1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season
1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season
| First storm formed |
December 23, 1998 |
| Last storm dissipated |
March 18, 1999 |
| Strongest storm |
Dani – 930 hPa (mbar), 175 km/h (110 mph) (10-minute sustained) |
| Total disturbances |
26 |
| Tropical cyclones |
8 |
| Severe tropical cyclones |
4 |
| Total fatalities |
Unknown |
| Total damage |
Unknown |
South Pacific cyclone seasons
1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01 |
| Related articles |
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The 1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season was a near average tropical cyclone seasons, with 8 tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean basin between 160°E and 120°W. Despite the season starting on November 1, the first tropical system of the season did not form until December 1, while the final disturbance of the season dissipated on May 27, 1999. During the season the most intense tropical cyclone was Severe Tropical Cyclone Cora, which had a minimum pressure of 930 hPa (27.46 inHg). After the season had ended the names Cora and Dani were retired from the naming lists, after they had caused significant impacts to South Pacific islands.
During the season, tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji and the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Wellington, New Zealand. While the United States Navy also monitored the basin and issued unofficial warnings throughout the season, through its Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NPMOC). Tropical cyclones that were located between 160°E and 120°W as well as the Equator and 25S were monitored by TCWC Nadi while any that were located to the south of 25S between 160°E and 120°W were monitored by TCWC Wellington. During the season the JTWC issued warnings on any tropical cyclone that was located between 160°E and the 180° while the NPMOC issued warnings for tropical cyclones forming between 180° and the American coast. RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington both used the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale, and measured windspeeds over a 10-minute period, while the JTWC and the NPMOC measured sustained windspeeds over a 1-minute period. For the first time this season, RSMC Nadi assigned a number and the letter F to each significant tropical disturbance that moved within the South Pacific basin, while the JTWC and NPMOC continued to assign a number and the letter P to significant tropical cyclones throughout their area of responsibility.
Seasonal summary
Storms
Tropical Disturbance 01F
| Tropical disturbance (Australian scale) |
|
|
| Duration |
December 4 – December 4 |
| Intensity |
Winds unknown, Unknown |
On December 4, RSMC Nadi reported that Tropical Disturbance 01F had developed near Tuvalu, about 540 km northwest of Apia in American Samoa. The disturbance was weak and the final advisory was issued later that day.
Tropical Depression 07P
| Tropical depression (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
December 14 – December 17 |
| Intensity |
75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min), 999 mbar (hPa) |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Cora
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
December 23 – December 28 |
| Intensity |
140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min), 960 mbar (hPa) |
This storm brought some damage to Tonga.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Dani
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 15 – January 22 |
| Intensity |
185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min), 925 mbar (hPa) |
Although Dani never threatened to strike Fiji, its outer bands brought catastrophic rainfall to the nation, killing 12 people and leaving US$3.5 million in damage behind. Damage in Vanuatu was estimated at 1 billion Vatu (US$8.5 million).[1][2]
Tropical Cyclone Olinda
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 20 – January 23 |
| Intensity |
100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min), 985 mbar (hPa) |
See the Coral Sea/Eastern Australia article.
Tropical Cyclone Pete
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 21 – January 26 |
| Intensity |
95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 985 mbar (hPa) |
See the Coral Sea/Eastern Australia article.
Tropical Cyclone Ella
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 11 – February 13 |
| Intensity |
85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min), 985 mbar (hPa) |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Frank
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 18 – February 21 |
| Intensity |
150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min), 955 mbar (hPa) |
This storm regenerated from Rona.
Tropical Cyclone Gita
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 27 – March 2 |
| Intensity |
85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min), 990 mbar (hPa) |
This storm was named by Wellington TCWC.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Hali
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
March 12 – March 18 |
| Intensity |
130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min), 965 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression 26F
| Tropical depression (Australian scale) |
|
|
| Duration |
May 20 – May 27 |
| Intensity |
75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min), 995 mbar (hPa) |
On May 20, RSMC Nadi reported that Tropical Depression 26F had developed about 225 nm to the northwest of New Caledonia.
Storm names
South Pacific tropical cyclones are usually assigned names by the RSMC in Nadi, or Fiji Meteorological Service. As soon as a tropical depression becomes a tropical cyclone it is named by the warning centre having responsibility for it at that time. If a tropical depression becomes a tropical cyclone in the Wellington RSMC area of responsibility, MetService, in consultation with RSMC Nadi, will name the cyclone by using the next name from the list.[3]
- Cora
- Dani
- Ella
- Frank
- Gita
- Hali
|
Retirement
After the season ended, the names Cora and Dani were retired from the list.[4] They were replaced by the names Colin and Donna.[5]
See also
References
External links