1986–87 South Pacific cyclone season
| 1986–87 South Pacific cyclone season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | November 20, 1986 |
| Last system dissipated | May 22, 1987 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Uma |
| • Maximum winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) (10-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 940 hPa (mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 13 |
| Tropical cyclones | 12 |
| Severe tropical cyclones | 6 |
| Total fatalities | 50 |
| Total damage | $150 million (1986 USD) |
| Related articles | |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | November 20 – November 25 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) 980 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | December 12 – December 22 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) 975 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | December 21 – January 5 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min) 955 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | December 26 – January 6 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min) 955 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | January 13 – January 25 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min) 955 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | February 4 – February 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min) 940 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | February 7 – February 9 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min) 987 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | February 27 – March 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min) 965 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | February 28 – March 3 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min) 985 hPa (mbar) |
The 1986–87 South Pacific cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. A total of 13 tropical cyclones developed during the season.
During the season twelve tropical cyclones were recorded within the South Pacific basin, which was considered above average when compared to an 18-year average of 10 systems.
Tropical Cyclone Osea formed about 565 km (350 mi) to the north-northeast of Port Vila on 21 November. It moved on a southerly track parallel to Vanuatu and spent most of its time over the sea. No significant damage was reported.
On December 12, TCWC Nadi started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed about 1,000 km (620 mi) to the north-northwest of Suva, Fiji.
The system affected Northern Vanuatu but caused little or no damage to the island nation.
Cyclone Raja existed from December 21, 1986, to January 5, 1987.
Cyclone Sally existed from December 26, 1986, to January 6, 1987.
On January 13, TCWC Nadi started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed, within a trough of low pressure near the island nation of Tuvalu. Over the next few days the system gradually developed further before it was named Tusi during January 16, after it had become equivalent to a modern-day category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. After being named the system gradually intensified as it moved southeastwards along the trough, between the islands of Fakaofo and Swains during January 17. Tusi's eye subsequently passed near or over American Samoa's Manu'a Islands early the next day, as the system peaked in intensity with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 150 km/h (90 mph). The system subsequently posed a threat to the Southern Cook Islands, however this threat gradually diminished as Tusi moved southwards and approached 25S during January 20.
Cyclone Uma existed from February 4 to February 10.
The precursor tropical low to Cyclone Veli formed within the Australian region on February 5, about 725 km (450 mi) to the south-east of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. During the next day the low moved eastwards and gradually developed further, before it became equivalent to a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, as it reached its 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 85 km/h (55 mph). As the system continued to move eastwards it crossed 160°E and moved into the South Pacific basin during February 7, before the FMS named it Veli later that day on the basis of satellite derived evidence. During that day the system continued to move eastwards, before as it passed near to Espitru Santo, Veli started to move steadily towards the south-east. Early the next day the JTWC initiated advisories and started to monitor Veli as Tropical Cyclone 16P, with peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 45 km/h (30 mph). During that day strong upper level north-westerlies caused vertical windshear to increase over Cyclones Veli and Uma and thus weakened them. During February 9, Cyclone Veli absorbed Uma and formed a complex low, which moved slowly south-eastwards and became extratropical. Damage within Vanautu was either minimal or went unreported, as the island nation was more concerned with the aftermath of Cyclone Uma.
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