Summary
A weak tropical low formed to the north of Christmas Island on 5 December in an active phase of the monsoon trough. Gales developed northeast of the centre on 7 December as the low was steered in a generally southeast direction, accelerating towards the Pilbara coast from 10 December in response to a mid-level trough to the south. Gales increased on the eastern side of the low prior to making landfall west of Port Hedland at around 11 am AWST 11 December. A brief period of gales was experienced on the east Pilbara coast as the low crossed. Heavy rainfall fell across the west Kimberley and the Pilbara in the lead up to and a day or two after the low crossed the coast. The low continued to move in a southeast direction into the Great Sandy Desert and then out of the state on 12 December.
The strongest wind gust of 95 km/h was recorded at Bedout Island. The strongest wind gust reported on mainland Western Australia was 91 km/h at Port Hedland Airport. The highest 24-hour rainfall total for the event was 163 mm recorded at Carraba (south of Port Hedland) in the 24 hours to 9 am Friday 11 December. Other notable falls in the 24 hours to 9 am Friday were 130 mm from Nullagine and 110 mm from Pincunah (west of Marble Bar). A further 138 mm from Nullagine and 125 mm from Pincunah was recorded in the 24 hours to 9 am Saturday 12 December. Several days of continued heavy rain over the De Grey catchment led to major flooding of the Nullagine River, Coongan River, and the Shaw River. Moderate flooding was reported from the Oakover River and the De Grey River.
**All information relating to intensity and track is preliminary information based on operational estimates and subject to change following post analysis.**
Extreme values during event (estimated)
Note that these values may be changed on the receipt of later information
| Maximum Category: | Tropical low |
| Maximum sustained wind speed: | 75 km/h |
| Maximum wind gust: | 100 km/h |
| Lowest central pressure: | 992 hPa |
