1991–92 South Pacific cyclone season

Tropical cyclone season SPac 1992 1991-1992 South Pacific cyclone season summary.png November 13, 1991 May 2, 1992 Fran 920 110 10 14 11 7 21 ≥ 360 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 1991–92 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season 1991–92 Australian region cyclone season The 1991–92 South Pacific cyclone season was an above average tropical cyclone season, with eleven tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific basin between 160°E and 120°W. The first tropical cyclone of the season was first noted on November 13, 1991, while the last tropical cyclone dissipated on May 2, 1992. During the season at least 21 people were killed by tropical cyclones, while Tropical Cyclones Cliff and Innis were the only tropical cyclones not to cause any damage to any country in the Southern Pacific. During the season, tropical cyclones were monitored by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWC) in Nadi, Fiji, and in Wellington, New Zealand.The FMS, or RSMC Nadi, warns on systems in the South Pacific located from the Equator to 25°S and from 160°E to 120°W. The New Zealand MetService, or TCWC Wellington, warns on systems from 25°S to 40°S and from 160°E to 120°W Whilst tropical cyclones that moved or formed to the west of 160°E were monitored as a part of the Australian region by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Both the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Naval Western Oceanography Center (NWOC) issued unofficial warnings within the southern Pacific. The JTWC issued warnings between 160°E and the International Date Line whilst the NWOC issued warnings for tropical cyclones forming between the International Date Line and the coasts of the Americas. Both the JTWC and the NWOC designated tropical cyclones with a number and a P suffix with numbers assigned in order to tropical cyclones developing within the whole of the South Pacific. The FMS and MetService both use the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, and measure windspeeds over a period of ten minutes, while the JTWC and the NWOC measured sustained winds over a period of one minute which are compared to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Seasonal summary During the season, a significant increase in the amount of tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific basin was observed, with eleven tropical cyclones occurring within the basin during the season compared to three during the previous season.Gill, Jonathan P The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1991–1992 Australian Meteorological Magazine 43 181 – 192 http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/1994/gill.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20120321171916/http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/docs/1994/gill.pdf March 21, 2012 live July 6, 2014 The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1990–1991 Bannister Anthony J Smith, K J 42 111–121 Australian Meteorological Magazine July 6, 2014 December 4, 1993 http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/1993/bannister.pdf 4 November 23, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181123070522/http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/1993/bannister.pdf live This increase was attributed to a mature El Niño episode, that had started developing towards the end of the previous season.Taiki, Henry Vanuatu Meteorological Service dead September 28, 2021 April 2, 1993 Tropical Cyclone Prema – A brief perspective from the meteorological office West, Steve http://www.pacificdisaster.net/doc/JB_DM389b_VUT_1993_Brief_perspective.pdf September 28, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210928140425/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/doc/JB_DM389b_VUT_1993_Brief_perspective.pdf During the season the major areas of tropical cyclogenesis were shifted eastwards, from their mean position towards the more central parts of Pacific. The first tropical cyclone of the season was first noted as a tropical depression on November 13, before it was named Tia during November 16, after it had become a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale.Fiji Meteorological Service Tropical Cyclone Tia, November 14 - 21, 1991 December 12, 2013 July 6, 2013 February 12, 1992 dead Ward, Graham F.A Tropical Cyclone Report 92/3 http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/JB_M393f_FJI_1991_TC_Tia.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20131212012817/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/JB_M393f_FJI_1991_TC_Tia.pdf Over the next day the system rapidly intensified into a category 3 severe tropical cyclone and affected the Solomon Islands of Tikopia and Anuta while near its peak intensity. Tia subsequently started to weaken during November 19, as it became the first of six tropical cyclones to affect Vanuatu during the season. After Severe Tropical Cyclone's Val and Wasa-Arthur, the South Pacific Convergence Zone gradually moved back to its near-normal position between the Samoan Islands, Southern Cook Islands and French Polynesia's Austral Islands.Saison 1991 - 1992 Des Perturbations Tropicales Dans Le Pacifique Sud-Est September 24, 2021 157 1992 http://bibliotheque.meteo.fr/exl-php/docs/ILS_DOC/235668/doc00025268__PDF.txt Météorologie Maritime The names: Tia, Val, Wasa, Betsy, Esau and Fran were later retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists. On July 1, 1992, the New Zealand Meteorological Service was split in two and became the Meteorological Service of New Zealand and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.Steiner, J Thomas Martin, John R Gordon, Neil D Commercialization in the provision of meteorological services in New Zealand Grant, Malcolm A Meteorological Applications 4 247–257 September 1991 3 10.1017/S1350482797000480 1997MeApp...4..247S free Systems Severe Tropical Cyclone Tia SPac Tia 1991-11-18 0100Z.png Tia 1991 path.png November 13 November 21 95 75 960 Cyclone Tia On November 13, the FMS started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone, to the northeast of the Solomon Islands.1991 November 1991 Darwin Tropical Diagnostic Statement 10 11 3 Darwin Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre 1321-4233 http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ntregion/statements/tropical/dtds-199111.pdf July 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131101000011/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ntregion/statements/tropical/dtds-199111.pdf November 1, 2013 live Over the next few days, the system gradually developed further within an area of light winds in the upper troposphere, before the JTWC initiated advisories and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 03P early on November 15.1992 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report 6. Tropical Cyclone Warning Verification Statistics: Southern Hemisphere Joint Typhoon Warning Center http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1992atcr.pdf United States Navy, United States Airforce September 15, 2012 Naval Western Oceanography Center dead March 25, 2013 240–247 https://web.archive.org/web/20120915165323/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1992atcr.pdf 1993 1991 Tropical Cyclone Tia (1991317S07164) 11991317S07164 September 22, 2021 The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship During that day the system's upper-level outflow characteristics became more favourable for further development, before the FMS named the system Tia early the next day after it had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone. Later that day because of a developing northerly steering current, the system slowed down and undertook a small anticlockwise loop before starting to move towards the southwest and rapidly intensify. After rapidly intensifying throughout November 16 and 17, Tia passed within 55 km (35 mi) of Anuta Island at around 1800 UTC on November 17, before passing near Tikopia Island six hours later. As Tia moved near Tikopia, the FMS reported that the system had reached its peak intensity as a category 3 severe tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 140 km/h (85 mph). During November 18, Tia started to gradually weaken under the influence of cooler sea surface temperatures and strengthening vertical windshear, while it moved southwards under the influence of a strengthening upper level northerly wind flow. Over the next 24 hours, the system continued to move southwards and passed within 150 km mi 5 on of Vanuatu's Banks Islands, while gradually weakening further. Tia subsequently degenerated into a tropical depression during November 20, before it was last noted during the next day, as it crossed a part of its former track where it had been producing hurricane-force windspeeds a few days earlier. Apart from extensive damage on the Solomon Islands of Anuta and Tikopia which directly lay in Tia's path, the overall effect of the cyclone was minimal. More than 1000 people were left homeless on Tikopia, after 90% of all dwellings were completely destroyed while the remaining 10% had either walls destroyed or roofs blown off. The cyclone also destroyed seven of the eight church buildings and all but one of the classroom buildings belonging to the two primary schools while food crops were completely destroyed with all coconut trees either blown down or uprooted. High seas and waves caused extensive damage to the coasts and flooded low-lying areas, salinating food crops such as taro and destroyed the water supply system on the island. As a result, Tikopia was declared a disaster area by the Solomon Islands National Disaster Council. Sustained windspeeds of 133 km/h mph 5 on, wind gusts of 133 km/h mph 5 on and a minimum pressure of 987.9 hPa inHg 5 on were all reported by the automatic weather station on Anuta.http://www.met.gov.sb/tcnames.pdf Tropical Cyclones/Depressions that passed through Solomon Islands Region Solomon Islands Meteorological Service September 13, 2009 June 20, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20121030195156/http://www.met.gov.sb/tcnames.pdf October 30, 2012 dead Within Vanuatu the damage was mainly confined to fruit trees within the Banks and Torres Island Groups, while minor damage was reported to some old houses on Ambae, Epi and Tongoa Islands. On the Bank island of Mota, one man was slightly injured by flying corrugated iron while a church building was flattened. Severe Tropical Cyclone Wasa–Arthur SPac Wasa–Arthur 1991-12-09 2101Z.png Wasa-Arthur 1991 path.png December 3 December 16 105 90 940 Cyclone Wasa–Arthur On December 3, the FMS started to monitor a shallow tropical depression was embedded within a monsoon trough of low pressure over the Northern Cook Islands. Over the next couple of days, the system gradually developed further as it moved south-westwards, before the NWOC and the FMS reported that the depression had developed into Tropical Cyclone Wasa during December 5.1992 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/atcr/1992atcr.pdf United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center September 22, 2021 live 240–247 https://web.archive.org/web/20120915165323/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1992atcr.pdf 1993 September 15, 2012 After it had been named, Wasa slowed down and made a small cyclonic loop as it continued to intensify and became a category 3 severe tropical cyclone during December 7.1991 Tropical Cyclone Wasa (1991339S10203) 1991339S10203 September 25, 2021 The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship April 21, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230421232634/https://ncics.org/ibtracs/index.php?name=v04r00-1991339S10203 live Early on December 8, the NWOC reported that Wasa had peaked with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 105 kn km/h mph 5 out on on, which made it equivalent to a category 3 hurricane on the SSHWS. The next day, the FMS estimated peak 10-minute winds of 165 km/h (105 mph), making Wasa a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone. Over the next few days, the system weakened into a tropical depression after passing through the Society and Austral Islands.Hurricane Alley: Cyclones of the Southeast Pacific Ocean 1990–1991: Tropical Cyclone Arthur December 14 – 17, 1991 Fiji Meteorological Service Mariners Weather Log 1992 36 4: Fall 1992 56 DeAngellis, Richard M 2027/uiug.30112104094179 0025-3367 648466886 The NWOC issued their final advisory on Wasa on December 13, as the system turned northeastward to warmer waters. Later that day, Wasa became sufficiently organized to be reclassified as a category 1 tropical cyclone by the FMS, who renamed it Arthur. Over the next 24 hours, Arthur passed about 80 mi km 5 on north-northwest of Mururoa, which reported winds of 45 mph km/h flip 5 on. On December 14, the FMS reported that Wasa-Arthur had reached its secondary peak intensity of 130 km/h mph 5 on. The cyclone maintained this intensity while moving eastward through the uninhabited Acteon Group of islands and other atolls. On December 15, the NWOC classified it as Tropical Cyclone 08P, with peak 1-minute winds of 85 km/h mph 5 on.1992 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report 4. Summary of South Pacific and South Indian Tropical Cyclones Joint Typhoon Warning Center United States Navy, United States Airforce http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1992atcr.pdf September 15, 2012 dead March 25, 2013 183–190 Naval Western Oceanography Center https://web.archive.org/web/20120915165323/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1992atcr.pdf 1993 http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1992/1992s-bsh/bsh081992.txt JTWC best track analysis: Tropical Cyclone 08P (Arthur) Joint Typhoon Warning Center Naval Western Oceanography Center December 17, 2002 United States Navy, United States Air Force December 20, 2012 October 10, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121010032143/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1992/1992s-bsh/bsh081992.txt dead On December 16, the system gradually weakened into a shallow depression, and both the FMS and the NWOC issued their final advisories on Wasa-Arthur. On December 9, ahead of Cyclone Wasa affecting French Polynesia, the High Commissioner Jean Montpezat declared a state of maximum alert which closed schools and banned navigation.Hurricane Wasa approaches Tahiti December 9, 1991 Agence France Presse Lexis NexisAlerte rouge à Tahiti December 11, 1991 Agence France Presse Lexis NexisPrince, Al Havoc in French Polynesia Pacific Islands Monthly 1992 62 39 https://books.google.com/books?id=qZl0AAAAMAAJ 0030-8722 On December 12, tourists on the island of Bora Bora were evacuated to a local church, after the system had swept high seas into tourist bungalows.Cyclone Val devastates Western Samoa December 13, 1991 The Age 11 O'Callaghan, Mary-Louise http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=Cyclone+Val&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=200&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news911213_0238_3928 August 24, 2013 December 24, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131224125953/http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=Cyclone+Val&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=200&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news911213_0238_3928 live Overall Cyclone Wasa-Arthur caused an estimated 60000000 US$ in damage within the six Leeward Islands, the two Windward Islands of Tahiti and Moorea and several of the Austral Islands with the majority of the damage done between December 9 – 12. The system destroyed 367 homes, damaged 855 other homes, destroyed or damaged a variety of crops and damaged several public buildings, hotels, roads and power installations, with the worst affected islands were Bora Bora and Tubuai. On Rurutu island, Moerai harbour was destroyed by a cyclonic swell generated by the system, while the local school and police station were destroyed by high waves.https://books.google.com/books?id=7vtX-4FYREQC&q=Cyclone+Wasa&pg=PA24 Natural Hazards in the Asia-Pacific Region: Recent Advances and Emerging Concepts 361 The Geological Society London Etienne Samuel 21–39 978-1862393394 Terry, James P Goff, James R Marine inundation hazards in French Polynesia: geomorphic impacts of Tropical Cyclone Oli in February 2010 10.1144/SP361.4 January 2012 1 2012GSLSP.361...21E 140610552Cyclone batters Tubuai Islands December 14, 1991 Perdriau, Philippe Agence France Presse Lexis Nexis A woman and her child were killed while asleep after torrential rainfall from the system caused a mudslide on the island of Moorea, during a night of torrential rain the day after Wasa had made its closest approach to the island.Samoa devastated by cyclone December 14, 1991 15 http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=Cyclone+Val&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=200&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news911213_0238_3928 August 24, 2013 The Sydney Morning Herald O'Callaghan, Mary-Louise December 24, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131224125953/http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=Cyclone+Val&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=200&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news911213_0238_3928 live Severe Tropical Cyclone Val SPac Val 1991-12-08 0000Z.png Val 1991 path.png December 4 December 17 125 90 940 Cyclone Val Early on December 4, the FMS started to monitor a small tropical depression, that had developed along the Intertropical Convergence Zone just to the southeast of Tuvalu.Fiji Meteorological Service Tropical Cyclone Val, December 4 - 13, 1991 June 23, 2013 Pandaram, Sudha 1992 SWP 1991_8 Tropical Cyclone Report 91/2 https://www.webcitation.org/6GECobiEX?url=http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/virtcdlib/index.cgi/4274123/FID1/DATA/TROPIC/SWP_NAR/1991_8.NAR 2013-04-28 dead During that day the system moved towards the northeast and steadily developed further with the FMS naming it Val early the next day, after it had become a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale.1991338S08181 International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship 1991 Severe Tropical Cyclone Val (1991338S08181) March 28, 2020 November 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221114164203/https://ncics.org/ibtracs/index.php?name=v04r00-1991338S08181 liveHurricane Alley: Cyclones of the Southeast Pacific Ocean 1990–1991: Tropical Cyclone Val, December 4 - 13, 1991 Fiji Meteorological Service Mariners Weather Log 1992 36 4: Fall 1992 56 DeAngellis, Richard M 2027/uiug.30112104094179 0025-3367 648466886 During that day the NWOC designated the system as Tropical Cyclone 06P and started to issue advisories, while Val started to move towards the south-southeast after the upper level north-westerly steering winds had increased. Over the next two days the system gradually intensified as it moved south-eastwards towards Western Samoa before the FMS reported late on December 7, that Val had peaked as a category 4 severe tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of about 165 km/h (105 mph). The system subsequently made landfall later that day on the Western Samoan island of Savaii, before the NWOC reported that the cyclone had peaked with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of about 230 km/h (145 mph), which made it equivalent to a category 4 hurricane on the SSHS. After Val had passed over the island weakening upper-level winds and caused the system to slow down, before it started to move erratically and made a sharp clockwise loop which almost brought it over Savaii for a second time. The cyclone lasted for five days in American Samoa and was designated by the United States Government as a major disaster on December 13, 1991. Western Samoa suffered more damage than American Samoa.http://home.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=2128 American Samoa Cyclone Val FEMA.gov December 16, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100603090403/http://home.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=2128 June 3, 2010 http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=2128 American Samoa Cyclone Val Major Disaster Declared December 13, 1991 December 17, 2010 US Department of Homeland Security:FEMA dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100410003814/http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=2128 April 10, 2010 http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/21126/Cyclone-wreaks-ruin-in-Samoa.html https://archive.today/20130128110516/http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/21126/Cyclone-wreaks-ruin-in-Samoa.html dead January 28, 2013 Cyclone Wreaks Ruin in Samoa The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints December 21, 1991 December 16, 2010http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pierson1992AS.pdf Effect of Cyclone Val on areas proposed for inclusion in the National Park of American Samoa A report to the U.S. National Park Service 3 December 18, 2010 Botany.hawaii.edu dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120104214748/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pierson1992AS.pdf January 4, 2012 The cyclone devastated the islands with 150 mph on winds and 50 ft on waves. The overall damages caused by Cyclone Val in American Samoa have been variously assessed. One estimate put the damages at $50 million in American Samoa and $200 million in Western Samoa due to damage to electrical, water, and telephone connections and destruction of various government buildings, schools, and houses.http://www.shernoff.com/landmark-cases/Representing-American-Samoa.html Representing An Entire Country: American Samoa Government v. Affiliated FM Insurance Shernoff December 16, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100824052712/http://www.shernoff.com/landmark-cases/Representing-American-Samoa.html August 24, 2010 Severe Tropical Cyclone Betsy SPac Betsy 1992-01-10 0100Z.png Betsy 1992 path.png January 4 January 15(Out of basin from January 10-14) 95 90 940 Cyclone Betsy Betsy developed on January 6 out of a tropical depression along the monsoon trough. Betsy reached storm intensity. The storm attained hurricane strength before the system hit central parts of Vanuatu. Betsy reached its peak intensity at around 166 km/h mph on 1, with gusts to 240 km/h mph on near its center. On January 11, the cyclone slowed down and curved south, moving out of the tropics on January 13. Betsy affected five countries. The northern and central regions of Vanuatu were hit the hardest from the cyclone. Five people were killed in Kiribati due to strong or gale force winds.TROPICAL CYCLONE BETSY, 4-15 JANUARY https://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/virtual_disk_library/index.cgi/4274123/FID1030/DATA/TROPIC/SWP_NAR/1992_1.NAR 2025-04-27 Tropical Cyclone Cliff SPac Cliff 1992-02-06 1931Z.png Cliff 1992 path.png February 4 February 9 70 55 980 An area of low pressure developed within the monsoon convergence zone during February 4, to the north of the Society Islands. Over the next couple of days, the system gradually consolidated as it moved eastwards and was subsequently named Cliff by the FMS, during February 6, after it had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone. Severe Tropical Cyclone Daman SPac Daman 1992-02-17 0200Z.png Daman 1992 path.png February 11 February 17 (Exited basin) 85 70 965 On February 11, the FMS started to monitor a shallow tropical depression that had developed within the monsoon trough to the south of Tokelau.Tropical Cyclone Daman April 4, 2015 Australian Bureau of Meteorology https://web.archive.org/web/20120318210907/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/daman.shtml March 18, 2012 live http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/daman.shtml Over the next few days the system moved towards the west-southwest under the influence of an easterly steering flow, before the system started to accelerate and passed through the islands of Tuvalu during February 14. Severe Tropical Cyclone Esau SPac Esau 1992-03-02 0300Z.png Esau 1992 path.png February 24 March 7(Out of basin from February 28-March 1) 130 105 925 Cyclone Esau On February 24, a shallow tropical depression developed within the monsoon trough of low pressure, about 370 km mi 5 on to the northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu.Tropical Cyclone Esau, February 24 - March 7 Fiji Meteorological Service Tropical Cyclone Report SWP 1992_6 April 22, 2013 2013-04-22 https://www.webcitation.org/6G4fa2Gw5?url=http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/virtcdlib/index.cgi/4274123/FID1/DATA/TROPIC/SWP_NAR/1992_6.NAR;1 live Over the next day the system moved south-westwards and gradually developed further, before it passed over northern Vanuatu between February 25–27. During February 26, the JTWC and the FMS reported that the depression had developed into a tropical cyclone, with the latter naming it as Easu, while it was located to the east of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. Throughout that day as Esau intensified further, it moved south-westwards and away from the islands of Vanuatu. Esau subsequently accelerated westwards to the north of an intense subtropical ridge of high pressure and gradually intensified further as it moved into an area of decreasing vertical windshear. During February 28, the FMS subsequently reported that the system had peaked as a category 4 severe tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 185 km/h mph 5 on.1992 Tropical Cyclone Easu (1992055S13169) 1992055S13169 September 28, 2021 The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship April 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230418095812/https://ncics.org/ibtracs/index.php?name=v04r00-1992055S13169 live The system subsequently moved into the Australian region and brought gale-force winds to the Solomon Islands during February 29. The JTWC also reported that Esau had peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 240 km/h mph 5 on, which made it equivalent to a category 4 hurricane. Over the next few days the system moved south-eastwards and back into the South Pacific basin, under the influence of a northwest steering flow and threatened the southern islands of Vanuatu. The system subsequently came to within 450 km mi 5 on of southern Vanuatu before turning southwards and threatening the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. The system made landfall on the French territory of New Caledonia during March 4, as a category 3 severe tropical cyclone. As a result of passing over the mountainous island nation and increasing vertical wind shear, the system transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over the cooler waters of the Tasman Sea. The extratropical remnants of Cyclone Esau subsequently made landfall on New Zealand's North Island during March 8, before they were last noted during the next day over the South Pacific Ocean.An ex-tropical cyclone climatology for Auckland, New Zealand International Journal of Climatology Lorrey, Andrew M 10.1002/joc.3753 Griffiths, Georgina Fauchereau, Nicolas Diamond, Howard J Chappella, Petra R Renwick, James 2014IJCli..34.1157L 34 4 2013 1157–1168 131397337 free The system caused minimal damage and one death as it affected the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand. There was no damage reported in Vanuatu, despite the system being considered to be as powerful and potentially damaging as Cyclone Uma. Within the Solomon Islands several banana, coconut and pawpaw trees were knocked down as the system produced gale-force winds on the islands, while various taro gardens and food crops were flooded and destroyed.Cyclone Esau hits Solomons http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122401514 The Canberra Times March 3, 1992 February 16, 2015 5 National Library of AustraliaCyclone Esau hits Solomon Islands Xinhua General News Service March 3, 1992 Lexis Nexis Within the French territory of New Caledonia, extensive flooding was reported in the territory, while power and communications were knocked out over the island.Cyclone Causes Two Deaths in New Caledonia 1992 17 129 gm4cAQAAIAAJ 111 yes Pacific Magazine Corporation Pacific MagazineThe Sunday Gazette Earthweek: A diary of the planet: For the week ending March 6, 1992 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KVdGAAAAIBAJ&pg=6788%2C1864753 March 8, 1992 February 18, 2015 20 A hail and a tornado were reported on March 8, as the system's remnants made landfall on New Zealand's North Island in the Taranaki and Hawkes Bay area.March 1992 Auckland Hail and Tornado February 16, 2015 live NZ Historic Weather Events Catalog http://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/March_1992_Auckland_Hail_and_Tornado November 7, 2013 National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research February 23, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140223084346/http://hwe.niwa.co.nz/event/March_1990_North_Island_Ex-tropical_Cyclone_Hilda Severe Tropical Cyclone Fran SPac Fran 1992-03-09 0300Z.png Fran 1992 path.png March 4 March 11 (Exited basin) 140 110 920 Cyclone Fran The origins of Fran were from a low that was first identified by meteorologists on 4 March. Fran slowly became organized and by 1800 UTC 5 March, the system had developed gale-force winds. Moving in a general west-southwest direction, Fran passed between the Wallis and Futuna Islands while attaining cyclone intensity. The storm began to rapidly intensify and soon crossed the International Dateline. Meanwhile, Fran developed hurricane-force winds. During the ensuing 24 hours, the cyclone tracked across waters to the north of Fiji and towards the central islands of Vanuatu. Shortly before doing so, Fran peaked in intensity. After weakening slightly due to land interaction, the cyclone slowly re-intensified. Cyclone Fran passed north of New Caledonia around 0000 UTC 10 March, only to turn towards the west and attained its secondary peak of 145 km/h mph on. It then exited the basin and into the Australian region, where it made landfall near Queensland, and coming back over water and re-entering the South Pacific basin as an extra-tropical cyclone. The remnants of Fran tracked over Norfolk Island before ultimately being merged by a trough north of New Zealand. On the Wallis Islands and the Futuna Islands, damage to trees, telephone and power lines were experienced. Meanwhile, several boats sunk and buildings lost roofs. Vanuatu felt the worst of the storms impact in the South Pacific. In Erromango, homes were destroyed, considerable crop damage occurred and a storm surge was reported. On Efate, over 130 houses lost their respective roofs. Considerable amounts of rainfall was also reported, peaking on Wallis Island with 540 mm in on of rain.Tropical Cyclone Fran http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/fran.shtml Australian Bureau of Meteorology August 14, 2012 November 29, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141129040251/http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/fran.shtml live Tropical Cyclone Gene SPac Gene 1992-03-17 0001Z.png Gene 1992 path.png March 15 March 19 60 50 985 During March 13, a tropical depression developed within a broad area of low pressure, about 215 km mi 5 on to the northwest of Mata-Utu in the island nation of Wallis and Futuna. Over the next couple of days, the depression moved eastwards towards the northern Cook Islands, before a second circulation developed and consolidated within the broad area of low pressure during March 15. The second circulation was subsequently classified as Tropical Cyclone 26P by the NWOC later that day, before the FMS named it Gene during March 16, after it had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone. Tropical Cyclone Hettie SPac Hettie 1992-03-27 0101Z.png Hettie 1992 path.png March 24 March 29 45 55 987 During March 24, the FMS reported that a tropical depression had developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone and a favourable environment for further development, to the north of the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia.Laurent, Victoire Varney, Patrick Meteo France Historique des Cyclones de Polynesie Francaise 2014 French 978-2-9522946-1-4 137–139 History of Cyclones in French Polynesia During that day, the system gradually developed further with its convective cloud signature improving, as it moved slowly south-eastwards under the influence of a northerly environmental steering flow. During the following day, the NPMOC and the FMS reported that the depression had developed into a tropical cyclone, with the latter naming it as Hettie after gale-force wind speeds had wrapped around the system's centre. After being named, Hettie gradually intensified further as it moved south-eastwards and passed in between Tahiti, Hereheretue and Nukutepipi during March 26.1992 Tropical Cyclone Hettie (1992084S10212) 1992084S10212 September 22, 2021 The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship April 11, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230411220032/https://ncics.org/ibtracs/index.php?name=v04r00-1992084S10212 live During March 27, the FMS reported that the system had peaked with estimated 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 45 kn km/h mph 5 out on on, while it was located about 150 km mi 5 on to the southwest of Hereheretue. This was followed by the NPMOC later that day, who estimated that Hettie had peaked with 1-minute peak sustained windspeeds of 100 km/h (65 mph). After it had peaked in intensity, Hettie started to weaken and transition into an extratropical cyclone, under the influence of stronger vertical windshear and cooler sea surface temperatures. The system was subsequently declared an extratropical cyclone during March 29, before its remnants were absorbed by a frontal system. As Hettie moved through French Polynesia, it did not directly impact any island or atoll within the arhipeliagoatoll, however, the meteorological station on the atoll of Hereheretue reported sustained winds of 76 km/h mph on, wind gusts of over 100 km/h mph on and a northeasterly swell of about 4 m ft. There were no deaths associated with Hettie, while some minor damage to crops and property was reported in Hereheretue. During March 26, the French Polynesian authorities seized a boat of Greenpeace activists, after it had come to within 22 km mi on of the French nuclear-test atoll: Mururoa.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122406443 French navy tows Warrior II away The Canberra Times 28 March 1992 9 March 2015 11http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122406933 Greenpeace flagship leaves nuclear-test atoll The Canberra Times 30 March 1992 9 March 2015 14 It was subsequently claimed that the ship was subsequently towed to the French atoll of Fangataufa to ride out Hettie. However, this was disputed by Greenpeace who claimed that the ship was held at Fangataufa to prevent them setting up a site on the atoll, in order to take samples of the radioactive pollution of the environment. Tropical Cyclone Innis SPac Innis 1992-04-29 2100Z.png Innis 1992 path.png April 23 May 2 65 50 985 On April 23, the FMS started to monitor a depression that had developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone, between Tokelau and the Cook Islands and was slowly deepening under the influence of a strong upper-level ridge of high pressure.Tropical Cyclone Innis, April 27 – May 3 Fiji Meteorological Service SWP 1992_10 live April 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220417144438/https://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/virtual_disk_library/index.cgi/4274123/FID1030/DATA/TROPIC/SWP_NAR/1992_10.NAR April 20, 2023 The system subsequently moved westwards and was over the western part of Tokelau by April 25, before it started to accelerate westwards under the influence of an intensifying anticyclone that was located near New Zealand. Over the next couple of days the depression moved westwards and passed over southern Tuvalu during April 27, before the system slowed down while it was located about 555 km mi 5 on to the east of the Solomon Island: Anuta.1992118S11179 The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship 1992 Tropical Cyclone Innis (1992118S11179) April 20, 2023 November 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221114171419/https://ncics.org/ibtracs/index.php?name=v04r00-1992118S11179 live During April 28, the JTWC and FMS reported that the system had developed into a tropical cyclone, with the latter naming it as Innis. After it had been named Innis continued to intensify further and acquired a symmetrical cloud signature during March 29, before the JTWC reported that the system had peaked with 1-minute maximum sustained windspeeds of 65 kn km/h mph 5 out on on. Early the next day, the FMS reported that Innis had reached its peak 10-minute maximum sustained wind speeds of about 50 kn km/h mph 5 out on on which made it a category 2 tropical cyclone, while the system was located about 110 km mi 5 on to the east of Tikopia in the eastern Solomon Islands. As it peaked in intensity, an amplifying upper-level trough in the Coral Sea produced north-easterly to north-westerly upper-level winds in the vicinity of Innis, which caused the system to turn towards the south and then southeast. The trough of low pressure also increased vertical windshear over Innis, which meant that the system started to rapidly weaken during April 30, as it passed about 100 km mi 5 on to the east of Pentecost, Ambryn and Epi Islands.1992 April 1992 Darwin Tropical Diagnostic Statement 11 April 20, 2023 4 2 1321-4233 http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ntregion/statements/tropical/dtds-199204.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20131211182333/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ntregion/statements/tropical/dtds-199204.pdf December 11, 2013 dead By early on May 1, Innis had lost its cloud structure and as a result, the FMS reported that it was no longer classifiable as a tropical cyclone and downgraded it to a depression. Despite some gale-force winds possibly occurring in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, there were no reports of any deaths or damage associated with Innis. Other systems On January 17, the NWOC initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 13P, which had developed to the south of one of the Cook Islands, Manihiki.January 22, 1992 https://groups.google.com/group/sci.geo.meteorology/browse_thread/thread/4269cb4455030380/a7c285a2c77a5810? Tropical Cyclone Weekly Summary #24 Beven, John L January 30, 2015 November 8, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121108090446/http://groups.google.com/group/sci.geo.meteorology/browse_thread/thread/4269cb4455030380/a7c285a2c77a5810 live The system subsequently moved south-eastwards through the Cook Islands and peaked with 1-minute wind speeds of 65 km/h (40 mph) before it transitioned into an extra-tropical cyclone during the next day. During April 7, the FMS started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed about 620 km mi 5 on to the northeast of Nouméa, New Caledonia.Tropical Cyclone Weekly Summary #36 https://groups.google.com/group/sci.geo.meteorology/browse_thread/thread/aa337365547e1e9/ce459175c93bc3a9? Beven, John L April 20, 1992 January 30, 2015 November 8, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121108072222/http://groups.google.com/group/sci.geo.meteorology/browse_thread/thread/aa337365547e1e9/ce459175c93bc3a9 live Over the next day the system moved south-eastwards and was absorbed into a frontal system during the next day. Season effects This table lists all the storms that developed in the South Pacific basin during the 1991–92 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 RSMC Nadi's and or TCWC Wellington's archives, however, data for 13P has been taken from the JTWC/NPMOC archives as opposed to RSMC Nadi's or TCWC Wellington's, and thus the winds are over 1-minute as opposed to 10-minutes and compared to the SSHWS. The impacts listed for Severe Tropical Cyclone's Daman and Fran include the impacts, they caused to Australia while they were in the Australian region. SPac 1991 1992 Tia Cyclone Tia November 12, 1991 November 21, 1991 Aus3 75 960 Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu Minimal None Val Cyclone Val December 4, 1991 December 17, 1991 Aus4 90 940 Tuvalu, Tokelau, Cook IslandsWallis and Futuna, TongaSamoa, American Samoa 300000000 16 Wasa-Arthur Cyclone Wasa-Arthur December 3, 1991 December 18, 1991 Aus4 90 940 French Polynesia 60000000 2 Betsy Cyclone Betsy January 4, 1992 January 15, 1992 Aus4 90 940 Vanuatu 2 13P January 16, 1992 January 18, 1992 TD Not Specified Not Specified None None None Cliff February 5, 1992 February 9, 1992 Aus2 50 980 French Polynesia Daman February 11, 1992 February 19, 1992 Aus3 70 965 Tokelau, Vanuatu, QueenslandNew Zealand Esau Cyclone Esau February 24, 1992 March 7, 1992 Aus4 105 925 Solomon Islands, VanuatuNew Caledonia, New Zealand Fran Cyclone Fran March 4, 1992 March 17, 1992 Aus5 110 920 Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, VanuatuNew Caledonia, Australia Gene March 15, 1992 March 19, 1992 Aus2 50 985 Cook Islands Hettie March 23, 1992 March 29, 1992 Aus1 40 987 French Polynesia Minimal None Unnamed April 7, 1992 April 8, 1992 TD Not Specified Not Specified None None None Innis April 23, 1992 May 2, 1992 Aus2 50 985 Tokelau, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu None None See also Tropical cyclones Tropical cyclones in 1991 and 1992 Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1991, 1992 Pacific hurricane seasons: 1991, 1992 Pacific typhoon seasons: 1991, 1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1991, 1992 Notes A References 2 External links 1991 y 1990 South Pacific cyclone yes Category:South Pacific cyclone seasons Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines