Tag Archives: Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Judy Brings Strong Winds, Heavy Rain to Port Vila

Tropical Cyclone Judy brought strong winds and heavy rain to Port Vila, Vanuatu on Tuesday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy was located at latitude 18.7°S and longitude 168.9°E which put it about 40 miles (65 km) south-southeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Judy was moving toward the southeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Judy brought strong winds and heavy rain to Port Vila, Vanuatu on Tuesday night when the core of Judy’s circulation passed just east of Efate. A weather station at Bauer Field airport near Port Vila reported a sustained wind speed of 57 m.p.h. (92 km/h) and a wind gust of 91 m.p.h. (146 km/h). A weather station also reported a pressure of 961 mb.

A small circular eye with a diameter of 8 miles (13 km) was at the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Judy’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 145 miles (230 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.2. Tropical Cyclone Judy was very similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Sally when Sally hit South Alabama in 2020.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Judy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough east of Australia. The trough will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Judy’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the northwest and there will not be enough vertical wind shear to cause Tropical Cyclone Judy to weaken. Judy is likely to intensify during the next 12 hours. Tropical Cyclone Judy will move into a more unfavorable environment later on Wednesday. Judy will start to move over cooler water. The upper level trough east of Australia will move closer to Judy and the upper level winds will get stronger. Tropical Cyclone Judy will start to weaken when it moves over cooler water and the vertical wind shear increases.

The upper level trough east of Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Judy toward the southeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Judy will move away from Efate on Wednesday. Tropical Cyclone Judy will continue to cause strong winds and heavy rain in Port Vila and Efate during the next few hours. The weather conditions on Efate will improve when Tropical Cyclone Judy moves farther away. Judy will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Erromango, Tanna and Aneityum during the next 12 to 24 hours. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Judy Intensifies to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Judy intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon near Vanuatu on Tuesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy was located at latitude 16.1°S and longitude 168.4°E which put it about 150 miles (245 km) north of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Judy was moving toward the south at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Judy intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon near Pentecost and Ambrym on Tuesday morning. The center of Judy’s circulation was about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Toak. A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Judy’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Judy was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Judy’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 12.7. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 19.1.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Judy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge near Vanuatu. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Judy will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move around the southwestern end of a high pressure system during the next several days. The high pressure system will steer Judy toward the south during the next 12 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Judy move near Port Vila in 12 hours. The center of Judy will pass near Epi, Efate, Erromango and Tanna.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will produce strong winds and locally heavy rain in Pentecost and Ambrym during the next few hours. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Judy will also cause a storm surge where the wind blows water toward the islands. Strong winds and heavy rain will reach Epi and Efate during the next 12 hours. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force could occur near Port Vila within 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy Strengthens near Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Judy strengthened near Vanuatu on Monday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy was located at latitude 14.4°S and longitude 168.4°E which put it about 40 miles (65 km) northeast of Naone, Vanuatu. Judy was moving toward the 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 986 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Judy strengthened over the Southwest Pacific Ocean near Maewo on Monday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and southern sides of the center of Judy’s circulation. An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Judy’s circulation. 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 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Judy’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Judy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge near Vanuatu. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Judy will intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move around the western end of a high pressure system during the next several days. The high pressure system will steer Judy toward the south during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Judy move over Maewo during the next few hours. The center of Judy will also pass near Pentecost, Ambrym, Epi, Efate, Erromango and Tanna. The center of Tropical Cyclone Judy could be near Port Vila in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it moves across Vanuatu. Judy will produce strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Judy will also cause a storm surge where the wind blows water toward the islands.

Tropical Cyclone Judy Forms North of Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Judy formed over the Southwest Pacific Ocean north of Vanuatu on Sunday night. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy was located at latitude 12.8°S and longitude 170.7°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Fatutaka. Judy was moving toward the west-southwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 999 mb.

A low pressure system over the Southwest Pacific Ocean north of Vanuatu strengthened on Sunday night and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Judy. Thunderstorms developed near the center of Judy’s circulation. Those thunderstorms began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Other thunderstorms formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Judy will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge east of Vanuatu. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Judy will intensify during the next 36 hours. Judy could rapidly intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will move around the western end of a high pressure system during the next several days. The high pressure system will steer Judy toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. Judy will move toward the south when it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Judy could be near Maewo in 24 hours. The center of Judy will pass near Pentecost, Ambrym, Epi, Efate, Erromango and Tanna. The center of Tropical Cyclone Judy could be near Port Vila in 42 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Judy will be the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it moves over Vanuatu. Judy will produce strong winds and locally heavy rain. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Judy will also cause a storm surge where the wind blows water toward the islands.

Tropical Cyclone Irene Forms West of Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Irene formed over the South Pacific Ocean west of Vanuatu on Wednesday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Irene was located at latitude 18.7°S and longitude 166.3°E which put it about 320 miles (520 km) west-southwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Irene was moving toward the east at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 990 mb.

An area of low pressure over the South Pacific Ocean strengthened rapidly on Wednesday morning and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Irene. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern side of Irene’s circulation. Other bands of thunderstorms were occurring in the eastern half of Tropical Cyclone Irene. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Irene.

Tropical Cyclone Irene will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Irene will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near than 28˚C. An upper level trough east of Australia will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Irene’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Irene is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. It could intensify rapidly during the next 12 hours. Irene could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

The upper level trough east of Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Irene quickly to the east-southeast during the next 24 hours. The center of Irene could pass near the southern islands of Vanuatu in 12 hours. The center of Tropical Cyclone Irene will be near Tanna and Aneityum in 12 hours. Irene could bring strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Vanuatu. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Gina Moves over Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Gina moved over Vanuatu on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gina was located at latitude 17.4°S and longitude 168.4°E which put it about 35 miles (55 km) north-northwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Gina was moving toward the south-southwest at 5 m.p.h (8 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 1002 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Gina moved over southern Vanuatu on Thursday. The distribution of thunderstorms around Gina’s circulation continued to be asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southeastern part of Tropical Cyclone Gina. Heavy rain fell on Efate. Bands in the other parts of Gina’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level trough over the Coral Sea continued to produce northwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Cyclone Gina. Those winds were still causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Gina’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gina will move through an environment that is only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Gina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. However, the upper level trough over the Coral Sea will continue to produce northwesterly winds that will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will strongly inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone Gina could maintain its intensity during the next 36 hours, if the upper level winds do not get stronger. If the wind shear increases, then Gina could weaken.

Tropical Cyclone Gina will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean during the next 26 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gina toward the southwest. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Gina will move southwest of Vanuatu during the next 36 hours. Gina could be northeast of New Caledonia during the weekend. Heavy rain could continue to fall over Efate during the next 12 to 18 hours. Rain should end on Friday when Tropical Cyclone Gina moves away from Vanuatu.

Tropical Cyclone Gina Forms East of Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Gina formed over the South Pacific Ocean east of Vanuatu on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gina was located at latitude 15.3°S and longitude 168.9°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) north-northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Gina was moving toward the west 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean east of Vanuatu strengthened on Wednesday and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Gina. The low level center of Tropical Cyclone Gina was located east of Maewo and northeast of Pentecost. The distribution of thunderstorms around Gina’s circulation was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southeastern part of Tropical Cyclone Gina. Bands in the other parts of Gina’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level trough over the Coral Sea was producing northwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Cyclone Gina. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Gina’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gina will move into an environment that is only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Gina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. However, the upper level trough over the Coral Sea will continue to produce northwesterly winds that will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will strongly inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone Gina could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours, if the upper level winds weaken slightly. If the wind shear increases, then Gina could weaken.

Tropical Cyclone Gina will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Gina toward the southwest. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Gina will move across Pentecost during the next 12 hours. The center of Gina could pass just north of Ambrym and it could move across Malekula within 24 hours. Since the strongest thunderstorms are in the southeastern part of Tropical Cyclone Gina, the gustiest winds and heaviest rain could affect Efate and Port Vila. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone May Develop Northeast of Vanuatu

A tropical cyclone may develop over the South Pacific Ocean northeast of Vanuatu during the next several days. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of a low pressure system, also designated at Invest 91P, was located at latitude 13.5°S and longitude 171.7°E which put it about 375 miles (600 km) northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu. The low pressure system was moving toward the south-southwest at 4 m.p.h (6 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 20 m.p.h. (30 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1010 mb.

More thunderstorms formed just to the southwest of the center of a low pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean northeast of Vanuatu on Monday. Thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of the low pressure system. The storms just southwest of the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that started to pump mass away from the low pressure system. The better organization exhibited by the low pressure system increased the potential that the low may develop into a tropical cyclone during the next several days.

The low pressure system will move into an environment that is favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone. The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move under the western side of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of the low pressure system. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be great enough to prevent intensification. The low pressure system could strengthen to a tropical cyclone during the next several days.

The low pressure system will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the low pressure system toward the south-southwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track the low pressure system could approach southern Vanuatu later this week.

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.