Tropical Cyclone Nicholas originated from a broad area of low pressure associated with a monsoonal trough south of Sumatra on November 25.

Nicholas, while remaining a small system, continued to intensify and by December 3 reached a peak intensity as a category four cyclone with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) 10-min sustained and a pressure of 945 hPa.

Initially drifting toward the east, the low pressure system showed signs of slow development.

Based on data from the GMS, the low had become sufficiently well-organized to be classified as a tropical cyclone by 30 January, retaining a minimum central pressure of 995 mbar (hPa; 29.38 inHg).

[3] During all of Winifred's existence, a canopy of high-level cirrus clouds covered the eye and rainbands of the cyclone, preventing precise location of its centre through satellite observation.

Though the eye retained a relatively large diameter of approximately 51 km (32 mi), Winifred continued to deepen as it approached the coast of north Queensland; however, a contraction of the eyewall became evident by 0300 UTC the next day.

With time, the eye further decreased in size, with the smallest diameter assessed at 41 km (26 mi) just prior to landfall.

In addition, this decrease suggested a reach of peak intensity, and correspondingly, minimum central pressure dropped to 957 mbar (hPa; 957 mbar (28.26 inHg) upon landfall near Silkwood, Queensland at 0445 UTC, the lowest recorded throughout the duration of the cyclone.

This pressure, combined with peak winds of around 155 km/h (100 mph 10-minute sustained), would designate Winifred as the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale.

Moving further inland, Winifred began to lose its discernible radar features and quickly decreased in intensity; however, the cyclone persisted as a weakening tropical depression for approximately five days.

Initially, the forecast position of landfall was pinned near Babinda, where specialists warned of maximum gusts near of 190 km/h (120 mph).

[1] Tropical Cyclone Tiffany occurred from 25 February until 1 March 1986 and remained away from land in the Indian Ocean.

Cyclone Namu was responsible for the deaths of 103 people and caused US$100 million in economic losses in the Solomon Islands.

[8] Attaining a clean water supply was issue on Guadalcanal, and 22% of homes on the island were either damaged or destroyed.

[7] As a result of the havoc caused by the cyclone, approximately 90,000 people, equal to a third of the country's population, were reported as homeless.