After receiving the name Clare on 7 January, the system ultimately peaked at Category 3 intensity on the Australian tropical cyclone scale.

[1] That same day, both the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) identified the system as a tropical disturbance.

Later that day, Clare achieved severe tropical cyclone status while located around 170 mi (270 km) north of Port Hedland.

[1] On 9 January, the JTWC estimated the storm to have peaked in intensity with maximum sustained 1-minute winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 980 millibars.

Heading ashore, the storm began to quickly deteriorate,[1] and both the JTWC and the BoM declared it dissipated on 10 January as it continued southward.

[5] In areas between Broome and Port Hedland, people were urged to tidy debris and organise disaster supplies to prepare for the storm.

[7] Clare produced extensive flooding that forced the closure of numerous roads,[8] including part of the North West Coastal Highway.

Additionally, the Greenough River surpassed its banks; a sandbagging effort prevented the resultant floods from inundating the town of Walkaway.