Summary
Severe Tropical Cyclone Neville spent two weeks traversing the eastern Indian Ocean as a tropical low before finally developing into a tropical cyclone as it moved west and away from the Western Australian (WA) mainland. Although no land impacts were experienced while this system was at tropical cyclone intensity, heavy monsoonal conditions affected both the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island as it moved past.
A tropical low (08U) formed in the Indian Ocean on 7 March, about 800 km WNW of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. It initially moved towards the east to southeast under the influence of a strong monsoonal flow to the north.
The system struggled to develop significantly in these early stages due to the effects of strong vertical wind shear in the atmosphere. However, an increasing monsoonal flow saw gale force winds develop on the northwest quadrant of the system during 9 March, which then extended to the northeast quadrant later on 10 March
While still a low, Neville passed close to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands during 10 March, with gale force winds being recorded at Cocos Island Airport in the early hours of 11 March. The peak wind gust recorded was 46 kn (85 km/h) at 1844 and 1906 UTC 10 March (1:14am and 1:36am 11 March Cocos Islands time), and some structural damage occurred at the Island's resort.
The monsoonal flow strengthened further after this, which accelerated the low faster towards the east southeast from 11 March. Although it passed more than 250 km to the south of Christmas Island on 12 March, large waves cause inundation and damage along the Island's northern coast.
By 15 March the low was located northwest of the WA coast, and at this stage the monsoonal flow weakened, and gale force winds around the system eased. It remained slow moving over the next few days as a mid-level trough to the south resulted in light steering winds.
The low began moving towards the west from 19 March due to the influence of a mid-level ridge to the south. At the same time, it encountered an area of favourable environmental conditions which led to development, and the system was named Tropical Cyclone Neville at 0600 UTC 20 March (2pm AWST).
Neville continued to rapidly develop into a severe tropical cyclone and reached a peak 10-minute mean wind intensity of 100 kn (185 km/h) at 0000 UTC 22 March (8am AWST).
From later on 22 March, Neville began to weaken under the influence of dry air and increasing vertical wind shear. It dropped below tropical cyclone intensity at 2pm AWST 24 March (0600 UTC), and it then moved into the La Reunion RSMC Area of Responsibility. It continued to weaken before dissipating late on 25 March.
For more information see the TC Neville Report (doc).
Track and Intensity
