Tropical Cyclone Nathan



Tropical Cyclone Nathan began off the far North Queensland coast and traveled towards the coast before turning north then back to the east.  Nathan then turned back towards the Queensland coast and developed into a category 4 Severe Tropical Cyclone as it crossed the coast north of cape flattery in the morning of March 20 2015.

 

Severe TC Nathan degraded to a category 1 Tropical Cyclone as it continued across Cape York Peninsular and into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Nathan then developed into a category 2 cyclone and moved towards the Northern Territory coast, crossing over the top north east corner of the state. 

Tropical Cyclone Nathan track across Cape York Peninsular. From JTWC
Tropical Cyclone Nathan track across Cape York Peninsular. From JTWC

Severe Tropical Cyclone Nathan moved towards the Northern Territory coast.

Colourised animation of Tropical Cyclone Nathan over Cape York Peninsular. From MTSAT.
Colourised animation of Tropical Cyclone Nathan over Cape York Peninsular. From MTSAT.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan after making landfall on Cape York Peninsular. Images from JMA.
Satellite view of Tropical Cyclone Nathan after making landfall on Cape York Peninsular. Images from JMA.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Nathan generated a Storm surge 

The passage of tropical cyclone Nathan across the Queensland coast forced sea levels to surge above normal along the coast south of Cape Flattery where Nathan made land-fall.

 

The Storm-Tide gauge at Cooktown recorded a surge of 0.8m as Nathan passed north of the gauge site on the Cooktown Wharf. Nathan's passage coincided with low water so the Storm-tide level may have been higher if passage was at high water.

Storm-Tide levels at Cooktown as Severe Tropical Cyclone Nathan crossed the Queensland coast. From www.qld.gov.au/tides.
Storm-Tide levels at Cooktown as Severe Tropical Cyclone Nathan crossed the Queensland coast. From www.qld.gov.au/tides.


Storm surge generated by Tropical Cyclone Nathan passing over northern Australia.
Storm surge generated by Tropical Cyclone Nathan passing over northern Australia. Animation from European Commission joint research centre.