Summary
Post analysis showed that tropical cyclones Daphne and Fifi were in fact the one cyclone. A week before the birth of: Daphne-Fifi , cyclone Chris passed south of Cocos Island and then moved westwards into the central Indian Ocean as a severe cyclone. This produced an extensive monsoonal trough which stretched from the central Indian Ocean to the Northern Territory and became very active. In fact the next three cyclones of the season were generated in this trough, the first of which was Daphne-Fifi.
The system was first identified as a tropical depression on 11 January. It drifted southeast, slowly intensified and became a tropical cyclone at 0900 UTC on the 12th. It then changed direction slightly to the south-southeast and moved towards the Cocos Island area. However, on the 15th the centre curved to the east and reached peak intensity at 0600 UTC 16 January with an estimated central pressure of 986 hPa and an estimated maximum wind near the centre of 100 km/h. It continued moving in a general easterly direction for the next three days.
On the 19th the centre moved in a southeasterly direction, accelerated and weakened, and finally dissipated as it crossed the northwest coast. The acceleration and weakening of Daphne-Fifi was most likely influenced by the strong circulation of cyclone Bruno which was operating to the south during this period.
A northerly wind of 96 km/h was reported by a ship at 1400 UTC 18 January when it was 80 km northeast of the centre. The highest wind gust recorded at Cocos Island was 82 km/h from the east-southeast early on the 15th.
No damage was reported, however, there were delays to shipping operations at Christmas Island.
Track and intensity
