1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season

1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
First system formed November 27, 1980
Last system dissipated March 21, 1981
Strongest storm Freda – 955 hPa (mbar), 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-minute sustained)
Total depressions 12
Tropical cyclones 11
Severe tropical cyclones 2
Total fatalities Unknown
Total damage Unknown
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons
1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83
Related articles

The 1980-1981 South Pacific cyclone season was an above average season.

Storms

Tropical Cyclone Diola

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration November 27 – November 30
Peak intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min)  990 mbar (hPa)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Arthur

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration January 11 – January 17
Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  965 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 12P

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration January 21 – January 27
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min) 

Tropical Cyclone Betsy

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration January 30 – February 4
Peak intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min)  995 mbar (hPa)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Cliff

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration February 8 – April 13
Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  973 mbar (hPa)

After ravaging the South Pacific islands, Cyclone Cliff struck Queensland on February 14, 1981. The effects of the cyclone was felt from Noosa to Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. One person died in the storm.[1]

Tropical Cyclone SP198006

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Clockwise vortex
Duration February 16 – February 21
Peak intensity 85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min)  987 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Cyclone Daman

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration February 20 – February 24
Peak intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min)  980 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Cyclone SP198008

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Clockwise vortex
Duration February 22 – March 7
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  990 mbar (hPa)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration February 24 – March 9
Peak intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min)  955 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Cyclone Esau

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration March 1 – March 5
Peak intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min)  980 mbar (hPa)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tahmar

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration March 8 – March 13
Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  970 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Cyclone Fran

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration March 17 – March 24
Peak intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min)  985 mbar (hPa)

See also

References

  1. Noosa to Burleigh Heads, Qld: Cyclone (incl. Storm Surge)