Zelia

Dissipated

Active from February 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM to February 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM

Track map of Zelia

Peak Category

Tropical Low

Minimum Pressure

923 hPa

Maximum Wind Speed

234 km/h

Region

australianRegion

Key Events

Formation

February 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM

-16.9°N, 119.8°E

Dissipation

February 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM

-22.1°N, 119.8°E

Storm Timeline

Zelia formed as Tropical Low at -16.9°N, 119.8°E with winds of 54 km/h

Zelia was named as Category 1 at -16.9°N, 119.8°E with winds of 65 km/h

Zelia intensified to Category 2 at -19.0°N, 118.7°E with winds of 122 km/h

Zelia intensified to Category 3 at -19.2°N, 118.3°E with winds of 155 km/h

Zelia intensified to Category 4 at -19.1°N, 118.2°E with winds of 216 km/h

Zelia intensified to Category 5 at -19.1°N, 118.2°E with winds of 234 km/h

Zelia reached peak intensity as Category 5 at -19.3°N, 118.2°E with winds of 234 km/h

Zelia made landfall as Category 5 at -20.2°N, 119.1°E with winds of 202 km/h

Zelia dissipated at -22.1°N, 119.8°E

Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia: Australia's First Category 5 Storm of 2025

Meteorological Evolution

Zelia emerged as Tropical Low 18U near Western Australia's Kimberley region on 7 February 2025. The system initially tracked west-southwest with limited development until 11 February when deep convection organized around its center.[^1]

Rapid Intensification Timeline:

  • 11 Feb 06:00 UTC: Upgraded to Category 1 (BoM)
  • 12 Feb 06:00 UTC: Reached Category 2 status
  • 13 Feb 00:00 UTC: Intensified to Category 4
  • 13 Feb 06:00 UTC: Achieved Category 5 status[^2]
  • 14 Feb 04:30 UTC: Made landfall near De Grey (20.2°S 119.1°E) with 205 km/h winds[^3]

Landfall Characteristics

Zelia struck Australia's Pilbara coast as a compact but powerful system:

  • Peak Intensity: 927 hPa pressure with 205 km/h sustained winds
  • Storm Surge: 4.2 meters recorded at Port Hedland
  • Rainfall: 300mm/24h at Marble Bar station[^4]

Impact Analysis

Infrastructure Damage:

  • Port Hedland (world's largest iron ore terminal) closed for 72+ hours
  • 124 structures damaged in South Hedland
  • 19,000 homes lost power

Economic Consequences:

Sector Impact Duration
Mining $1.2B production loss 5-day shutdown
Shipping 47 vessels delayed 4-day backlog
Agriculture 12,000 livestock losses N/A

Emergency Response

Western Australia's DFES implemented:

  • 2 evacuation centers (Port Hedland & Karratha)
  • 117 swiftwater rescue teams deployed
  • Satellite emergency communication systems activated

Climate Context

Zelia's rapid intensification (RI) pattern:

  • 24h Pressure Drop: 54 hPa (13-14 Feb)
  • Sea Surface Temp: 31°C (+2.5°C above average)[^5]
  • RI Factor: 95th percentile for Australian cyclones

Post-Storm Recovery

Key rehabilitation efforts:

  1. Debris clearance from 380km of roads
  2. Temporary housing for 124 displaced families
  3. Mental health support programs for 2,400 residents

Conclusion

Cyclone Zelia demonstrated the increasing threat of rapid-onset storms in warming oceans. Its compact structure (150km eye wall) and extreme winds caused concentrated damage, highlighting needs for:

  • Enhanced building codes in NW Australia
  • Real-time microweather monitoring systems
  • Climate-adaptive port infrastructure

[^1]: Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Tropical Cyclone Report 2025-04
[^2]: Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) Advisory 17P
[^3]: ABC Emergency Live Updates 14/02/2025
[^4]: WA Department of Primary Industries Report
[^5]: CSIRO Marine Temperature Analysis