Tropical Cyclone Dylan initially formed as a tropical low in the northeast Coral Sea on the 24th January 2014 before adopting a general west-southwest track under the influence of a high pressure system situated to the south of the system over the next few days. Dylan eventually formed into a tropical cyclone, approximately 240 kilometres northeast of Townsville, on the 30th January as the system moved into an atmospheric environment favourable for development. Tropical Cyclone Dylan intensified further into a category 2 system prior to crossing the Queensland east coast, near Bowen, during the early hours on the 31st January.
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Tropical Cyclone Dylan combined with a ridge of high pressure situated to the south of the system to cause increased tides and strong to gale force winds along a large stretch of the Queensland east coast in the days leading up to Dylan's landfall. Dylan also caused heavy rainfall along parts of the central Queensland coast and about adjacent inland areas as the system moved over the interior of the state.
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Wind observations: Flinders Reef recorded a maximum wind speed of 107 km/h (7:00pm EST 30th January) and a maximum wind gust of 135 km/h (6:30pm EST 30th January). Hamilton Island recorded a maximum wind speed of 105 km/h and a maximum wind gust of 130 km/h (6:30pm AEST 30th January). Creal Reef recorded a maximum wind speed of 96 km/h and a maximum wind gust of 113 km/h (2:54pm AEST 30th January).
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Rain observations: 515mm at Clarke Range 2, 478mm at Clarke Range and 421mm at Mt William in the 24 hours to 9am EST on the 31st January. 198mm at South Yaamba in the 6 hours up to 10:30pm on the 31st January.
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Storm surge: 1.4 metre storm surge (not including wave set up) recorded at Laguna Quays on the 31st January (tide data courtesy of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts).
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Tropical Cyclone Dylan was the first tropical cyclone in the Eastern Region for the 2013-2014 season.
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*All information relating to intensity and track is preliminary information based on operational estimates and subject to change following post analysis.
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