Tropical cyclones are non-frontal, low-pressure systems that develop, within an environment of warm sea surface temperatures and little vertical wind shear aloft. [1] Within the South Pacific, names are assigned from a pre-determined list, to such systems, once they reach or exceed ten-minute sustained wind speeds of 65 km/h (40 mph), near the center, by either the Fiji Meteorological Service or New Zealand's MetService. [1] Within the South Pacific, tropical cyclones have been officially named since the 1964–65 South Pacific cyclone season, though a few meteorological papers show that a few tropical cyclones were named before 1964–65. [2] [3] [4] The names of significant tropical cyclones that have caused a high amount of damage and/or caused a significant number of deaths are retired from the lists of tropical cyclone names by the World Meteorological Organization's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee at their bi-annual meeting. [1]
Within the South Pacific, there have been a total of 117 tropical cyclone names retired. The most intense tropical cyclone to have its name retired was Winston, which had an estimated peak pressure of 884 hPa (26.1 inHg). The deadliest tropical cyclone to have its name retired was Severe Tropical Cyclone Namu, which caused over 100 deaths, when it affected the Solomon Islands in May 1986. The most damaging system was Yasi which caused over US$2.5 billion in damage to Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and Australia in January and February 2011.
Within the region the credit for the first usage of personal names for weather systems, is generally given to the Queensland Government Meteorologist Clement Wragge, who named systems between 1887 and 1907. [5] Wragge used names drawn from the letters of the Greek alphabet, Greek and Roman mythology and female names, to describe weather systems over Australia, New Zealand and the Antarctic. [5] After the new Australian government had failed to create a federal weather bureau and appoint him director, Wragge started naming cyclones after political figures. [6] This system of naming weather systems in the region subsequently fell into disuse for several years after Wragge retired, until it was revived by the New Caledonia Meteorological Office during the 1958–59 cyclone season. [5] [7] During the 1963–64 cyclone season the Australian Bureau of Meteorology started to use female names for tropical cyclones that occurred within the Australian region, before the New Zealand Meteorological Service's Fiji office also started using female names for tropical cyclones within the South Pacific during the 1969–70 cyclone season. [5] [7] During the International Women's Year of 1975 the NZMS decided to incorporate male names into the naming lists for the South Pacific, following a request from the Fiji National Council of Women who considered the practice discrimination. [5] At around the same time the Australian Science Minister ordered that tropical cyclones, within the Australian region should carry both men's and women's names. [5] This was because the minister thought "that both sexes should bear the odium of the devastation caused by cyclones." [5] As a result, male names were added to the lists of names for both basins, ahead of the 1975–76 season. [5] [8]
Later that decade as the dual sex naming of tropical cyclones started in the Northern Hemisphere, the NZMS looked at adding names from around the Pacific to the naming lists rather than the European names that were currently used. [5] As a result of the many languages and cultures in the Pacific there was a lot of discussion surrounding this matter, with one name "Oni" being dropped as it meant the end of the world in one language. [5] One proposal suggested that cyclones be named from the country nearest to which they formed, however, this was dropped when it was realized that a cyclone might be less destructive in its formative stage than later in its development. [5] Eventually it was decided to throw names from all over the South Pacific into a pot at a training course, where each course member provided a list of names that were short, easily pronounced, culturally acceptable throughout the Pacific and did not contain any idiosyncrasies. [5] These names were then collated, edited for suitability before being cross-checked with the group for acceptability. [5] It was intended that the four lists of names should be alphabetical with alternative male and female names while using only ethnic names, however, it was not possible to complete the lists using only ethnic names so some European names were added in. [5] As a result, there was a scattering of European names in the final naming lists, which have been used by the Fiji Meteorological Service and NZMS since the 1980–81 season. [5]
The practice of retiring significant names was started during 1955 by the United States Weather Bureau in the Northern Atlantic basin, after hurricanes Carol, Edna, and Hazel struck the Northeastern United States and caused a significant amount of damage in the previous year. [9] Initially the names were only designed to be retired for ten years after which they might be reintroduced, however, it was decided at the 1969 Interdepartmental hurricane conference, that any significant hurricane in the future would have its name permanently retired. [9] [10] The first tropical cyclone name to be removed in the South Pacific, was Rosie after it had impacted Vanuatu and New Caledonia during 1971. [1] Several names have been removed from the Pacific naming lists for various other reasons than causing a significant amount of death/destruction, which include being pronounced in a very similar way to other names and political reasons. [11] [12]
Name | Dates | Peak intensity | Areas affected | Damage (USD) | Deaths | Refs | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Category | Wind speed | Pressure | ||||||
Rosie | December 30, 1970 – January 4, 1971 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand | Minor | None | [13] [14] |
Vivienne | December 17 – 19, 1971 | Category 1 tropical cyclone | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | French Polynesia | None | None | [15] |
Carlotta | January 8 – 26, 1972 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Solomon Islands, New Caledonia Vanuatu | Unknown | 4 | [13] [16] |
Wendy | January 23 – February 9, 1972 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | New Caledonia, Vanuatu | Unknown | 4 | [13] [17] |
Agatha | March 27 – 29, 1972 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Cook Islands | Unknown | None | |
Bebe | October 19 – 28, 1972 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Fiji, Tuvalu | $20 million | 24 | [18] [19] |
Lottie | December 5 – 12, 1973 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga | Moderate | 80 | [20] |
Tina | April 24 – 28, 1974 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga | Minor | None | [21] |
Alison | March 4 – 12, 1975 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | New Caledonia, New Zealand Vanuatu | $1 million | None | [22] |
David | January 13 – 19, 1976 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 961 hPa (28.38 inHg) | Queensland | N/A | None | [23] |
Elsa | January 21 – 26, 1976 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | New Caledonia, Vanuatu | None | None | [13] |
Marion | January 12 – 21, 1977 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | Vanuatu | Unknown | None | |
Robert | April 16 – 22, 1977 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | French Polynesia | Unknown | None | |
Bob | January 31 – February 12, 1978 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Fiji, New Caledonia Vanuatu, New Zealand | Moderate | 1 | [24] |
Charles | February 14 – 28, 1978 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Samoan Islands | Unknown | None | |
Diana | February 15 – 22, 1978 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | French Polynesia | Unknown | None | |
Fay | December 27 – 31, 1978 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Fiji | Moderate | None | [24] |
Gordon | January 4 – 12, 1979 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | Australia, New Caledonia Vanuatu | Severe | None | [13] |
Kerry | February 13 – March 6, 1979 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Australia, Solomon Islands | Unknown | 4 | [16] |
Meli | March 24 – 31, 1979 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Fiji | Severe | 53 | [24] |
Wally | April 2 – 7, 1980 | Category 1 tropical cyclone | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | Fiji | $2.26 million | 18 | [24] |
Tahmar | March 8 – 13, 1981 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | French Polynesia | Unknown | None | |
Gyan | December 18 – 29, 1981 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Vanuatu | Unknown | None | |
Isaac | February 27 – March 5, 1982 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Tonga | $10 million | 6 | [25] |
Joti | October 31 – November 7, 1982 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Vanuatu | Minor | None | [27] |
Lisa | December 10 – 18, 1982 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Cook Islands | Unknown | None | |
Mark | January 21 – February 1, 1983 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Fiji | Unknown | None | |
Oscar | February 26 – March 6, 1983 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) | Fiji | $130 million | 9 | [24] |
Veena | April 8 – 14, 1983 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | French Polynesia | Unknown | None | |
Eric | January 12 – 20, 1985 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Fiji, Vanuatu | $40 million | 9 | [24] |
Ima | February 5 – 16, 1986 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | Cook Islands | Unknown | None | |
Namu | May 16 – 22, 1986 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Solomon Islands | $10 million | 111 | [32] |
Raja | December 21, 1986 – January 5, 1987 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu Wallis and Futuna | $14 million | 2 | [31] |
Sally | December 26, 1986 – January 5, 1987 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Cook Islands, French Polynesia | $24.6 million | None | [34] |
Tusi | January 13 – 21, 1987 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | American Samoa | $24 million | None | [35] |
Uma | February 4 – 8, 1987 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Vanuatu | $150 million | 50 | [4] |
Anne | January 5 – 14, 1988 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | New Caledonia, Vanuatu | $500,000 | 2 | [37] |
Bola | February 24 – March 4, 1988 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Fiji, New Zealand, Vanuatu | $87 million | 3 | [37] [39] |
Harry | February 8 – 19, 1989 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | New Caledonia | Unknown | None | |
Lili | April 7 – 11, 1989 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | New Caledonia, Solomon Islands Vanuatu | Unknown | None | |
Ofa | January 27 – February 10, 1990 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | American Samoa, Niue, Samoa Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu | $187 million | 8 | [17] |
Peni | February 12 – 18, 1990 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | Cook Islands | $1 million | 1 | |
Sina | November 20 – December 4, 1990 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | Fiji, Niue, Cook Islands, Tonga | $18.5 million | None | [42] |
Tia | November 13 – 21, 1991 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | Minimal | None | [43] |
Val | December 4 – 17, 1991 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | American Samoa, Cook Islands Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna | $330 million | 16 | [44] |
Wasa | December 4 – 18, 1991 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | French Polynesia | $60 million | 2 | [44] |
Betsy | January 4 – 15, 1992 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Vanuatu | $2 million | 2 | [37] |
Esau | February 24 – March 7, 1992 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 195 km/h (120 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Vanuatu | Minimal | 1 | [38] |
Fran | March 4 – 17, 1992 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) | Fiji, New Caledonia, Queensland Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna | $1 million | None | [49] |
Joni | December 3 – 13, 1992 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Fiji, Tuvalu | $1.6 million | 1 | [50] |
Kina | December 26, 1992 – January 6, 1993 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga | $110 million | 26 | [25] |
Prema | March 26 – April 6, 1993 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | New Caledonia, Vanuatu | $50 million | 1 | [37] |
Rewa | December 26, 1993 – January 23, 1994 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) | New Caledonia, New Zealand Papua New Guinea, Queensland Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | Unknown | 22 | |
William | December 30, 1994 – January 5, 1995 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Cook Islands, French Polynesia | $2.5 million | None | [52] |
Beti | March 21 – 28, 1996 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | Australia, New Caledonia New Zealand, Vanuatu | $5.3 million | 2 | [37] |
Drena | January 3 – 10, 1997 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | New Caledonia, New Zealand Vanuatu | Unknown | None | [55] |
Gavin | March 3 – 12, 1997 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Fiji, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna | $18.3 million | 18 | [50] |
Hina | March 13 – 18, 1997 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu Wallis and Futuna | $15.2 million | None | [55] |
Keli | June 7 – 17, 1997 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Tuvulu, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna | $10,000 | None | [58] [59] |
Martin | October 27 – November 5, 1997 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Cook Islands, French Polynesia | $17.6 million | 28 | [60] |
Osea | November 24 – 28, 1997 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Cook Islands, French Polynesia | Unknown | None | [60] |
Ron | January 2 – 8, 1998 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 230 km/h (145 mph) | 900 hPa (26.58 inHg) | Niue, Tokelau, Tonga | $566,000 | None | [25] |
Susan | December 20, 1997 – January 9, 1998 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 230 km/h (145 mph) | 900 hPa (26.58 inHg) | Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | Minor | 1 | [60] |
Tui | January 25 – 27, 1998 | Category 1 tropical cyclone | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | Samoan islands | $1 million | 1 | [53] |
Ursula | January 30 – February 1, 1998 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | French Polynesia | Minor | None | [60] |
Veli | February 1 – 3, 1998 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) | French Polynesia | Minor | None | [60] |
Cora | December 23 – 28, 1998 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | Tonga | $12 million | None | [25] [65] |
Dani | January 15 – 22, 1999 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu | $2 million | 14 | [53] |
Frank | February 18 – 21, 1999 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | New Caledonia | Unknown | None | [65] |
Kim | February 23 – 29, 2000 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | French Polynesia | Minimal | None | [67] [68] |
Paula | February 26 – March 4, 2001 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu | $1.39 million | 2 | [53] [69] |
Sose | April 5 – 11, 2001 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Australia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu | Unknown | 4 | [69] |
Trina | November 29 – December 3, 2001 | Category 1 tropical cyclone | 65 km/h (40 mph) | 995 hPa (29.38 inHg) | Cook Islands | $52,000 | None | [70] [71] |
Waka | December 19, 2001 – January 2, 2002 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Tonga, Wallis and Futuna | $51.3 million | 1 | [25] |
Zoe | December 23, 2002 – January 1, 2003 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 240 km/h (150 mph) | 890 hPa (26.28 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | Severe | None | [72] |
Ami | January 9 – 15, 2003 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu | $65 million | 14 | [53] |
Beni | January 25 – February 5, 2003 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) | Australia, New Caledonia Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | $1 million | 1 | [53] |
Cilla | January 27 – 29, 2003 | Category 1 tropical cyclone | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 995 hPa (29.38 inHg) | Tonga | Unknown | None | [73] |
Heta | December 25, 2003 – January 8, 2004 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 215 km/h (130 mph) | 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) | American Samoa, Niue, Samoa Tonga, Wallis and Futuna | $225 million | 3 | [17] |
Ivy | February 21 – March 2, 2004 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | Vanuatu | $8 million | 2 | [37] |
Meena | February 1 – 8, 2005 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) | Cook Islands | Severe | None | [79] |
Nancy | February 10 – 17, 2005 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Cook Islands | Severe | None | [80] |
Olaf | February 10 – 20, 2005 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 230 km/h (145 mph) | 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) | American Samoa, Cook Islands Samoa | $10.2 million | 9 | [81] |
Percy | February 24 – March 5, 2005 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 230 km/h (145 mph) | 900 hPa (26.58 inHg) | American Samoa, Cook Islands Samoa, Tokelau | $52,000 | None | [82] |
Cliff | April 1 – 6, 2007 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga | $4 million | 1 | [84] |
Daman | December 2 – 10, 2007 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga | $330,000 | None | [84] |
Funa | January 14 – 21, 2008 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Vanuatu | Severe | None | [84] |
Gene | January 25 – February 9, 2008 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Fiji | $35 million | 8 | [84] |
Mick | December 3 – 15, 2009 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Fiji | $33 million | 3 | [86] |
Oli | January 29 – February 7, 2010 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Cook Islands, French Polynesia | $70 million | 1 | [17] |
Pat | February 6 – 11, 2010 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | Cook Islands | $13.7 million | None | [89] |
Tomas | March 9 – 17, 2010 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Wallis and Futuna, Fiji | $45 million | 3 | [90] |
Ului | March 9 – 21, 2010 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 215 km/h (130 mph) | 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) | Australia, Solomon Islands Vanuatu | $72 million | 1 | [91] |
Vania | January 5 – 15, 2011 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 973 hPa (28.73 inHg) | New Caledonia, Vanuatu | $11 million | None | [94] |
Wilma | January 19 – 28, 2011 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | American Samoa, Fiji, Samoa Tonga, New Zealand | $22 million | 3 | [95] |
Yasi | January 26 – February 7, 2011 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 929 hPa (27.43 inHg) | Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu | $2.5 billion | 1 | [17] |
Atu | February 13 – 24, 2011 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 937 hPa (27.67 inHg) | New Caledonia, Vanuatu | Unknown | None | |
Evan | December 9 – 19, 2012 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 943 hPa (27.85 inHg) | Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa Wallis and Futuna | $161 million | 4 | |
Freda | December 26, 2012 – January 4, 2013 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Solomon Islands, New Caledonia | Unknown | 2 | [97] |
Ian | January 2 – 15, 2014 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga | $4.3 million | 1 | [98] |
Lusi | March 7 –14, 2014 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | Fiji, New Caledonia New Zealand, Vanuatu | $3 million | 10 | [100] |
Pam | March 6 – 15, 2015 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 250 km/h (155 mph) | 896 hPa (26.46 inHg) | Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia New Zealand, Solomon Islands Tuvalu, Vanuatu | $360 million | 16 | [101] |
Ula | December 26, 2015 – January 12, 2016 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | American Samoa, Fiji New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga Tuvalu, Vanuatu | Unknown | 1 | |
Winston | February 7 – 25, 2016 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 280 km/h (175 mph) | 884 hPa (26.10 inHg) | Fiji, Niue, Tonga, Vanuatu | $1.4 billion | 44 | [102] |
Cook | April 6 – 11, 2017 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 961 hPa (28.38 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand | Moderate | 1 | [104] |
Donna | May 1 – 10, 2017 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji New Caledonia, New Zealand | Significant | 2 | [105] |
Gita | February 3 – 19, 2018 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 927 hPa (27.37 inHg) | Fiji, Wallis and Futuna, Samoa American Samoa, Niue, Tonga New Caledonia, New Zealand | $225 million | 2 | [108] |
Josie | March 29 – April 2, 2018 | Category 1 tropical cyclone | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 993 hPa (29.32 inHg) | Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga | $5 million | 6 | |
Keni | April 5 – 11, 2018 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga | $5 million | None | |
Pola | February 23 – March 2, 2019 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) | Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, Tonga | |||
Sarai | December 23, 2019 – January 2, 2020 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 972 hPa (28.70 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands | $2.3 million | 2 | |
Tino | January 11 – 20, 2020 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | Fiji, Niue, Solomon Islands Samoan Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu | $5.83 million | [109] | |
Yasa | December 11 – 19, 2020 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 230 km/h (145 mph) | 917 hPa (27.08 inHg) | Vanuatu, Fiji | $246.7 million | 4 | [110] |
Ana | January 26 – February 1, 2021 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | Fiji | >$1 million | 1 | |
Cody | January 5 – 13, 2022 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | Fiji | >$25 million | 1 | [112] |
Judy | February 23 – March 4, 2023 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Vanuatu | $433 million [nb 1] | None | [113] |
Kevin | March 1 – 6, 2023 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 230 km/h (145 mph) | 913 hPa (26.96 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | $433 million [nb 2] | None | [113] |
Lola | October 19 – 27 | Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | 215 km/h (130 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand | Unknown | 4 | [114] |
Mal | November 10 – 15 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | Fiji | Unknown | None | |
[nb 3] |
The 2006–07 South Pacific cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It began on November 1, 2006 and ended on April 30, 2007. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the southern Pacific Ocean east of 160°E. Additionally, the regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a tropical cyclone year separately from a tropical cyclone season, and the "tropical cyclone year" runs from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.
The 2004–05 South Pacific cyclone season was an 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, 2004 to April 30, 2005, however a tropical cyclone could form at any time between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005 and would count towards the season total. The season got off to an early start, when Tropical Depression 01F developed near the Solomon Islands on October 28, three days before the official start of the season. The final disturbance of the season dissipated as the season was drawing to a close on May 1. The season was above-average in terms of activity, with 9 tropical cyclones and 5 severe tropical cyclones forming during the season. The season featured Cyclone Percy, the most intense of the season in terms of pressure.
The 2003–04 South Pacific cyclone season was a below-average season with only three tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 2003 to April 30, 2004 with the first disturbance of the season forming on December 4 and the last disturbance dissipating on April 23. This is the period of the year when most tropical cyclones form within the South Pacific Ocean.
The 2002–03 South Pacific cyclone season was the most active and longest tropical cyclone season since 1997–98, with ten tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific basin between 160°E and 120°W. The season started earlier than normal, with two systems developing before the official start of the season on November 1, 2002, while the final system dissipated on June 9, 2003, after the season had officially ended on April 30. During the season, tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji and the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres in Brisbane, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand. The United States Armed Forces through the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), also monitored the basin and issued unofficial warnings for American interests. RSMC Nadi attaches a number and an F suffix to tropical disturbances that occur within the basin, while the JTWC designates significant tropical cyclones with a number and a P suffix. RSMC Nadi, TCWC Wellington and TCWC Brisbane all use the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale and estimate windspeeds over a ten-minute period, while the JTWC estimates sustained winds over a one-minute period, which are subsequently compared to the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale (SSHS).
A South Pacific tropical cyclone is a non-frontal, low pressure system that has developed, within an environment of warm sea surface temperatures and little vertical wind shear aloft in the South Pacific Ocean. Within the Southern Hemisphere there are officially three areas where tropical cyclones develop on a regular basis, these areas are the South-West Indian Ocean between Africa and 90°E, the Australian region between 90°E and 160°E and the South Pacific basin between 160°E and 120°W. The South Pacific basin between 160°E and 120°W is officially monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service and New Zealand's MetService, while others like the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also monitor the basin. Each tropical cyclone year within this basin starts on July 1 and runs throughout the year, encompassing the tropical cyclone season which runs from November 1 and lasts until April 30 each season. Within the basin, most tropical cyclones have their origins within the South Pacific Convergence Zone or within the Northern Australian monsoon trough, both of which form an extensive area of cloudiness and are dominant features of the season. Within this region a tropical disturbance is classified as a tropical cyclone, when it has 10-minute sustained wind speeds of more than 65 km/h (40 mph), that wrap halfway around the low-level circulation centre, while a severe tropical cyclone is classified when the maximum 10-minute sustained wind speeds are greater than 120 km/h (75 mph).
The 2008–09 South Pacific cyclone season was a below average tropical cyclone season, which featured six named tropical cyclones compared to an average of about nine. Ahead of the season officially starting on November 1, 2008, the Island Climate Update tropical cyclone outlook predicted that the season, would feature an average risk of tropical cyclones impacting the South Pacific between 160°E and 120°W. The first tropical disturbance of the season developed to the northeast of the Samoan Islands on December 1, however, it remained weak and was last noted during the next day.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Gene was the deadliest storm as well as the most damaging tropical cyclone of the 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season east of 160ºE. RSMC Nadi monitored Gene as the 12th tropical disturbance, as well as the fourth tropical cyclone and the third severe tropical cyclone to form west of 160ºE during the 2007–08 South Pacific cyclone season. Gene was also recognised by RSMC Nadi as the fifth tropical cyclone and fourth severe tropical cyclone to form within the South Pacific Ocean during the 2007-08 season.
The 2009–10 South Pacific cyclone season began on December 3, 2009 with the formation of Tropical Disturbance 01F, 32 days after the cyclone season had officially begun on November 1, 2009. The season ended on April 30, 2010. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the southern Pacific Ocean east of 160°E. Additionally, the regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a tropical cyclone year separately from a tropical cyclone season; the "tropical cyclone year" began on July 1, 2009 and ended on June 30, 2010. Tropical cyclones between 160°E and 120°W and north of 25°S are monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service. Those that move south of 25°S are monitored by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Wellington, New Zealand. The first tropical disturbance of the season formed on December 3, about 1015 km (700 mi) to the north of Suva, Fiji and later intensified into Tropical Cyclone Mick. The last system, 15F, dissipated on April 5 of the following year.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Xavier was a strong pre-season cyclone that formed on October 20, 2006 to the north of the Santa Cruz Islands. Cyclone Xavier was also the strongest storm of the season. During the next day it rapidly developed and was designated as Tropical Depression 01F later that day, before being designated as Tropical Cyclone Xavier while over Santa Cruz early on October 22. Later on October 22, Xavier intensified into a category 3 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, before passing over Tikopia early the next day. Xavier then reached its peak wind speeds of 175 km/h, which made it a Category 4 cyclone early on October 24. Xavier stayed at its peak wind speeds until early the next day when it started to rapidly weaken, becoming a depression early on October 26. The remnants of Xavier persisted until October 28 before dissipating. There were no casualties reported as a result of the storm and little impact reported in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
The 2010–11 South Pacific cyclone season was an average tropical cyclone season, with seven tropical cyclones and five severe tropical cyclones developing during the season. The season ran from November 1, 2010, until April 30, 2011, though if any tropical cyclones had developed between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011, the official tropical cyclone year, they would have been counted towards the season's total. Within the South Pacific basin tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service's Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Nadi, Fiji, north of 25°S, and to the south the Meteorological Service of New Zealand's Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Wellington, New Zealand. Any disturbances forming in the region were designated with a sequential number suffixed by the letter F. In addition, the United States Military's Joint Typhoon Warning Center unofficially monitored parts of the basin during the season, where any systems judged to have achieved tropical storm strength or greater received a number suffixed with the letter P. RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington both use the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, and measure wind speeds over a period of ten minutes, while the JTWC measures sustained winds over a period of one minute which can be applied to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale. Seven named storms formed or moved into the South Pacific basin during the 2010–11 season, the strongest of which was Severe Tropical Cyclone Wilma in late January.
The 2011–12 South Pacific cyclone season was one of the least active South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons on record, with only three tropical cyclones occurring during the season. The season ran from November 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, however, any tropical cyclones that form before June 30, 2012, would have fallen within the 2011–12 tropical cyclone year and would have counted towards the season total. The strongest and only severe tropical cyclone that occurred during the season was Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasmine, which tracked in from out of the South Pacific basin. Within the basin, tropical cyclones are monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji, and the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) in Wellington, New Zealand. RSMC Nadi attaches an F designation to tropical disturbances that form in or move into the South Pacific. The United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issues unofficial warnings within the South Pacific, designating tropical storm-equivalent or greater tropical cyclones with a number and a P suffix. RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington both use the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, and measure windspeeds over a period of ten minutes, while the JTWC measures sustained winds over a period of one minute and uses the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale.
The 1995–96 South Pacific cyclone season was a below average South Pacific tropical cyclone season's on record, with only five tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 1995, until April 30, 1996. The first storm developed on January 12, while the last one dissipated on April 2. During the season the most intense tropical cyclone was Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti, which reached a minimum pressure of 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) as it affected New Caledonia. After the season ended Beti's name was the only name to be retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists and was replaced with Bune, after it inflicted over 5.6 million (USD) worth of damage to Australia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand.
The 2013–14 South Pacific cyclone season was a slightly below average tropical cyclone season, with six tropical cyclones occurring within the basin between 160°E and 120°W. The season ran from November 1, 2013, to April 30, 2014, however, the first four tropical disturbances occurred during October 2013 and were included as a part of the season. During the season, tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and New Zealand's MetService. The United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and other national meteorological services including Météo-France and NOAA also monitored the basin during the season. During the season there were 21 significant tropical disturbances were assigned a number and an "F" suffix by the FMS's Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Nadi, Fiji (RSMC Nadi), including the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Hadi from the Australian region. The BoM, MetService and RSMC Nadi all estimated sustained wind speeds over a period of 10-minutes and used the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale, while the JTWC estimated sustained winds over a 1-minute period, which are subsequently compared to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHS).
The 2014–15 South Pacific cyclone season was a slightly-below average tropical cyclone season, with five tropical cyclones occurring within the basin between 160°E and 120°W. The season officially ran from November 1, 2014, to April 30, 2015. During the season, tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji and the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers in Brisbane, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand. The United States Armed Forces through the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also monitored the basin and issued unofficial 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. RSMC Nadi, TCWC Wellington and TCWC Brisbane all use the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale and estimate windspeeds 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).
The 1984–85 South Pacific cyclone season was an above-average tropical cyclone season, with nine tropical cyclones occurring within the basin between 160°E and 120°W. The season ran from November 1, 1984, to April 30, 1985, with tropical cyclones officially monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and New Zealand's MetService. The United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and other national meteorological services including Météo-France and NOAA also monitored the basin during the season. During the season there was nine tropical cyclones occurring within the basin, including three that moved into the basin from the Australian region. The BoM, MetService and RSMC Nadi all estimated sustained wind speeds over a period of 10-minutes, which are subsequently compared to the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale, while the JTWC estimated sustained winds over a 1-minute period, which are subsequently compared to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS).
During 2003, tropical cyclones formed within seven different tropical cyclone basins, located within various parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. During the year, a total of 129 systems formed with 85 of these developing further and were named by the responsible warning centre. The strongest tropical cyclone of the year was Cyclone Inigo, which was estimated to have a minimum barometric pressure of 900 hPa (26.58 inHg) and was tied with Cyclone Gwenda for being the most intense recorded cyclone in the Australian region in terms of pressure, with the possible exception of Cyclone Mahina. So far, 26 Category 3 tropical cyclones formed, including six Category 5 tropical cyclones formed in 2003, tying 2021. The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index for the 2003, as calculated by Colorado State University was 833 units.
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