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The 1997-98 South Pacific cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It ran from November 1, 1997 to April 30, 1998. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the southern Pacific Ocean east of 160°E. Additionally, the regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a tropical cyclone year separately from a tropical cyclone season, and the "tropical cyclone year" ran from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998. Tropical cyclones between 160°E and 120°W and north of 25°S are monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service. Those that move south of 25°S are monitored by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Wellington, New Zealand. The 1997-98 season contained some note. 2 category 5 cyclones developed during this year, which were Ron and Susan. This was one of a few seasons to have multiple category 5 Cyclones, this would later be tied by the 2005 season. It was also one of only 2 tropical cyclone seasons on record with multiple category 5 cyclones active on the same day; the 1997 Pacific typhoon season was the other one, with Ivan and Joan. [edit] Storms
[edit] Tropical Cyclone Lusi
The Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Fiji first recognized a low on October 8, 1997.[1] The depression hardly moved from its point of origin and was only 30 nautical miles (60 km) from that point when it was named Lusi on October 9. On October 11, the center of Lusi passed west of Fiji. The storm turned to the southeast and weakened due to a cold sea surface and wind shear. The system was downgraded to a tropical low on October 12. Lusi brought rain and gales to the Fiji area, but no damage occurred.[1] [edit] Tropical Storm 03P
Tropical Depression 03P formed on October 26, west of Rotuma when TCWC Fiji released its first bulletin on the system.[2] Fiji said that there may have been gale-force winds 200 nautical miles (370 km) outside the center. TD-03P drifted around the southern Pacific Ocean and dissipated on October 28 due to strong wind shear. [edit] Tropical Cyclone Martin
A tropical depression formed on October 31, 1997 near the American Samoa. The depression later became Tropical Storm Martin about 250 miles (402 km) west of Manihiki Atoll. On November 2, Martin passed south of the atoll where it briefly reached Category 1 status before accelerating towards New Zealand. Martin dissipated on November 5. Martin caused severe damage on Manihiki Atoll. Twenty of the island's residents drowned in the cyclone.[3] [edit] Tropical Cyclone Nute
Nute began in the Southwest Pacific basin on November 18 and was named Nute by the Fiji Tropical Cyclone Warning Center.[4] Nute crossed 160°E and fell under the Brisbane TCWC's jurisdiction on November 19. At this time, Nute was 475 nautical miles (880 km) west-northwest of Vila, Vanuatu. Maximum 10-minute winds were at 70 mph (110 km/h), a maximum tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. However, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that Nute may have reached 80 mph (130 km/h), a Category 1 cyclone.[4] Nute's lowest pressure was 975 millibars on November 19. Nute did not get far into Australian waters, because wind shear began to destroy the system on November 20. Nute weakened the JTWC issued its final warning. The Brisbane station downgraded Nute to a depression on November 21 and the TCWC released its final warning later that day.[4] [edit] Tropical Cyclone Osea
A new tropical depression formed on November 22 at 0000 UTC, northeast of Manihiki Atoll. [5] Tropical Depression 06P stayed weak for the next few days as the NPMOC did not start issuing warnings on this depression until the afternoon of November 23. TD-06P moved on a southeasterly course and was christened the name Osea by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Fiji on November 24.[5] Osea began to intensify and reached hurricane intensity the next day. Osea’s winds peaked at 80 mph (135 km/h) in 10-min winds (105 mph in 1-min winds). Afterwards, Osea began to weaken and passed close Tahiti on November 28 with winds of only 40 mph (60 km/h). The last advisory was released on November 28 at 600 UTC.[5] Peak intensity was 950 millibars. The damage in French Polynesia was catastrophic.[5] Over 700 buildings were destroyed in Bora-Bora, Raiatea and Maupiti. On Manupiti, about 95 percent of the island was destroyed, including the town hall, two schools, and an airfield. On Bora-Bora, only about 30 percent of the infrastructure was destroyed. No fatalities were reported however.[5] [edit] Tropical Cyclone Pam
The first bulletin was issued for a developing depression, Tropical Depression 07P, on December 5.[6] Pam caused little damage on the island. TD-07P was located near American Samoa and southeast of the newly formed Tropical Storm Paka in the Central North Pacific. Paka and TD-07P were cyclonic twins, forming from the same equatorial wind burst.[6] The system developed slowly while it drifted to the south-southeast. By 1800 UTC, TD-07P was west of Manihiki Atoll with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). Maximum sustained winds reached gale-force on December 6, as Paka and TD-07P were splitting farther and farther apart (Paka, which was reaching the International Date Line). The storm was named Pam and moved close to Suwarrow Atoll on December 6. On December 8, Pam passed due east of Palmerston Island, sustaining winds of 65 mph (105 km/h).[6] Pam passed by Rarotonga early on December 9 as a weakening cyclone.[6] Rarotonga recorded winds of 44 mph (71 km/h) and gusts of 74 mph (119 km/h). Coincidentally, the low pressure of 986 millibars was not recorded until the next day. Instead of dropping in pressure, Pam decreased gradually and then a gradual increase in the next 12 hours. This occurrence may have shown that Pam was becoming extratropical. The weakening cyclone passed southeast of Mangaia around 1200 UTC December 9. The island recorded winds of 30 mph (50 km/h) and a minimal pressure of 996 millibars. Pam weakened gradually, losing tropical characteristics. The RSMC in Nadi downgraded Pam into a tropical storm on December 10.[6] Damage on Rarotonga was light, being limited from down power lines to fallen trees.[6] A few houses lost their roofs and low-lying roads sustained flooding. 149 millimeters of rain fell on Rarotonga during a six-hour period. No fatalities were reported in accordance with Tropical Cyclone Pam.[6] [edit] Tropical Cyclone Ron
The first tropical depression advisory was released on January 1 at 600 UTC to a depression that was to become Tropical Cyclone Ron.[7] Ron drifted slowly for the next four days and reached tropical cyclone intensity on January 2 near Samoa. As a cyclone, Ron passed close to Swains Island on January 3 and intensified gradually after that. Peak 10-minute winds of 145 mph (225 km/h) were reached on January 5 north of Apia, American Samoa. Ron maintained that intensity for about 36 hours and began to move in a south-southeasterly course on January 6.[7] Around 1800 UTC that day, Ron passed near Niuafo'ou, which reported sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). The RSMC Nadi discussion at 1800 UTC noted that Ron may have had a smaller gale radius than had been thought. After passing Niuafo'ou, Ron passed to the south of Samoa and weakened. Ron started to move faster and weakened rapidly, merging with Tropical Cyclone Susan on January 9. Ron's lowest pressure was 900 millibars and 1-minute winds of 165 mph (265 km/h).[7] Damage on Niuafo'ou was catastrophic. About 67 percent of the buildings on were either damaged or destroyed completely.[7] Agricultural losses included 80-90 percent of the coconut and breadfruit trees were damaged. Crops such as taro, kape, manioc, and bananas were lost. The Tonga Chronicle reported that it would take at least five years to return crops to pre-cyclone stages. Damages and rehabilitation totaled out 1.1 million in Tongan dollars. However, no fatalities were reported on the island.[7] Neighboring islands Niuatoputapu, Tafahi, and Vava'u sustained damage as well, but not as severe as Niuafo'ou. No reports of damage came from Swain's Island and Wallis Island.[7] Ron's peak intensity of 900 millibars was the strongest of the season in the Southern Pacific and possibly the strongest since Tropical Cyclone Hina in March 1985.[7] [edit] Tropical Cyclone Susan
[8] The disturbance wandered around for about two weeks, with sporadic bursts on December 20 and December 24. Both of those times, the disturbance did not strengthen and instead, weakened. The RSMC in Nadi had also released bulletins on the depression both of those times.[8] Finally at 0000 UTC January 3, 1998, Nadi resumed releasing bulletins on the disturbance, becoming Tropical Cyclone Susan, six hours later. Susan rapidly intensified and reached hurricane force eighteen hours after being named. Susan had initially moved westward and then changed to a west-southwesterly course.[8] On the afternoon of January 5, Susan had reached her peak intensity of 145 mph (225 km/h) and had just passed within 225 nautical miles (417 km) of Vila, Vanuatu.[8] Susan posed a threat to the island, however, Susan moved away from the island to spare the island of being hit. After leaving Vanatu, Susan moved on at a faster pace and maintained peak intensity for about twelve hours. On January 7 and January 8, Susan passed near Fiji, enough to leave gale-force winds on the westernmost islands. Susan then moved within 200 nautical miles (370 km) of Nadi late on January 7, with sustained winds of 125 mph (201 km/h). Several times, Susan appeared to have concentric eyes.[8] After passing Fiji, Susan went gradually to the southeast and absorbed the weakening Tropical Cyclone Ron on January 9. Susan became extratropical six hours later east-northeast of Auckland, New Zealand.[8] Total damage from Susan was minor.[8] High seas in accordance with Susan inundated the village of Talaulia on Kadavu, Fiji. There was also some destroyed waterfront buildings, roads, jetties and bridges on Kadavu. In Beqa Island, only high seas and swells were experienced. In the town of Lautoka, on Viti Levu, roofs were blown off shops. This damage was possibly caused by a tornado that formed from one of the outer rain bands. One death was reported in accordance with Susan. This death was on Ambrym Island in Vanuatu, where a woman was killed by a falling coconut palm tree.[8] [edit] Tropical Cyclone Tui
The tropical depression which would become Tropical Cyclone Tui, Tropical Depression 16P, was first discovered on January 25, north of Apia, Western Samoa.[9] The system went on a slow south-southeasterly course for most of its short life. The depression intensified, as RSMC Nadi named it Tui at 2100 UTC that day, closing into Apia. Tui crossed over the eastern portion of Savai'i early on January 26. A minimal pressure of 991 millibars was recorded on the 26th and winds peaked at 45 mph (72 km/h). Tui remained stationary and weakened into a low on January 27.[9] A Samoan child was electrocuted when he stepped into a puddle with a down power line in it. Maximum wind gusts ranged from 45 mph (72 km/h) - 70 mph (110 km/h).[9] [edit] Tropical Cyclone Ursula
Tropical Cyclone Ursula's life began on January 29 to the north of Tahiti and moved through the Tuamotu Archipelago during January 30 and January 31. On January 31, Ursula reached its peak intensity of 65 mph and accelerated to the southeast. Warning responsibility was handed over to the TCWC in Wellington after it crossed 25°S on February 1. The next day, Ursula was declared extratropical about 700 nautical miles (1,300 km) from Pitcairn Island and about the same amount from Easter Island. This distance reached by Ursula is unusual but not unique, as a few cyclones have done it. Ursula did not do any reported damage. [edit] Tropical Cyclone Veli
Two tropical depressions formed on January 31.[10] The first, about 125 nautical miles (232 km) off of Western Samoa, went on to become Tropical Cyclone Wes (see below). The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre named the second and more eastern depression Veli the next day in Nadi with winds of 40 mph (60 km/h). Veli continued in a more southeasterly direction and reached a peak intensity of 65 mph (105 km/h) on February 2. At 2100 UTC that day, an NPMOC warning stated that a scatterometer reading found winds of 55 mph (89 km/h). Like the storm before this, Ursula, Veli crossed the Tuamotus Islands. However, unlike Ursula, Veli was not caught in the westerlies and shoot off to the southeast. The last warning was released on February 3, when Veli 500 nautical miles (930 km) southeast of Tahiti. [edit] Tropical Cyclone Wes
The second of two depressions that had formed on January 31 moved eastward and strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Wes on the 1st of February.[11] Wes continued on an easterly course, passing just south of Nassau Island late on February 1. Twelve hours later, Wes was re-located to an area close to Suwarrow Atoll, with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). After this point, Wes went in a southeasterly direction, drawing closer to Palmerston Island. By 0000 UTC February 4, the weakening Tropical Cyclone Wes became quasi-stationary near the Southern Cook Islands. Wes was downgraded into a tropical depression later that day and the final advisory was released twelve hours later.[11] There was a possibility that Wes was a cyclone created from the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Tui back in January.[11] After Tui had weakened into a low, several low-pressure areas formed, making it hard to track Tui. Due to the uncertainly, the Fiji TCWC decided to treat Wes as a separate cyclone.[11] [edit] Tropical Cyclone Yali
A well-defined low formed in the Southwest Pacific on March 18.[12] Yali drifted west between Vanatu and the Solomon Islands, while strengthening slowly. The RSMC in Nadi named the system Yali on March 19 at 1800 UTC. The first Joint Typhoon Warning Center warning was issued on March 18, placing the low 350 nautical miles (650 km) north-northwest of Port Vila. Until this point, Yali had been moving to the southwest, but by March 20, the cyclone began moving on a southeasterly course, due to a strengthening monsoon flow. For the next 2½ days, Yali moved to the southeast, passing west of the Vanatu Islands. Yali came close enough to affect the isles of Tanna and Aneityum. Yali reached hurricane-force on the afternoon of March 21 and passed 60 nautical miles (110 km) west of Port Vila the next day.[12] Yali's peak intensity of 80 mph (130 km/h) and 965 millibars was reached on March 22 at 600 UTC.[12] At this time, Yali was just south of Port Vila, brushing it with 15 mph (24 km/h) winds and a minimal pressure of 992 millibars. There was a possibility that the low wind reading based on poor exposure of the instrument. By 1800 UTC March 22, Yali reached its most easternmost position at 220 nautical miles (410 km) southeast of Port Vila. The upper ridge to its north intensified, increasing wind shear and limiting convection. Due to this, Yali began to weaken and dropped below hurricane force.[12] At around the same time, a mid-level subtropical ridge began to influence its motion, sending it to the west. As Yali moved to the southwest, the wind field became asymmetric. At 1200 UTC March 23, Yali was just east of Noumea, New Caledonia with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). The weakening Yali passed just south of New Caledonia on the night of March 23. By March 25, an upper-level low had caught the cyclone and influenced the circulation with cold air.[12] The Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Fiji downgraded Yali into an extratropical system and stopped issuing advisories.[12] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center continued to track Yali in the general direction of Australia. The now semi-tropical Yali moved to the west and crossed 160°E on March 25. By the next day, Yali's center was 300 nautical miles (560 km) east-northeast of Brisbane, Australia. Some convection was re-developing just south of the center with gales possibly affecting the Australian coast on March 27. On the morning of March 27, the JTWC released its final bulletin on Yali, 325 nautical miles (602 km) east-southeast of Brisbane. The remnants of Yali went under a transformation in the Tasman Sea. The remnants came under a double jet structure and strong cyclone voritcity advection at 500 millibars.[12] 
The remnants of Yali deepened and moved towards the southern end of New Zealand.[12] The central pressure of the remnants reached 970-975 millibars as it crossed the coast of South Island on March 29. After passing New Zealand, Yali's remnants passed below the Antarctic Circle and was absorbed by a circumpolar trough between 65°S and 75°S.[12] Tanna received rather severe damage from Yali, however monetary estimates are not available.[12] About 60-70 percent of crops were destroyed and about 30% of the houses were damaged by the storm. Both Tanna and Aniwa were suffering a severe drought, so food stocks were low. Other places in Vanatu only received minor damage. The passage of Yali in New Zealand caused high seas and flooding over South Island, Westport and Nelson. One fatality occurred when a youth died in New Plymouth. Trees toppled, roofs were ripped off and power lines fell.[12] [edit] Tropical Cyclone Zuman
A tropical depression formed on March 29 about 300 nautical miles (560 km) northeast of Port Vila. The depression became Tropical Cyclone Zuman on March 30. Zuman moved westward until March 31, when it rapidly strengthened and turned southward. Zuman struck the island of Espiritu Santo with winds of 90 mph (145 km/h). Nothing changed as the month of April opened as Zuman stayed at about 90 mph (145 km/h).[13] On April 3, Zuman reached its peak pressure of 955 millibars. Zuman drifted to the south and then to the southeast. Zuman was slowly weakening due to wind shear. Zuman hugged the entire eastern coast of New Caledonia on April 5. Winds had decreased to 45 mph (72 km/h) and the advisories discontinued in Fiji, which downgraded it to a depression. Zuman caused heavy damage in Espiritu Santo as there were serious damage to dwellings and coconut trees. Nevertheless, there were no deaths resulting from the storm. [edit] Tropical Cyclone Alan
A tropical wave was detected on April 17, 1998 near the Cook Islands , the disturbance then strengthened into a tropical depression south east of Manihiki Atoll on the 19th. The depression remained stationary for several days strengthening into Tropical Storm Alan on April 21 before downgrading back to tropical depression status. 24 hours later, the downgraded remnants of Alan became better organized and warnings were resumed as the storm passed close to the Society Islands and Bora-Bora on the 24th. Alan then weakened back to a tropical depression and dissipated south of Tahiti on April 26. [14] Alan caused eight deaths in the Society Islands, most of it from flooding and mudslides. [edit] Tropical Cyclone Bart
The Tropical Disturbance Summary issued by RMSC Nadi at 0600 UTC on April 26 mentioned a tropical disturbance at 17°S, 137°W. Another summary at 1800 UTC on April 28 mentioned one near 15°S, 144°W. The latter of the two is what Tropical Cyclone Bart became. The developing cyclone was forming from a low-pressure area containing remnants of Tropical Cyclone Alan. Nadi released the first advisory about the depression at 2200 UTC on April 28. Around 1200 UTC on the 29th stations in the vicinity were reporting two to three millibar pressure falls with strong winds. By 1800 UTC on the 29th, the depression was named Bart after another five millibar drop. Bart was centered about 575 nautical miles (1,065 km) east of Tahiti near the island of Hau. Bart initially moved to the south and south-southeast, but a strong blocking ridge caused it to slow down. Bart peaked at 50 mph (80 km/h) winds on April 30 and weakened steadily the next day. Shear had weakened the storm into a depression on May 1. After May 1, Bart moved to the east and the final advisory was issued on May 3, 50 nautical miles (90 km) north of Pitcairn Island. About ten fatalities were attributed to Bart although the exact location of where the deaths occurred is unknown.[15] [edit] Storm namesSouth Pacific tropical cyclones are usually assigned names by the RSMC in Nadi, or Fiji Meteorological Service.[16] As soon as a tropical depression becomes a tropical cyclone it is named by the warning centre having responsibility for it at that time. If a tropical depression becomes a tropical cyclone in the Wellington RSMC area of responsibility, MetService, in consultation with RSMC Nadi, will name the cyclone by using the next name from the list.[17]
[edit] RetirementAfter the season ended, the names Martin, Osea, Ron, Susan, Tui, Ursula and Veli were retired from the list.[18] They were replaced with Mike, Odile, Reuben, Solo, Tuni, Ula, and Victor.[17] [edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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