Australian Region Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale |
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Category | Sustained winds |
Gusts | ||
Five | >107 kt >200 km/h |
>151 kt >279 km/h |
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Four | 86-107 kt 160-200 km/h |
122-151 kt 225-279 km/h |
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Three | 64-85 kt 118-159 km/h |
90-121 kt 165-224 km/h |
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Two | 48-63 kt 89-117 km/h |
68-89 kt 125-164 km/h |
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One | 34-47 kt 63-88 km/h |
49-67 kt 91-125 km/h |
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Tropical Low |
<34 kt <63 km/h |
<49 kt <91 km/h |
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 Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Nadi, Fiji or the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Wellington, New Zealand.[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 cause a high amount of damage and/or cause a significant amount 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 85 tropical cyclone names retired, with the 1990s, having the most amount of retired tropical cyclone names. The most intense tropical cyclone to have its name retired was Severe Tropical Cyclone Zoe which had an estimated peak pressure of 890 hPa. 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 Severe Tropical Cyclone Val which caused over US $330 million in damage to four different countries during December 1991.
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During the 1970s, nineteen tropical cyclone names were retired from the list of names, with the 1971–72 season having the most amount of retired tropical cyclone names. Severe Tropical Cyclone Carlotta, was the most intense tropical cyclone, during the decade with an estimated peak pressure of 940 hPa (28 inHg).
Name | Dates | Season | Aus Cat |
10-minute sustained peak wind speeds |
Pressure | Areas affected | Deaths | Damage (US$ at the time) |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rosie | December 30 – January 4 | 1970–71 | 2 | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia | Minor | [4] | |
Vivienne | December 17 – 19 | 1971–72 | 1 | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | French Polynesia | |||
Carlotta | January 8 – 26 | 1971–72 | 3 | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia | 4 | Unknown | [4][5] |
Wendy | February 29 – March 9 | 1971–72 | 3 | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia | 4 | [6] | |
Agatha | March 27 – 29 | 1971–72 | 3 | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Cook Islands | |||
Bebe | October 19 – 28 | 1972–73 | 3 | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Kiribati, Tuvalu, Fiji | 27 | $22.5 million | [6][7][8] |
Lottie | December 5 – 12 | 1973–74 | 3 | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga | 59 | [6] | |
Tina | April 24 – 28 | 1973–74 | 2 | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga | 59 | [6] | |
Alison | March 4 – 12 | 1974–75 | 3 | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand | $1 million | [9] | |
Elsa | January 21 – 26 | 1975–76 | 2 | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia | |||
Marion | January 12 – 21 | 1976–77 | 2 | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | Vanuatu | |||
Robert | April 16 – 22 | 1976–77 | 3 | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | French Polynesia | |||
Bob | January 31 – February 12 | 1977–78 | 3 | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand | |||
Charles | February 14 – 28 | 1977–78 | 3 | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Samoan Islands | |||
Diana | February 15 – 22 | 1977–78 | 2 | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | French Polynesia | |||
Fay | December 27 – 31 | 1978–79 | 2 | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | Tuvalu, Fiji | |||
Gordon | January 4 – 12 | 1978–79 | 3 | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Australia | Severe | ||
Meli | March 24 – 31 | 1978–79 | 3 | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Fiji | 53 | [6] | |
Kerry | February 13 - March 6 | 1978-79 | 3 | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Australia | 2 | [10][11] | |
[nb 1][nb 2] |
During the 1980s twenty-one tropical cyclone names were retired from the naming lists, with both the 1986–87 and 1982–83 season having the most amount of retired tropical cyclone names. The most intense tropical cyclone during the decade was Severe Tropical Cyclone Oscar which had an estimated peak pressure of 920 hPa (27 inHg).
Name | Dates | Season | Aus Cat |
10-minute sustained peak wind speeds |
Pressure | Areas affected | Deaths | Damages | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wally | April 2 – 7 | 1979–80 | 1 | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | Fiji | 18 | $2.26 million | [6] |
Cliff | February 8 – 15 | 1980–81 | 3 | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Australia | |||
Tahmar | March 8 – 13 | 1980–81 | 3 | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | French Polynesia | |||
Gyan | December 18 – 29 | 1981–82 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Vanuatu | |||
Issac | February 27 – March 5 | 1981–82 | 4 | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Tonga | 6 | $10 million | [13][14] |
Joti | October 31 – November 7 | 1982–83 | Category 2 Tropical Cyclone | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Vanuatu | |||
Lisa | December 10 – 18 | 1982–83 | Category 2 Tropical Cyclone | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Cook Islands | |||
Mark | January 21 – February 1 | 1982–83 | 3 | 150 km/h 90 mph | 955 hPa 28.20 inHg | Fiji | |||
Oscar | February 26 – March 6 | 1982–83 | 5 | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) | Fiji | 9 | $130 million | [15] |
Veena | April 8 – 14 | 1982–83 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 955 hPa 28.20 inHg | French Polynesia | |||
Eric | January 14 – 20 | 1984–85 | 3 | 150 km/h 90 mph | 955 hPa 28.20 inHg | Fiji | 27 | $68 million | [15] |
Ima | February 5 – 16 | 1985–86 | 4 | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | Cook Islands | |||
Namu | May 16 – 22 | 1985–86 | 3 | 150 km/h 90 mph | 955 hPa 28.20 inHg | Solomon Islands | 111 | $10 million | [16] |
Raja | December 21 – January 5 | 1986–87 | 3 | 150 km/h (95 mph) | Wallis and Futuna, Fiji | 2 | $14 million | [6][17] | |
Sally | December 26 – January 5 | 1986–87 | 3 | 150 km/h 90 mph | 955 hPa 28.20 inHg | Cook Islands, Austral Islands | $24.6 million | [18] | |
Tusi | January 13 – 21 | 1986–87 | 3 | 150 km/h 90 mph | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Tokelau, Samoan Islands, Cook Islands | None | [19] | |
Uma | February 4 – 8 | 1986–87 | 4 | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Vanuatu | 50 | $150 million | [4][20] |
Anne | January 5 – 14 | 1987–88 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia | |||
Bola | February 24 – March 4 | 1987–88 | 4 | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Vanuatu, Fiji, New Zealand | 3 | $82 million | [21] |
Harry | February 8 – 23 | 1988–89 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | New Caledonia | |||
Lili | April 7 – 11 | 1988–89 | 3 | 150 km/h (95 mph) | 955 hPa 28.20 inHg | ||||
[nb 1][nb 2] |
During the 1990s twenty-six tropical cyclones names were retired from the naming lists, with the 1997–98 season having the most amount of retired tropical cyclone names. The most intense tropical cyclones during the decade were Severe Tropical Cyclones Ron and Susan which had an estimated peak pressure of 900 hPa (26.58 inHg). Severe Tropical Cyclone Val was the most damaging system, which caused about $250 million (1992 USD) in damage to four different countries during December 1991. The deadliest tropical cyclone was Severe Tropical Cyclone Martin which caused 28 deaths when it affected the Cook Islands in October and November 1997. Despite being retired the name Joni, was later reused during the 2008–09 season.
Name | Dates | Season | Aus Cat |
10-minute sustained peak wind speeds |
Pressure | Areas affected | Deaths | Damages (USD) |
Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ofa | January 30 – February 10 | 1989–90 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga Samoan Islands |
8 | $166 million | [13][22][23] |
Peni | February 12 – 18 | 1989–90 | 3 | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | Cook Islands | |||
Sina | November 20 – December 4 | 1990–91 | 3 | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands | None | $18.5 million | [13][24][25] |
Tia | November 13 – 21 | 1991–92 | 3 | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | 0 | Severe | [26] |
Val | December 4 – 17 | 1991–92 | 4 | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Tuvalu, American Samoa Western Samoa, Cook Islands |
16 | $330 million | [26][27] |
Wasa | December 4 – 18 | 1991–92 | 4 | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | French Polynesia | 2 | ||
Betsy | January 4 – 15 | 1991–92 | 4 | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Vanuatu | 2 | $2 million | [4][28] |
Esau | February 24 – March 7 | 1991–92 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Vanuatu | |||
Fran | March 4 – 17 | 1991–92 | 5 | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) | Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu New Caledonia, New Zealand Eastern Australia, Fiji |
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Joni | December 5 – 14 | 1992–93 | 4 | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Tuvalu, Fiji | $1.6 million | [17] | |
Kina | December 26 – January 6 | 1992–93 | 3 | 150 km/h (95 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga | 26 | $110 million | [13][17][25] |
Prema | March 26 – April 6 | 1992–93 | 4 | 165 km/h 105 mph) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia | $60 million | [29] | |
Rewa | December 26 – January 23 | 1993–94 | 5 | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 920 hPa, (27.17 inHg) | Solomon Islands, New Caledonia Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu Eastern Australia, New Zealand |
22 | Unknown | |
William | December 30 – January 5 | 1994–95 | 2 | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.80 inHg) | Cook Islands, French Polynesia | None | $2.5 million | [30] |
Beti | March 21 – April 2 | 1995–96 | 4 | 165 km/h 105 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | Eastern Australia, Vanuatu New Caledonia, New Zealand |
2 | $5.6 million | [31][32] |
Drena | January 3 – 10 | 1996–97 | 4 | 165 km/h 105 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | New Caledonia | [33] | ||
Gavin | March 3 – 12 | 1996–97 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Tuvalu, Fiji | $18.3 million | [17][31][33] | |
Hina | March 13 – 18 | 1996–97 | 3 | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.80 inHg) | Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, Tonga | $75.2 million | [13][17][31][33] | |
Keli | June 7 – 17 | 1996–97 | 3 | 150 km/h (95 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Tuvulu, Wallis and Futuna, Tonga | 0 | $10 thousand | [34] |
Martin | October 27 – November 5 | 1997–98 | 3 | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Cook Islands, French Polynesia | 28 | [35][36] | |
Osea | November 24 – 28 | 1997–98 | 3 | 150 km/h (95 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Cook Islands, French Polynesia | None | [35] | |
Ron | January 2 – 8 | 1997–98 | 5 | 230 km/h (140 mph) | 900 hPa (26.58 inHg) | Tokelau, Tonga, Niue | None | $566 thousand | [13][31][35] |
Susan | January 2 – 9 | 1997–98 | 5 | 230 km/h (140 mph) | 900 hPa (26.58 inHg) | Vanuatu, Fiji | 1 | minor | [35] |
Tui | January 25 – 27 | 1997–98 | 1 | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 990 hPa (29.25 inHg) | Samoan Islands | 1 | $1 million | [31][35] |
Ursula | January 30 – February 1 | 1997–98 | 2 | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.80 inHg) | French Polynesia | None | Minor | [35] |
Veli | February 1 – 3 | 1997–98 | 2 | 100 km/h (60 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | French Polynesia | None | Minor | [35] |
Alan | April 17 – April 25 | 1997–98 | 2 | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | French Polynesia | 8 | [35] | |
Cora | December 23 – 28 | 1998–99 | 3 | 140 km/h (85 mph) | 960 hPa (28.35 inHg) | Tonga | 0 | $12 million | [13][37] |
Dani | January 15 – 22 | 1998–99 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji | 14 | $2 million | [31][37][38] |
Frank | February 18 – 21 | 1998–99 | 3 | 150 km/h (95 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | New Caledonia | [37] | ||
[nb 1][nb 2] |
During the 2000s, 20 names of significant tropical cyclones were retired from the tropical cyclone list of names. Four names were retired after both the 2002–03 and 2004–05 seasons while the 2009-10 season had five names retired. No names were retired from the naming lists, after the 2005-06 and 2008-09 seasons. During the decade, Severe Tropical Cyclone Zoe of 2002-03 became the most intense tropical cyclone to have its name retired having reached an estimated peak pressure of 890 hPa (26.28 inHg). The deadliest tropical cyclone to have its name retired during the decade was Severe Tropical Cyclone Ami which caused 17 deaths when it affected Fiji in January 2003, while the most damaging system was Severe Tropical Cyclone Heta which caused over US$225 million in damage to 7 different nations over the new year of 2003–04.
Name | Dates | Season | Aus Cat |
10-minute sustained peak wind speeds |
Pressure | Areas affected | Deaths | Damages(US$ at the time) |
Notes and References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kim | February 23 – 29 | 1999-00 | 4 | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | French Polynesia | None | Minimal | [39][40] |
Paula | February 26 – March 4 | 2000–01 | 4 | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga | 2 | $1.39 million | [31][41] |
Sose | April 5 – 11 | 2000–01 | 2 | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Australia | 4 | [41] | |
Trina | November 29 – December 3 | 2001–02 | 1 | 65 km/h 40 mph | 995 hPa (29.38 inHg) | Cook Islands | 0 | $52 thousand | [42][43] |
Waka | December 19 – January 2 | 2001–02 | 4 | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Wallis and Futuna, Tonga | 1 | $51.3 million | [13][31][42] |
Zoe | December 23 – January 1 | 2002–03 | 5 | 240 km/h (150 mph) | 890 hPa (26.28 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | None | Severe | [44] |
Ami | January 9 – 15 | 2002–03 | 3 | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) | Tuvalu, Fiji, Tonga | 17 | $65 million | [31][44][45] |
Beni | January 25 – February 5 | 2002–03 | 5 | 205 km/h (125 mph) | 920 hPa (27.17 inHg) | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Australia | 1 | $1 million | [31][44] |
Cilla | January 27 – 29 | 2002–03 | 1 | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 995 hPa (29.38 inHg) | Tonga | [44] | ||
Heta | December 25 – January 8 | 2003–04 | 5 | 215 km/h (130 mph) | 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) | Samoan islands, Niue, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna | 3 | $225 million | [6][31][46][47] |
Ivy | February 21 – March 2 | 2003–04 | 4 | 165 km/h (105 mph) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | Vanuatu | 2 | $4.35 million | [31][46][48] |
Meena | February 1 – 8 | 2004–05 | 5 | 215 km/h (130 mph) | 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) | Cook Islands | None | Severe | [49] |
Nancy | February 10 – 17 | 2004–05 | 4 | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Cook Islands | None | Severe | [49] |
Olaf | February 10 – 20 | 2004–05 | 5 | 230 km/h (140 mph) | 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) | Samoan islands, Cook Islands | 9 | $10.2 million | [6][49][50][51][52] |
Percy | February 24 – March 5 | 2004–05 | 5 | 230 km/h (140 mph) | 900 hPa (26.58 inHg) | Tokelau, Samoan islands, Cook islands | $52 thousand | [49][53] | |
Cliff | April 1 – 6 | 2006–07 | 2 | 95 km/h (60 mph) | 980 hPa 28.94 inHg | Fiji, Tonga | 1 | $4 million | [54] |
Daman | December 2 – 10 | 2007–08 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Fiji, Tonga | None | $330 thousand | [54] |
Funa | January 14 – 21 | 2007–08 | 4 | 175 km/h (110 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Vanuatu | None | Severe | [54] |
Gene | January 25 – February 9 | 2007–08 | 3 | 155 km/h (100 mph) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | Fiji | 6 | $35 million | [54] |
Mick | December 3 – 15 | 2009-10 | 2 | 110 km/h (70 mph) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | Fiji | 2 | $22 million | [55] |
[nb 1][nb 2] |
At the start of the 2010s, four names were retired: Oli, Pat, Tomas and Ului. Collectively, the storms killed at least 6 people and caused at least $200 million worth of damage.
Name | Dates | Season | Aus Cat |
10-minute sustained peak wind speeds |
Pressure | Areas affected | Deaths | Damages (US$ at the time) |
Notes and References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oli | January 29 – February 7 | 2009-10 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Samoan Islands, Cook Islands, French Polynesia | 1 | $70 million | |
Pat | February 6 – 11 | 2009–10 | 3 | 155 km/h (95 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | Cook Islands | 2 | Severe | |
Tomas | March 9 – 17 | 2009–10 | 4 | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | Wallis and Futuna, Fiji | 3 | $45 million | |
Ului | March 9 – 21 | 2009–10 | 5 | 215 km/h (135 mph) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Australia | 1 | $72 million | [56] |
[nb 1] |
|