Cyclone Ofa

Last updated
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Towards the end of January 1990, a surge in the Northern Hemisphere's trade winds and the Southern Hemispheres monsoon, led to the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) and the Australian monsoon trough becoming active after a prolonged period of dormancy. [1] As a result, two shallow tropical depressions were spawned; one over the Coral Sea that went on to become Cyclone Nancy, while the other was first noted within the SPCZ over Tuvalu on January 27. [1] [2] [3] Over the next two days the system developed little and remained slow moving, near the Tuvaluan atoll of Funafuti. [2] During January 30, the depression moved towards the north-east and started to organize, as pressures near the systems center rapidly falling. [2] During the next day the system subsequently started to curve south-eastwards and away from Tuvalu, before the United States Naval Western Oceanography Center (NWOC) initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 13P during January 31. [4] [5] At 19:17 UTC on January 31, Fiji Meteorological Service named the system Ofa, after it had developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. [4] [6]

As it was named the system was located about 300 km (185 mi) to the east of Tuvalu and had started to curve more towards the south-southeast. [7] During February 1, as Ofa started to affect Western Samoa, the NWOC reported that Ofa had become equivalent to a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS). [6]

The FMS subsequently reported during the next day that the system had become a category 3 severe tropical cyclone. [6] Ofa passed about 110 km (70 mi) to the west of the Western Samoan Island of Savai'i between 10:00 and 18:00 UTC during February 3. [4] Early the next day as the system started to accelerate towards the south-southeast towards the island nation of Niue, the NWOC estimated that Ofa had peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 215 km/h (130 mph), which made it equivalent to a category 4 hurricane on the SSHWS. [6] Later that day the FMS estimated that the system had peaked as a category 4 severe tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 185 km/h (115 mph). [6] Early on February 5, Ofa started to show signs that it had started to weaken, as it passed about 55 km (35 mi) to the west of Niue. [4] Over the next day the system slowly weakened as it moved southwards, before late on February 6, the FMS passed the primary warning responsibility for Ofa to the New Zealand Meteorological Service, after the system had moved below 25°S. [4] The system subsequently weakened very quickly and started to transition into an extratropical cyclone, as it encountered strong upper level winds and cooler waters. [7] The system completed this transition during February 8, before the remnants were last noted during February 10 after they had performed a small clockwise loop. [4]

Effects

Cyclone Ofa
Ofa feb 3 1990 0114Z.jpg
Cyclone Ofa on February 3, 1990
AreaDamages
(USD)		Ref
American Samoa [8]
Niue [2] [3]
Tokelau [9]
Tonga [2]
TuvaluUnknown [4]
Wallis and FutunaMinor [4]
Western Samoa [4]
Total

Cyclone Ofa was considered to be the worst tropical cyclone to affect Polynesia since Severe Tropical Cyclone Bebe in 1972. [10] The system affected seven different island nations and caused gales or much stronger winds in six of those countries, which resulted in damage ranging from moderate to very severe. [4] Storm tide from the cyclone which is the combined effect of storm surge and high tide caused havoc in several countries and was the major cause of destruction. [4] Overall the system killed at least eight people while it was estimated that the overall damage would amount to over

Tuvalu

The island nation of Tuvalu was affected by Severe Tropical Cyclone Ofa during February 1, with strong to gale-force winds causing a major impact on the island nation, along with the Samoa depression that affected the islands a few days later. [4] [11] [12] [13] The majority of the islands reported damage to vegetation and crops, such as bananas, coconuts and breadfruits. [4] Staff housing and a chapel on a government secondary school campus were up-roofed and collapsed, while a supermarket building collapsed as a result of heavy swells. [13] On Vaitupu Island around 85% of residential homes, trees and food crops were destroyed, while residential homes were also destroyed on the islands of Niutao, Nui and Nukulaelae. [12] On Funafuti sea waves flattened the Hurricane Bebe bank at the southern end of the airstrip, which caused sea flooding and prompted the evacuation of several families from their homes. [4] In Nui and Niulakita there was a minor loss of the landscape because of sea flooding while there were no lives lost. [4] After the systems had impacted Tuvalu, a Disaster Rehabilitation Sub-Committee was appointed to evaluate the damage caused and make recommendations to the National Disaster Committee and to the Cabinet on what should be done to help rehabilitate the affected areas. [12] Emergency food aid and other humanitarian relief assistance was received from donors and the Red Cross. [13] The total cost of reconstruction in the island nation was estimated to have exceeded

Wallis and Futuna

During January 31, after Ofa's precursor depression had remained near the edge of its area of responsibility for a few days, the Wallis and Futuna Meteorological Service decided to inform local authorities about the system and their expectations for it to develop further. [14] During the next day, after the system had been named Ofa, the FMS issued a tropical cyclone alert, before a yellow alert was triggered as the system was expected to intensify further and impact both islands. [4] [14] During February 2, the FMS issued a gale warning for Wallis while maintaining the alert for Futuna, as it was expected to pass near enough to Wallis to cause gale-force winds on the island. [4] After the system continued to move southwards and had become a severe tropical cyclone it triggered the declaration of a red alert as well as the Organization of the Civil Security Response plan for the whole of the territory. [14] It was subsequently decided to put the satellite telecommunication antenna into its survival position, which as a result meant that Wallis and Futuna were cut off from the international telecommunication network. [14] The system subsequently passed about 240 km (150 mi) to the east of the island and produced gale-force winds on the island for a brief period during that day. [4] [14] Despite numerous objections residents were evacuated from the east coast of Wallis, as high seas, heavy swell and a storm surge of about 1 metre (3.3 ft) above the astronomical tide caused flooding on the east coast of Wallis. [14] Minor damages to trees, houses, plantations of yams and taros, government buildings and village roads was reported, while no there were no deaths or casualties reported on Wallis. [4] [14] [10]

Tokelau

A gale warning was issued by the FMS for the whole of Tokelau during February 2, as Ofa started to affect the island with heavy rain, high seas and strong to gale-force winds. [4] Ofa caused extensive damage to the islands public buildings, after sea walls around the atolls of Nukunonu, Atafu and Fakaofo were washed away by high seas. [2] [15] [16] Around 80% of the breadfruit and coconut trees were destroyed or damaged by the winds, while an inundation of water associated with Ofa was responsible for washing away or contaminating topsoil. [2] [15] [16] The whole population of Swains Island was made homeless, after their homes suffered extensive damage. [4] The island also suffered from a complete loss of agricultural crops including bananas, pawpaws, breadfruits and taro. [4] No deaths or serious injuries were reported within the island nation. [4] About a week after the system had affected Tokelau, the Royal New Zealand Air Force delivered urgently needed supplies via airdrop, before further assistance from New Zealand arrived by sea. [16]

Western Samoa

Cyclone Ofa affected Western Samoa between February 1–4, with heavy rain, huge waves, sea spray, storm surge and wind gusts exceeding 150 km/h (95 mph). [nb 1] [4] This created an impact on the island nation that had not been encountered in over 100 years, while the entire population was left in a state of shock. [4] Ahead of Ofa affecting Western Samoa, the FMS issued various gale and storm force wind warnings for Samoa, however, due to communication and various other problems some of these warnings did not reach the Apia Observatory. [4] Some of the warnings that did get through were distorted and contained strong wind warnings, rather than storm force wind warnings. [4] As a result, it was not known what was broadcast to the public who were warned to expect strong winds rather than storm force winds and thus the FMS was left with no doubt, that the correct precautionary measures were not taken. [4]

During February 2, (February 1, Samoa Standard Time (SST)) the meteorological stations at the Apia Observatory and the Faleolo Airport started to report gale-force winds. [nb 2] [4] During that day rain became heavy and widespread, before as the winds picked up most communications with the island nation were lost. [4] At the height of the storm the only means of communication with Western Samoa, was through a Polynesian Airlines Boeing 727 aircraft that was standing at Faleolo Airport. [4] The Apia meteorological office was hit by high sea waves at 21:45 UTC (10:45 SST) and had to be abandoned due to rising floods before being completely destroyed a few hours later. [4]

American Samoa

Despite passing about 160 km (100 mi) to the west of Pago Pago, Cyclone Ofa affected American Samoa between February 3–5 with wind gusts of up to 160 km/h (100 mph), which caused widespread and extensive damage to the territory. [4] [8] [20] Ahead of the cyclone affecting the island nation, a gale warning was issued by the FMS for the American territory, while forecasting that very heavy rain, high seas and damaging sea swells would impact the area. [4]

On February 4, within the immediate aftermath of the cyclone, the Lieutenant Governor Galea'i Peni Poumele placed the whole of American Samoa under a state of emergency. [21] Upon his return from an international conference the Governor Peter Tali Coleman subsequently wrote to the United States President George H. W. Bush on February 7, asking him to declare the islands a federal disaster area and asked for money to help the American territory rebuild and recover from the Cyclone. [22] The President subsequently declared the islands a major disaster area on December 9, which enabled Samoans to claim federal aid. [23] [24]

Tonga

During February 2, the FMS issued a gale warning for Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu islands, while issuing the rest of Tonga with tropical cyclone alerts and a strong wind warnings. [4] During February 3, as the system moved towards Tonga, the FMS predicted that it would pass about 55 km (35 mi) to the east of Niuatoputapu, at about 1100 UTC February 4, (0000  UTC+13, February 5). [4] As a result, the FMS issued a hurricane warning for Niuatoputapu and gale warnings for the rest of the Tonga. [4] Ofa subsequently moved more towards the southeast than expected and passed about 110 km (70 mi) to the east of Niuatoputapu. [4] As a result, the Haapai and Tongatapu island groups did not receive any gale-force winds from the system, while Niuatoputapu only experienced storm force winds from the system. [4] Severe damage to houses, church buildings, coconut plantations, food crops and other vegetation, was reported on the islands of Tafahi and Niuatoputapu. [2] Over 70% of the housing in Niuatoputapu was completely destroyed, while the roofs of the remaining 30% were partially or completely damaged. [4] On Niuafo'ou a moderate amount of damage was reported, but was generally confined to crops and vegetation. [4] One death was attributed to Ofa on Niuafo'ou, while overall the system caused about

Niue

Early on February 4, the island nation of Niue was placed under a gale warning, as gale-force winds or stronger were forecast to occur over the island nation during the next day. [4] A hurricane warning was subsequently issued later that day, after the system had accelerated towards the south-southeast and started to affect Niue. [4] As winds on the island picked up the telecommunications center shut down its operations, while the satellite dish on the island was taken down. [4] [25] Radio New Zealand subsequently broadcast Special Weather Bulletins for Niue on air, after being requested to by the FMS and the NZMS. [4] The island was affected by hurricane-force winds for several hours during February 5, as Ofa's eye passed about 30 km (20 mi) to west of the island. [2] At around 03:00 UTC Niue recorded what was its lowest ever recorded pressure of 962.4 hPa (28.42 inHg). [4] Very high seas which reportedly were several meters high, swept over the islands northern and western coasts, with virtually all of the landings to the sea washed away or badly damaged. [2] [3] Considerable damage was recorded to the islands hospital, hotel, roads, houses, churches and other facilities for public use. [3] Due to the damage to the power lines, electricity was out for about 24 hours. [3] Most of the islands private water supply tanks were contaminated by saltwater and declared unsuitable for drinking. [3] There were lives lost or significant injuries reported, while the total loss on the island from the cyclone was estimated at around

Notes

  1. ↑ Until 1998 Samoa was known as Western Samoa. [17]
  2. ↑ This article defines Samoa Standard Time as being 11 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) per the local time used in Western Samoa between 1892 and December 29, 2009. [18] [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Heta</span>

Severe Tropical Cyclone Heta was a Category 5 tropical cyclone that caused moderate damage to the islands of Tonga, Niue, and American Samoa during late December 2003 and early January 2004. Heta formed on December 25, 2003; it reached a maximum intensity of 260 km/h (160 mph) and an estimated pressure of 915 hPa before dissipating on January 11, 2004. It was the first named tropical cyclone to form during the 2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Keli</span> Category 3 South Pacific cyclone in 1997

Severe Tropical Cyclone Keli was the first recorded post-season tropical cyclone to form in June within the South Pacific Ocean. The system formed on June 7, 1997, about 460 kilometers (285 mi) to the north of Tokelau. The depression gradually developed over the next few days while moving southwestward. It was designated as Tropical Cyclone Keli early the next day. Cyclone Keli intensified, slowly reaching its 10-minute peak wind speeds of 150 km/h (90 mph), which made it a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale. As it came under the influence of strong mid latitude westerlies and moved into an area of strong vertical wind shear, the cyclone started to weaken and was declared extratropical on June 15.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1989–90 South Pacific cyclone season</span> Tropical cyclone season

The 1989–90 South Pacific cyclone season was a below-average season with only five tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 1989, to April 30, 1990, with the first disturbance of the season forming on November 8 and the last disturbance dissipating on March 19. This is the period of the year when most tropical cyclones form within the South Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1991–92 South Pacific cyclone season</span> Tropical cyclone season

The 1991–92 South Pacific cyclone season was an above average tropical cyclone season, with eleven tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific basin between 160°E and 120°W. The first tropical cyclone of the season was first noted on November 13, 1991, while the last tropical cyclone dissipated on May 2, 1992. During the season at least 21 people were killed by tropical cyclones, while Tropical Cyclones Cliff and Innis were the only tropical cyclones not to cause any damage to any country in the Southern Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Val</span> South Pacific cyclone in 1991

Severe Tropical Cyclone Val was considered to be the worst tropical cyclone to affect the Samoan Islands since the 1889 Apia cyclone. The system was first identified during the opening days of December 1991, as a small circulation, within the Intertropical Convergence Zone to the north of Tokelau. Over the next few days, the system moved westwards towards Rotuma and Tuvalu and gradually developed further, before it was named Val on December 5, after it had become a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. The system subsequently continued to intensify as it moved towards the Samoan Islands and peaked as a category 4 severe tropical cyclone, as it made landfall on the island of Savaii on December 6. After Val had passed over the island, weakening upper-level winds caused the system to slow down before it made a sharp clockwise loop which almost brought it over Savaii for a second time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Joni</span> Category 3 South Pacific cyclone in 1992

Severe Tropical Cyclone Joni was a damaging tropical cyclone that impacted the island nations of Tuvalu and Fiji. It was first noted within the South Pacific Convergence Zone at the start of December 1992, as a shallow tropical depression in the vicinity of the island nation Tuvalu. Over the next few days the system gradually developed further as it affected Tuvalu, before it was declared to be a tropical cyclone and named Joni by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) during December 7. Over the next couple of days the system intensified further as it was steered south-westwards and posed a threat towards the Fijian dependency of Rotuma and the French territory of Wallis and Futuna. The system subsequently peaked as a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale as it approached the Fijian Islands during December 10. Over the next couple of days the system moved through the Fijian Islands, before it became an extratropical cyclone during December 13. The system was last noted during the next day as it was absorbed by a mid-latitude trough of low pressure to the east of New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Kina</span> South Pacific tropical cyclone in 1992–93

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kina was at the time the costliest storm to impact Fiji on record. Total losses from Kina are estimated to be near $F170 million ($US110 million). The system was first noted as a tropical depression, to the east of the Solomon Islands on 23 December. Over the next few days the system moved south-eastwards and gradually developed further, before it was named Kina, after it had developed into a tropical cyclone on 26 December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Nina</span> Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone in 1992–93

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Sina</span> Category 3 South Pacific cyclone in 1990

Severe Tropical Cyclone Sina was the only named tropical cyclone to develop within the South Pacific basin during the 1990–91 season. The system was first noted as a shallow depression within the South Pacific Convergence Zone to the west of Wallis Island. Over the next three days the system moved towards the west-northwest, before it was named Sina during November 24, after it had developed into a tropical cyclone. Over the next couple of days the system intensified further and developed an eye feature as it erratically moved towards Fiji. Sina subsequently peaked in intensity during November 26, before the system passed through the Fijian Islands over the next two days as it started to gradually weaken. Sina subsequently passed just to the north of Tongatapu in Tonga during November 29, before it passed about 160 km (100 mi) to the south of Niue and near the Southern Cook Islands during the next day. The system subsequently rapidly weakened and became an extratropical cyclone during December 1, before they were absorbed by an advancing trough of low pressure near 50°S on December 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Ron</span> Strongest tropical cyclone on record to impact Tonga

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ron was the strongest tropical cyclone on record to impact Tonga. The system was first noted as a tropical depression, to the northeast of Samoa on January 1, 1998. Over the next day the system gradually developed further and was named Ron as it developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale during the next day. The system subsequently continued to move south-westwards and became a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, as it passed near Swains Island during January 3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Evan</span> Category 4 cyclone in the South Pacific in 2012

Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan was considered to be the worst tropical cyclone to affect the island nation of Samoa since Cyclone Val in 1991 and was the strongest storm to impact the main South Pacific islands until Winston in 2016. The system was first noted on December 9, 2012, as a weak tropical depression about 700 km (435 mi) to the northeast of Suva, Fiji. Over the next couple of days, the depression gradually developed further before it was named Evan on December 12, as it had fully developed into a tropical cyclone. During that day the system moved toward the Samoan Islands and gradually intensified, before the system slowed and severely affected the Samoan Islands during the next day with wind gusts of up to 210 km/h (130 mph).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018–19 South Pacific cyclone season</span> Tropical cyclone season

The 2018–19 South Pacific cyclone season was a below-average season that produced 5 tropical cyclones, 2 of which became severe tropical cyclones. The season officially runs from November 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019; however, a tropical cyclone could have formed at any time between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, and would count towards the season total. During the season, tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and New Zealand's MetService. The United States Armed Forces through the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also monitored the basin and issued warnings for American interests. RSMC Nadi 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, the BoM and MetService all use the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale and estimate wind speeds over a period of ten minutes, while the JTWC estimates sustained winds over a 1-minute period, which are subsequently compared to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Gavin</span> 1997 tropical cyclone impacting Fiji and the South Pacific region

Severe Tropical Cyclone Gavin was the most intense tropical cyclone to affect Fiji, since Cyclone Oscar of the 1982–83 cyclone season and was the first of three tropical cyclones to affect the island nations of Tuvalu and Wallis and Futuna during the 1996–97 season. The system that was to become Gavin was first identified during March 2, as a weak tropical depression that had developed within the monsoon trough of low pressure. Over the next two days the depression gradually developed further, before it was named Gavin by RSMC Nadi early on March 4 as it had developed into a tropical cyclone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Hina</span> Category 3 South Pacific severe tropical cyclone in 1997

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hina in March 1997 was the worst tropical cyclone to affect the South Pacific island nation of Tonga since Cyclone Isaac in 1982. The system was first noted within the monsoon trough on March 11, 1997, as a weak shallow depression within the vicinity of Rotuma. Over the next two days, the depression remained near Rotuma with no preferred movement, as it started to develop further within favorable conditions for further development. The system was subsequently named Hina on March 15, after it had started to move eastwards and had passed to the southeast of Niulakita, Tuvalu. During that day the system moved south-eastwards and impacted Wallis and Futuna, before it passed over Tonga's southern islands of Tongatapu and 'Eua during March 16. After impacting Tonga the system moved rapidly towards the south-southeast and weakened below tropical cyclone intensity, before it was last noted on March 21 about 1,500 km (930 mi) to the south of the Pitcairn Islands. During the system's post-analysis, it was determined that the warning centers had underestimated Hina's intensity as it passed over Tonga, after damage in the island nation had been greater than expected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Tusi</span>

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tusi was a tropical cyclone which affected the island nations of Tuvalu, Tokelau, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Niue and the Southern Cook Islands during January 1987. The precursor tropical depression to Cyclone Tusi developed on January 13, within a trough of low pressure near the island nation of Tuvalu. Over the next few days the system gradually developed further before it was named Tusi during January 16, after it had become equivalent to a modern-day category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. After being named the system gradually intensified as it moved southeastwards along the trough, between the islands of Fakaofo and Swains during January 17. Tusi's eye subsequently passed near or over American Samoa's Manu'a Islands early the next day, as the system peaked in intensity with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 150 km/h (90 mph). The system subsequently posed a threat to the Southern Cook Islands, however this threat gradually diminished as Tusi moved southwards and approached 25S during January 20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Raja</span> 1986–1987 South Pacific cyclone

Severe Tropical Cyclone Raja was a tropical cyclone that holds the 24-hour rainfall record of 674.9 mm (26.57 in) for the French Overseas Territory of Wallis and Futuna. The system was first noted by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) as a weak tropical disturbance northeast of Tokelau in mid-December 1986. The system developed further as it moved southwest over the next few days, and it was classified as Tropical Cyclone Raja on 23 December. The newly named system slowed and unexpectedly recurved southeast towards the French territory of Wallis and Futuna on 24 December. Over the next two days, Raja interacted with what would become Severe Cyclone Sally and executed a tight loop, passing within 55 km (35 mi) of Futuna. The system peaked as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone on 28 December, with estimated 10-minute sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). The storm turned southwest the next day and threatened Fiji, where it passed within 20 km (10 mi) of Vanua Levu and near several smaller islands in the Lau group during the following day. Raja gradually weakened over the next few days as it moved south of Fiji; it was last noted on 5 January 1987 after it filled up over the north Tasman Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Ula</span> Tropical cyclone

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula was a powerful and long-lived tropical cyclone during late December 2015 and mid-January 2016. It originated from a tropical disturbance on December 26, 2015, east of the Solomon Islands. Moving generally east, development was initially slow and the system finally reached cyclone strength—having gale-force winds—on December 30. The newly christened Tropical Cyclone Ula turned sharply south and rapidly intensified, attaining hurricane strength the following day. A shift to the southwest brought the system close to the northern islands of Tonga on January 2, 2016. It subsequently brushed several islands in the Lau Group of Fiji before weakening. Nearly degrading to a tropical depression, Ula turned to the northwest and regained strength. After turning back to the southwest, it achieved its peak intensity as a Category 4 on the Australian scale with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) on January 10. Thereafter, the storm bypassed Vanuatu to the southeast and New Caledonia to the east as it accelerated southward.

The following is a list of all reported tropical cyclones within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E after the start of World War II in September 1939 and before the start of the 1950s decade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Tino</span> Category 3 South Pacific cyclone of 2020

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tino was a tropical cyclone which itself and an associated convergence zone caused significant damage across ten island nations in the South Pacific Ocean during January 2020. First noted as a tropical disturbance during January 11, to the southwest of Honiara in the Solomon Islands, the system gradually developed over the next few days as it moved eastwards in between the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu prior to being named Tino as it approached Fiji during January 16. Continuing to track south-eastward, Tino continued strengthening as it passed near Fiji, bringing copious amounts of rainfall to the area. Whilst losing latitude, the system continued to strengthen and peaked as a category 3 tropical cyclone on January 17, with signs of an eye forming. Shortly after peak intensity, Tino was impacted by high wind shear and decreasing sea surface temperatures, triggering a weakening trend. Tino moved out of the tropics shortly thereafter and became an extratropical cyclone during January 19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Sarai</span> Category 2 South Pacific cyclone of 2019

Tropical Cyclone Sarai was a moderately strong tropical cyclone that impacted several island nations and countries in late-December 2019. The third tropical cyclone and the second named storm of the 2019-20 South Pacific cyclone season, Sarai formed from an area of low pressure to the south of Tuvalu. Over the next days, the low pressure became organized and was designated by the Fiji Meteorological Service as Tropical Disturbance 03F on December 23. Under favorable conditions, the disturbance gradually organized, becoming a depression two days later, before strengthening to a tropical cyclone, earning the name Sarai. It moved to the south, before a high-pressure steered the system to the east, passing to the south of Fiji, near Suva before weakening. Sarai passed near the Tongan islands of Haʻapai and Tongatapu as a Category 1 cyclone, before rapidly degrading to a tropical depression due to the system entering unfavorable conditions. It was last noted on January 2 to the southeast of Cook Islands.

References

  1. 1 2 Koop, Neville L (May 3, 1990). Tropical Cyclone Nancy, 27 January – 4 February (Tropical Cyclone Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Fiji Meteorological Service (Summer 1990). DeAngellis, Richard M (ed.). Tropical Cyclone Ofa (Mariners Weather Log). Vol. 34. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Oceanographic Data Service. pp. 45–47. hdl:2027/uiug.30112104094245. ISSN   0025-3367. OCLC   648466886.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Terry, James P (2007). "5 – Meteorological Conditions". Tropical cyclones: Climatology and impacts in the South Pacific. Springer. pp. 52, 63–64. ISBN   9780387715421 . Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 Prasad, Rajendra (May 3, 1990). Tropical Cyclone Ofa, January 31 – February 7, 1990 (PDF) (Tropical Cyclone Report 90/4). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  5. ↑ Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1990 (PDF) (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. pp. 233, 234. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "1990 Tropical Cyclone Ofa (1990028S10183)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Ready, Steve; Woodcock, Frank (June 2, 1992). "The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season 1989–90" (PDF). Australian Meteorological Magazine. 40. Australian Bureau of Meteorology: 111–121. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Tanner, Roger W; Miller, Vince (eds.). "Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena: February 1990" (PDF). United States National Climatic Data Center. p. 101. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  9. ↑ Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. "EM-DAT: The Emergency Events Database" . Université catholique de Louvain.
  10. 1 2 "Ill winds of Ofa". Islands Business, March 1990 (PDF). 1990. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  11. ↑ Koop, Neville L; Fiji Meteorological Service (Winter 1991). DeAngellis, Richard M (ed.). Samoa Depression (Mariners Weather Log). Vol. 35. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Oceanographic Data Service. p. 53. hdl:2027/uiug.30112104094104. ISSN   0025-3367. OCLC   648466886.
  12. 1 2 3 Report on the disaster preparedness workshop held in Funafuti, Tuvalu, October 14 – 17, 1991 (PDF) (Report). Australian Overseas Disaster Response Organisation. April 1992. pp. 2, 3, 6. ISBN   1875405054. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Vulnerability profile of Tuvalu (PDF). United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. March 2012. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 8, 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Saison des Perturbations Tropicales Dans Le Pacifique Sud-Ouest, 1989-1990". Météorologie Maritime. No. 153. 1991. pp. 25–30. ISSN   2107-0830.
  15. 1 2 Scott, David; Overmars, Marc; Falkland Tony; Carpenter Clive (February 14, 2003). Pacific Dialogue on Water and Climate (PDF) (Synthesis Report). The South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  16. 1 2 3 Levine, Stephen (1991). "Tokelau in Review: Issues and Events, July 1, 1989 to June 30, 1990". The Contemporary Pacific. 3 (1): 205–208. hdl:10125/8501. ISSN   1043-898X.
  17. ↑ "Constitution Amendment Act (No 2) 1997". Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. May 7, 2011. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Samoa to move the International Dateline". Herald Sun. May 7, 2011. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Samoa and Tokelau skip a day for dateline change". BBC News. December 30, 2011. Archived from the original on May 21, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Nation in brief: American Samoa: Cyclone Ofa Lashes Islands; None Killed". Los Angeles Times. February 5, 1990. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Damage Being Assessed in American Samoa Hurricane". Associated Press. February 6, 1990. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Disaster Status Sought for American Samoa After Hurricane".
  23. ↑ "American Samoa Hurricane DR-855-AS". FEMA. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  24. ↑ "Wire Reports: Around the U.S.". Dallas Morning News. February 10, 1990.
  25. ↑ "Niue cut off from world as full force of storm hits". New Zealand Herald. 6 January 2004. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  26. ↑ Levine, Stephen (1991). "Niue in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 1989 to 30 June 1990". The Contemporary Pacific. 3 (1): 203–205. hdl:10125/8500. ISSN   1043-898X.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.