Each year, Australia’s cyclone season is from November to April.
- Each year, Australia’s cyclone season is from November to April.
- Where are cyclones in Australia?
- Cyclone season in Australia
- How is a cyclone formed?
- How to stay safe in a cyclone
- Check the weather conditions before travelling anywhere.
- Get to know the community plan.
- Plan your travels in the shoulder months.
- Carry battery-operated electronics or power packs.
- Keep in contact
- Exploring Australia outside of the cyclone season
Cyclones in Australia are rife during the wet season, but there’s just no telling how big or small they will be each year. The weather in the North tends to be more extreme than the rest of the country, and is subject to tropical storms and cyclones.
Where are cyclones in Australia?
Generally, the Northwest Coast (near Broome) is more prone to cyclones. Ultimately, if you’re travelling around the northern or Northeast coastal parts of Australia during the wet season (like Queensland), it’s recommended that you check up on the weather before travelling.
Here are our top safety tips for staying safe in a potential cyclone.
They can be scary, but there are ways you can stay safe if you happen to be in their vicinity. So, let’s look at what happens during a cyclone, and what you can do if you encounter one.
Cyclone season in Australia
If you’re taking a long trip and you want to avoid cyclone season, travel outside of November to March/April.
The cyclone season is from November to March. It’s good to check the weather conditions for the area before travelling during this time, because even small tropical storms can turn into larger ones, causing things like mudslides. If you are in the southern parts of Australia, you won’t have to worry about cyclones as much, except you might feel a southern wind from the tail end of them. But if you’re in the north of Australia, then you will experience their heavy rainfall.
The outcome of a cyclone can be unpredictable. That’s because the direction of the storm can change quickly.
How is a cyclone formed?
So where do they come from? A cyclone is formed over warm sections of the ocean. Cyclones that hit Australia are formed between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. These are oceanic regions that are set on either side of the equator. The waters of the ocean are warm during or just after the hot summer months. The water from the ocean will evaporate, and clouds will form.
This high humidity and low air pressure cause clouds to be pulled in. They’ll rotate and spin on their axis, and the clouds of the cyclone will start spinning around with more force. These clouds will continue to spin around and gain more momentum. Sometimes the cyclone can lose force, and nothing will come of it. But other times, the wind speed might increase, and this is when it can turn into a full-on cyclone. On average, the wind speed is around 63km an hour. Then, when the cyclone gets to land, it loses its force because of the reduced moisture and heat.
Generally, in Australia, this geological phenomenon is called a tropical cyclone, but it’s called something different in various parts of the world. A hurricane is in the North Atlantic, Central North Pacific and Eastern North Pacific. In Asia, they are called typhoons, and in North America, they are called hurricanes. When you are travelling around Australia, it’s good to be mindful of the seasons.
On average, a full-scale cyclone will normally last for about a week.
How to stay safe in a cyclone
If you happen to be in a situation where a cyclone is approaching, here’s how you can stay safe. When you’re staying safe in a cyclone, there are certain things you should do to protect yourself and others.
- Check the weather conditions
- Plan your trips
- Keep in contact
- Have a plan
Check the weather conditions before travelling anywhere.
Keep up to date with the local news, and get notifications on your phone so you know what kinds of weather to expect.
The best thing you can do is research the weather for the area that you’re going to visit.
Get to know the community plan.
If you need to make an evacuation, get clued up on the local community cyclone plan for the area you’re in. There could be a specific meeting point or local helpline numbers that you can call.
Plan your travels in the shoulder months.
The shoulder months of Australia’s seasons are spring/autumn, and this is the best time to be travelling in Queensland because there’s less chance of a cyclone that could happen. Not only is that a bit safer, but it will also give you better weather to do more outdoors and enjoy the magic of Queensland in the more temperate climates!
Carry battery-operated electronics or power packs.
Cyclones can cut out power, so having battery-operated electrical equipment is helpful. Having battery or wind-up torches and fully charged power packs will come in handy.
Keep in contact
Make sure you’ve got your ID documents handy. If you have to travel during a cyclone, keep in contact with friends and family so they know where you’re going.
Exploring Australia outside of the cyclone season
Travelling through Australia outside of cyclone/wet season can allow the freedom and comfort to plan all of your outdoor adventures! Explore the lush tropics of Cairns, watch jumping crocs leap for fish in the Northern Territory. Find your next Aussie adventure!
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