Summary
Tropical Cyclone Gretel peaked at category 2 on 13 April as it passed close to Darwin.
The initial circulation was first analysed just west of Port Moresby in the Gulf of Papua on 10 April. Embedded in a strong easterly steering stream, Gretel moved quickly westwards through the Torres Strait and over the southern Arafura Sea. Gretel was named at 0600 UTC (1530 ACST) 12 April following ship reports of mean gale force winds. After tracking over the Cobourg Peninsula, Gretel tracked to the southwest and passed just northwest of Darwin. Darwin Airport recorded mean wind speeds of 84 km/h and gusts to 117 km/h, and a lowest pressure of 984 hPa. Gretel passed Darwin at 2120 UTC 12 April (0650 ACST 13 April) when Darwin Airport recorded a lull in the wind speed, however calm conditions were never observed. Gretel then continued to track southwest until it reached the Port Keats (Wadeye) area where strong upper-level winds divorced the deep convection from the low-level centre and Gretel weakened at around 0600 UTC (1530 ACST) 14 April.
Significant rainfall over the whole western Top End of the Northern Territory and along the north coast was recorded, with some minor flooding and road damage. Since Gretel was a weak cyclone, no significant storm surges were recorded. No casualties were reported, however tree damage around Darwin was widespread. Approximately 700 insurance claims totalling two million dollars were received as a result of Gretel passing close to Darwin. Most claims resulted from water damage, falling trees and minor structural damage. Estimated clean-up cost was $500,000.
Track and Intensity(Time in ACST)
