Summary
A tropical low (08U) formed over land in the west Kimberley on 20 January. The tropical low moved southwest, passing to the south of Broome, and reached open water early on 21 January. The low then moved west southwest, parallel to the Pilbara coast until 23 January when it turned south and crossed the Pilbara coast about 18 kilometres (km) to the east of Roebourne around 0500 Universal Time Coordinated ( 1300 AWST=UTC + 8 hours)
Operationally the tropical low was named Tropical Cyclone Peta at 0300 UTC 23 January. Post analysis has determined that while it is possible 08U may have had sustained gale force winds wrapping more than half way around the centre as it approached the Pilbara coastline, it is not likely they were sustained for at least 6 hours. Therefore, Peta does not meet the definition of a tropical cyclone in the Australian region and has been downgraded in post-analysis to a tropical low.
The proximity of the path of 08U to the Pilbara coast caused disruptions to shipping and offshore industries. There was also significant rainfall along parts of the Pilbara coastline and in the Fortescue catchment with Hooley recording its wettest day on record in the 24 hours to 9 am AWST 24 January and Mount Florence its wettest January day on record for the same period. There was minor catchment flooding reported.
For more information see the Tropical Low ((08U) formerly TC Peta)Report (pdf).
Track and Intensity
