User blog:Yqt1001/The Major Hurricanes of 2011 - Part One

The Major Hurricanes of 2011 - Part One (January-April)

The year started off with a quiet Southern Hemisphere season. Unlike usual, there weren't many severe tropical cyclones until late January, well behind the average date. Although, the SHem seasons quickly heated up.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Wilma (Southern Pacific)

Wilma was the first tropical cyclone in 2011 to reach 115mph (1-minute sustained winds). It formed on January 18th and it reached the major hurricane milestone on January 24th and later went onto intensify to a peak intensity of 135mph (1-min) and 930mb on January 26th.





http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Wilma_2011_track.png

Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi (Southern Pacific-Yasi)

Yasi formed on January 26th and it reached the major hurricane milestone on January 31st and later went onto intensify to a peak intensity of 155mph (1-min) and 929mb on February 2nd. Yasi made landfall near Tully, Australia at peak intensity causing nearly 4 billion in damage and killing one person. It was the strongest storm to make landfall this year.





http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Yasi_2011_track.png

Severe Tropical Cyclone Bingiza (South West Indian)

Bingiza formed on February 9th and it reached the major hurricane milestone on February 13th and peaked at winds of 115mph (1-min) and 953mb. Bingiza made landfall near Manambolosy, Madagascar as a weakening category 2 strength hurricane killing 22 people and causing unknown damage.





http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Bingiza_2011_track.png

Severe Tropical Cyclone Atu (South Pacific)

Atu formed on February 3rd and it reached the major hurricane milestone on February 19th and later went onto intensify to a peak intensity of 135mph (1-min) and 940mb on February 20th.





http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Atu_2011_track.png

Honorable Mentions (near major hurricane status)

1. Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia (South Pacific-Australia) 2. Severe Tropical Cyclone Bianca (Australia) 3. Severe Tropical Cyclone Dianne (Australia)

That's all for part 1, I'll have the next 2 parts up in a few days. Please leave comments and criticisms! :)