 Cyclone Narelle near peak intensity on 11 January | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 5 January 2013 |
| Dissipated | 15 January 2013 |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
| Highest winds | 195 km/h (120 mph) |
| Highest gusts | 270 km/h (165 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 930 hPa (mbar); 27.46 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 220 km/h (140 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 933 hPa (mbar); 27.55 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 14 direct |
| Missing | 17 |
| Damage | $74,000 (2013 USD) |
| Areas affected | East Timor, Indonesia, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2012–13 Australian region cyclone season | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle was a powerful Category 4 tropical cyclone in early January 2013 that brought light rains to areas in South Australia suffering from a drought and heat wave. On 4 January, a tropical low pressure developed within a monsoon trough over the Timor Sea. Over the following several days, the system gradually tracked westward and intensified, being classified Tropical Cyclone Narelle on 8 January. Turning southward into a region of low wind shear, Narelle intensified into a severe tropical cyclone on 9 January. Over the following two days, the cyclone's structure fluctuated, temporarily featuring an eye, before it maintained its organisation and intensified further on 11 January. The storm attained its peak intensity later on 11 January as a Category 4 cyclone with winds of 195 km/h (121 mph).[nb 1] The following day, Narelle passed approximately 330 km (205 mi) northwest of Exmouth as it moved on a south-southwesterly course. The system steadily weakened and ultimately fell below tropical cyclone strength on 15 January well to the west of Geraldton.
Early in the storm's existence, Narelle brought strong winds, heavy rain, and high winds to many areas in Indonesia. More than 10,000 homes were flooded and many others were damaged by thunderstorms. A total of 14 people were killed by the storm, and 17 others were listed as missing. In Western Australia, scattered strong thunderstorms caused minor damage and produced a possible tornado.
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