CELESTE

History

Tropical Cyclone Celeste developed in the Coral Sea on 26 January 1996 and strengthened quickly thereafter, reaching Category 3 severe tropical cyclone status on the Australian scale. Its rapid deepening was assisted by a favourable upper-level environment, with the system positioned between equatorial and subtropical outflow channels that allowed efficient ventilation of the developing core.

As it intensified, Celeste tracked towards the north-eastern Queensland coast. On 27 January the centre made its closest approach to the mainland, passing about 24 kilometres north of Bowen, although the cyclone did not cross the coast. The system delivered heavy rainfall across the Bowen district and surrounding parts of the north Queensland coast before turning away and moving back out over the Coral Sea.

Retreating offshore, Celeste passed to the north of the Whitsunday Islands, and it was during this stage that the cyclone attained its peak intensity. Once clear of the coast the system deteriorated rapidly, weakening soon after reaching its strongest point.

Celeste was one of two systems to affect the Queensland coast during an active 1995–96 Australian region season that was dominated by landfalling cyclones in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia