Tropical cyclone Craig was able to sustain tropical cyclone intensity as it tracked along the northcoast of the Northern Territory until it moved into the Gulf of Carpentaria near Gove at 2000 UTC on 11 March. Craig accelerated and ultimately moved at 22 knots toward the southeast and finally south-southeast whilst crossing the Gulf. It developed an asymmetric wind and rain structure and satellite data showed that strong winds under the rainband were restricted mostly to the western flank with a 70-knot south-southeast wind indicated near 15.5S, 140.7E.

As the cyclone approached the eastern coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, the apparent centre visible on radar continued moving towards the southeast. However, the low-level centre came to a halt and remained virtually stationary over the next 12 hours. This asymmetry near the centre in all likelihood gave the low-level circulation a northwesterly component of motion.

At Nhulunbuy the peak gust of 46 kts along with a 33 knot sustained wind was recorded at 11/2134 UTC. The minimum SLP of 992.2 hPa occurred earlier at 2000 UTC. A marine pilot from Brisbane was guiding vessel C6OZ3, anchored 130 nautical miles west of Booby Island from 11/1400 through 12/0700 UTC. The pilot stated that he experienced sustained winds of 55 knots with gusts over 60 knots and a 10-metre swell. The vessel was apparently located under a rain band well east of Craig's centre.

Some minor damage was also reported to small craft in the northwestern Gulf of Carpentaria and to the Alcan Plant at Nhulunbuy. On the Queensland coast, Craig's effects were restricted to widespread but minor damage to native vegetation and moderate to locally heavy rainfalls. At Kowanyama an uprooted tree damaged one house, and numerous trees and branches fell in Kowanyama and Pormuraaw. Roads were cut throughout the region. Weipa, which was well to the north of the cyclone's centre, recorded a storm surge of 1.1 metres, significant wave heights of 3 metres, and peak wave heights of 5 metres.

The map at the top left displays the impact area (marked by the black line) with the red line illustrating the path of the eye of the cyclone.

Link: More info on Cyclone Craig

Rockhampton Regional Council in partnership with the Queensland a…

Cyclone Craig track and intensity (BOM)