Some studies suggest that hot, wet soil in the vast unurbanized northwestern Australia may provide sufficient energy for landfalling TCs to maintain intensity or even continue to intensify after landfall (Andersen and Shepherd 2017; Andersen and Shepherd 2014; Emanuel et al. 2008). These studies suggest that wet soils create an atmosphere conducive to TC maintenance by enhancing surface latent heat flux. In some cases, the latent heat flux overland may exceed that over the oceans for short periods of time.

Tropical Cyclone (TC) Kelvin formed in Northern Australia in February 2018. Initially, a long-lived tropical low, Kelvin moved out over the ocean and began intensifying on 16 February. It reached category 2 as it was making its final landfall at 8 am 18 February forming an eye after landfall, which was maintained for more than 24 hours. The resulting rainswath extended from Broome in the north to the Great Australian Bight in the south with over 400 mm of rain in the region around Broome. In this presentation the “brown ocean” effect (Andersen et al. 2013) and its influence on the maintenance and intensification of TC Kelvin is investigated. The results are compared to other similar landfalling TCs in the WA region to determine whether the “brown ocean” effect is a frequent mechanism for TC overland maintenance and intensification in this region.