Tropical Cyclone Olwyn



Tropical Cyclone Olwyn made landfall on the North West coast of Western Australia while two other Tropical Cyclones were active in the Australian and adjoining regions.  


Tropical Cyclone Nathan brushed the North Queensland coast and Tropical Cyclone "Pam" developed into a category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone and traveled South over Vanuatu in the South Pacific ocean.

Tropical Cyclones in the Australasian region. From JTWC
Tropical Cyclones in the Australasian region. From JTWC

Severe Tropical Cyclone Olwyn of North West Australia makes landfall as a Category 3 

Forecast track of a Tropical low of the north west coast of Australia. Image and text from www.bom.gov.au
Forecast track of a Tropical low of the north west coast of Australia. Image and text from www.bom.gov.au

On 8 March 2015 a weak tropical low formed over Western Australia. Due to an increase in convection, the system was upgraded to a category 1 tropical cyclone and named Olwyn on 11 March. Just before 12 March, Olwyn rapidly developed a ragged eye, and upgraded to a category 3 severe tropical cyclone. Early on 13 March, Olwyn reached its peak strength as the JTWC classified it as a Category 2 cyclone. However, JTWC downgraded it to a Category 1 cyclone after a few hours. Late on the same day, Olwyn made landfall over southwestern Australia. Olwyn caused extensive damage along the coast of Western Australia, from Onslow to Kalbarri.