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Cyclone Zelia (2025)

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This article is about the 2025 Australian region tropical cyclone. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Zelia.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia
Zelia at its peak intensity on February 13
Meteorological history
Formed7 February 2025
Dissipated16 February 2025
Category 5 severe tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained (BOM)
Highest winds205 km/h (125 mph)
Lowest pressure927 hPa (mbar); 27.37 inHg
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds240 km/h (150 mph)
Lowest pressure926 hPa (mbar); 27.34 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedWestern Australia (particularly Kimberley and Pilbara)
Part of the 2024–25 Australian region cyclone season

Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia was a powerful tropical cyclone that impacted Western Australia's Pilbara region in mid-February 2025. The fifteenth tropical low, fifth tropical cyclone, fourth severe tropical cyclone, and first Category 5 tropical cyclone of the 2024–25 Australian region cyclone season, Zelia originated as a tropical low near the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A tropical low, initially designated as 18U, formed on 7 February, near the Kimberley region. The system tracked west-southwest with no significant development in the coming days.[citation needed] Deep convection increased over the southwest quadrant of the center, and the system turned to the south-southwest as steered mid-level ridge to the east on February 11.[1] Despite deep convection was sheared to the southwest due to wind shear, persistent gale-force winds were observed to the west of the center, which prompted the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) to upgraded the system to a Category 1 tropical cyclone and assigned the name Zelia later that day.[2] Benefit from very warm waters of 31 °C (88 °F) and good outflow and divergence, Zelia stengthened to a Category 2 tropical cyclone at 06:00 UTC February 12. Zelia also reduced its motion to the south as it entered a weak steering environment.[3]

Satellite imagery animation of Cyclone Zelia on the morning of 14 February and made landfall later in the afternoon

As wind shear decreased, Zelia began a period of rapid intensification, and the BoM upgraded it to a high-end Category 3 severe tropical cyclone later that day. Situated between two anticyclones, Zelia continued to move slowly and drifted slightly westward.[4] At 00:00 UTC February 13, the BoM upgraded Zelia to a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone,[5] and it attained Category 5 status just six hours later. Radar imagery indicated that Zelia underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, but it managed to complete it before making landfall.[6] At 00:00 UTC February 14, Zelia attained peak intensity with sustained winds of 205 km/h (125 mph) and a barometric pressure of 927 hPa (27.37 inHg).[7] At 12:30 p.m. AWST (04:30 UTC), Zelia made landfall at peak intensity, near De Grey, or 34 mi (55 km) northeast of Port Hedland.[8] Zelia quickly weakened after landfall, and it dropped below tropical cyclone intensity later that day.[9]

Preparations and impact

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Western Australia

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In the state, more than a dozen schools were closed. Two evacuation centers would be opened due to the storm. Multiple highways were closed, while trade in the ports of Dampier and Varanus Island was postponed.[10] A cyclone emergency warning was issued from Pardoo Roadhouse to Whim Creek.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin: Australia - Western Region". Bureau of Meteorology. 11 February 2025. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin: Australia - Western Region". Bureau of Meteorology. 11 February 2025. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  3. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin: Australia - Western Region". Bureau of Meteorology. 12 February 2025. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin: Australia - Western Region". Bureau of Meteorology. 12 February 2025. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  5. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin: Australia - Western Region". Bureau of Meteorology. 13 February 2025. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin: Australia - Western Region". Bureau of Meteorology. 13 February 2025. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  7. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin: Australia - Western Region". Bureau of Meteorology. 14 February 2025. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  8. ^ Yoon, John (14 February 2025). "Tropical Cyclone Zelia Makes Landfall in Northwest Australia". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  9. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin: Australia - Western Region". Bureau of Meteorology. 14 February 2025. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  10. ^ "Australia braces for 'very destructive winds' as Category 5 cyclone nears landfall". NBC News. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  11. ^ Sarkari, Karishma; Glover, April; Sharma, Yashee (14 February 2025). "Winds intensify as category 5 Tropical Cyclone Zelia approaches WA". 9News.
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