This season marked the first time the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued warnings and performed best track analysis on significant tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere.

The cyclone reached peak intensity on February 12, with an estimated central pressure of 975 hPa.

After crossing into the Australian region, Cliff struck Queensland on February 14, making landfall near Bundaberg.

The cyclone caused some crop and structural damages in South East Queensland, and beach erosion occurred on the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

The JTWC initiated warnings on Tropical Cyclone 12P during January 26, which had moved into the basin from the Australian region during the previous day.