A tropical low formed over the western Kimberley, north east of Broome, on 24 January and moved in a westerly direction. Once over water the low moved rapidly west before slowing and turning to the southwest. The system quickly developed in favourable conditions and was named Tropical Cyclone Dominic at midday WDT Monday 26 January when it was located about 300 km west northwest of Port Hedland.
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Dominic continued a steady movement to the southwest and intensified to category 2 strength. The system passed very close to Barrow Island before it turned on a south southeast path. Dominic crossed the Pilbara coast about 12 kilometres to the east of Onslow and a wind gust to 133 km/h was recorded just after 0700 WDT 27 January at Onslow Airport. Widespread rain affected the western Pilbara as Dominic approached the coast and in the 24 hours to 9 am 27 January Onslow Airport recorded 238 mm, the wettest January day on record. Other notable 24 hour falls were Thevenard Island 243 mm and Barrow Island 90.8 mm.
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As Dominic approached the coast it began to be affected by increasing wind shear and once over land it weakened rapidly. The system was downgraded to below tropical cyclone intensity at 1600 WDT 27 January.
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**This information is preliminary and subject to change following post analysis.
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