For those interested in what Daniel Smith wrote go here https://www.jcu.edu.au/cts/ and look for the link to the document.

Remember most readers will have the same level of expertise as Jenifer, but if you would like to fully understand then email a relevant expert, i'm sure they would be happy to correct any misunderstandings of the work and field in general.

Lots of experience with cyclones have you Cobber?

I have sailed through three in small boats, sheltered boats in creeks in another few, had a few on land, & closely followed the development of every one for years.

With just that experience it was pretty obvious, blind Freddy obvious actually, that this thing was no cat 5 cyclone.

The damage at Yeppoon was very minor, considering the decrepit state of much of the older housing, built as it was as weekenders for cow cockies & cane farmers, 50 years or more ago.

It was so obvious that I had a bet with my son that the thing would be cat 2 or 3 when the actual wind speeds were read by instruments. We now know that was the case. What the hell is the BOM doing spinning cyclones.

As someone said, when we do get a real 4 or 5, the devastation & deaths will be massive, if people believe this was up there.

Do some research, before you start blowing your mouth off mate. There is an extensive photographic record of the results of real 3 & 4 cyclones, & a few 5s. Have a look, then apologise for your foolish post.

Actually Jenny, the radio reported recorded wind gusts at the centre, of 295 Kilometes per hour, so according to your numbers, we were approached by a category 5 Cyclone!

Just be glad that the eye of the storm and the most destructive winds missed your place and apparently your bananas; albeit now sadly bent ones.

As things stand the only one needing a very public dressing down just happens to be you, and only because you have very ably presented misinformation, with the sole purpose of scoring a king hit on some of your (climate change)foes?

But then misinformation, particularly around climate issues, seems to be your particular forte, doesn't it Jenny?
Rhrosty.

Cobber,

You need to clarify… which facts did i get wrong? Also, Daniel Smith's preliminary report indicates damage consistent with Cat 2 or 3?

Rhrosty,

Yes, the radio and media generally were reporting all sorts of nonsense… including quoting inaccurate BOM tracking maps and advice. But the actual surface observations, from instruments (rather than computer models) indicated that the maximum wind gust before landfall (on Middle Percy Island) was 208 km/hr. Max wind gust at Yeppoon reached 156 km/hr. So, nothing like the 280 km/hr expected with a Cat 5.

Jenny, it's impossible to measure the eye of the storm outside the actual eye, which may have been quite narrow and maybe just missed the critical instruments you seem to rely on?

And it's so unlike the ABC to get it so wrong, or not check their facts!

For mine, if the ABC reported central wind gusts of 295 kilometres per hour, then that is what the bureau of meteorology weather satellites where recording and reporting! Lets not shoot the messenger!

And possibly superior information than that gained from possibly damaged land based instruments. One would expect a lot of debris at the centre!

If between those reports of 295 kilometre wind gusts at the centre and the landfall, some of the steam left the storm, we can all be thankful! Even so, nowhere is there any actual evidence as you seem to propose, of quite deliberate inflation!

Besides, there are reports of some serious destruction, where the actual eye crossed the coast; and then brought some of us a drop of badly needed rain. It's an ill wind.

Thankfully, you as a Queenslander, will have considerable experience straightening bananas; albeit, I have yet to find a perfectly straight banana on any shop shelf. You're falling down on the job here Jenny. Rhrosty.

Ms Marohasy is not a Meteorologist; yet, argues that the temperatures that the Department of Meteorology have been tampered with. It is suggesting that BOM commits fraud; it is no different than suggesting Biologists; for example, commit fraud. Which naturally is wrong.
Cyclone Marcia was listed as a Category 5 storm but was downgraded to a Category 4. Many homes were destroyed and we are lucky there were no fatalities.
I'm sure those who had property severely damaged would not be pleased with Ms Marohasy's comment.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/cyclone-lam-and-cyclone-marcia-twin-severe-storms-a-first-for-australia-20150220-13jycu.html