Tag Archives: New Caledonia

Tropical Cyclone Kevin Forms West of Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Kevin formed over the Coral Sea west of Vanuatu on Wednesday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Kevin was located at latitude 14.8°S and longitude 163.2°E which put it about 430 miles (695 km) west-northwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Kevin was moving toward the east-southeast 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 991 mb.

A low pressure system over the Coral Sea west of Vanuatu strengthened on Wednesday and the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Kevin. The circulation Tropical Cyclone Kevin organized quickly. The inner end or a rainband wrapped around the northern and eastern sides of the center of Kevin’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Kevin. 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 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Kevin.

Tropical Cyclone Kevin will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Kevin 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 over the Coral Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Kevin will rapidly intensify to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 24 hours. Kevin could strengthen to the equivalent of a major hurricane within 36 hours.

An upper level trough east of Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Kevin toward the east-southeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Kevin will pass west of Espiritu Santo and Malekula during the next 24 hours. Kevin will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Espiritu Santo and Malekula. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. The center of Tropical Cyclone Kevin could pass near Port Vila, Vanuatu within 36 hours. Kevin could be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it passes near Port Vila. Tropical Cyclone Kevin could bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Port Vila and Efate. Port Vila and Efate were just hit by Tropical Cyclone Judy. Tropical Cyclone Kevin will hinder efforts to recover from Tropical Cyclone Judy.

Elsewhere over the South Pacific Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Judy moved quickly away from Vanuatu. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Judy was located at latitude 22.9°S and longitude 172.9°E which put it about 450 miles (650km) east of Noumea, New Caledonia. Judy was moving toward the southeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle Intensifies to Equivalent of a Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Coral Sea on Thursday morning. At 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle was located at latitude 20.1°S and longitude 155.6°E which put it about 565 miles (910 km) north-northeast of Brisbane, Australia. Gabrielle was moving toward the southeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 971 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle intensified over the Coral Sea on Thursday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Gabrielle’s circulation. A small eye appeared to be forming at the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle. 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 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Gabrielle’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Gabrielle will move over over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. An upper level trough near the east coast of Australia will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gabrielle’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough near the east coast of Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle toward the southeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Gabrielle will move between Australia and New Caledonia. Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to New Caledonia. Gabrielle will move over cooler water during the weekend and the vertical wind shear will increase. Cooler water and more wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone. Gabrielle could affect northern New Zealand as a strong extratropical cyclone in a few days.

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 Fili Brings Wind and Rain to New Caledonia

Tropical Cyclone Fili brought gusty winds and rain to New Caledonia on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili was located at latitude 22.9°S and longitude 164.7°E which put it about 115 miles (185 km) west-southwest of Noumea, New Caledonia. Fili was moving toward the south-southeast at 9 m.p.h (15 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 989 mb.

Bands in the eastern half of Tropical Cyclone Fili brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to New Caledonia on Wednesday. The core of Fili’s circulation with the strongest winds passed just west of New Caledonia. Tropical Cyclone Fili began to weaken slowly on Wednesday evening, but the circulation remained well organized. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Fili’s circulation. Bands in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Fili consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of Fili.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fili will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce stronger northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fili’s circulation during the next two days. Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear. Drier air in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Fili will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in that part of the circulation. The combination of more vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Tropical Cyclone Fili to weaken during the next 36 hours. Fili could begin to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone when it moves farther south where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Fili toward the southeast during that time period. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Fili will move away from New Caledonia during the next 36 hours. The gusty winds and locally heavy rain will diminish when Fili moves farther away from New Caledonia.

Tropical Cyclone Fili Strengthens Northwest of New Caledonia

Tropical Cyclone Fili strengthened over the Coral Sea northwest of New Caledonia on Tuesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili was located at latitude 19.8°S and longitude 162.5°E which put it about 120 miles (195 km) west-northwest of Poum, New Caledonia. Fili was moving toward the south-southeast at 9 m.p.h (15 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 Fili strengthened on Tuesday as it moved over the Coral Sea northwest of New Caledonia. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Fili’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Even though Tropical Cyclone Fili strengthened, some drier air appeared to be pulled into the western half of its circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Fili. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Cyclone Fili. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the western half of Fili.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move through an environment that will be mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fili will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fili’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be large enough to prevent intensification. The drier air in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Fili will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in that part of the circulation. The drier air will inhibit intensification. Tropical Cyclone Fili could intensify during the next 24 hours, but the drier air could limit strengthening.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Fili toward the south-southeast during that time period. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili will pass west of New Caledonia during the next 36 hours. Rainbands in the eastern half of Fili will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to New Caledonia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Fili Develops Northwest of New Caledonia

Tropical Cyclone Fili developed over the Coral Sea northwest of New Caledonia on Monday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili was located at latitude 18.0°S and longitude 160.4°E which put it about 250 miles (400 km) northwest of Poum, New Caledonia. Fili was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h (17 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 995 mb.

A low pressure system over the Coral Sea northwest of New Caledonia strengthened on Monday and the system was designated as Tropical Cyclone Fili. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Tropical Cyclone Fili but the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Fili’s circulation. 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 east of the tropical cyclone. The wind field around Tropical Cyclone Fili was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (280 km) in the northern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the southern half of Fili.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fili will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the South Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fili’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Cyclone Fili is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. It could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Fili will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Fili toward the south during that time period. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Fili could move west of the northern end of New Caledonia within 36 hours.

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.