A developing low formed near Sumba Island (Indonesia) on December 26 and moved southwards. At 4pm WDT Friday 28 December the low reached tropical cyclone intensity and was named Melanie.
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Tropical Cyclone advices were issued as Melanie continued to track closer to the coast and develop reaching category 2 intensity at 10am WDT 29 December. Melanie then took a west southwest track parallel to the coast and advices were finalised at 4pm Sunday 30 December.
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Melanie was eventually downgraded to a tropical low at 10am WDT 2 January when it was located about 600 kilometres west of Exmouth.
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Melanie remained far enough offshore to not to have any direct impact on the WA coast. However, there was a significant economic impact to industry resulting from production shut downs and evacuations from offshore installations.
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