1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season

1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
First system formed December 4, 1998
Last system dissipated May 26, 1999
Strongest storm1 Dani – 930 hPa (mbar), 175 km/h (110 mph) (10-minute sustained)
Total disturbances 27 (record high)
Total depressions 14
Tropical cyclones 8
Severe tropical cyclones 4
Total fatalities Unknown
Total damage Unknown
1Strongest storm is determined by lowest pressure
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons
1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01
Related articles

The 1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season was a near average South Pacific tropical cyclone season, 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 25°S were monitored by TCWC Nadi while any that were located to the south of 25°S 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 the Southern Hemisphere.

Seasonal summary

In direct contrast to the previous season when an El Niño episode was observed, 1998-99 was characterised by a La Nina episode, which contributed to the slump in activity that was observed during the season.[1][2] In total 27 Tropical Disturbances and Tropical Depressions developed, of which 8 developed further into tropical cyclones and severe tropical cyclones.[1] The shift from El Nino to a La Nina also helped shift the mean genesis area into the Coral Sea area from just east of the Northern Cook Islands, with 5 of the 8 cyclones during the season developing in that area.[1][2]

Storms

Tropical Depression 07P

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Clockwise vortex
Duration December 14 – December 17
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  999 hPa (mbar)

On December 11, the JTWC started to monitor an area of disturbed weather had developed within a trough of low pressure, about 670 km (415 mi) to the northeast of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. Over the next couple of days the disturbed weather drifted towards the west and moved into the eastern portion of the Australian region. By late on December 14 a tropical disturbance had developed on the south-eastern end of the trough, before as it moved back into the South Pacific region, RSMC Nadi declared it a tropical depression.[A 1]

JTWC initiated warnings on the system at 15/0900 UTC due to a ship report of 34 kts at 0000 UTC. Bulletins from Nadi alluded to gales being present in the southern and eastern quadrants, but since they were not surrounding the center, the depression was not named as a tropical cyclone. The depression moved southeastward roughly parallel to and several hundred miles southwest of New Caledonia. By 0600 UTC on Dec 16 the system was about 250 nm southwest of Nouméa and had moved across 25S and into the AOR of the Wellington, New Zealand, office. The depression turned to the south and accelerated as it began to lose tropical characteristics. It passed about 210 nm west of Norfolk Island at 1700 UTC, and had become extratropical about 400 nm west-northwest of New Zealand's North Cape by 0500 UTC on Dec 17

Tropical Depression 08P (02F)

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Clockwise vortex
Duration December 21 – December 24
Peak intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min)  997 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Cora

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration December 23 – December 28
Peak intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min)  960 hPa (mbar)

This storm brought some damage to Tonga.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Dani

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration January 15 – January 22
Peak intensity 185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min)  925 hPa (mbar)

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).[3][4]

Tropical Cyclone Olinda

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration January 22 – January 23
Peak intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min)  985 hPa (mbar)

On January 22, Tropical Cyclone Olinda moved into the basin about 740 km (460 mi) to the west-northwest of Nouméa, New Caledonia, with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph) which made it a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale. During that day, the cyclone quickly moved towards the east-southeast quickly and managed to intensify into a category two tropical cyclone before it moved into TCWC Wellington's area of responsibility.

Tropical Cyclone Pete

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration January 23 – January 26
Peak intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min)  985 hPa (mbar)

On January 23, Tropical Cyclone Pete moved into the South Pacific basin, while at its 1-minute and 10-minute peak intensities of 95 km/h (60 mph) and 100 km/h (65 mph), which made it a tropical storm or a weak category two tropical cyclone on the Australian Scale.[5]

Tropical Cyclone Ella

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration February 9 – February 13
Peak intensity 85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min)  985 hPa (mbar)

On February 9, RSMC Nadi reported that a tropical depression had developed within a monsoon trough, about 210 kilometres (130 mi) to the south of Honaira on the Solomon Island: Guadalcanal. During that day the depression moved towards the east and gradually intensified, as convection started to organise while vertical windshear over the system decreased, before the JTWC initiated advisories and designated the depression as Tropical Cyclone 19P. During February 10, 19P started to move towards the southeast while developing further before RSMC Nadi named the depression as Ella early the next day, before it turned and accelerated towards the south and passed about 160 km (100 mi) to the west of the northern tip Espiritu Santo.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Frank

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration February 16 – February 21
Peak intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min)  955 hPa (mbar)
Main article: Cyclone Rona–Frank

This storm regenerated from Rona.

Tropical Depression 17F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Clockwise vortex
Duration February 17 – February 19
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  995 hPa (mbar)

On February 17, RSMC Nadi reported that a weak tropical depression, had developed within a monsoon trough over the southern Fijian islands.[6] During that day, the depression moved slowly towards the east before it started to turn towards the southeast during the next day while convection started to organize further.[6] Later that day, RSMC Nadi issued a marine weather bulletin, warning that the depression had 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 75 km/h (45 mph).[6] However, the depression was not classified as a tropical cyclone as the gale force windspeeds were only present in the southern semicircle because of a pressure gradient with a surface ridge of high pressure to the south of the system.[A 2][6] Over the next couple of days the depression moved towards the southeast before it was last noted by RSMC Nadi, during February 19 as it approached TCWC Wellington's area of responsibility.[6]

Tropical Cyclone Gita

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration February 25 – February 28
Peak intensity 85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min)  990 hPa (mbar)

On February 25, RSMC Nadi started to monitor a weak shallow depression that had developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone just to the north of the Southern Cooks Islands. Over the next two days the depression gradually developed further, before the system moved out of RSMC Nadi's area of responsibility during February 27 as it developed into a category one tropical cyclone. TCWC Wellington in conjunction with RSMC Nadi subsequently named it as Gita in conjunction with RSMC Nadi

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hali

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration March 11 – March 18
Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  970 hPa (mbar)

Early on March 11, the NPMOC and RSMC Nadi started to monitor a tropical disturbance that had developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone between the Southern Cook Islands and French Polynesia.[1][7] Later that day as the disturbance moved towards the southwest, RSMC Nadi reported that it had developed into a tropical depression while located about 485 km (300 mi) to the east of the Cook Island: Aitutaki.[8] Under the influence of diurnal effects and significant vertical shear the depression slowly developed over the next couple of days while drifting through the southern Cook Islands.[8] By 1800 UTC on January 12, the depressions low level circulation centre had moved under the deep convection, as result RSMC Nadi then reported that the system had developed into a tropical cyclone and named it Hali.[1] At the same time the NPMOC initiated advisories on Hali and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 27P, while it was equivalent to a tropical storm with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 65 km/h (35 mph).[7][9] After it was named Hali moved towards the west, before early on January 13, the NPMOC reported that Hali had reached its 1-minute peak intensity of 95 km/h (60 mph).[7]

Over the next 3 days, Hali moved towards the west as it gradually intensified further, before early on March 16, an approaching upper trough of low pressure caused a weakness in the subtropical ridge.[1][10] As a result the cyclone started to move towards the south, while RSMC Nadi reported that Hali had reached its 10-minute peak windspeeds of 120 km/h (75 mph), which made it a category 3 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian scale.[10][11] Later that day RSMC Nadi reported that the cyclone had started to rapidly weaken because of increasing vertical windshear and cooler sea surface temperatures, and interference from Tropical Depression 20F.[1][8] As a result RSMC Nadi reported at 1200 UTC on January 18, that Hali had weakened into a depression before later that day the cyclone got caught up in the low level steering field and drifted into TCWC Wellington's area of responsibility during the next day.[12] The remnants of Hali were then last noted on March 20 at 0600 UTC as they dissipated about 1200 km (750 mi) to the southeast of Avarua on the Southern Cook Island: Rarotonga.[2][13] No impact was caused by Hali while it moved through the Southern Cook Islands.[1]

Tropical Depression 20F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Clockwise vortex
Duration March 13 – March 18
Peak intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min)  998 hPa (mbar)

On March 13 RSMC Nadi started to monitor Tropical Disturbance 20F that had developed, about 800 km (500 mi) to the northeast of Papeete, on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti.[8][12] The disturbance was located in an upper level environment that was not favourable for further development, and deep convection surrounding the system was limited to the northern quadrant.[8] Over the next couple of days the disturbance moved towards the west-southwest and was declared a tropical depression early on March 15, while it was located about 160 km (100 mi) to the northwest of Tahiti.[8][12] The depression then developed gale force winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) during the next day, however because they were only found in one or two quadrants and did not wrap around the depression's exposed centre, it was not considered to be a tropical cyclone.[8][12] The depressions centre was also exposed and displaced to the southwest of the deep convection at this time.[8] The depression was then last noted later that day as it moved into TCWC Wellington's area of responsibility about 400 km (250 mi) to the southeast of Avarua on the Southern Cook Island: Rarotonga.[8]

Other systems

The following weak tropical disturbances were also monitored by RSMC Nadi, however all of these systems were either short lived or did not develop significantly. The first, Tropical Disturbance 01F, developed about 540 km (340 mi) to the northwest of Apia in American Samoa, however the system remained weak and was last noted later that day.[14] On December 25, Tropical Disturbance 04F developed over the Coral Sea within an area of strong vertical windshear in the Australian region.[15] During that day 04F moved towards the southeast and entered the South Pacific basin, before dissipating during December 26.[15] Tropical Depression 05F then developed on January 1 to the north of the Southern Cook Islands, while showing some baroclinic characteristics, before developing a fair amount of convection around the centre.[15] Convection surrounding the system decreased during January 3, before the system had become unclassifiable by January 5.[15] Tropical Disturbance 06F formed on January 3, to the southwest of French Polynesia, in an area of strong vertical windshear. Over the next couple of days the disturbance moved towards the southwest and never showed any signs of organising significantly.[15] Tropical Low/Disturbance 08F developed on January 16, within an active convergence zone, that was located to the east of Fiji.[15] Over the next couple of days convection around the centre increased slightly but vertical windshear restrained 08F from developing significantly, before on January 19 it moved into much cooler waters and stronger vertical windshear which ultimately led its demise.[15] Along with Cyclone Dani, 08F extended a trough of low pressure on to Fiji which caused significant flooding, 6 deaths and about 4 million (1999 FJD) worth of damage.[2][15]

Tropical Disturbances 11F, 12F, 13F and 15F were all weak tropical disturbances, that occurred during the first half of February.[6] On March 28, RSMC Nadi reported that Tropical Disturbance 21F had developed about 335 km (210 mi) to the northeast of Niue.[8] During the day the disturbance remained weak as it moved towards the south, however the disturbance did not develop any further as it was located in an unfavourable environment for further development.[8] The basin then was quiet, until April 9 when Tropical Disturbance 22F developed in the eastern portion of the Australian region within an area of high vertical windshear, and slowly moved south-eastwards into the basin without developing further.[16] The next disturbance then developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone on April 21, to the southeast of Tonga.[16] As the system moved towards the southeast, further development was inhibited by strong north-westerly winds and it quickly became extratropical.[16] As an extratropical cyclone 23F generated significant damaging swells that affected most countries within the Southern Pacific for about a week.[16] Tropical Depression 26F developed about 770 km (480 mi) to the east of Port Villa, Vanuatu, ahead of an approaching trough of low pressure, while deep convection lied to the southeast of the low level circulation centre.[17] Over the next few days, the system moved generally southwards slowly, before on May 25, it turned and started accelerating towards New Zealand.[17] On May 27, the remnants of Tropical Depression 26F were absorbed by a large polar low, that was located to the south of the remnants.[17]

Seasonal effects

Name Dates active Peak classification Sustained
wind speeds		 Pressure Land areas affected Damage
(USD)		 Deaths Refs
01F December 4 Tropical Disturbance Not Specified Not Specified None None None [14]
07P December 14 – 17 Tropical Depression 75 km/h (45 mph) 999 hPa (29.50 inHg)
02F/08P December 22 – 24 Tropical Depression Unknown 997 hPa (29.44 inHg)
Cora December 23 – 28 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 140 km/h (85 mph) Unknown Tonga 12 million
04F December 25 – 26 Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
05F January 1 – 5 Tropical Depression Unknown Unknown None
06F January 3 Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
Dani January 15 – 22 Category 4 severe tropical cyclone 185 km/h (115 mph) 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji 2 [A 3]
08F January 16 – 20 Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown Fiji [A 3]
Olinda January 20 – 23 Category 2 tropical cyclone 100 km/h (65 mph) Unknown None
Pete January 21 – 26 Category 2 tropical cyclone 95 km/h (60 mph)985 hPa None
11F February Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
12F February Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
13F February Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
Ella February 11 – 13 Category 1 tropical cyclone 85 km/h (50 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia
15F February Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
Rona-Frank February 16 – 21 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone
17F February 17 – 19 Tropical Depression 75 km/h (45 mph) 995 hPa (29.39 inHg) None [1][11]
Gita February 27 – March 2 Category 1 tropical cyclone 85 km/h (50 mph) 990 hPa (29.24 inHg) None None None
Hali March 11 – 18 Category 2 tropical cyclone 100 km/h (65 mph) 970 hPa (28.65 inHg) Cook Islands None None [1][11]
20F March 13 – 18 Tropical Depression 65 km/h (40 mph) 998 hPa (29.47 inHg) French Polynesia, Cook Islands
21F March 28 Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
22F April 9 Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
23F April 21 Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown Several
24F Unknown Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
25F Unknown Tropical Disturbance Unknown Unknown None
26F May 20 – 26 Tropical Depression 75 km/h (45 mph) 995 hPa (29.38 inHg) Queensland, New Zealand
Season Aggregates
27 systems December 4 – May 26 185 km/h (115 mph) 935 hPa (27.61 inHg)

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 07P was not assigned an "F" designator because the depression had originated in the Australian region.
  2. ↑ Within the Australian and Southern Pacific basins: A tropical depression must have gale-force winds completely surrounding the centre before the system is classified as a tropical cyclone.
  3. 1 2 Severe Tropical Cyclone Dani and Tropical Disturbance 08F extended a trough of low pressure on to Fiji which caused 6 deaths and 4 million (FJD) in damage.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre (1999). RSMC Nadi Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Summary 1998–99 (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 1, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Oates, Sue (September 3, 2000). "The South Pacific and southeast Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season 1998–99" (PDF). Australian Meteorological Magazine, (Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal) (Australian: Bureau of Meteorology) (49): 225, 235 – 237. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012.
  3. ↑ Republic of Vanuatu's National Advisory Committee on Climate Change (September 27, 2007). "National adaptation programme for action" (PDF). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. p. 16. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  4. ↑ Phillips, Brian (July 20, 2009). "Environmental Degradation and migration – the experiences of Vanuatu" (PDF). Vanuatu Meteorological Service. Institute of Policy Studies. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  5. ↑ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2000). "Tropical Cyclone 14P (Pete) Best Track Analysis". United States Navy, United States Air Force. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Padgett, Gary (1999). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary February 1999". Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (1999). "Tropical Cyclone 27P (Hali) Best Track Analysis". United States Navy, United States Air Force. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Padgett, Gary (1999). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary March 1999". Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  9. ↑ Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (March 12, 1999). "Tropical Cyclone 27P (Hali) Warning 1999-03-12 18z". United States Navy, United States Air Force. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  10. 1 2 Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (March 14, 1999). "Tropical Cyclone 27P (Hali) Warning 1999-03-14 12z". United States Navy, United States Air Force. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre (May 22, 2009). "RSMC Nadi Best Track Data for the 1998/1999 Season". Fiji Meteorological Service. United States: International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Padgett, Gary (1999). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Tracks: March 1999". Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  13. ↑ RSMC Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre, TCWC Brisbane, TCWC Wellington (May 22, 2009). "TCWC Wellington Best Track Data 1967–2006". Fiji Meteorological Service, Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited, Australian Bureau of Meteorology. International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship.
  14. 1 2 Padgett, Gary (1999). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary December 1998". Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Padgett, Gary (1999). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary January 1999". Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Padgett, Gary (1999). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary April 1999". Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  17. 1 2 3 Padgett, Gary (1999). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary May 1999". Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2012.

External links

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