Images of 'Thelma'

Satellite images of Tropical Cyclone Thelma

These images are all 'visible' (as distinct from infrared) images, taken by the GMS-5 Satellite. This satellite, positioned 36 000 km above the equator, is operated by the Japanese Meteorological Agency; these images were received and processed at the Bureau of Meteorology's Northern Territory Regional Office in Casuarina, Darwin (see here for copyright information on satellite images displayed on this site). The resolution of the images has been reduced slightly to reduce the page loading time.

Thelma at 'Category 2' strength, 7 December 1998, 9am
Here we can see a large spiral band wrapping around the centre, with a large clear area in the centre that would later become the eye. At this stage, the cyclone was intensifying rapidly.
Central Pressure: 975hPa. Maximum wind gusts: 145 km/h.

Category 1, 7 December, 1998

Category 5, 8 December 1998, 5 pm.
After quickly gaining strength and drifting southwards, Thelma changed to its expected southwest track and grazed the coast of the Tiwi Islands. This was the closest approach that Thelma made to Darwin... thankfully. At this stage, the cyclone had a central pressure of 925 hPa and maximum wind gusts of 300 km/h; three hours later it reached its maximum intensity of 920 hPa and maximum wind gusts 320 km/h.

category 5

Category 5, crossing the Timor Sea, 9 December 1998, 5pm.
Moving away from the interference of land, the cyclone took a very symmetrical structure.
Central pressure: 925 hPa. Maximum wind gusts: 300 km/h

Category 5, number 2

Finally, Thelma crossing the Kimberley coast early on December 11. After this the cyclone travelled to the south and lost intensity.

Category 5, crossing the coast.