1996–97 South Pacific cyclone season

Tropical cyclone season SPac 1997 1996-1997 South Pacific cyclone season summary.png November 19, 1996 June 17, 1997 Gavin 925 105 10 14, 1 unofficial 12, 1 unofficial 6 26 total 128 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99 1996–97 Australian region cyclone season 1996–97 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season The 1996–97 South Pacific cyclone season was one of the most active and longest South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons on record, with 12 tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific basin between 160°E and 120°W. The season officially ran from November 1, 1996 - April 30, 1997, however, the season ended later than normal with three systems monitored after the official end of the season. The strongest tropical cyclone of the season was Cyclone Gavin which had a minimum pressure of 925 hPa inHg 4 on. After the season had ended 4 tropical cyclone names were retired from the naming lists, after the cyclones 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 Centers in Brisbane, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand. The United States Armed Forces through the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NPMOC), also monitored the basin and issued unofficial warnings for American interests. During the season RSMC Nadi issued warnings and assigned names to any tropical cyclones that developed between the Equator and 25°S while TCWC Wellington issued warnings for any that were located to the south of 25°S. The JTWC issued warnings for American interests on any significant 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 measure sustained windspeeds over a 10-minute and used the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale, while the JTWC and the NPMOC measured sustained windspeeds over a 1-minute period which are compared to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS). Season summary Ahead of the cyclone season starting on November 1, 1996, the weak to moderate La Nina episode that had caused tropical cyclone activity, to be generally confined to the Coral Sea during the previous season persisted.Australian Bureau of Meteorology May 24, 2015 Reader, Grahame The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1996–97 48 3 http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/1999/hanstrum.pdf 121–138 Bate Peter W Hanstrum, Barry N September 3, 1999 https://web.archive.org/web/20181123070347/http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/1999/hanstrum.pdf Australian Meteorological Magazine November 23, 2018 live mdy Monthly Weather Review 127 1999 10.1175/1520-0493(1999)127<1274:EHTCO>2.0.CO;2 1520-0493 1297–1299 Eastern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclones of 1996 Trehubenko, Eric J Guard, Charles P Lander, Mark A 6 1999MWRv..127.1274L American Meteorological Society freeCallaghan, Jeff 46 325–339 December 4, 1997 Australian Bureau of Meteorology live The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1995-96 Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/1997/callaghan.pdf May 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20181123070544/http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/1997/callaghan.pdf November 23, 2018 mdy However, during the season the La Nina episode started to break down, with signs emerging that the El Nino Episode of 1997-98 was starting to develop. These signs included tropical cyclones occurring to the east of 165°E and the South Pacific Convergence Zone becoming more active. The season officially featured a total of eleven tropical cyclones occurring in RSMC Nadi's area of responsibility to the north of 25S, while one developed in TCWC Wellington's area of responsibility and could not be named.2013/14 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre Area of Responsibility http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/RSMCNadi2013_14TropicalCycloneGuidanceSummary_11Oct2013_2_.pdf Fiji Meteorological Service October 15, 2013 RSMC Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre https://web.archive.org/web/20131021035744/http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/RSMCNadi2013_14TropicalCycloneGuidanceSummary_11Oct2013_2_.pdf October 21, 2013 October 11, 2013 live 2 mdy May 22, 2009 RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre Best Track Data for 1996/97 Cyclone Season RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre TCWC Wellington United States January 31, 2013 TCWC Brisbane Fiji Meteorological Service, Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited, Australian Bureau of Meteorology dead ftp://eclipse.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/ibtracs/original-bt-data-files/nadi/RSMC%20Nadi%209697%20BT%20Data.txt.TXTMatt Megan's World The Manawatu Standard April 2, 1997 Palmerston North, New Zealand 3 Lexis Nexis An additional system was monitored by the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center, which was an unofficial warning centre for the region, along with the Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center during the season.4. Summary of South Pacific and South Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones 132 — 142 (179 — 189) United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1997atcr.pdf Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1997 October 17, 2023 1998 October 20, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201020042602/https://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1997atcr.pdf dead Significant tropical cyclones during the season included Fergus and Drena, which both impacted the island nations of Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand. Severe Tropical Cyclone Gavin was the strongest tropical cyclone and impacted the island nations of Tuvalu, Fiji, New Zealand, Wallis and Futuna. Severe Tropical Cyclone Hina subsequently became the worst tropical cyclone to affect the South Pacific island nation of Tonga since Cyclone Isaac in 1982. Three tropical cyclones developed after the season ended on April 30, including Severe Tropical Cyclone Keli which became the first recorded post-season tropical cyclone to form in June within the South Pacific Ocean.Tropical Cyclone 37P best track analysis Joint Typhoon Warning Center March 31, 2014 http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1997/1997s-bsh/bsh371997.txt United States Navy, United States Air Force dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100127074607/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1997/1997s-bsh/bsh371997.txt January 27, 2010 Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center 1321-4233 Darwin Tropical Diagnostic Statement: June 1997 1997 2 dead October 10, 2015 Australian Bureau of Meteorology 16 6 http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ntregion/statements/tropical/dtds-199706.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20171211105226/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ntregion/statements/tropical/dtds-199706.pdf December 11, 2017 The names Drena, Fergus, Gavin, Hina and Keli were subsequently retired, by the World Meteorological Organization's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee. Systems Tropical Cyclone Cyril SPac Cyril 1996-11-24 0031Z.png Cyril 1996 path.png November 22 November 26 50 45 987 On November 20, a complex area of low pressure formed within a convergence zone about 250 km mi 5 on to the northeast of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The storm produced heavy rains and high winds over New Caledonia before dissipating.The Spokesman-Review December 1, 1996 August 6, 2009 Earthwatch: Tropical Storms https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=szYSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tfEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2011,484123&dq=cyclone+cyril August 2013 Severe Tropical Cyclone Fergus SPac Fergus 1996-12-27 2224Z.png Fergus 1996 path.png December 23 December 30(Out of basin from December 23–25) 90 80 955 Cyclone Fergus Fergus was a Category 2 storm that formed in the Pacific Ocean, lasting from 29 December to 31 December 1996 until becoming extratropical near New Zealand. The storm dropped heavy rainfall across an already saturated area, with totals of over 16.5 inches (425 mm) near Thames. The rainfall led to widespread flooding and forced many to evacuate. Severe road damage occurred, with some roads remaining closed for over a week. Gusty winds from Fergus downed trees and power lines, and caused property damage.MetService TCWC Wellington 2009 August 6, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20050221161816/http://www.metservice.com/default/index.php?static=1996summer1 http://www.metservice.com/default/index.php?static=1996summer1 Cyclone Fergus February 21, 2005 Cyclone Fergus brought torrential rain and damaging winds to parts of the North Island of New Zealand. There was no loss of life, in part because of timely warnings about the ferocity of the storm.http://www.metservice.co.nz/public/learning/cyclone-36.html https://web.archive.org/web/20040803170859/http://www.metservice.co.nz/learning/weather_cyclones_past.asp August 3, 2004 The Ghost of Cyclones Past: Drena, Fergus & the Cyclone of '36 TCWC Wellington August 8, 2013 Damages from the storm were at least $2 million.MetService TCWC Wellington 2009 August 6, 2009 Cyclone Fergus https://web.archive.org/web/20050221161816/http://www.metservice.com/default/index.php?static=1996summer1 http://www.metservice.com/default/index.php?static=1996summer1 February 21, 2005 Severe Tropical Cyclone Drena SPac Drena 1997-01-07 0131Z.png Drena 1997 path.png January 3 January 10(Out of basin from January 4–6) 105 85 945 Cyclone Drena On January 8, the weakening Cyclone Drena brushed the island of New Caledonia with sustained winds up to 150 km/h (90 mph 10-minute winds). Heavy rains accompanied the storm, peaking at 474 mm in on in Dzumac. La Foa also recorded 202 mm in on of rain. Wind gusts reached 165 km/h (105 mph) in Koumac. Flooding from the storm caused a total loss of crops and the high winds knocked out power and communication to most of the island.Meteo-France 2009 August 5, 2009 Phénomènes tropicaux ayant le plus durement touché la Nouvelle-Calédonie depuis la fin du XIXe siècle http://www.meteo.nc/cyclones/cycl_clim1.php July 14, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090714045301/http://www.meteo.nc/cyclones/cycl_clim1.php fr Writer Pittsburgh Post-Gazette January 13, 1997 August 5, 2009 Earthweek: A Diary of the Planet https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_t4NAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KW8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4966,7909429&dq=cyclone+drena Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan SPac Evan 1997-01-15 0000Z.jpg Evan 1997 path.png January 10 January 16 70 70 965 Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan formed on January 10 and dissipated on January 16. Evan stayed northeast of New Zealand for its entire lifetime. Sustained winds peaked at 120 km/h (75 mph). Tropical Cyclone Freda SPac Freda 1997-01-26 2224Z.png Freda 1997 path.png January 26 January 29 65 60 980 Tropical Cyclone Freda existed from January 19 to February 2. Tropical Cyclone Harold SPac Harold Feb 19 1997 1929Z.png Harold 1997 path.png February 19 (Entered basin) February 22 55 50 985 On February 19, Harold moved into the basin from the Australian region as a weakening Category 2 tropical cyclone, The storm produced large swells along west-facing coasts of New Caledonia.The Spokesman-Review February 23, 1997 August 6, 2009 Earthwatch: Tropical Storms https://spokesman.newspapers.com/image/574901643/?match=1&terms=Tropical%20Storms&search-id=a4e0cb18-415c-4754-a5ce-5921f03d1399&search-rank=10 Tropical Cyclone 29P SPac 29P 1997-02-26 0152Z.png 29P 1997 path.png February 23 February 27 60 50 975 On February 23, a depression formed near the Southern Cook Islands and gradually developed further over the next couple of days, as it moved south-westwards over the open seas.Final Report of the Seventh Session: Appendix VI-5: New Zealand RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and the South-East Indian Ocean Seventh Session September 1998 World Meteorological Organization On February 25, the system moved into MetService's area of responsibility where it started to bear the hallmarks of a tropical cyclone and thus MetService discussed the possibility of naming the system with the FMS. At the time there was no precedent of a tropical cyclone being named in the South Pacific while located to the south of 25°S and nobody knew if MetService should take a name from the FMS list of names for the region or make one up. As a result, it was decided to treat the system as a depression operationally, before it was classified as an unnamed tropical cyclone in post-analysis. At around 15:00 UTC+12 (03:00 UTC) on February 26, visible satellite imagery showed that the system had developed a ragged eye, which suggested that the system was at or near hurricane strength. 3 hours later, the "Capitaine Tasman" encountered the system and recorded 10-minute sustained winds of 60 kn km/h mph 5 on out near the centre, which made it a category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian Scale. Later that day, the NPMOC initiated advisories on the system, designated it as Tropical Cyclone 29P and estimated peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 45 kn km/h mph 5 on out. Severe Tropical Cyclone Gavin SPac Gavin 1997-03-07 2331Z.png Gavin 1997 path.png March 3 March 12 120 100 925 Cyclone Gavin Damages from the storm in Fiji amounted to $27 million.Australian Broadcasting Corporation ReliefWeb March 26, 1997 August 6, 2009 Cyclone Gavin costs Fiji about 27 million dollars http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-64CKLL?OpenDocument&rc=5&emid=ST-1997-0039-FJI Seven people were killed and 18 others were listed as missing due to Cyclone Gavin.United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs ReliefWeb March 14, 1997 August 6, 2009 Fiji —Cyclone Gavin DHA Situation Report No. 4 http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-64DK67?OpenDocument&rc=5&emid=ST-1997-0039-FJI Severe Tropical Cyclone Hina Cyclone Hina SPac Hina 1997-03-17 0052Z.png Hina 1997 path.png March 12 March 18 75 65 970 On March 11, the FMS started to monitor a shallow depression, that had developed along the monsoon trough near Rotuma.March 4, 1998 Tropical Cyclone Hina: March 13 - 16, 1997 Prasad, Vikash R dead July 29, 2013 Tropical Cyclone Report: 96/8 http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/CRP_TON_1998_TC_Hina.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20131006174617/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/CRP_TON_1998_TC_Hina.pdf October 6, 2013 Fiji Meteorological Service Over the next two days the depression remained near Rotuma with no preferred movement, as it started to develop further within favourable conditions for further development.Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert March 12, 1997 14z http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htm March 12, 1997 United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center January 2, 2014 September 23, 2015 live https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180303/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htm During March 13, the JTWC subsequently initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 33P.http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htm March 13, 1997 January 2, 2014 Tropical Cyclone 33P (Hina) Warning 1; March 13, 1997 09z United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center September 23, 2015 live https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180303/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htm During that day the system continued its northwards movement until it curved eastwards and later south-eastwards during March 14, before it passed about 55 km mi 5 on to the southeast of Niulakita the southernmost island of Tuvalu. Early on March 15, after the system had passed near Niulakita, the FMS reported that the depression had developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone and named it Hina. After being named the system accelerated towards the south-southeast and an area of increasing vertical wind shear, as it passed near the west coast of Futuna Island. The system also crossed the 180th meridian during that day, which prompted the JTWC to pass the responsibility for warning the United States Government to the NPMOC.http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htm March 15, 1997 January 2, 2014 Tropical Cyclone 33P (Hina) Warning 5; March 15, 1997 09z United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center September 23, 2015 live https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180303/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htmhttp://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htm March 15, 1997 January 2, 2014 Tropical Cyclone 33P (Hina) Warning 6; March 13, 1997 21z September 23, 2015 live https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180303/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htm United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center Early on March 16, the FMS reported that based on satellite imagery and guidance from other meteorological centers, the system had 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 85 km/h mph 5 on as it passed over Southern Tonga.http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/CRP_TON_1997_TCHina_rprt.pdf Report of Mission to Tonga — April 3-4, 1997 January 2, 2014 1997 https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191610/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/CRP_TON_1997_TCHina_rprt.pdf January 2, 2014 dead Fiji Meteorological Service mdy Hina subsequently passed over the islands of Tongatapu and Eua in southern Tonga at around 0830 UTC and took less than 2 hours to inflict considerable damage on the islands. The system subsequently emerged back into the South Pacific Ocean, with the FMS estimating that the system had storm force winds of about 95 km/h mph 5 on. Later that day the NPMOC estimated that Hina had peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 110 km/h mph 5 on as it rapidly moved below 25°S and out of the FMS's area of responsibility.Tropical Cyclone 33P (Hina) Warning 8; March 16, 1997 21z http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htm March 16, 1997 January 2, 2014 United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center September 23, 2015 live https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180303/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/hina.htm After impacting Tonga the system moved rapidly towards the south-southeast and weakened below tropical cyclone intensity, before it was last noted on March 21, to the south of the Pitcairn Islands. During the systems post analysis it was determined that the warning centres had underestimated Hina's intensity as it passed over Tonga, after damage had been greater than expected in the island nation. the FMS subsequently deduced that Hina was a minimal category 3 severe tropical cyclone, with peak 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 120 km/h mph 5 on when it impacted Tonga. The NPMOC also revised their estimate of Hina's peak 1-minute sustained wind speeds from 110 km/h mph 5 on to 140 km/h mph 5 on during post analysis, which made the system equivalent to a category one hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.United States Navy, United States Air Force http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1997/1997s-bsh/bsh331997.txt Tropical Cyclone 33P (Hina) best track analysis Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center Joint Typhoon Warning Center January 2, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20121010031409/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1997/1997s-bsh/bsh331997.txt October 10, 2012 dead mdy Cyclone Hina caused widespread damage in Tonga, leaving roughly $14.5 million in damages.Australian Broadcasting Corporation ReliefWeb March 24, 1997 August 6, 2009 Cyclone damage in Tonga estimated at more than $14-million http://reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/ACOS-64D897?OpenDocument&emid=ST-1997-0094-TON About 320 families were left homeless after the storm.United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs ReliefWeb March 25, 1997 August 6, 2009 Tonga: Cyclone Hina —Mar 1997 Situation Report No. 2 http://reliefweb.int/report/tonga/cyclone-damage-tonga-estimated-more-14-million Tropical Cyclone Ian SPac Ian 1997-04-18 0031Z.png Ian 1997 path.png April 13 April 19 55 45 987 On April 12, after analysing reports from various weather stations in the region, the FMS reported that a circulation had developed within a monsoon trough in the area between Rotuma and the Santa Cruz Islands.March 4, 1998 Tropical Cyclone Ian: April 17 - 19, 1997 Seru, Vive B live April 19, 2023 Tropical Cyclone Report: 96/9 http://www.pacificdisaster.net/doc/CRP_FJI_1997_TC_Ian_report.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20220126144626/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/doc/CRP_FJI_1997_TC_Ian_report.pdf January 26, 2022 Fiji Meteorological Service Over the next few days, the circulation developed into a tropical depression, as it moved southeastwards parallel to the islands of Vanuatu, under the influence of a subtropical ridge of high pressure.1997105S10168 1997 Tropical Cyclone Ian (1997105S10168) International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship April 19, 2023 During April 17, the JTWC initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 34P, before the FMS named it Ian after it had become a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale.April 17, 1997 Tropical Cyclone 34P Warning 1 April 17, 1997 03z live April 19, 2023 http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/ian.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20010208164809/http://australiasevereweather.com:80/cyclones/1997/ian.htm February 8, 2001 United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center Tropical Cyclone June SPac June 1997-05-03 2331Z.png June 1997 path.png May 2 May 5 65 50 985 On April 30, the FMS started to monitor a weak area of low pressure that had developed to the northwest of the Fijian dependency of Rotuma.Preliminary Report on Tropical Cyclone "June" — May 3 - 5, 1997 Fiji Meteorological Service May 27, 1997 March 21, 2014 http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/CRP_FJI_FMS_TC_June_1997_Prelimary_report.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20140324044724/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/CRP_FJI_FMS_TC_June_1997_Prelimary_report.pdf March 24, 2014 dead mdy Over the next couple of days, the system remained poorly organised under the influence of vertical wind shear, from the northwest as it moved slowly towards the south-southwest.United States Navy, United States Air Force http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/june.htm May 2, 1997 March 24, 2014 Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert May 2, 1997 04z https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180305/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/june.htm Joint Typhoon Warning Center September 23, 2015 live mdy During May 2, subsequently initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 35P, after the vertical wind shear surrounding the system, had relaxed and good outflow had developed aloft.May 2, 1997 United States Navy, United States Air Force March 24, 2014 http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/june.htm Tropical Cyclone 35P (June) Warning 1 May 2, 1997 09z https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180305/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/june.htm Joint Typhoon Warning Center September 23, 2015 live mdy During that day the system started to move towards the south-southeast and rapidly developed before the FMS reported later that day, that the system had developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone and named it June. At this stage the system was located about 600 km mi 5 on to the northwest of Nadi, Fiji, and was expected to turn towards the southwest and a break in the subtropical ridge of high pressure during the next day.May 2, 1997 United States Navy, United States Air Force March 24, 2014 http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/june.htm Tropical Cyclone 35P (June) Warning 2 May 2, 1997 21z https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180305/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/june.htm Joint Typhoon Warning Center September 23, 2015 live mdy During May 3, the system continued to develop further and became slow moving, before it started to appear on radar imagery later that day. The FMS subsequently reported early the next day that the system had peaked as a category 2 tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 95 km/h (60 mph).International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship 1997118S09166 1997 Tropical Cyclone June (1997118S09166) October 2, 2023 Later that day the JTWC reported that the system had peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 120 km/h (75 mph), which made June equivalent to a category 1 hurricane on the SSHWS. Severe flooding produced by the storm in Fiji left roughly $500,000 in damages.Government of Fiji 2006 August 6, 2009 Pacific Adaption to Climate Change: Fiji Islands http://www.sprep.org/att/publication/000668_FijiReport_NationalPACCReport_Final.pdf Tropical Cyclone 37P SPac 37P 1997-05-28 2331Z.png 37P 1997 path.png May 27 May 30 35 During May 26, the JTWC started monitoring a tropical disturbance that had developed to the southeast of the Solomon Islands, in response to strong westerly winds along the equator.United States Navy, United States Air Force Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert May 27, 1997 14z May 27, 1997 March 31, 2014 March 4, 2016 Joint Typhoon Warning Center http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/199737.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115004/http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/199737.htm live mdy Over the next two days the disturbance gradually developed further, before the JTWC initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 37P during May 28. During the next day the system moved towards the south-southeast, before it peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 65 km/h mph 5 on. During May 30, the system dissipated as a significant tropical cyclone, after it had encountered cooler waters and stronger vertical windshear.May 30, 1997 March 31, 2014 United States Navy, United States Air Force Tropical Cyclone 37P Warning 5 May 30, 1997 09z live http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/199737.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115004/http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/199737.htm Joint Typhoon Warning Center March 4, 2016 mdy Severe Tropical Cyclone Keli Cyclone Keli SPac Keli 1997-06-11 2331Z.png Keli 1997 path.png June 7 June 17 115 80 955 During June 7, the FMS reported that a weak tropical low had emerged from the South Pacific Convergence Zone, to the northeast of Tokelau.Final Report of the Seventh Session: Appendix IV: Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Summary 1996-97 RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and the South-East Indian Ocean Seventh Session September 1998 Fiji Meteorological Service World Meteorological OrganizationInternational Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship 1997156S11192 1997 Tropical Cyclone Keli (1997156S11192) October 2, 2023 Over the next couple of days, the low gradually developed further as it was steered slowly westwards by mid-level easterly winds, into an area of strong upper-level diffulence and an abnormal area of high sea-surface temperatures. During June 10, the NPMOC initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 38P, before the FMS named the system Keli after it had developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone.1998 Météorologie Maritime 2107-0830 fr Saison des perturbations tropicales: 1996-1997 Pacifique sud-ouest: Une saison particulièrement longue 178 24–29 http://bibliotheque.meteo.fr/exl-php/docs/ILS_DOC/2441/enm00002440__PDF.txthttp://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/keli.htm Tropical Cyclone 38P (Keli) Warning 1; June 10, 1997 03z June 10, 1997 November 9, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131109000637/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/keli.htm United States Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center October 2, 2023 At this stage, the system was located about 180 nmi km mi out 5 on to the northeast of Niulakita in Tuvalu and was moving south-westwards towards the island as it continued to gradually intensify. As Keli passed just to the north of Niulakita on June 11, its general movement slowed down, before it performed a clockwise cyclonic loop to the north of the island. During June 12, the system accelerated south-eastwards and started to pose a threat to the French territory of Wallis and Futuna as it passed in between Niulakita and Nukulaelae.Tropical Cyclone 38P (Keli) Warning 6; June 12, 1997 15z http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/keli.htm June 12, 1997 October 17, 2023 United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center November 9, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131109000637/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/keli.htm Later that day, at about 06:00 UTC (18:00 TVT), the FMS estimated that Keli had peaked in intensity as a category 3 severe tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained winds of 80 kn km/h mph 5 on out. Twelve hours later, the NPMOC reported that Keli had peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 115 kn km/h mph 5 on out, which made it equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. After it had peaked in intensity, Keli encountered higher levels of vertical windshear which caused it to start to weaken and transition into an extratropical cyclone, before it passed about 30 nmi km mi 5 on out to the west of Wallis during June 13.Tropical Cyclone 38P (Keli) Warning 8; June 13, 1997 15z http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/keli.htm June 13, 1997 United States Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center November 9, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131109000637/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/keli.htm October 10, 2015 After the system had passed to the west of Wallis, Keli continued to move south-eastwards and weakened into a category 2 tropical cyclone, before it passed to the north of Niuatoputopu in northern Tonga and to the northeast of Niue during June 14. During the following day, the NPMOC reported that the system had degenerated into extratropical cyclone and issued their final advisory before the FMS reported that Keli had degenerated into a tropical depression.http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/keli.htm Tropical Cyclone 38P (Keli) Warning 11; June 15, 1997 03z June 15, 1997 United States Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center November 9, 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131109000637/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1997/keli.htm October 2, 2023 Later that day, the system's remnants passed near the island of Mauke in the Southern Cook Islands, before they were last noted during June 17, as they moved past 120°W. Other system On February 18, a tropical depression formed to the northeast of Fiji and moved southwestwards, before it was last noted during the next day.Flooding in the Fiji Islands between 1840 and 2009 Risk Frontiers Yeo, Stephen W Devi, Swastika October 1, 2010 41 July 27, 2014 http://www.riskfrontiers.com/RFfrontimages/Floods%20in%20Fiji%201840-2009%20-%20Risk%20Frontiers%20final.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140316104935/http://www.riskfrontiers.com/RFfrontimages/Floods%20in%20Fiji%201840-2009%20-%20Risk%20Frontiers%20final.pdf McGree, Simon March 16, 2014 mdy Season effects This table lists all the storms that developed in the South Pacific basin, to the east of 160E during the 1996–97 season. It includes their intensity on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale, duration, name, areas affected, deaths, and damages. For most storms the data is taken from TCWC Nadi and Wellingtons archives, however data for 37P has been taken from the JTWC archives rather than RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington's archives, and thus the winds are a period of 1-minute sustained as opposed to 10-minutes. SPac 1996 1997 Unnamed November 19, 1996 November 22, 1996 TD None None None Cyril November 23, 1996 November 26, 1996 Aus1 45 987 Solomon Islands, New Caledonia Fergus December 20, 1996 December 30, 1996 Aus3 80 955 Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand 2000000 Drena January 3, 1997 January 10, 1997 Aus4 85 935 Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand Evan January 4, 1997 January 14, 1997 Aus3 70 965 Fiji, Tonga Freda January 26, 1997 February 2, 1997 Aus2 60 980 None Harold February 19, 1997 February 24, 1997 Aus2 60 985 Melanesia, Australia, New Zealand 27000000 7 29P February 24, 1997 February 26, 1997 Aus2 60 975 None None None Gavin March 2, 1997 March 11, 1997 Aus4 100 925 Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna, Fiji 24930000 18 The damage total/economic loss was originally reported in Fijian dollars and was converted to USD via the Oanda Corporation website.Oanda Corporation 2013 Historical Exchange Rates 27 January 2013 http://www.oanda.com/currency/historical-rates/ "nb" "FJD to USD"Tropical Cyclone Gavin: March 2 - 11, 1997 Fiji Meteorological Service http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/TC_GAVIN.pdf Tropical Cyclone Report 96/7 Kersemakers, Mark April 4, 1998 January 31, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131012021517/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/TC_GAVIN.pdf October 12, 2013 dead mdy Hina March 13, 1997 March 18, 1997 Aus3 65 970 Tonga, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna 15200000 1 Ian April 13, 1997 April 19, 1997 Aus1 45 987 Fiji None Minimal June May 2, 1997 May 11, 1997 Aus2 50 985 Fiji 60000000 Laisenia, Tui July 3, 2010 Disaster Risk Management Risk — Fiji Fiji National Disaster Management Office https://web.archive.org/web/20110722111939/https://sentinel.tksc.jaxa.jp/announce/2010/08/03/SECRisis0001201008030001/SA2JPTM3/NDMO%20PRESENTATION.pdf https://sentinel.tksc.jaxa.jp/announce/2010/08/03/SECRisis0001201008030001/SA2JPTM3/NDMO%20PRESENTATION.pdf July 22, 2011 September 27, 2014 Sentinel Asia dead 37P May 28, 1997 May 30, 1997 TD 35 997 Vanuatu None None Keli June 7, 1997 June 17, 1997 Aus3 80 955 Tuvalu, Fiji, Samoan Islands, Niue 10000 None See also Tropical cyclones List of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1996, 1997 Pacific hurricane seasons: 1996, 1997 Pacific typhoon seasons: 1996, 1997 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1996, 1997 Notes nb References 2 External links 1996 y 1990 South Pacific cyclone yes Category:South Pacific cyclone seasons Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines