Bruce

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Bruce originated as an area of disturbed weather near Indonesia, first identified by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as a tropical low on 16 December 2013. The system steadily intensified, reaching tropical cyclone strength on 18 December as it tracked southwestward. On 19 December, Bruce crossed 90°E and entered the South-West Indian Ocean area of responsibility managed by Météo-France, at which point it already carried maximum sustained winds of around 155 km/h and possessed a well-defined eye.

Bruce continued to intensify rapidly after entering the basin, being elevated to very intense tropical cyclone status — the highest classification on the Météo-France scale — by 20 December. After briefly dipping to intense tropical cyclone status, it regained its peak classification on 22 December, reaching maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h and a minimum central pressure of 920 hPa. It was the first very intense tropical cyclone in the South-West Indian Ocean since Edzani in 2010, and notably originated from the Australian region.

Following peak intensity, Bruce progressively weakened as sea surface temperatures cooled and convection became asymmetric. The cyclone transitioned to an extratropical system on 24 December, with its remnants re-entering the Australian region basin the following day. Bruce did not make a land crossing, and no casualties or direct damage impacts are recorded for this system.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia