10". bom.gov.au. Bureau of Meteorology. January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "Cyclone Kimi approaches far north Queensland, while WA coast feels the effects of another cyclone". The New Daily. January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ AFP (January 17, 2021). "Tropical Cyclone Kimi forms off north-eastern Australia, likely to hit coast on Jan 18". The Straits Times. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ "Cyclone Kimi: Category two storm set to batter Far North Queensland". 9news.com.au. 9 News Australia. January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ "Tropical cyclone Kimi could move further south, new track map shows". The Cairns Post. January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ Callum Godde (January 17, 2021). "Cyclone Kimi set to cross far north Qld". perthnow.com.au. PerthNow. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ Walsh, Lia (January 17, 2021). "BOM warns Tropical Cyclone Kimi due to make landfall in Far North Queensland tonight". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ "Tropical cyclone Kimi set to track towards Cassowary Coast". cairnspost.com.au. The Cairns Post. January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "Townsville airport closes, but Tropical Cyclone Kimi weakens, is unlikely to cross coast". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ Callum Godde (January 17, 2021). "Tropical cyclone forms in far north Queensland". 7news.com.au. 7 News Australia. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone 11P (Kimi) Warning #7 Graphic". metoc.navy.mil. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 18, 2021. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Kimi: 'Destructive' weather hitting towns". www.theaustralian.com.au. 2021-01-18. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
- ^ "Cyclone Kimi set to dodge Cairns, hit Hinchinbrook Island". tropicnow.com.au. TropicNow. January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ Mark Saunokonoko (January 18, 2021). "Cyclone Kimi intensifies to category two". 9news.com.au. 9 News Australia. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "'Mother Nature hasn't turned the tap off yet': Tropical Cyclone Kimi downgraded but could reform". www.abc.net.au. 2021-01-18. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
External links
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