Summary
Severe Tropical Cyclone Marian was a long-lived tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean which did not impact mainland Australia. A weak tropical low was first identified in the Timor Sea near the western coast of the Northern Territory on 21 February. It quickly moved west, well to the north of Western Australia while slowly developing. By 25 February, the low started to move west southwest. Gales developed in the southern quadrants early on 26 February and Marian was named at 8 am AWST 26 February. It passed to the south of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on 26 February with no direct impacts recorded on the group of islands.
Tropical Cyclone Marian gradually developed over the next few days while maintaining a general west to southwest track over the central Indian Ocean. An eye became visible on satellite imagery on the morning of the 28 February and Marian reached category 3 intensity by 8 am AWST that morning. On 1 March, Marian's movement slowed dramatically. The tropical cyclone reached a 10-minute mean wind peak intensity of 85 knots (155 kilometres per hour) during the morning of 2 March.
From 3 March Marian began to move to the southeast while gradually weakening in unfavourable conditions, finally decreasing below tropical cyclone strength on 8 March. A well-defined low was visible on satellite imagery for many days following.
There was no impact to mainland Western Australia.
Marian was the fifth tropical cyclone of the 2020/21 season and the first severe tropical cyclone in the Australian Region.
**All information relating to intensity and track is preliminary information based on operational estimates and subject to change following post analysis.**
Extreme values during event (estimated)
Note that these values may be changed on the receipt of later information
| Maximum Category: | 3 |
| Maximum sustained wind speed: | 155 km/h |
| Maximum wind gust: | 220 km/h |
| Lowest central pressure: | 955 hPa |
