Tag Archives: Tavuki

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.

Powerful Tropical Cyclone Harold Brings Wind and Rain to Fiji

Powerful Tropical Cyclone Harold brought strong wind and heavy rain to parts of Fiji on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Harold was located at latitude 19.4°S and longitude 178.7°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) southeast of Tavuki, Fiji.  Harold was moving toward the east-southeast at 22 m.p.h (35 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (270 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 930 mb.

The eye of Tropical Cyclone Harold passed directly over Kadavu Island, Fiji on Tuesday night.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Harold was 28.3.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 19.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 48.0.  Tropical Cyclone Harold probably caused significant damage to Kadavu.  Harold also brought gusty winds and heavy rain to Viti Levu.  Flash floods were likely to have occurred in areas that received heavy rain.

Tropical Cyclone Harold strengthened on Tuesday after it moved away from Vanuatu where it caused significant damage.  The eye became evident on satellite imagery again and a solid ring of thunderstorms formed a strong eyewall.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms around the core of Harold generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Harold continued to increase in size.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 250 miles (400 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Harold will move into an area less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Harold will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will increase in speed during the next 48 hours and the increased vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Harold to weaken.  Harold could weaken slowly during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Harold will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the South Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Harold quickly toward the east-southeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Harold could reach Tonga within 12 to 18 hours.  Harold will be the equivalent of a major hurricane when it reaches Tonga.