First system formed 3 November 1980 Name Mabel Tropical cyclones 14 | Last system dissipated 30 May 1981 Tropical lows 14 Severe tropical cyclones 11 | |
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The 1980–81 Australian region cyclone season was an average season. It officially started on 1 November 1980, and officially ended on 30 April 1981.
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Severe Tropical Cyclone Alice-Adelaide
Formed on November 3, just south of Selat Mentawai then moved southwestward before reaching a peak intensity of 110 knots (125 mph, 205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940.0 hectopascals (27.76 inHg) on November 8. On November 12 the storm began to move northwestward and two days later dissipated over the open Indian Ocean.
Tropical Cyclone Cliff
After ravaging the South Pacific islands, Cyclone Cliff struck Queensland on February 14, 1981. The effects of the cyclone was felt from Noosa to Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. One person died in the storm.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Max
Cyclone Max developed from a low pressure system into a Category 1 cyclone in Van Diemen Gulf, off the Northern Territory Coast, on March 11, 1981. Moving west-southwest, it crossed over Darwin, Australia later that day, causing tree damage and flooding but minimal structural damage. It subsequently moved west into the Timor Sea and the Indian Ocean, and although intensifying to Category 3 and reaching a lowest pressure of 960.0 hectopascals (28.35 inHg), did not approach land again. Max was notable for being the first cyclone to pass over Darwin since the city was destroyed by Cyclone Tracy 6 years earlier. The name Max was not retired from the Northern Australia naming list.