SIMON

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Simon developed as a tropical low over the Coral Sea on 21 February 1980, tracking initially toward the Central Queensland coast. As it approached the Capricorn Coast around 24 February, the system made a dramatic and abrupt 90-degree turn back out to sea rather than making a full landfall — an unusual track that is still noted by meteorologists. After retreating offshore, Simon re-intensified and reached peak intensity as a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone, with a minimum central pressure of 950 hPa and maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h, sustained across approximately 24–26 February.

During this period, the cyclone tracked southward while remaining close to the Queensland coast, generating wave heights of up to 8.9 metres and causing significant shoreline erosion along the Fraser Coast and Sunshine Coast. Late on 26 February, the storm's centre passed within roughly 30 kilometres of Sandy Cape at the northern tip of Fraser Island, where sustained winds of 140 km/h and gusts exceeding 170 km/h were recorded. Structural damage occurred around Hervey Bay, though the avoidance of a direct inland crossing limited broader destruction. Simon subsequently accelerated southeastward into cooler waters, crossing into the South Pacific basin as an extratropical remnant on 28 February and affecting New Zealand before dissipating on 3 March 1980.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia