Summary
The seventh tropical cyclone to affect the Western Australian Region was Madge . As did Leah some days previously this cyclone also entered the Western Region after first developing in the Northeastern Region and then travelling through the Northern region. However on this occasion the low pressure system was centred over the continent. Madge crossed into the pressure system was centred over the continent. Madge crossed into the region in the vicinity of Wyndham, moved in a generally westsouthwestward direction through the North and West Kimberley and then crossed the coast near Cape Leveque. On passing once again over the warm tropical waters the low immediately began reintensifying. From 12th to 13th March Madge was a very intense storm with an estimated minimum central pressure of 954 hPa. By 14th March some weakening had occurred and this continued until the system had completely dissipated on the 18th March.
Although winds associated with cyclone Madge are estimated to have reached about 200 km/h during its most intense period no actual damage was reported. Evacuation of personnel from Ocean Digger and Big John , two oil rigs operating on the Northwest Shelf, was effected on 10th March.
For more details see the TC Madge Report (pdf).
Track and intensity
