Cyclone Alessia
Cyclone Alessia reorganizing over the Gulf of Carpentaria on 27 November | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 20 November 2013 |
| Dissipated | 1 December 2013 |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
| Highest winds | 85 km/h (50 mph) |
| Highest gusts | 110 km/h (70 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 991 hPa (mbar); 29.26 inHg |
| Tropical storm | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 85 km/h (50 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 989 hPa (mbar); 29.21 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | None |
| Damage | Minimal |
| Areas affected | Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2013–14 Australian region cyclone season | |
Tropical Cyclone Alessia was the first tropical cyclone to affect the Northern Territory of Australia in November since Cyclone Joan in 1975. The storm was first identified as a tropical low on 20 November 2013 well to the northwest of Australia. Tracking generally west to west-southwest, the small system steadily organized into a tropical cyclone by 22 November. Maintaining a small central dense overcast, Alessia brushed the Kimberley region before making landfall in the Top End region with winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) on 23 and 24 November respectively. Some weakening took place as the system moved over land; however, reorganization occurred as it neared the Gulf of Carpentaria. After moving over water on 26 November, it redeveloped gale-force winds. Alessia reached its peak intensity on 27 November with winds of 85 km/h (53 mph) and a barometric pressure of 991 mbar (hPa; 29.26 inHg) and subsequently made its final landfall near Wollogorang. Weakening ensued once more as the storm traveled over land; though, Alessia's remnants looped eastward back over water before doubling back to the west. The system was last noted moving inland again over the Northern Territory on 1 December.
Throughout Alessia's existence, it caused only minimal damage. Several areas experienced gale-force winds, with gusts measured up to 109 km/h (68 mph) on Centre Island. Moderate to heavy rains accompanied the system as well, with a storm maxima of 290.4 mm (11.43 in) also occurring on Centre Island.