What is a Tropical Cyclone?

Tropical Cyclone is a large area of extreme low pressure that form in warm seas and oceans in tropical regions on either side of the

equator Cyclones are characterised by winds rotating around an central eye

These rotating air masses are called Tropical Cyclones, hurricanes in the United States and Typhoons in the Asia region

The exploding Spaghetti Factory.

Cyclones track randomly and are very difficult to predict where they will make landfall due to their random nature. A cyclones average

lifespan is 9 days, sometime they can form and mature in less than 48 hours. Once Cyclones makes landfall land, the most destructive phase of a cyclone they will begin to weaken becoming tropical low

depressions.

Tropical Cyclone Steve was noted for its longevity and impacted the regions of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia

before moving into the southern states. 27th February to11th March2000.The cyclone season extends from December through to April.

Annually Australia gets 10 cyclones per year, with 6 crossing the coastline. During the years 1910-1992, 43 tropical cyclones passing within

150km of Mackay.

Rising flood waters at Agnes Creek in South Australia, during the 1988 - 89 La

Niña event. Photograph by Ern Mainka

La Nina causing subsequent flooding of the arid interior and damage from the

associatedCyclone damage.

An example of the Southern Oscillation Index.