ERROL

History

Tropical Cyclone Errol was one of three tropical cyclones generated by a single active monsoon trough that lay across northern Australia and the adjacent Indian Ocean in the middle of January 1982, the others being Bruno and Daphne–Fifi. The disturbance that became Errol was first identified as a tropical low on 11 January. Once it had organised, the system tracked generally on a southwesterly to westerly heading over open water, and it strengthened sufficiently to be classified as a tropical cyclone at 00:00 UTC on 13 January.

Intensification thereafter was gradual rather than rapid. Errol continued to deepen slowly over the following two days while beginning to recurve away from its westward course and onto a southeasterly heading. Peak intensity was attained on 15 January, when maximum winds were assessed at about 100 km/h (60 mph) and the central pressure was estimated to have fallen to 980 hPa. This placed Errol in the lower range of cyclone intensity, and the system remained at sea throughout its life, never making a coastal crossing.

After reaching its maximum strength, Errol weakened as it moved southeast. Its decline was hastened by its proximity to Cyclone Bruno, which was tracking through the same region at the time; on 18 January the two systems merged, with Errol losing its separate identity. Because Errol stayed offshore, its direct wind effects on populated areas were limited, but the moisture drawn southwards in association with the system contributed to heavy rainfall over Western Australia and resulting flood damage. The combined effects of Errol and the closely associated Bruno produced record January rainfall totals at some Western Australian stations, with severe flooding, washed-out bridges and damage to roads and railways reported in the state's southwest.

Errol formed during an otherwise unremarkable 1981–82 Australian region season, one that also produced the exceptionally intense Cyclone Chris–Damia and the damaging Queensland landfall of Cyclone Dominic.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia