Summary
Tropical Cyclone “Wanda” formed initially as a wave low on the ITCZ to the southwest of Willis Island on 20th January 1974 in the wake of tropical cyclone “Vera” which had moved steadily away from the region during the previous few days. This wave low gradually developed while moving on an east-southeast track away from the Queensland coast. On January 23rd it veered onto a south-southwest track while slowly deepening, and eventually crossed the coast just north of Double Island Point between 240600 GMT and 241100 GMT. Its central pressure at that time was 997 mb and at no stage did the central eye mechanism fully develop to the mature cyclone category.
After crossing the coast, “Wanda” weakened rapidly to a rain depression, and at 250200 GMT, was centred just north of Dalby. The flood rains which followed were to prove the most disastrous the Moreton region had experienced this century.
For more information see the TC Wanda Report (doc).
Track and Intensity
