1999–2000 South Pacific cyclone season explained

Basin:SPac
Year:2000
Track:1999-2000 South Pacific cyclone season summary.png
First Storm Formed:September 5, 1999
Last Storm Dissipated:May 21, 2000
Strongest Storm Name:Kim
Strongest Storm Pressure:935
Strongest Storm Winds:90
Average Wind Speed:10
Total Disturbances:25
Total Depressions:20
Total Hurricanes:6
Total Intense:4
Fatalities:At least 1 indirect
Australian Season:1999–2000 Australian region cyclone season
South Indian Season:1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 1999–2000 South Pacific tropical cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation and ran from November 1, 1999, to April 30, 2000, in the South Pacific.

The regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a "tropical cyclone year" separately from a "tropical cyclone season", with the "tropical cyclone year" for this season lasting from July 1, 1999, to June 30, 2000.

All of the six named storms affected land in some way, but no major damage was reported from any of the storms.

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Seasonal summary

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Systems

Tropical Depression 06F

Basin:SPac
Formed:January 3
Dissipated:January 6
10-Min Winds:25
Pressure:1004

Severe Tropical Cyclone Iris

Basin:SPac
Track:Iris 2000 track.png
Formed:January 6
Dissipated:January 10
10-Min Winds:80
1-Min Winds:70
Pressure:964

A disturbance was identified on January 3 at 06:00 (UTC) near Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. The storm was difficult to locate the general centre for the next couple of days, but on January 6, it became more organised, while displaying midget characteristics. On January 7 at 21:00 (UTC), it was named Tropical Cyclone Iris, located 330km (210miles) northwest of Port Vila, moving southeast. In Vila, 110km (70miles) away from Iris's centre, recorded winds of only up to 20kn, explaining the very small size of the cyclone. Iris intensified with 10-min winds increasing to 60kn on January 8 at 12:00 (UTC). JTWC's estimated 1-min winds was 65kn. There were some indications that Iris could be far more intense than what the warning centres estimated, mainly due to its small size. Iris accelerated eastward, leaving Vanuatu. On January 9, Iris began its weakening trend, while moving closer to Fiji. Iris was downgraded to a depression on January 10, just 48 hours after it had reached its peak intensity. The final warning placed the centre on the Dateline 150nmi southeast of Fiji.

Fresh to strong winds and very rough seas were experienced over the western and southern parts of Fiji. Overall damage was minimal. Cyclone Iris was most notable for its rapid strengthening in its early stages, followed by its rapid decay.[1]

Tropical Disturbance 07F

Basin:SPac
Type:disturbance
Formed:January 16
Dissipated:January 16

Tropical Depression 08F

Basin:SPac
Type:spdepression
Formed:January 20
Dissipated:January 26
10-Min Winds:40
Pressure:996

Severe Tropical Cyclone Jo

Basin:SPac
Track:Jo 2000 track.png
Formed:January 23
Dissipated:January 27
10-Min Winds:65
1-Min Winds:65
Pressure:972

A disturbance was first identified over northern parts of Vanuatu on January 19. It developed slowly, but deepened quickly on January 22, and advisories were issued on the system on January 23. It moved southward and was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Jo on January 24 at 03:00 (UTC). Jo moved to the south-east and attained storm force winds 15 hours after being named. The cyclone reached its peak intensity on January 26 at 00:00 (UTC) located 650km (400miles) south of Nadi, with 10-min average winds of 60kn. JTWC's peak 1-min average winds were 65kn. Jo moved further to the south-east, and moved close enough to affect Fiji. Gusts to 50kn were recorded on Viti Levu on Fiji, even though Jo was about 445km (277miles) away from the Fiji. Flash flooding was reported, but there was no major river flooding. Cyclone Jo was declared extratropical on January 28 at 06:00 (UTC) when located more than 1000nmi east of North Island in New Zealand.[1]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kim

Basin:SPac
Track:Kim 2000 track.png
Formed:February 22
Dissipated:February 29
10-Min Winds:90
1-Min Winds:100
Pressure:935

During February 22, a cold core low developed into a tropical depression, about 110round=5NaNround=5 to the east-southeast of Rikitea in French Polynesia. It initially developed little but late on February 24, the depression developed rapidly, and the storm reached tropical storm strength at 18:00 (UTC), named Tropical Cyclone Kim. It was located about 75km (47miles) west of Rikitea or about 125km (78miles) southeast of Mururoa. Cyclone Kim reached hurricane strength on February 25, only 18 hours after being named, while moving to the south-west. The storm reached its peak intensity of 80kn on February 26 at 12:00 (UTC), located more than 1295km (805miles) east of Tahiti. Minimum pressure at this time was 955 mbar. The estimated 1-min average winds from NPMOC was 100kn. Kim gradually weakened over cooler waters, still moving to the south-west. Cyclone Kim became extratropical south of Tahiti on February 29 at 06:00 (UTC).

Damage from Kim was minimal from Rikitea, since it was only a depression at the time. The island recorded 10-min average winds of 27kn, with a peak gust of 52kn and a minimum pressure of 996 mbar. As a hurricane, the island of Rapa Iti recorded a gust of 74kn, when Kim was 150km (90miles) away from the island. A pressure of 995.8 mbar was recorded. Overall, damage in French Polynesia was minor.[2]

Tropical Depression 13F

Basin:SPac
Type:spdepression
Formed:February 28
Dissipated:February 29
10-Min Winds:35
Pressure:994

Tropical Cyclone Leo

Basin:SPac
Track:Leo 2000 track.png
Formed:March 4
Dissipated:March 8
10-Min Winds:50
1-Min Winds:55
Pressure:985

On March 4, RSMC Nadi reported that Tropical Disturbance 14F had developed about 60miles to the west-northwest of French Polynesia under a tropical upper tropospheric trough.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Mona

Basin:SPac
Track:Mona 2000 track.png
Formed:March 6
Dissipated:March 11
10-Min Winds:75
1-Min Winds:80
Pressure:960

As Leo was developing, a new disturbance formed south of Apia in Western Samoa. The first gale warning was issued on March 7 as it moved closer to northern Tonga. Wind warnings were issued for some islands in Tonga including Vavau, Haapai and Tongatapu. The storm rapidly developed on March 8 at 06:00 UTC, and was named Tropical Cyclone Mona six hours later, while located 75km (47miles) west of Haapai and moving slowly southward. A storm warning was put for the whole Tongatapu Group on the 8th. An eye developed on March 9, and Mona was upgraded to hurricane intensity at 0600 UTC, located 55km (34miles) west of Tongatapu. Mona moved south-southeastward and accelerated. It reached an intensity of 75kn on March 10, 370km (230miles) southeast of Tongatapu. NPMOC's 1-min winds were estimated at 80kn. Minimum pressure of Mona was 965 mbar. It began to weaken rapidly, as it sped off southwards, and became extratropical on March 11 at 12:00 UTC.

In the Vavau and Haapai groups, there was damage to crops, particularly to banana and coconut plantations. There was moderate damage to houses and school buildings in Tongatapu. The unofficial damage assessment, according to the Tongan National Disaster Management Office, totalled Tongan $6 million. A police patrol boat sank off Eua Island in the Tongatapu group.[3]

Tropical Disturbance 16F

Basin:SPac
Formed:March 9
Dissipated:March 12
Type:disturbance

Tropical Depression 17F (Vaughan)

Basin:SPac
Formed:March 28
Dissipated:April 2 (Exited basin)
Track:Vaughan 2000 track.png
10-Min Winds:30
Pressure:1004

Tropical Disturbance 18F

Basin:SPac
Formed:April 10
Dissipated:April 10
Type:disturbance

Tropical Cyclone Neil

Basin:SPac
Track:Neil 2000 track.png
Formed:April 12
Dissipated:April 17
10-Min Winds:40
1-Min Winds:40
Pressure:992

On April 12, RSMC Nadi started monitoring a tropical disturbance, that had developed within a trough of low pressure to the northeast of Fiji. During the next day the system moved southwestwards towards Fiji and developed into a tropical depression, as convention around the center increasing. At 17:00 UTC, it was named Tropical Cyclone Neil, located 150km (90miles) southeast of Kadavu. It moved slowly southward, but on April 16 at 12:00 UTC, it was downgraded to a tropical depression.

Damage from Neil was minimal. Kadavu and Ono-i-Lau in Fiji reported gales from Neil, while torrential rain was experienced over some parts of Fiji. There was one fatality due to drowning, but not directly associated with the cyclone.

Tropical Depression 20F

Basin:SPac
Type:spdepression
Formed:April 29
Dissipated:April 30
10-Min Winds:40
Pressure:996

See also: List of off-season South Pacific tropical cyclones.

Tropical Depression 21F

Basin:SPac
Type:spdepression
Formed:April 30
Dissipated:May 1
10-Min Winds:40
Pressure:1000

Tropical Depression 22F

Basin:SPac
Type:spdepression
Formed:May 3
Dissipated:May 8
10-Min Winds:40
Pressure:1001

Other systems

On September 5, a tropical depression had developed in conjunction with a weak tropical wave about 600round=5NaNround=5 to the south-southeast of Port Vila in Vanuatu.[4] During that day the depression moved slowly towards the southeast, while weakening due to the influence of north-westerly windshear, before the final advisory was issued during September 6.[4] Tropical Disturbance 01F and 02F then developed towards the end of November, but remained weak and did not significantly develop.[5] On December 1, Tropical Depression 03F developed near the Vanuatuan islands, over the next few days the depression remained near stationary before it was last noted on December 3.[6] Tropical Depression 04F developed near New Caledonia on December 5, over the next few days it moved quickly towards the east, before weakening during December 7, while located near the Tongan Islands.[6]

On April 10, RSMC Nadi reported that Tropical Disturbance 18F had developed from an upper-level low, the system subsequently moved south-eastwards but was never classified as a tropical depression.

Tropical Disturbance 23F developed between Fiji and Vanuatu during May 6, and was briefly referred to as a tropical depression by RSMC Nadi but it develop further as it was sheared.[7] Tropical Disturbance 24F subsequently developed near the Solomon Island of Rennell during May 20, and moved westwards into the Australian region over the next day.[7] [8]

Seasonal effects

|-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None ||[4] [9] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None ||[5] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None ||[5] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Vanuatu, Fiji || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || French Polynesia || Minimal || None ||[10] [11] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || French Polynesia || Minimal || None ||[10] [11] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || French Polynesia || Minimal || None ||[10] [11] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Queensland || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Fiji || None || None |||-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Queensland || Minimal || None ||[12] [13] [14] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Queensland || Minimal || None ||[12] [13] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None ||[7] [8] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#|Not specified || bgcolor=#|Not specified || None || None || None || [7] |-| || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None ||[7] [8] |-

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gary Padgett. MONTHLY GLOBAL TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY — JANUARY, 2000. August 7, 2006.
  2. Web site: Gary Padgett. MONTHLY GLOBAL TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY — FEBRUARY, 2000. August 7, 2006.
  3. Web site: Gary Padgett. MONTHLY GLOBAL TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY — MARCH, 2000. August 7, 2006.
  4. Web site: Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary September 1999 . 2019-07-09 . Padgett, Gary . live . 2012-04-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190709120002/http://www.australiansevereweather.com/cyclones/2000/summ9909.htm .
  5. Web site: Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary November 1999 . 2019-07-09 . live . 2012-04-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190709120027/http://www.australiansevereweather.com/cyclones/2000/summ9911.htm . Padgett, Gary .
  6. Web site: Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary December 1999 . 2012-02-11 . live . 2012-04-01 . Padgett, Gary . https://web.archive.org/web/20120211074501/http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2000/summ9912.htm .
  7. Web site: July 29, 2014. Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary May 2000. Padgett, Gary.
  8. Web site: Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Tracks May 2000. July 29, 2014. Padgett, Gary.
  9. Web site: Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Tracks September 1999 . Padgett, Gary . 2019-07-09 . live . 2012-04-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190709120052/http://www.australiansevereweather.com/cyclones/2000/trak9909.htm .
  10. RSMC Nadi Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Summary 1999-00 . 2000 . June 5, 2024 . January 26, 2022 . Fiji Meteorological Service . https://web.archive.org/web/20220126144612/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/doc/TC_Seasonal_Summary_1999-2000.pdf . live .
  11. Web site: live . June 6, 2011 . Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary February 2000 . Padgett, Gary . https://web.archive.org/web/20110606080911/http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2000/summ0002.htm . December 5, 2010 .
  12. Web site: Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary April 2000. Padgett, Gary. 2000. 2011-05-31.
  13. Web site: Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Tracks April 2000. Padgett, Gary. 2000. 2011-05-31.
  14. Web site: Known Impacts of East Coast Lows, 1846–2009. Callaghan, Jeff. Harden up Queensland. Green Cross. 2012-01-01. 2011-08-05.