1976–77 Australian region cyclone season

1976–77 Australian region cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed15 December 1976
Last system dissipated3 May 1977
Strongest storm
NameJack
 • Maximum winds185 km/h (115 mph)
(10-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure945 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Tropical lows13
Tropical cyclones13
Severe tropical cyclones6
Total fatalities>2
Total damage$49 million (1977 USD)
Related articles
Australian region tropical cyclone seasons
1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79

The 1976–77 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly above average tropical cyclone season.

Systems

Tropical cyclone scales#Comparisons across basins

Tropical Cyclone Harry

Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
Duration15 December – 21 December
Peak intensity185 km/h (115 mph) (1-min);
950 hPa (mbar)

Harry formed on 15 December near the Sunda Strait, and moved west-southwest through its existence. Its maximum intensity was reached as the cyclone passed north of the Cocos-Keeling Islands. The system then weakened and dissipated well east of Madagascar.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ted

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
Duration15 December – 20 December
Peak intensity185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min);
945 hPa (mbar)

Ted made landfall in Queensland on 19 December 1976. The storm killed 2 people and left $49 million in damage.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Irene

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
Duration6 January – 13 January
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min);
970 hPa (mbar)

Irene was the second storm of the season, and remained over the open waters, too far away to affect the coast. Its track was abnormal in its early stages, moving in a southeast direction. It eventually recurved and moved parallel to the northwest coast.


Tropical Cyclone June

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
Duration16 January – 19 January (Crossed 160°E)
Peak intensity65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min);
994 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Keith

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
Duration29 January – 1 February
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min);
992 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Lily

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
Duration8 February – 12 February
Peak intensity65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min);
996 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Miles

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
Duration9 February – 13 February
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min);
994 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Nancy

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
Duration12 February – 13 February
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min);
998 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Jack-Io

Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
Duration13 February – 20 February (Crossed 80°E)
Peak intensity215 km/h (130 mph) (1-min);
945 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Karen

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
Duration2 March – 9 March
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min);
970 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Otto

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
Duration6 March – 10 March
Peak intensity85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min);
984 hPa (mbar)

Otto made landfall near Bowen, Queensland in March 1977. The storm caused minimal wind damage but caused extensive beach erosion.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Leo

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
Duration24 March – 28 March
Peak intensity165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min);
955 hPa (mbar)

Leo affected Port Hedland around March 1977.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Verna

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
Duration28 April – 3 May
Peak intensity130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min);
973 hPa (mbar)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dick DeAngelis (March 1977). "Hurricane Alley". Mariners Weather Log. 21 (2). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: 92.
  2. ↑ "Gulf of Carpentaria, QLD/NT: Cyclone (Incl Storm Surge)". www.ema.gov.au. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Irene". www.bom.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  4. ↑ "Cairns – Ingham, QLD: Cyclone (Incl Floods)". www.ema.gov.au. Archived from the original on 9 September 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2022.