Summary
Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia initially developed over the northern Coral Sea approximately 750 kilometres northeast of Cairns on the 14th January 2011. Zelia began to move in a southeasterly direction under the influence of a mid level ridge situated across the western Coral Sea. Zelia rapidly intensified to a category 3 system on the 15th January and then further to a category 4 on the 16th while accelerating to the west of New Caledonia.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia began weakening on the 17th January as the system approached Norfolk Island due to a combination of cooler sea surface temperatures and increased wind shear. Zelia was downgraded to a low pressure system at 4am on the 18th January.
Zelia was the second tropical cyclone in the Queensland area of responsibility during the 2010/11 season. Zelia was also the second tropical cyclone to affect Norfolk Island during the 2010/11 season following tropical cyclone Vania only the week before.
Extreme Values During Cyclone Event (estimated)
Note that these values may be changed on the receipt of later information
Track and Intensity
