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1995–96 South Pacific cyclone season

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1995–96 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJanuary 12, 1996
Last system dissipatedMarch 28, 1996
Strongest storm
NameBeti
 • Maximum winds165 km/h (105 mph)
(10-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure935 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions7
Tropical cyclones5
Severe tropical cyclones1
Total fatalities2
Total damage$5.6 million (1996 USD)
Related articles
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons
1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98

The 1995–96 South Pacific cyclone season was a below average South Pacific tropical cyclone season's on record, with only five tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 1995, until April 30, 1996.[1] The first storm developed on January 12, while the last one dissipated on April 2. During the season the most intense tropical cyclone was Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti, which reached a minimum pressure of 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) as it affected New Caledonia. After the season ended Beti's name was the only name to be retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists and was replaced with Bune, after it inflicted over 5.6 million (USD) worth of damage to Australia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand.[2]

During the season, tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji, and the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWC) in Brisbane, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand.[1] Throughout the season the United States Navy also monitored the basin and issued unofficial warnings, through its Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NPMOC).[3] Tropical cyclones that were located between 160°E and 120°W, as well as the Equator and 25°S, were monitored by RSMC Nadi while any that were located to the south of 25°S between 160°E and 120°W were monitored by TCWC Wellington.[1] During the season the JTWC issued warnings on any tropical cyclone that was located between 160°E and 180° while the NPMOC issued warnings for tropical cyclones forming between the 180° and the American coast. RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington both used the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, and measured windspeeds over a 10-minute period during the season, while the JTWC and the NPMOC measured sustained windspeeds over a 1-minute period.[2][3]

Seasonal summary

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Tropical cyclone scales#Australia and Fiji
Record Tropical
Cyclone		 Severe Tropical
Cyclone
Ref
Average activity: (1969–70 – 1994–95) 7 – 8 4 [4]
Record high activity: 1982–83: 14 1982–83:10 [5]
Record low activity 1994–95: 3 1994–95: 0 [5]
Activity during this season: 5 1 [6]

Because of a weak–moderate La Niña episode, most tropical cyclones that developed within the season occurred within the Coral Sea.[7][8] The weak La Nina conditions also affected the amount of tropical cyclones that occurred during the year, with only 5 tropical cyclones occurring within the basin.[9][6] During December 24, Tropical Cyclone Gertie moved into the basin from the Australian region, before it passed to the south of New Caledonia and weakened below tropical cyclone intensity.[10]

Cyclone Yasi, developed on January 12 as a tropical depression before it was named on January 16.[8] As a tropical cyclone, Yasi brought significant rain to both Fiji and Tonga before it dissipated on January 19 to the south of Papette in French Polynesia.[8] After Yasi dissipated, no tropical cyclones were recorded in the basin until March 9; however on February 12, a tropical low developed to the west of New Caledonia. Over the next 24 hours the low deepened to about 1002 hPa before it crossed 160°E and moved into the Australian region where it became known as the Queen Elizabeth II storm.[8] On February 22 and 23, a shallow tropical depression moved around the Fijian archipelago and caused some flooding of low-lying areas in Vanua Levu.[11] On March 9 and 10, Tropical Cyclones Zaka and Atu both developed near New Caledonia, about 1,000 km (620 mi) apart and took similar tracks towards the southeast before becoming extratropical.[8] On March 21, the final tropical cyclone of the season developed to the northeast of Vanuatu.[8] Over the next couple of days the depression gradually developed further and was named as Beti, before it passed over Vanuatu and New Caledonia.[8] On March 29, after it had passed over New Caledonia, Beti degenerated into an extratropical cyclone, before dissipating on April 2.[8] After the season ended the name Beti was retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists.[2]

Systems

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Tropical Cyclone Yasi

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Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationJanuary 12 – January 19
Peak intensity85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min);
987 hPa (mbar)

On January 12, the FMS reported that a tropical depression had developed over the Fijian island of Vanua Levu, about 430 km (270 mi) to the south of Labasa.[8] Over the next few days, the depression moved towards the southeast before it started to affect Tonga on January 15.[12] During the following day, the depression rapidly developed further as it interacted with the South Pacific Convergence Zone, before the NPMOC initiated warnings on the system and designated it as 08P.[3][8] At 0000 UTC on January 17, the NPMOC reported that the depression had peaked with 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph), while the FMS reported that the depression had intensified into a tropical cyclone while it was located about 510 km (320 mi) to the southeast of Nukualofa, Tonga.[8][12] However, the FMS did not name it Yasi for another 12 hours, while the system reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph).[8][12] After it was named on January 17, Yasi accelerated towards the southeast, before it moved out of the FMS's area of responsibility.[12] During January 18, the NPMOC issued their final warning because Yasi had degenerated into an extratropical cyclone.[3][8] MetService monitored Yasi's remnants for another day, before the system dissipated about 1,520 km (940 mi) to the south of Papeete, French Polynesia.[12] Although no major damage was reported from any of the islands affected some minor damage was reported in Tonga, after Yasi caused heavy rainfall there.[8][13]

Tropical Cyclone Zaka

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Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationMarch 9 – March 11
Peak intensity65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min);
995 hPa (mbar)

On March 9, the FMS started to monitor a tropical depression had developed within an active convergence zone, about 150 km (93 mi) to the northwest of Noumea, New Caledonia.[8] During that day an upper-level trough moved over New Zealand which brought the jet stream over New Caledonia. As a result, this made the depression hard to locate with satellite imagery.[8] However, later that day despite the system being poorly organized, the FMS reported that the depression had intensified into a tropical cyclone and named it Zaka.[8] As they named it RSMC Nadi reported that the system had reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 65 km/h (40 mph) with further development of the system restricted by strong vertical wind shear.[8][14] Early on March 10, the JTWC designated Zaka as Tropical Cyclone 20P, while it had its peak 1-minute windspeeds of 75 km/h (47 mph).[3] The FMS then issued their final advisory at 0600 UTC, as Zaka had weakened into a tropical depression and was moving into TCWC Wellingtons area of responsibility.[8][14] TCWC Wellington and the JTWC monitored Zaka for another day before it was last noted during March 11 as it became an extratropical cyclone.[14][15] Zaka dumped 376 mm (14.8 in) of rain on Vanuatu in just 24 hours.[16]

Tropical Cyclone Atu

[edit]
Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationMarch 10 – March 13
Peak intensity85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min);
987 hPa (mbar)

On March 4, the JTWC started to monitor an area of disturbed weather that had developed within the Australian region about 900 km (560 mi), to the southeast of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.[17] Over the next few days, the system remained weak and gradually moved southeast before it crossed 160°E and moved into the basin on March 9.[17] During the next day, both the JTWC and the FMS started to monitor the system as a tropical depression as it moved through the Loyalty Islands.[17] On March 11, the depression intensified into a tropical cyclone as it moved southeastward, prompting the FMS to name it Atu at 1800 UTC.[8] Early on March 12, the JTWC reported that Atu had reached its peak 1-minute windspeeds of 100 km/h (62 mph). Later that morning the FMS reported that Atu had reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (53 mph).[17] After it had peaked in intensity, Atu weakened under the influence of strong vertical windshear before the JTWC and the FMS issued their final advisories during March 13, as Atu had become extratropical.[3][8] Atu's remnants were then monitored by the FMS and MetService until they dissipated on March 18.[17]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti

[edit]
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationMarch 21 – March 28
Peak intensity165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min);
935 hPa (mbar)

On March 19, the JTWC started to monitor a tropical disturbance that was located about 1,145 km (711 mi) to the northwest of Suva, Fiji.[18] Over the next couple of days, the system moved towards the south and gradually developed further in an area of low vertical windshear, before the system was designated as Tropical Depression 23P by the JTWC on March 21.[3][8][18] Over the next couple of days, 23P moved further towards the south, before the depression started to move towards the southwest as a ridge of high pressure strengthened on March 23.[8] Later that day, the FMS reported that the depression had intensified into a category 1 tropical cyclone and named it as Beti.[8] During that day, Beti continued to develop further before the system moved into the Coral Sea on March 24, after passing over the Vanuatuan islands of Pentecost and Malekula.[8][18] As Beti moved into the Coral Sea, the system quickly intensified further, with the FMS reporting on March 25 that Beti had intensified into a category 3 severe tropical cyclone.[18] As Beti intensified into a severe tropical cyclone, the ridge of high pressure weakened as it interacted with an upper-level trough of low pressure.[8] As a result, the system started to move towards the south-southeast.[18]

Over the next couple of days Beti continued to intensify as it moved towards New Caledonia, before the JTWC reported at 1800 UTC on March 26, that Beti had reached its peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 195 km/h (121 mph).[18] Six hours later, the FMS reported that the system had peaked as a category 4 severe tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 165 km/h (103 mph).[18] Later on March 27, Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti made landfall on the Grande Terre island of New Caledonia near its peak intensity and quickly weakened into a category 2 tropical cyclone.[8] During the next day, Beti moved towards the southeast under the influence of the trough, reemerging into the Coral Sea as a weakening tropical cyclone that had started to transition into an extratropical cyclone.[8] Later on March 28, the FMS passed the primary warning responsibility of the cyclone to MetService, before the JTWC issued their final advisory on Beti as it had become extratropical.[8][18] Over the next few days, TCWC Wellington continued to monitor Beti's remnants, as they came under the influence of a high pressure area and moved around New Zealand's East Coast, before they were last noted on April 2 while located about 1,400 km (870 mi) to the southeast of Wellington.[18]

While it was active, Cyclone Beti was responsible for 2 deaths and caused damage in Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu.[8] The most significant damage occurred in New Caledonia where wind and flooding destroyed crops, gardens and caused disruption to the electricity network, water supply, road and telephone communications.[8][19] Many homes and roads were also badly damaged, with over 50% of lower standard housing on the outskirts of Noumea damaged after rivers and creeks burst their banks.[19][20] Press reports indicated that Beti inflicted between FF 22-27 million (US$4.3 - 5.3 million) in damage to New Caledonia and that only a few injuries had occurred.[nb 1][8][19][20] Within Vanuatu, Beti caused about VUV4.5 million, (US$41,000) in damage to food gardens and shelters.[nb 2][22][23] As an extratropical cyclone, Beti generated a high surf and long period swells that hit both eastern Australia and New Zealand.[8] Within Australia, the high surf left several competitors in the Australian life surfing championships injured, while another competitor was killed after his boat was swamped by large waves.[8][24] Within New Zealand, Beti's remnants caused flooding and mud-slips, which led to several roads being closed. A helicopter and its pilot were lost at the height of the storm, while they were travelling from Napier to Gisborne.[8]

Other systems

[edit]

During December 23, the remnants of Severe Tropical Cyclone Gertie, moved westwards off the Australian mainland and into the Coral Sea near Maryborough.[10] After moving into the Coral Sea, the system underwent a pierod of rapid intensification, during which it reintensified into a tropical cyclone and caused gale-force winds along the southern Queensland Coast.[10][25] During the following day, gale-force winds eased along the Queensland coast, as Gertie moved north-eastwards into the South Pacific basin, where it peaked with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 75 km/h (45 mph).[10][25] The system subsequently passed to the south of New Caledonia and was last noted on December 24, as it weakened below tropical cyclone intensity.[10][25] During February 12, a tropical low developed to the west of New Caledonia.[8] Over the next 24 hours the low deepened to about 1002 hPa (29.59 inHg) before it crossed 160°E and moved into the Australian region where it became known as the Queen Elizabeth II storm.[8] On February 22 and 23, a shallow tropical depression moved around the Fijian archipelago and caused some flooding of low-lying areas in Vanua Levu.[11]

Season effects

[edit]
1995–96 South Pacific cyclone season
Name Dates active Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(US$) 		Deaths Refs
Category Wind speed Pressure
Gertie December 24 Category 1 tropical cyclone 75 km/h (45 mph) 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) None None None [13][12]
Yasi January 12 – 19 Category 1 tropical cyclone 85 km/h (50 mph) 987 hPa (29.15 inHg) Fiji, Tonga Minor None [25]
Unnamed February 12 – 14 Tropical depression Not Specified Not Specified None None None [8]
Unnamed February 22 – 24 Tropical depression Not Specified Not Specified Fiji Minor None [11]
Zaka March 9 – 11 Category 1 tropical cyclone 75 km/h (45 mph) 993 hPa (29.32 inHg) New Caledonia Minor None [8][14]
Atu March 10 – 13 Category 1 tropical cyclone 85 km/h (50 mph) 987 hPa (29.15 inHg) New Caledonia Minor None [8][17]
Beti March 21 – 28 Category 4 severe tropical cyclone 165 km/h (105 mph) 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) Australia, Vanuatu
New Caledonia, New Zealand 		$5.3 million 2 [8][22][23]
Season aggregates
7 systems December 24, 1995 – March 28, 1996 165 km/h (105 mph) 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) $5.3 million 2

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ This damage total was originally reported in French francs and was converted to United States Dollars via the Oanda Corporation website.[21]
  2. ^ This damage total was originally reported in United States Dollars and was converted to Vanuatu vatus via the Oanda Corporation website.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b c RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee (1999). "Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean 1999". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee (2024). Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South-East Indian Ocean and the Southern Pacific Ocean 2024 (PDF) (Report). World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Joint Typhoon Warning Center; Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (1998). "1996 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). United States Navy, United States Air force. p. 240. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
  4. ^ Chappel L C; Bate P W (June 2, 2000). "The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1997–98" (PDF). Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal. 49. Bureau of Meteorology: 121–138. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Climate Services Division (October 26, 2010). Tropical Cyclone Guidance for Season 2010/11 for the Fiji and the Southwest Pacific (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "2017–18 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR)" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 11, 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-10-11. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  7. ^ Lander, Mark A; Trehubenko, Eric J; Guard, Charles P (1999). "Eastern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclones of 1996". Monthly Weather Review. 127 (6). American Meteorological Society: 1297–1299. Bibcode:1999MWRv..127.1274L. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1999)127<1274:EHTCO>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1520-0493.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao Callaghan, Jeff (December 4, 1997). "The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1995-96" (PDF). Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Journal. 46. Australian Bureau of Meteorology: 325–339. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  9. ^ Australian National Tidal Facility (1996). "The South Pacific Sea Level and Climate Change Newsletter" (PDF). South Pacific Regional Environment Program. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 25, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Severe Tropical Cyclone Gertie". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 2017-10-12. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c McGree, Simon; Yeo, Stephen W.; Devi, Swastika (October 1, 2010). "Flooding in the Fiji Islands between 1840 and 2009" (PDF). Risk Frontiers. p. 41. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 16, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "1996 Tropical Cyclone Yasi (1996015S18182)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Barr, Joe (September 17, 2008). "Event Information: Tropical Cyclone Yasi". Pacific Disaster.Net. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  14. ^ a b c d "1996 Tropical Cyclone Zaka (1996069S21166)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  15. ^ Beven, Jack (December 24, 1994). "Weekly tropical cyclone summary #241 March 3 - 10 1996". Google Groups. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  16. ^ Thwaytes, Robin (March 12, 1996). "Weatherwatch". The Guardian. pp. Features: T14. (Accessed through LexisNexis)
  17. ^ a b c d e f "1996 Tropical Cyclone Atu (1996064S12155)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i "1996 Tropical Cyclone Beti (1996079S12170)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  19. ^ a b c "Focus — New Caledonia Cyclone" (PDF). Australian Agency for International Development. July 25, 1996. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-20. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  20. ^ a b "Cyclone passes — Cyclone Beti". Meteo France Nouvelle-Calédonie. 2010. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  21. ^ a b "Historical Exchange Rates". Oanda Corporation. 2013. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  22. ^ a b McKenzie, Emily; Prasad, Binman; Kaloumaira, Atu (2005). "Economic Impact of Natural Disasters on development in the Pacific Volume 1: Research Report" (PDF). South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission. pp. 10–89. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  23. ^ a b Report of the WMO Post-Tropical Cyclone "Pam" Expert Mission to Vanuatu (PDF) (Report). World Meteorological Organization. p. 22.
  24. ^ Barrett, Rossanne; Owens, Jared (March 20, 2010). "Teenage ironman Saxon Bird dies at surf life saving titles". The Australian. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  25. ^ a b c d "Australian Tropical Cyclone Database" (CSV). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-06-30. A guide on how to read the database is available here.
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