A low that formed west southwest of Christmas Island on 23 March tracked to the south southeast and developed. The low reached cyclone intensity and was named Pancho at 4pm 25 March. Pancho developed rapidly on 26 March and peaked at category 4 intensity early on 27 March well to the west northwest of Exmouth. Pancho then weakened under increasing vertical wind shear and as it continued its south southeast track over cooler ocean temperatures and was eventually downgraded to a low on 29 March about 250 kilometres west southwest of Carnarvon.
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Although Pancho had no direct wind impact on the WA coast, it was associated with heavy rainfall in the west Pilbara and Gascoyne. Some of the heaviest daily falls included: 24 hours to 9am 27 March: 157mm at Minderoo; 119mm Exmouth; 95mm Onslow Airport. 24 hours to 9am 30 March: 147mm Yalleen; 118mm Karratha; 96mm Tamala; 87mm Denham.
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The remnants of Pancho moved further south passing near Perth on 31 March and resulting in heavy unseasonal rain across parts of the South West Land Division. The heavy rain was generally welcomed by pastoralists and farmers.
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