Cyclone Larry
Tropical Cyclones: Cyclone Larry
A tropical cyclone is a powerful tropical storm that forms between 5° and 20° south or north of the Equator over warm oceans. Once formed, they can last for a few days to over three weeks. They usually form over the northern areas of Australia from November-April each year.
For a cyclone to be able to develop there are many key processes that have to occur. The cyclones form over oceans that have a water temperature greater than 26.5°C. When moist, warm air over the oceans rise they cause low-pressure systems to develop. The rising air then forms clouds and release heat resulting in the air rising further up leading to a tropical cyclone. Cyclones tend to dissipate when they travel beyond the tropics to cooler oceans.
One major cyclone to hit Australia’s coast was Cyclone Larry. Cyclone Larry hit on the 20th of March 2006 on the north Queensland coast near Innisfail. Larry developed from a low-pressure system over the eastern Coral Sea. It developed into a category 3 tropical cyclone on Saturday the 18th of March and made its way towards the coast. Australia uses a five category system based on wind speeds to grade cyclones with a category 5 being the most severe. Cyclone Larry was initially predicted to be a category 5 but weakened to a category 4 when it reached the coast and made landfall. A category 4 cyclone is defined as having wind speeds of up to 279 kilometres per hour resulting in significant structural and roof damage, airborne debris and extensive power failure. At the time, Cyclone Larry was considered to be one of the most powerful cyclones to hit Queensland in almost a century.
Cyclone Larry affected many communities in North Queensland particularly the Innisfail region and was very destructive. It was the first severe tropical cyclone to cross a populated section of the east coast of Queensland since 1999. Once the cyclone had crossed the coast the influence continued to cause many problems for days
A tropical cyclone is a powerful tropical storm that forms between 5° and 20° south or north of the Equator over warm oceans. Once formed, they can last for a few days to over three weeks. They usually form over the northern areas of Australia from November-April each year.
For a cyclone to be able to develop there are many key processes that have to occur. The cyclones form over oceans that have a water temperature greater than 26.5°C. When moist, warm air over the oceans rise they cause low-pressure systems to develop. The rising air then forms clouds and release heat resulting in the air rising further up leading to a tropical cyclone. Cyclones tend to dissipate when they travel beyond the tropics to cooler oceans.
One major cyclone to hit Australia’s coast was Cyclone Larry. Cyclone Larry hit on the 20th of March 2006 on the north Queensland coast near Innisfail. Larry developed from a low-pressure system over the eastern Coral Sea. It developed into a category 3 tropical cyclone on Saturday the 18th of March and made its way towards the coast. Australia uses a five category system based on wind speeds to grade cyclones with a category 5 being the most severe. Cyclone Larry was initially predicted to be a category 5 but weakened to a category 4 when it reached the coast and made landfall. A category 4 cyclone is defined as having wind speeds of up to 279 kilometres per hour resulting in significant structural and roof damage, airborne debris and extensive power failure. At the time, Cyclone Larry was considered to be one of the most powerful cyclones to hit Queensland in almost a century.
Cyclone Larry affected many communities in North Queensland particularly the Innisfail region and was very destructive. It was the first severe tropical cyclone to cross a populated section of the east coast of Queensland since 1999. Once the cyclone had crossed the coast the influence continued to cause many problems for days