Summary
A low that developed near PNG moved to the west southwest and briefly reached cyclone intensity on 9 April prior to weakening and passing over the Cobourg Peninsula, Bathurst Island and Melville Island north of Darwin the following day. The low subsequently re-intensified reaching category two intensity on 12 April, peaking the following day before weakening as it continued on its general west southwest track over open waters. Kay finally weakened below cyclone intensity on 16 April.
A newspaper article (The Australian, 21 April 1987) reported that two Indonesian fishing vessels had capsized in wild seas off Scott Reef with the loss of 16 lives. This tragedy was reported to Australian authorities by the five survivors several days after the event.
For more details see the TC Kay Report (pdf)
Track and intensity
All times in WST - subtract 8 hours to convert to UTC.
