Mitchell

History

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell developed from a tropical low (04U) on 27 December 2012, forming within a monsoon trough approximately 805 kilometres north-northwest of Karratha, Western Australia. The system began to organise on 28 December as a central dense overcast developed and banding features consolidated around the centre. An anticyclone positioned to the east assisted development by providing dual outflow channels, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center classified it as a tropical storm that same day. On 29 December, TCWC Perth officially named the system Mitchell, making it the first named cyclone of the 2012–13 season in the western region.

Mitchell reached a peak intensity with winds of 75 kilometres per hour and a central pressure of 990 hectopascals before weakening below tropical cyclone strength on 30 December. The system did not make landfall, instead tracking generally southward along the edge of a subtropical ridge before moving over cooler waters off the Western Australian coast. Mitchell persisted as a weakening remnant system for a further two days before dissipating well to the west of Perth on 1 January 2013. As a relatively short-lived and weak Category 1 system that remained offshore throughout its existence, Mitchell caused no reported casualties or significant damage.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia