 Cyclone Elaine on 18 March, near Western Australia, Australia | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 15 March 1999 |
| Remnant low | 20 March 1999 |
| Dissipated | 20 March 1999 |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
| Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
| Highest gusts | 230 km/h (145 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 945 hPa (mbar); 27.91 inHg |
| Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Damage | Minimal |
| Areas affected | Western Australia |
Part of the 1998–99 Australian region cyclone season | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Elaine was a severe tropical cyclone which formed in the 1998–99 Australian region cyclone season. Elaine, along with Cyclone Vance, both made landfall and caused destruction in Western Australia. Elaine had made landfall on 20 March, while Vance made landfall on 23 March.
Elaine formed after a monsoon trough, which spawned an area of low-pressure on 12 March. The low moved west into a favourable environment and intensified into Tropical Cyclone Elaine on 15 March. 24 hours later, on 16 March, Elaine attained severe tropical cyclone status. Two days later, Elaine reached its peak of 185 kilometres per hour (115 mph). Thereafter, the storm entered a period of weakening. On 20 March, Elaine was downgraded to a tropical cyclone. Elaine made landfall over Western Australia with 56 kilometres per hour (35 mph) winds. More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the areas of impact. Elaine degenerated into a remnant low, a few hours after impact.