South Pacific tropical cyclone
A South Pacific tropical cyclone is a non-
Basin history
Tropical cyclones have occurred over the southern Pacific Ocean since prehistoric times, with Polynesians and other ancient mariners having some knowledge of them.[2] These mariners were keen observers of nature with their knowledge of these systems, reflected by traditional myths and legends.[2] When Europeans started to settle and colonise the South Pacific, they realised that the region was not free of hurricanes were the first to publish accounts about the systems.[2] During 1853, Thomas Dobson subsequently became the first person to collect information about these systems, in order to attempt to understand and explain the characteristics of 24 tropical cyclones.[2] However, these descriptions were vague and of little value, because he only had a small amount of data and no synoptic weather charts.[2]
Over the next 40 years various reports, journals and logbooks on the storms were published, before E. Knipping consolidated some of these reports and extended Dobson's list out to 120 tropical cyclones during 1893.[2] During the 1920s Stephen Sargent Visher did some research into tropical cyclones in the Pacific and visited several island nations, including Fiji, Japan and the Philippines, to obtain information on potential systems.[3] He also consulted various journals and reports as well as Dobson's and Knipping's work, before he authored a number of papers on tropical cyclones in the Pacific.[3] These papers contained information about 259 tropical storms in the South Pacific between 160°E and 140°W, two of which occurred during 1789 and 1819, while the rest occurred between 1830 and 1923.[2] Visher also tried to estimate how many systems were occurring on an annual basis in each area, but overcompensated for his incomplete records and came up with a figure of 12 severe tropical cyclones per year.[2][3]
In the years building up to World War II, Visher's work became the primary source for information about tropical cyclones in the South Pacific. However, there was not enough information available to allow for an accurate depiction of tropical cyclone tracks
During Visher's time and until the start of
At the start of the 1980s, geostationary satellite imagery became available, which allowed meteorologists to closely monitor any developments and lowered the chances of missing a well developed tropical cyclone to nil. During June 1995, the Fiji Meteorological Service's Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre, was designated as a Regional Specialized Meteorological Center by the World Meteorological Organization.
Seasons
Before 1970
- Pre 1900 South Pacific cyclone seasons
- 1900–1939 South Pacific cyclone seasons
- 1940s South Pacific cyclone seasons
- 1950s South Pacific cyclone seasons
- 1960s South Pacific cyclone seasons
1970s
Season | Total TDs |
Total TCs |
Total STCs |
Strongest storm |
Deaths | Damages | Notes and References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1969–70 | 7 | 7 | 2 | Dolly and Emma | 6 | 5 million ( USD ) |
[6][7][8] |
1970–71 | 8 | 8 | 0 | Lena | Unknown | Unknown | [9] |
1971–72 | 9 | 9 | 6 | Carlotta | Unknown | Unknown | [10] |
1972–73 | 8 | 8 | 2 | Bebe | 25 | $20 million ( USD ) |
[11] |
1973–74 | 10 | 10 | 2 | Pam | Unknown | Unknown | [9] |
1974–75 | 5 | 5 | 3 | Val and Alison | Unknown | Unknown | [12][10] |
1975–76 | 6 | 6 | 3 | David | Unknown | Unknown | [9] |
1976–77 | 9 | 9 | 2 | Robert | Unknown | Unknown | [7][8] |
1977–78 | 7 | 7 | 3 | Bob and Charles | Unknown | Unknown | [8] |
1978–79 | 9 | 6 | 2 | Meli | Unknown | Unknown | [13] |
1979–80 | 8 | 7 | 2 | Peni and Sina | Unknown | Unknown | [6][8] |
1980s
During the 1980s there were three major Southern Oscillation episodes; two El Niño's (1982–83 and 1986/87) when the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) was negative and one La Nina when the SOI was positive.[14]
Season | Total TDs |
Total TCs |
Total STCs |
Strongest storm |
Deaths | Damages | Notes and References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1980–81 | 12 | 12 | 4 | Freda | [13][14] | ||
1981–82 |
6 | 6 | 5 | Gyan | [15][16] | ||
1982–83 | 14 | 14 | 9 | Oscar | [14][17] | ||
1983–84 |
7 | 5 | 1 | Beti | [18][14] | ||
1984–85 |
9 | 9 | 5 | Hina | [14][15][19][10] | ||
1985–86 |
7 | 7 | 3 | Ima | >150 | [16] | |
1986–87 |
13 | 12 | 6 | Uma | 50 | $150 million | [12][11][8][14][20] |
1987–88 | 6 | 5 | 3 | Anne | [6][14][17] | ||
1988–89 | 14 | 14 | 6 | Harry | [14] | ||
1989–90 | 11 | 5 | 2 | Ofa | 8 | $180 million | [14] |
Totals | 103 | 94 | 46 | Hina |
1990s
Season | Total TDs |
Total TCs |
Total STCs |
Strongest storm |
Deaths | Damages | Retired names |
Notes and References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990–91 | 4 | 2 | 1 | Sina | None | $18.5 million | Sina | [13] |
1991–92 | 13 | 11 | 7 | Fran | 21 | [6][17] | ||
1992–93 | 12 | 10 | 6 | Joni and Prema | None | Joni, Kina, Nina | [6][13] | |
1993–94 | 7 | 5 | 4 | Theodore | None | Rewa | [9][13] | |
1994–95 | 4 | 3 | 1 | Violet | None | $2.5 million | William | [7][21][22] |
1995–96 | 7 | 5 | 1 | Beti | 2 | $4.3 million | Beti | [18][19][23] |
1996–97 | 14 | 12 | 6 | Gavin | 27 | $44 million | Drena, Gavin, Hina, Keli | [note 1][15] |
1997–98 | 20 | 16 | 7 | Ron and Susan | 50 | $7.6 million | Martin, Osea, Ron, Susan, Tui, Ursula, Veli | [11][17][26] |
1998–99 | 27 | 8 | 4 | Dani | Cora, Frank |
[26][27] | ||
1999–2000 | 25 | 6 | 4 | Kim | 1 | Kim | [26][28] | |
Totals | 134 | 80 | 41 | Ron/Susan | 101 |
2000s
During the 2000s, activity was generally below the long term average, with 60 tropical cyclones developing out of 160 tropical disturbances and tropical depressions. However activity during the 2002–03, 2004–05 and 2009–10 seasons all experienced activity, near the long term average of about 8 - 9 tropical cyclones.
Season | Total TDs |
Total TCs |
Total STCs |
Strongest storm |
Deaths | Damages (USD) |
Retired names | Notes and References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000–01 | 16 | 5 | 1 | Paula | 7 | $800,000 | Paula, Sose | [10] |
2001–02 | 16 | 5 | 2 | Waka | 1 | $51.3 million | Trina, Waka | [15][13] |
2002–03 | 18 | 10 | 7 | Zoe | 50 | $102 million | Zoe, Ami, Beni, Cilla | [7][26][29] |
2003–04 | 15 | 3 | 2 | Heta | 16 | $387 million | Heta, Ivy | [13] |
2004–05 | 18 | 9 | 5 | Percy | 2 | $55 million | Meena, Nancy, Olaf, Percy | [6][7][8][26][30] |
2005–06 | 15 | 5 | 3 | Wati | None | $26,000 | None | [12][18][31] |
2006–07 | 15 | 6 | 2 | Xavier | 4 | $4 million | Cliff | [7][8][26] |
2007–08 | 16 | 4 | 3 | Daman | 8 | $46 million | Daman, Funa, Gene | [26][32] |
2008–09 | 15 | 6 | 0 | Lin |
11 | $65 million | None | [12][18][19][10][33] |
2009–10 | 15 | 8 | 5 | Ului | 12 | $163 million | Mick, Oli, Pat, Tomas, Ului | [6][8][17][26] |
Totals | 159 | 60 | 30 | Zoe | 111 | 874 million |
2010s
Season | Total TDs |
Total TCs |
Total STCs |
Strongest storm |
Deaths | Damages (USD) |
Retired names | Notes and References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010–11 | 17 | 7 | 5 | Wilma | 4 | $25 million | Vania, Wilma, Yasi, Atu | [26][34][note 2] |
2011–12 | 20 | 3 | 1 | Jasmine | 13 | $17.2 million | None | [18][19][10][37] |
2012–13 | 22 | 5 | 4 | Sandra |
17 | $161 million | Evan, Freda | [18][13] |
2013–14 | 20 | 6 | 2 | Ian | 12 | $48 million | Ian, Lusi | [16][18][13][38] |
2014–15 | 16 | 6 | 2 | Pam | 16 | > $250 million | Pam | [39] |
2015–16 | 18 | 8 | 5 | Winston | 50 | ≥ $1.41 billion | Ula, Winston | [note 3][41][17] |
2016–17 | 22 | 4 | 2 | Donna | 3 | ≥ $5 million | Cook, Donna | [18][19] |
2017–18 | 14 | 6 | 3 | Gita | 11 | $285 million | Gita, Josie, Keni | [10] |
2018–19 | 12 | 5 | 2 | Pola | None | ≥ $50 million | Pola | |
2019–20 | 12 | 8 | 4 | Harold | 5 | ≥ $132 million | Sarai, Tino | |
Totals | 166 | 53 | 28 | Winston | 131 | ≥ $2.25 billion |
2020s
Season | Total TDs |
Total TCs |
Total STCs |
Strongest storm |
Deaths | Damages (USD) |
Retired names | Notes and References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020–21 | 13 | 8 | 3 | Yasa | 7 | >$246.7 million | Yasa, Ana | [19] |
2021–22 | 11 | 6 | 2 | Dovi | 2 | >$105 million | Cody | |
2022–23 | 7 | 5 | 3 | Kevin | 16 | ≥$9.42 billion | Judy, Kevin | Featuring the costliest Gabrielle
|
2023–24 | 8 | 4 | 2 | Lola | 0 | >$0 | ||
Totals | 39 | 23 | 9 | Kevin | 25 | >$9.717 billion |
See also
- Tropical cyclone
- List of retired South Pacific cyclone names
- Atlantic hurricane season
- Pacific hurricane season
- Pacific typhoon season
- North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone
- South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone
- Australian region tropical cyclone
- South Atlantic tropical cyclone
- Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone
Notes
- ^ During the 1996–97 South Pacific cyclone season, 11 tropical cyclones formed within the FMS's area of responsibility, while one formed within the subtropics and TCWC Wellington's area of responsibility.[15][13][24][25]
- ^ Number of tropical disturbances excludes Tropical Cyclone Raquel, which was considered by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to be a Category 1 tropical cyclone within the 2014–15 year.[35][40]
References
- ^ RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee (2023). Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South-East Indian Ocean and the Southern Pacific Ocean 2023 (PDF) (Report). World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Kerr, Ian S (March 1, 1976). "Tropical Storms and Hurricanes in the Southwest Pacific: November 1939 to May 1969" (PDF). pp. 23–28. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ .
- ^ .
- ^ http://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/nzmstic107.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ a b c d e f g RSMC Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (October 18, 2012). "2012/13 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre Area of Responsibility" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f RSMC Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (October 15, 2014). "2014/15 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre Area of Responsibility" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "2018–19 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook [in the] Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR)" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 23, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Climate Services Division (October 26, 2010). Tropical Cyclone Guidance for Season 2010/11 for the Fiji and the Southwest Pacific (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g 2022–23 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR) (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 13, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c "2015–16 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR)" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 22, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ a b c d RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre (October 27, 2011). "2011–12 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR)" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 28, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "2019–20 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook [in the] Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR)" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 11, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
- ^ ISBN 0-477-07346-8. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e RSMC Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (October 11, 2013). "2013/14 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre Area of Responsibility" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c "2016–17 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR)" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 14, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f "Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Outlook 2023–24 Detailed Outlook" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 12, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "2017–18 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR)" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 11, 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "2021/22 Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre Nadi: Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Outlook" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 13, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 13, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- JSTOR 44279737. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2013-12-03.
- ^ Shepherd, I.J; Bates, P.W (June 2, 1997). "The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1994–95" (PDF). Australian Meteorological Magazine (46). Australian Bureau of Meteorology: 143–151. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ Barr, Joe (September 17, 2008). "Event Information: Tropical Cyclone William". Pacific Disaster.Net. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
- ^ Callaghan, Jeff (December 4, 1997). "The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1995–96" (PDF). Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal. 46. Australian Bureau of Meteorology: 325–339. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ TCWC Wellington; TCWC Brisbane (May 22, 2009). "RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre Best Track Data for 1996/97 Cyclone Season". Fiji Meteorological Service, Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited, Australian Bureau of Meteorology. United States: International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ^ "Matt Megan's World". The Manawatu Standard. Palmerston North, New Zealand. April 2, 1997. p. 3. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Padgett, Gary (1997–2011). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summaries". Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2012. Alt URL
- ^ RSMC Nadi Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Summary 1998–99 (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 1, 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ RSMC Nadi Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Summary 1999–2000 (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Summary 2002–03" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
- ^ Tropical Cyclone Summary 2004 — 2005 Season (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Season Summary: 2005–2006 Season" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
- ^ Fiji Meteorological Service (2008). Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Summary 2007–08 (Report). World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
- ^ RSMC Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (September 24, 2012). Tropical Cyclone Season Summary 2008–09. Fiji Meteorological Service (Report). World Meteorological Organization's Tropical Cyclone Project. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
- ^ Climate Services Division (May 11, 2012). Fiji Islands Climate Summary April 2011 Volume 32 Issue 04 (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 17, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
- ^ a b "Australian Tropical Cyclone Database" (CSV). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-06-30. A guide on how to read the database is available here.
- ^ Auden, Tony (June 21, 2011). Tropical Cyclone Anthony: January 23 – 31, 2011 (PDF) (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology's Brisbane Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ Young, Steve (January 14, 2013). "Southern Hemisphere 2011–2012 Tropical Cyclone Season Review". Australian Severe Weather. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- ^ Young, Steve (July 24, 2014). "Southern Hemisphere 2013–2014 Tropical Cyclone Season Review". Australian Severe Weather. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ Climate Services Division (August 18, 2015). Fiji Annual Climate Summary: 2014 (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
- ^ Queensland Regional Office (September 2015). Tropical Cyclone Raquel: January 23 – 31, 2011 (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
- ^ 2016/17 tropical cyclone season to officially end on April 30 (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. April 27, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 12, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2017.