Summary
Tropical Cyclone Luana was a short-lived system that developed to the northwest of Broome and crossed the Dampier Peninsula at category 2 intensity on 24 January 2026. It brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to the western Kimberley with heavy rainfall extending through inland central Australia over subsequent days.
A tropical low formed in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, during 21 January and moved southeast towards the Kimberley coast. It steadily intensified, with gales developing to the north of the centre at 1400 AWST 23 January and reaching tropical cyclone intensity at 0200 AWST 24 January, to the northwest of Broome.
Tropical Cyclone Luana continued to move to the southeast during 24 January. It briefly reached category 2 intensity with peak 10-minute mean winds of 50 kn (93 km/h) occurring over water, before crossing the Dampier Peninsula between Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque, at 1400 AWST 24 January. Luana continued to move to the southeast, passing just to the west of Derby overnight from 24 to 25 January. Luana was downgraded to a tropical low on the morning of 25 January as it moved further inland. Despite moving over land, the system retained its structure over following days over inland Western Australia until it dissipated on 28 January.
Strong winds caused some minor damage and power outages, mostly relating to fallen trees and branches. Mercedes Cove Retreat located near the crossing point sustained major roof damage. Heavy rain caused some road closures but in general was welcomed over inland areas that had experienced prolonged dry conditions. Tide levels exceeded the highest tides of the year at Derby causing inundation to the port area.
Gales were recorded at Adele Island, Lombadina Airstrip, Koolan Island Airport, Derby and Curtin Airport. The gales at Derby between 2000 AWST 24 January to 0400 AWST 25 January were the highest winds from a tropical cyclone since the start of reliable tropical cyclone records in 1972. Damaging wind gusts were recorded at Lombadina, Curtain Airport, Derby Airport and Koolan Island, with a peak wind gust of 57 kn (106km/h) recorded at Lombadina at 1648 AWST and Curtin Airport at 2124 AWST 24 January. Significant 24 hour rainfall totals of 100 – 200 mm were recorded over the Dampier Peninsula and west Kimberley to 9am AWST 25 January, with Curtain Airport recording 231.8 mm. Country Downs also recorded a three-day rainfall total of 344.4 mm to 9am 26 January.
Tropical Cyclone Luana was the eighth tropical cyclone tropical cyclone in the Australian region for the 2025/26 season and the third tropical cyclone to cross the Western Australian coastline following Fina (November) and Hayley (December). Remarkably Luana crossed the coast at almost the same location near Lombadina as Hayley.
For more information see the Tropical Cyclone Luana report (pdf).
Track and Intensity (Times in AWST, UTC+8h)
