Category Archives: South Pacific

Tropical Cyclone Dovi Moves Toward New Zealand

Tropical Cyclone Dovi moved toward New Zealand on Friday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located at latitude 30.0°S and longitude 166.3°E which put it about 780 miles (1200 km) northwest of Auckland, New Zealand. Dovi was moving toward the south at 24 m.p.h. (39 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located between New Caledonia and New Zealand on Friday morning. There was an eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) at the center of Dovi’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in the eastern half of the ring. There were breaks in the northwestern part of the ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Dovi. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Dovi. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move into an environment that is unfavorable for a tropical cyclone. Dovi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23˚C. An upper level trough centered east of Australia will produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Dovi’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The combination of colder water and strong vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Dovi to make a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough east of Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Dovi toward the southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Dovi will move across New Zealand during the weekend. Tropical Cyclone Dovi will be a strong extratropical cyclone when it crosses New Zealand. Dovi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of New Zealand. The strongest winds and heaviest rain will occur in northern New Zealand.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Dovi intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon near the southern end of New Caledonia on Thursday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located at latitude 23.6°S and longitude 166.7°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Dovi was moving toward the southwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon near the southern end of New Caledonia on Thursday morning. An eye with a diameter of 50 miles (80 km) formed at the center of Dovi’s circulation. The eye of Tropical Cyclone Dovi passed over the Ile des Pins. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Dovi’s circulation. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) to the east of the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dovi toward the south during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move away from southern New Caledonia. Dovi will continue to cause strong winds and locally heavy rain over southern New Caledonia during the next few hours. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Weather conditions should improve in New Caledonia when Tropical Cyclone Dovi moves farther away. Dovi could approach New Zealand during the weekend as a strong extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Dovi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge centered east of New Caledonia. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Dovi is likely to intensify during the next 12 hours. Dovi will move into a region where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder and where there will be more vertical wind shear during the weekend. The combination of colder water and more wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Dovi to make a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi Strengthens near Loyalty Islands

Tropical Cyclone Dovi strengthened near the Loyalty Islands on Wednesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located at latitude 21.5°S and longitude 168.3°E which put it about 170 miles (280 km) east-northeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Dovi was moving toward the south-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located just to the northeast of the island of Mare in the Loyalty Islands. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and eastern sides of the center of Dovi. The rainband had not yet wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Tropical Cyclone Dovi. Bands in the southern half of Dovi’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 155 miles (250 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dovi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge centered east of New Caledonia. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Dovi will intensify during the next 24 hours. Dovi could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next day or so.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dovi toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move near the southern end of New Caledonia during the next 12 hours. Dovi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the Loyalty Islands including Ouvea, Lifou and Mare. The center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi could be near Ile des Pins in 12 hours. Dovi will begin to affect southern New Caledonia during the next 12 hours. Tropical Cyclone Dovi could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it moves near the southern end of New Caledonia. Dovi will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi Brings Wind and Rain to Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Dovi brought wind and rain to parts of Vanuatu on Wednesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi was located at latitude 20.5°S and longitude 169.4°E which put it about 260 miles (420 km) east-northeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Dovi was moving toward the southeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi brought gusty winds and rain to southern Vanuatu on Wednesday morning. The center of Dovi’s circulation was southwest of Aneityum. Bands on the northern side of Tropical Cyclone Dovi also brought wind and rain to Erromango and Tanna. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Dovi’s circulation, which could represent the initial stage in the formation of an eyewall. Most of the thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in bands in the northern half of Tropical Cyclone Dovi. Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northern half of Dovi’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of the circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dovi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge centered east of New Caledonia. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will some moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Dovi will intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen rapidly if an inner core with an eye and an eyewall devlops.

Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dovi toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Dovi will move slowly away from Vanuatu. Weather conditions will gradually improve as Dovi moves away. Tropical Cyclone Dovi will be near the Loyalty Islands in 12 hours. The center could pass near Mare. Dovi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Ouvea, Lifou and Mare. The center of Tropical Cyclone Dovi could be near Ile des Pins in 24 hours. Dovi will begin to affect southern New Caledonia during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Forms near Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone 11P formed near Vanuatu on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone 11P was located at latitude 19.8°S and longitude 168.9°E which put it about 235 miles (380 km) northeast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Tropical Cyclone 11P was moving toward the south-southeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

A low pressure system near the island of Tanna strengthened to a tropical cyclone on Tuesday night. More thunderstorms developed in bands in the western half of Tropical Cyclone 11P. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and low clouds. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone 11P will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Tropical Cyclone 11P will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge centered east of New Caledonia. The ridge will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical cyclone. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone 11P is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone 11P will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical cyclone toward the south-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone 11P will move slowly away from Vanuatu. The tropical cyclone will be near the Loyalty Islands in 24 hours. The center could pass near Mare. Tropical Cyclone 11P will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Ouvea, Lifou and Mare. The center of Tropical Cyclone could reach southern New Caledonia within 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Ana Strengthens over Mozambique Channel

Tropical Cyclone Ana strengthened over the Mozambique Channel on Sunday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana was located at latitude 15.8°S and longitude 41.5°E which put it about 110 miles (175 km) east-northeast of Angoche, Mozambique. Ana was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

A former tropical depression strengthened to Tropical Cyclone Ana over the Mozambique Channel on Sunday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of Ana’s circulation on Sunday evening. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western parts of Ana. Bands in the southeastern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The air in that part of Tropical Cyclone Ana had passed over Madagascar and may have been sinking. Storms near the center of Ana generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Ana will move through an environment favorable for intensification for the next few hours. Ana will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Ana could get stronger before it reaches the coast of Mozambique on Monday.

Tropical Cyclone Ana will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ana toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Ana could make landfall on the coast of Mozambique near Angoche in a few hours. Ana will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Mozambique, southern Malawi and northern Zimbabwe. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Ana could cause a storms surge of up to six feet (2 meters) along the northern coast of Mozambique.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany Makes Landfall near Port Roper

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany made landfall near Port Roper, Australia on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 134.7°E which put it about 45 miles (75 km) west of Port Roper, Australia. Tiffany was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany made landfall near Port Roper on the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria on Tuesday night. Tiffany was the equivalent of a strong tropical storm at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were dropping heavy rain over the region west of Port Roper. A Flood Watch was in effect for many of the rivers in the area.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Tiffany toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move across the northern part of the Northern Territory. The center of Tiffany will pass near Ngukurr, Mataranka, Barunga and Katherine. Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland, but it will continue to drop heavy rain over the northern part of the Northern Territory. Locally heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some location.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Cody was moving farther southwest of Fiji. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Cody was located at latitude 23.1°S and longitude 174.1°E which put it about 435 miles (705 km) southwest of Suva, Fiji. Cody was moving toward the south at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany Strengthens over Gulf of Carpentaria

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany strengthened over the Gulf of Carpentaria on Tuesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany was located at latitude 15.2°S and longitude 137.4°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Groote Eylandt, Australia. Tiffany was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

A Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast of the Northern Territory from Nhulunbuy to the border with Queensland. The Warning included Groote Eylandt, Port Roper and Port McArthur.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany exhibited greater organization as it strengthened on Tuesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of circulation and a partial eyewall appeared to be developing. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tiffany’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Tiffany.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Tiffany will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over eastern Australia. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tiffany’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. However, Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will intensify over the warm water in the Gulf of Carpentaria during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Tiffany toward west. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will pass south of Groote Eylandt during the next few hours. Tiffany will make landfall on the coast of the Northern Territory near Port Roper in about 12 hours. Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the eastern part of the Northern Territory. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Watches have been issued for rivers in the eastern part of the Northern Territory.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Cody was continued to churn southwest of Fiji. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Cody was located at latitude 21.5°S and longitude 173.5°E which put it about 390 miles (625 km) southwest of Suva, Fiji. Cody was moving toward the south-southeast at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany Crosses Cape York Peninsula

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany crossed the Cape York Peninsula on Monday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 140.9°E which put it about 55 miles (90 km) west of Pormpuraaw, Australia. Tiffany was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

A Warning was in effect for Groote Eylandt. A Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast of the Northern Territory from Nhulunbuy to the border with Queensland. The Watch included Numbalwar, Port Roper and Port McArthur.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany emerged over the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria near Pormpuraaw on Monday after it moved westward across the Cape York Peninsula. New thunderstorms were forming in bands in the western and northern parts of Tiffany’s circulation. Bands in the eastern and southern parts of the circulation were still over land and those bands contained fewer thunderstorms. The strongest winds were occurring in the bands over the Gulf of Carpentaria. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Tiffany will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over eastern Australia. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tiffany’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. However, Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will intensify over the warm water in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Tiffany could intensify rapidly once more of the circulation moves over water and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Tiffany toward west. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Tiffany could approach Groote Eylandt in 24 hours. Tiffany could be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it approaches Groote Eylandt.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Cody was continued to meander southwest of Fiji. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Cody was located at latitude 20.9°S and longitude 174.1°E which put it about 330 miles (535 km) southwest of Suva, Fiji. Cody was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany Brings Wind and Rain to Northern Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany brought wind and rain to northern Queensland on Sunday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany was located at latitude 14.3°S and longitude 144.0°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) east-southeast of Coen, Australia. Tiffany was moving toward the west-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

Warnings were in effect for the east coast of the Cape York Peninsula from Lockhart River to Cape Flattery and for the west coast of the Cape York Peninsula from Weipa to Kowanyama. A Watch was issued for the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria from Nhulunbuy to the border between the Northern Territory and Queensland. The Watch included Groote Eylandt.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany made landfall on the east coast of Queensland east-southeast of Coen on Sunday night. Tiffany was the equivalent of a strong tropical storm at the time of landfall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms in the western half of Tiffany’s circulation brought gusty winds to northern Queensland. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation. Tropical Cyclone Tiffany was also dropping locally heavy rain over parts of northern Queensland. A Minor Flood Warning was issued for the Daintree River and a Flood Warning was issued for the Mossman River.

Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Tiffany toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move across the Cape York Peninsula during the next 18 hours. Tiffany will weaken while it moves over land. In 18 hours the center of Tropical Cyclone Tiffany will move over the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31˚C in the Gulf of Carpentaria. So, Tiffany could strengthen when it moves back over water. An upper level ridge over Australia will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tiffany’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear and they will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Cyclone Tiffany is forecast to intensify after it moves over the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Cody was located southwest of Fiji. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone 05P was located at latitude 20.1°S and longitude 176.1°E which put it about 150 miles (240 km) west-southwest of Tavuki, Fiji. Cody was moving toward the west-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.