Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirrily was a long-lived and strong tropical cyclone that affected East Australia and the Northern Territory during January and February 2024. The third named storm and severe tropical cyclone of the 2023–24 Australian region cyclone season, Kirrily developed from a tropical low that formed within the Coral Sea. The system gradually developed, being in a favorable environment for further development with good outflow, low vertical wind shear, and warm sea surface temperatures, resulting in the system becoming a tropical cyclone intensity. The storm peaked on 25 January as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 978 hPa (28.88 inHg). Kirrily made landfall northwest of Townsville, Australia. Kirrily weakened steadily as it tracked northwestward along the coast and was downgraded to a tropical low later that day. However, Kirrily remained traceable, as it moved westwards towards the Queensland region throughout the rest of January. The system only produced near-gale-force winds in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) determined that the low was not expected to redevelop into a tropical cyclone. Kirrily accelerated inland with the rainbands unraveling and warming cloud tops, until it was last noted on the BoM tropical cyclone outlooks on 3 February.
No fatalities resulted from Kirrily; the cyclone caused minimal damage near the area of landfall with some trees lost and minor roof damage. Heavy rainfall was recorded in some areas of Queensland but was low around the area of landfall.[1] However, the remnant low of Kirrily fed severe thunderstorms in Southeast Queensland, prompting a superstorm warning from the BoM.
On 9 January, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) noted the possibility of a tropical low forming within the monsoon trough over the Gulf of Carpentaria, designating it as 05U.[2] Three days later, the BoM reported that it was developing over the eastern portion of the gulf.[3] However, the low remained weak and moved eastwards,[4] entering the Coral Sea by 16 January.[5][6] By the next day, the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began monitoring the low, as it was within a favorable environment for further development with good outflow, low vertical wind shear, and warm (29–30 °C) sea surface temperatures.[7] Two days later, on 19 January, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) for the system, as formative banding was wrapping towards its centre.[8] On the morning of 21 January, the BoM started issuing warnings on 05U.[9] By 23 January, the JTWC followed suit, recognizing it as Tropical Cyclone 07P.[10]
The next day, the BoM upgraded the disturbance to a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale and assigned it the nameKirrily.[11] Although Kirrily initially struggled due to vertical wind shear displacing deep convection.[12][13] The cyclone continued to strengthen as convective rainbands began to wrap into the system's center, with the system's structure becoming asymmetrical.[14][15] It subsequently intensified to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, with estimated maximum 10-minute sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), and a central barometric pressure of 978 hPa (28.88 inHg).[16] The JTWC followed suit the system and upgraded it to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS).[17] As the system turned to the westward, it encountered increased wind shear, prior to landfall over Townsville, Australia on 25 January.[18] Shortly after the landfall, the JTWC discontinued warnings on the system.[18] Later that day, the BoM reported that Kirrily had weakened to a tropical low.[19] However, Kirrily remained traceable, as it moved westwards towards the Queensland region throughout the rest of January.[20]
RBTOP-enhanced infrared imagery of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily making landfall over Queensland, Australia on January 25, 2024.
Towards the end of January, the JTWC began monitoring the remnants of Kirrily for potential regeneration as the system developed a partially exposed low-level circulation center (LLCC).[21] Early the next day, they issued a TCFA for the remnants as they were expected to redevelop into a tropical cyclone.[22] The remnants later regenerated into a tropical cyclone; the system showed a consolidating LLCC with convective banding and a central dense overcast (CDO).[23] Since the system only produced near-gale-force winds in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the BoM determined that the low was not expected to redevelop into a tropical cyclone.[24] By 2 February, the JTWC discontinued the issuing of advisories again, as the storm accelerated inland and rapidly decayed further with the rainbands unraveling and warming cloud tops.[25] Kirrily delivered sustained heavy rainfall to large areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory during its track across the northwest of Queensland, until it was last noted on the BoM tropical cyclone outlooks by the next day.[26][27]
Impact
Damaged swimming enclosure after Cyclone Kirrily, 26 January 2024
Before the storm made landfall on 24 January, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued cyclone warnings for Townsville, Mackay, Bowen, and the Whitsunday Islands, which extended inland to Charters Towers.[28] Over 100 schools were closed while airlines and railways cancelled their services in anticipation of the storm. In Hamilton, a community refuge center was opened to provide shelter.[29] Additionally, military personnel were on standby to assist in the aftermath.[30] On 25 January, over 65,000 were without power in Queensland as Kirrily tracked inland,[30] primarily in Townsville, where nearly 34,000 homes and buildings were without power.[31]
Three days later, over 100,000 were without power due to Kirrily.[32] Heavy rainfall occurred, with rainfall amounting to 100–150 mm (3.9–5.9 in) being recorded throughout Queensland.[33]Seymour saw 256 mm (10.1 in) of rain in a 24-hour period, whereas Kirby saw 244 mm (9.6 in).[34] Isolated intense rainfall up to 300 mm (12 in) also occurred.[35] Authorities rescued fourteen people who were stranded in floodwaters while trying to inspect the impact of the storm.[36] The remnant low of Kirrily fed severe thunderstorms in Southeast Queensland, prompting a superstorm warning from the BoM.[37] In the aftermath of the storm, the Australian government issued disaster insurance to people affected, with grants for the Townsville and Burdekin shires issued as they suffered the brunt of the storm,[38] while the Queensland government offered up to AU$900 (US$593) to households affected by the storm.[39]
^Gillespie, Eden (2024-01-26). "'Like a ghost howling': ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily to bring heavy rain to Queensland as Townsville residents survey damage". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
^Tropical Cyclone Forecast 12:28 am UTC 9 January 2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 9 January 2024. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Forecast 12:16 am UTC 12 January 2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 12 January 2024. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Forecast 11:39 pm UTC 13 January 2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 13 January 2024. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Forecast 12:13 am UTC 16 January 2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone 'Kirrily' likely to form over the next 24 to 48 hours (Report). Tropical Climate Update. Bureau of Meteorology. 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
^Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans January 17, 2023 07:30z (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 17 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (Invest 90P) (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Information Bulletin issued at 10:54 am AEST 21/01/2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 21 January 2024. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
^Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Cyclone 07P (Seven) Warning No. 1 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
^Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 0717 UTC 24/1/2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
^Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Cyclone 07P (Seven) Warning No. 2 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
^Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Cyclone 07P (Kirrily) Warning No. 8 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
^Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 1301 UTC 24/1/2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
^Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Cyclone 07P (Kirrily) Warning No. 10 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
^Eastern Region Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin issued at 0630 UTC 25/1/2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 25 January 2024. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
^ abTropical Cyclone 07P (Kirrily) Warning No. 25 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 25 January 2024. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin - Australia: Eastern Region at 19:10 UTC 25 January 2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 25 January 2024. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Forecast 08:29 am UTC 26 January 2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 26 January 2024. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
^Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans January 31, 2024 22:00z (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 31 January 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (Invest 07P) (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
^Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Cyclone 07P (Kirrily) Warning No. 12 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Forecast 08:32 am UTC 1 February 2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone 07P (Kirrily) Warning No. 14 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Forecast 10:47 am UTC 3 February 2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 3 February 2024. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Forecast 08:39 am UTC 3 February 2024 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 3 February 2024. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
^"Coral Sea: Tropical Cyclone Kirrily tracking westward toward the north-central Queensland coast Jan. 24 /update 1". Coral Sea: Tropical Cyclone Kirrily tracking westward toward the north-central Queensland coast Jan. 24 /update 1 | Crisis24. Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
^"Residents of northern Australia batten down homes, businesses ahead of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily". AP News. 2024-01-25. Archived from the original on 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
^ ab"Thousands of Australians without power in tropical cyclone aftermath". Reuters. 2024-01-25.
^"Weather tracker: Tropical Cyclone Kirrily brings 170km/h gusts to Queensland | Extreme weather | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Archived from the original on 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
^"Superstorm tipped to lash Queensland as ex-cyclone Kirrily wreaks havoc". January 28, 2024. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
^Gillespie, Eden (2024-01-26). "'Like a ghost howling': ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily to bring heavy rain to Queensland as Townsville residents survey damage". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
^"Queensland cops a soaking as ex-cyclone leaves its mark". Yahoo News. 2024-01-29. Archived from the original on 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
^"Tropical Cyclone Kirrily downgraded to category one system as it crosses north Queensland coast". RNZ. 2024-01-26. Archived from the original on 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
^Baldwin, Grace (January 27, 2024). "Police rescue stranded civilians in wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily". The Australian. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
^"Superstorm tipped to lash Queensland as ex-cyclone Kirrily wreaks havoc". January 28, 2024. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
^"Tropical Cyclone Kirrily: disaster grants offered as tens of thousands in north Queensland remain without power". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 2024-01-28. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2024-01-27. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
^"How to get $900 Townsville Queensland cyclone relief payment". Savings.com.au. Archived from the original on 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cyclone Kirrily (2024).
Australian Bureau of Meteorology
Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Tropical Cyclone Warning Center Jakarta (in Indonesian)
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
