Tracking southward towards the Pilbara coast in a favourable environment, Heidi rapidly intensified and attained Category 3 severe tropical cyclone status on 11 January.

After making landfall at peak intensity later that day with estimated winds of 150 km/h (95 mph), Heidi rapidly weakened, dissipating over Western Australia by 13 January.

Heidi dropped heavy rainfall across the Pilbara and West Kimberley regions in Western Australia, with a maximum accumulation of 168.5 millimetres (6.63 in) being reported at Pardoo Station.

The origins of Heidi can be traced to a tropical low that was first noted by TCWC Perth about 290 km (180 mi) south of Sawu, Indonesia on 9 January 2012.

Located in an environment favourable for development, characterised by low northerly wind shear, divergence due to an upper-level trough to the south over central Western Australia, good poleward outflow to the south and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of 28 to 31 °C till the Pilbara coast, the low tracked southwards quickly and intensified into a Category 1 tropical cyclone at 1200 UTC on 10 January.

Heidi intensified into a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone at 1200 UTC on January 11, and six hours later attained its peak intensity with ten-minute sustained winds of 150 km/h (95 mph) and an estimated minimum central pressure of 960 mbar (hPa).

The residents of Port Hedland were advised to immediately seek shelter, and people in the surrounding areas were urged to gather food, water, torches, portable radios and first aid kits.

Nonetheless, very strong winds and heavy rainfall caused minor flooding and power outages, and trees were uprooted across properties.