1987–88 South Pacific cyclone season
| 1987–88 South Pacific cyclone season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | December 1987 |
| Last system dissipated | April 16, 1988 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Anne |
| • Maximum winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) (10-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 925 hPa (mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 6 |
| Tropical cyclones | 5 |
| Severe tropical cyclones | 3 |
| Total fatalities | 5 |
| Total damage | > $82 million (1987 USD) |
| Related articles | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | January 3 – January 15 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min) 994 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Category 5 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | January 5 – January 14 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min) 925 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | February 23 – March 4 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min) 940 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | February 26 – March 3 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min) 970 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | April 8 – April 16 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min) 975 hPa (mbar) |
The 1987–88 South Pacific cyclone season was a quiet tropical cyclone season with five tropical cyclones and 2 severe tropical cyclones, observed within the South Pacific basin to the east of 160°E.
The 1987-88 season was a below average tropical cyclone season with five named tropical cyclones, occurring within the South Pacific basin to the east of 160°E. The season was characterised by an El Niño event, which weakened and transitioned into a La Niña event, as the season progressed. During the season tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service and the New Zealand Meteorological Service, while the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center and Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center also monitored the region. During December 1987, the South Pacific Convergence Zone started to intensify as upper level westerly winds appeared near the equator, with two depressions forming near Tuvalu towards the end of December as a result. Despite the low-level conditions being ideal for the development of a tropical cyclone at this stage, the surrounding upper-level conditions were unfavourable and the depressions dissipated while still in the low-latitudes. Tropical Cyclone 04P was monitored near Tuvalu, by the JTWC and the NPMOC between December 18–22. The system that was to become Tropical Cyclone Agi was first noted during January 3, while it was located about 740 km (460 mi) to the south-east of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. Over the next few days the system moved south-westwards through the northern Vanuatu Islands, before it moved into the Australian Region during January 6. The system was last noted during January 14, as it moved back into the basin as it interacted with Severe Tropical Cyclone Anne during that day.
After the season had ended the names Anne and Bola were retired, while the name Agi was retired as soon as it was named after it had been named by Papua New Guinea.
The system that was to become Tropical Cyclone Agi was first noted during January 3, while it was located about 740 km (460 mi) to the south-east of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. Over the next few days the system moved south-westwards through the Northern Vanuatu Islands, before the JTWC initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 06P during December 6. The system subsequently moved into the Australian region, where it was named Agi by the Papua New Guinea National Weather Service during January 11. After being named the system peaked as a Category 2 tropical cyclone, as it rapidly moved south-eastwards and started to interact with Severe Tropical Cyclone Anne. The system moved back into the South Pacific basin during January 14, where it continued to weaken and posed a threat to New Caledonia. The system was last noted later that day, as it merged with Anne near New Caledonia. Overall the total damages from the system in Vanuatu, were estimated at US$500 thousand.
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