Citation

Callaghan J. Nat. Hazards 2003; 30(2): 129-153.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Because of its location close to a region of tropical cyclone formation, the city of Cairns is regularly affected by tropical cyclones. Most cyclones occur in the months January-March, although some have affected Cairns in December and April. There is a strong year-to-year variation in tropical cyclone numbers in the Cairns region, with twice as many impacts occurring during La Nina conditions as during El Nino. Several case studies are presented of cyclone impacts on Cairns. Rapidly developing cyclones are a particularly difficult forecast problem, as they can strike the city with less than 24 hours warning. Serious inundation from storm surge often occurs some time after landfall at Cairns.