A tropical low moved west from the Northern Territory across the north Kimberley developing after moving off the northwest Kimberley coast on the morning of 1 March. The low reached cyclone intensity that evening about 80 km north of Cape Leveque and was named Ophelia. The midget system quickly developed to category 2 intensity on the morning of 2 March and was steered to the west to west southwest by a persistent mid-level ridge to the south. Ophelia maintained category 2 intensity from 2-5 March before weakening as it tracked to the south southwest early on 6 March, finally weakening below cyclone intensity the following morning well west of Carnarvon.
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Some offshore industry installations were evacuated as a precautionary measure resulting in some economic losses. However, the confidence in the forecast west to west southwest track allowed coastal and near coastal Pilbara facilities to continue operations during the cyclone event.
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Information generated 7 March 2008.
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