Cyclone Nathan (2015)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Nathan

Nathan nearing its first landfall on Queensland on March 19, 2015.
Meteorological history
Formed	9 March 2015
Dissipated	25 March 2015
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained (BOM)
Highest winds	150 km/h (90 mph)
Lowest pressure	969 hPa (mbar); 28.61 inHg
Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	185 km/h (115 mph)
Lowest pressure	969 hPa (mbar); 28.61 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	None
Damage	$57 million (2015 USD)
Areas affected	Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia.
Part of the 2014–15 Australian region cyclone season

Cyclone Nathan was a powerful tropical cyclone that had an erratic track. The cyclone formed from a tropical low near the Queensland coast that itself formed as a result of Cyclone Pam's outer rainbands. Later that day, the BoM designated the system as 17U and intensified into Tropical Cyclone Nathan several hours later. It slowly executed a cyclonic loop over the next few days, moving across Arnhem Land.

After intensifying to an initial peak intensity of 165 km/h (105 mph), Nathan weakened while crossing the Cape York Peninsula and reintensified over the Gulf of Carpentaria. It impacted Arnhem Land as an equivalent of a Category 1 cyclone, before hitting Darwin, Northern Territory, Northern Territory the same day. It dissipated afterwards. The remnants of Nathan brought 106 mm (4.2 in) of rainfall to Onslow, Western Australia on 30 March. Cyclone Nathan hit the Arnhem Land one month after Cyclone Lam.^[1]

Cyclone Nathan caused heavy flooding in Queensland and in the Northern Territory, though no deaths were reported. The cyclone's erratic path was a shock to many local residents. Total damage in northern Queensland were about A$74.8 million (US$57 million).^[2]