Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | December 23,1996 |
Extratropical | December 29,1996 |
Dissipated | January 1,1997 |
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | |
10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
Highest winds | 150 km/h (90 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 955 hPa (mbar);28.20 inHg |
Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
Overall effects | |
Damage | $2 million (1997 USD) |
Areas affected | Solomon Islands,Vanuatu,New Caledonia and New Zealand |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1996–97 South Pacific and Australian region cyclone seasons |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Fergus was a tropical cyclone,later becoming an extratropical cyclone,that affected islands in the south-west Pacific Ocean. It lasted from December 23,1996,to January 1,1997,and reached speeds of up to 165 kilometers per hour,or 90 miles per hour. In addition to its winds,the storm caused heavy rains and severe flooding,causing significant damage to property in some areas.
The precursor tropical disturbance to Severe Tropical Cyclone Fergus was first noted by the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) on December 19, 1996, while it was located about 750 km (465 mi) to the southeast of Bairiki in Kiribati. [1] Over the next day the system moved south-westwards and became better organised, which prompted the JTWC to issue a tropical cyclone formation alert on the system during December 20. [2] However, this alert was cancelled during the next day as atmospheric convection, associated with the systems low level circulation center significantly decreased. [3] The system subsequently passed over the southern Solomon Islands during the next day, before convection associated with the systems low level circulation center became better organised. [1] [4] As a result of this the system was classified as a tropical low by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) during December 23, while the JTWC issued another tropical cyclone formation alert on the low. [4] [5] During that day, the depression gradually deepened further before the BoM reported, that it had developed into a tropical cyclone and named it Fergus later that day. [5] The JTWC subsequently initiated advisories on Fergus, early the next day and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 13P, while it was located near Rennell Island. [6]
After being named, Fergus performed a cyclonic loop in an area of weak steering flow, before it started to move south-eastwards, under the influence of an approaching upper level trough of low pressure. [5] [7] As a result, it crossed 160°E and moved into the South Pacific basin during December 26, shortly before becoming a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. [1] The system subsequently continued to move south-eastwards towards a weakness in a subtropical ridge of high pressure, before it passed in between Vanuatu and New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands between December 27–28. [1] [8] At around this time the Fiji Meteorological Service estimated that the system had peaked as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained winds of 150 km/h (90 mph). [1] The JTWC also estimated during December 27, that the system had peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 165 km/h (105 mph). [1]
Fergus and its precursor tropical disturbance brought strong winds and heavy rain to the Solomon Islands, which caused serious flooding on the islands of Guadalcanal, Rennell and Bellona. [9] As a result, significant property damage and hundreds of food gardens were destroyed throughout the island nation. [9] [10] [11] Two deaths were also reported, while several regions were declared disaster areas by the Government of the Solomon Islands. [12] The National Disaster Council also launched an appeal for cash and rice, to help ease the food crisis in affected areas. [11] As a result, Taiwan donated $355,000 and 140 kg (310 lb) of vegetable seeds for disaster relief, while Australia and New Zealand donated to the relief effort via the Solomon Islands Red Cross. [10] [11]
After impacting the Solomon Islands, Fergus moved south-eastwards where it moved in between and parallel to Vanuatu and New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands. [9] As a result, New Caledonia's eastern Loyalty Islands were placed on high alert with people urged to reinforce doors and windows and limit their movements, while the rest of the French territory was placed on a precautionary alert. [13] On Matthew Island, a significant drop in air pressure was recorded, as Fergus moved past, but no wind speeds were recorded at the weather station as the station's anemometer had been broken. [14] Cyclonic winds and torrential rains were subsequently recorded within Vanuatu, with food gardens in Aneityum damaged as a result. [9] [15]
Ahead of the system impacting New Zealand, MetService issued warnings for gale-force winds and heavy rain in various districts of the North Island. [16] They also warned that Fergus would bring with it around about thirty hours of rain and six to eight hours of damaging winds. [17] As a result, all campers and hikers who were holidaying on the North Island's East Coast were told to pack up and leave the area. [17] Ahead of Fergus impacting New Zealand, the ground was becoming saturated as a shallow trough of low pressure and moist northeast flow, had caused rain to set in from Northland to the Bay of Plenty. [16] Fergus caused extensive damage in New Zealand after making landfall. [18]
Play in the qualifying and first rounds of the 1997 ASB Classic tennis tournament to be significantly disrupted, due to torrential rain, poor light and strong wind caused by Fergus.
The 1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was unofficially the most active year on record for the basin, with 10 tropical storms developing, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean – the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent – and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the JTWC releases unofficial advisories. An average of four to six storms form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November. Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.
Typhoon Nina, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Sisang, was the most intense typhoon to strike the Philippines since Typhoon Irma in 1981. Typhoon Nina originated from an area of convection near the Marshall Islands in mid-November 1987. It gradually became better organized, and on November 19, was first classified as a tropical cyclone. Moving west-northwest, Nina attained tropical storm intensity that evening. Late on November 20, Nina passed through the Chuuk Lagoon in the Federated States of Micronesia. After a brief pause in intensification, Nina intensified into a typhoon on November 22. Two days later, the typhoon intensified suddenly, before attaining its peak 10 minute intensity of 165 km/h. During the afternoon of November 25, Nina moved ashore in Southern Luzon at the same intensity. It gradually weakened over land, before entering the South China Sea and turning to the north. By November 30, Nina dissipated.
The 1997–98 South Pacific cyclone season was the most active South Pacific tropical cyclone season on record, with 16 tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific basin between 160°E and 120°W. The season started earlier than normal with 3 systems developing before the official start of the season on November 1, 1997, while the final system of the season dissipated on May 3, 1998, after the season had officially ended on April 30. During the season 50 people died as a result of tropical cyclones, with the deadliest being Cyclone Martin with 27 known deaths. The strongest tropical cyclones during the season were Cyclone Ron and Cyclone Susan as both were estimated to have minimum pressures of 900 hectopascals (26.6 inHg), and were the most intense tropical cyclones on record in the South Pacific Ocean until Cyclone Zoe in 2002–03. After the season ended, 11 names had their names either removed or retired from the lists of names, after they caused significant impacts to South Pacific islands.
The 1996–97 South Pacific cyclone season was one of the most active and longest South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons on record, with 12 tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific basin between 160°E and 120°W. The season officially ran from November 1, 1996 - April 30, 1997, however, the season ended later than normal with three systems monitored after the official end of the season. The strongest tropical cyclone of the season was Cyclone Gavin which had a minimum pressure of 925 hPa (27.32 inHg). After the season had ended 4 tropical cyclone names were retired from the naming lists, after the cyclones had caused significant impacts to South Pacific islands.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Rewa affected six countries and caused 22 deaths on its 28-day journey across the South Pacific Ocean in December 1993 and January 1994. Cyclone Rewa developed from a tropical disturbance on 28 December south of Nauru. After forming, Rewa moved southwest through the Solomon Islands, crossing the 160th meridian east from the South Pacific basin into the Australian region. The cyclone began to strengthen steadily and turned southward, paralleling the eastern Australian coast through 31 December. Rewa reached its initial peak intensity as a Category 4 tropical cyclone on 2 January. It maintained this intensity for about 12 hours before an increase in wind shear induced its weakening by 3 January. The cyclone turned southeastward and moved back into the South Pacific basin on 4 January, before it passed over New Caledonia between 5–6 January. After affecting New Caledonia, Rewa weakened to a tropical depression and turned northwestward before re-entering the Australian basin on 10 January.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Susan was one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record within the South Pacific basin. It was first noted on December 20, 1997, as a weak tropical disturbance located to the north of American Samoa. Over the next 12 days, the disturbance remained weak while it gradually moved towards the southwest before it started to rapidly develop on January 2, 1998 while it was located near the Fijian dependency of Rotuma. The disturbance was declared a tropical cyclone later that day, but was not named Susan until the next day, after it had intensified into a category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian Scale. Over the next few days, Susan moved towards the southwest and continued to intensify before it reached its peak intensity as a category five tropical cyclone during January 5 while it was located about 400 km (250 mi) to the northwest of Vanuatu's capital city Port Vila.
Typhoon Alex, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Etang, affected the Taiwan, China, and South Korea during July 1987. Typhoon Alex developed from the monsoon trough that spawned a tropical disturbance late on July 21 southwest of Guam which organized into a tropical depression shortly thereafter. The system steadily became better organized, and the next day, a tropical depression had developed. Satellite intensity estimates gradually increased, and on July 23, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Alex. After initially tracking west-northwest, Tropical Storm Alex started tracking northwest. An eye developed on July 24, and on the next day, Alex was classified as a typhoon, when Alex attained its peak intensity of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 970 mbar (29 inHg). Alex weakened while tracking more northward, though interaction with Taiwan resulted in a more westward track starting on July 27. The storm struck near Shanghai as a tropical storm, and weakened over land, although it remained identifiable through August 2.
Typhoon Amy, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Gening, was the second typhoon to strike China in a week during mid-July 1991. An area of convection was first observed on July 13 within the vicinity of Yap. A tropical depression developed the next day. While initially tracking westward, the system slowly deepened, becoming Tropical Storm Amy on July 16. After briefly turning northwestward, Amy intensified into a typhoon on July 17. Continuing to intensify as it tracked through the Luzon Strait, Amy reached its peak intensity of 175 km/h (110 mph) on July 18. That evening, the typhoon began to show signs of weakening, although it was still believed to have been a typhoon when it made landfall in the province of Guangdong on July 19, becoming the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the province in 22 years. Once inland, the storm rapidly weakened, and by late on July 20, had dissipated completely.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Nina was a significant tropical cyclone which impacted six island nations from December 1992 to January 1993. The system was first noted as a tropical low over the Cape York Peninsula on 21 December. Over the next few days the system moved south-westwards and moved into the Gulf of Carpentaria where it was named Nina, after it had developed into a tropical cyclone during 23 December. The system was subsequently steered south-eastwards by an upper level trough of low pressure, before it made landfall as a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the Cape York Peninsula near Cape Keerweer on 25 December. Over land the system weakened into a tropical low before it regenerated into a tropical cyclone over the Coral Sea on 28 December. The system subsequently moved north-eastwards, under the influence of Severe Tropical Cyclone Kina and an upper level ridge of high pressure. During 1 January 1993, Nina peaked with sustained wind speeds of 140 km/h (85 mph), as it affected Rennell, Bellona and Temotu provinces in the Solomon Islands. The system subsequently gradually weakened as it accelerated eastwards and affected Rotuma, Wallis and Futuna, Tonga and Niue. Nina was subsequently absorbed by Kina, while both systems were located near the Southern Cook Islands during 5 January.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Drena was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused significant damage throughout New Zealand. A tropical depression formed on January 2, 1997. After crossing Vanuatu and emerging into the Coral Sea, the storm began to intensify, and by January 6, had attained peak intensity. After attaining peak intensity, Drena began to weaken. Cyclone Drena later brushed New Caledonia, bringing some damage. After transitioning into an extratropical cyclone on January 9, Drena brought impact to New Zealand. Damage totaled to $6.7 million and 3 people were killed. Roughly 140 people were evacuated after 44 homes were flooded. After the season, Drena was retired.
The 2019–20 South Pacific cyclone season was a slightly above-average season in which tropical cyclones formed within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, however a tropical cyclone could form at any time between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020, and would count towards the season total. The season began on November 22 with the formation of Tropical Cyclone Rita, which would later become a severe tropical cyclone. The season has been near-average in terms of activity, with 8 tropical cyclones and 4 severe tropical cyclones forming during the season. The season featured Cyclone Harold, the first Category 5 severe tropical cyclone in the basin since Cyclone Gita, and one of the strongest since Cyclone Winston. During the season, tropical cyclones are officially monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and New Zealand's MetService. The United States Armed Forces through the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also monitors the basin and issue unofficial warnings for American interests. The FMS attaches a number and an F suffix to tropical disturbances that form in or move into the basin while the JTWC designates significant tropical cyclones with a number and a P suffix. The FMS, BoM and MetService all use the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale and estimate wind speeds over a period of ten minutes, while the JTWC estimated sustained winds over a 1-minute period, which are subsequently compared to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS).
Typhoon Nepartak, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Weng, was a modest tropical cyclone that struck the central Philippines and the southern China island of Hainan in November 2003. Forming as a tropical depression on November 11 between Yap and Guam, the system moved westward and slowly intensified. It received the name Nepartak midday on November 12 from the Japan Meteorological Agency, becoming the 20th named storm of the 2003 Pacific typhoon season. On November 13, Napartak struck Samar in the Philippines and bisected the island chain. Up to four million people lost power, and transportation ground to a halt; over 5,000 individuals became stranded on ships forced to stay in port during the tropical storm. It was reported that 13 individuals died in the storm in the Philippines.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty was a strong, slow-moving tropical cyclone that produced record duration gale-force winds in Port Hedland, Western Australia in late February 2013. Originating as an area of low pressure on 22 February well to the northwest of the Kimberley region of Western Australia, the precursor to Rusty steadily developed within a favourable environment. Gradually decreasing surface pressures in the region signaled intensification and the low was classified as Tropical Cyclone Rusty on 23 February. Although a large, sprawling system, near-record high sea surface temperatures enabled Rusty to quickly deepen. Becoming essentially stationary on 25 February, the system acquired hurricane-force winds as its core improved in structure. The cyclone achieved its peak intensity two days later with maximum ten-minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph) and a barometric pressure of 944 hPa. Thereafter, interaction with land caused its core to collapse before the system made landfall near Pardoo Station. Rusty weakened below cyclone strength on 28 February. Its remnants persisted over Western Australia for several more days before being absorbed into an extratropical cyclone on 5 March.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Namu was considered to be one of the worst tropical cyclones to impact the Solomon Islands on record, after it caused over 100 deaths within the island nations. It was first noted as a weak tropical depression to the north of the Solomon Islands during May 15, 1986. Over the next couple of days, the storm steadily intensified while meandering. After briefly moving west, the storm attained Category 2 intensity on the Australian intensity scale on May 18, as it moved through the island chain on the next day. Cyclone Namu attained peak intensity of 150 km/h (90 mph). After retaining its peak intensity for a day, Namu turned south and weakened steadily. By May 21, the winds of Cyclone Namu had been reduced to only 80 km/h (50 mph). Continuing to weaken, Namu turned east and dissipated on May 22, away from the island chain.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Anne was one of the most intense tropical cyclones within the South Pacific basin during the 1980s. The cyclone was first noted on January 5, 1988 as a weak tropical depression to the northeast of Tuvalu, in conjunction with the future Typhoon Roy in the Northern Hemisphere. Over the next few days, the system gradually developed while moving southwestward. Once it became a tropical cyclone, it was named Anne on January 8. The next day, Anne rapidly intensified, becoming the fourth major tropical cyclone to affect Vanuatu within four years. On January 11, Anne peaked in intensity while it was equivalent to a Category 5 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, and a Category 4 on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. After turning southward on January 12, Anne struck New Caledonia, becoming the strongest tropical cyclone to affect the French Overseas Territory. The system subsequently weakened as it started to interact with Tropical Cyclone Agi. Anne weakened into a depression and was last noted on January 14 to the south-east of New Caledonia.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Joy struck Australia in late 1990, causing the third highest floods on record in Rockhampton, Queensland. This cyclone began as a weak tropical low near the Solomon Islands, and initially moved westward. On 18 December, it was named Joy, becoming the 2nd named storm of the 1990–91 Australian region cyclone season. After turning southwest, Joy developed a well-defined eye and strengthened to maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h (103 mph) while approaching Cairns in Far North Queensland. Brushing the city with strong winds, the cyclone soon weakened and turned southeast. Joy later curved back southwest, making landfall near Townsville, Queensland on 26 December. It dissipated the next day; remnant moisture continued as torrential rainfall over Queensland for two weeks.
Tropical Cyclone Sose was a moderate storm system that chiefly impacted the island nation of Vanuatu in early April 2001. The developing cyclone was first detected on April 3, while situated well to the northeast of Vanuatu. As atmospheric conditions became more conducive to intensification, the disturbance gradually consolidated as it drifted toward the west-southwest. After receiving the name Sose on April 5, the cyclone was driven southeastward, passing just west of Espiritu Santo and neighboring islands. Although it never made landfall, Sose was particularly expansive, producing a wide area of gale-force winds. The cyclone peaked in strength between April 7 and 8 with maximum 10-minute sustained winds of 110 km/h (68 mph) and 1-minute sustained winds of 130 km/h (81 mph), placing it at Category 2 intensity on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. Ultimately, stronger wind shear and an increasingly hostile upper-air pattern took their toll on the cyclone as it progressed due south; Sose lost tropical characteristics to the northeast of Norfolk Island by April 12. The extratropical remnants of Sose continued into the Tasman Sea.
Tropical Cyclone Alessia was the first tropical cyclone to affect the Northern Territory of Australia in November since Cyclone Joan in 1975. The storm was first identified as a tropical low on 20 November 2013 well to the northwest of Australia. Tracking generally west to west-southwest, the small system steadily organized into a tropical cyclone by 22 November. Maintaining a small central dense overcast, Alessia brushed the Kimberley region before making landfall in the Top End region with winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) on 23 and 24 November respectively. Some weakening took place as the system moved over land; however, reorganization occurred as it neared the Gulf of Carpentaria. After moving over water on 26 November, it redeveloped gale-force winds. Alessia reached its peak intensity on 27 November with winds of 85 km/h (53 mph) and a barometric pressure of 991 mbar and subsequently made its final landfall near Wollogorang. Weakening ensued once more as the storm traveled over land; though, Alessia's remnants looped eastward back over water before doubling back to the west. The system was last noted moving inland again over the Northern Territory on 1 December.
Severe Tropical Storm Tess known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Welpring was the second of three tropical cyclones to directly impact the Philippines in a two-week time frame in 1988. An area of disturbed weather near the Philippines was first observed on November 1. Following an increase in organization, the disturbance was designated as a tropical cyclone on November 4. Moving west, Tess steadily strengthened due to favorable conditions aloft. During the evening of November 5, Tess was estimated to have achieved its highest intensity, with winds of 115 km/h (70 mph). Rapid weakening then ensured as Tess neared Vietnam, and after making landfall in the country on November 6, Tess dissipated the next day.
Tropical Cyclone Ruby was a strong but short-lived tropical cyclone which impacted New Caledonia with strong winds and rainfall, after its predecessor tropical low and a nearby trough caused disruption over some parts of the Solomon Islands. The third named system of the 2021-22 Australian region cyclone season and the first cyclone of the 2021-22 South Pacific cyclone season, Ruby formed from an area of convection that was first monitored by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) on 8 December in the Solomon Sea. However, the system didn't officially become a tropical low until 06:00 UTC on 10 December, when the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) started to issue bulletins on it. After stalling over the area, the storm moved southeastwards over the Coral Sea, where it continued to develop under favorable conditions. The system was finally upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Ruby two days later as gale-force winds encircled its eastern portions.
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