1988–89 South Pacific cyclone season
| 1988–89 South Pacific cyclone season |
Season summary map
|
| Seasonal boundaries |
| First system formed |
December 15, 1988 |
| Last system dissipated |
May 30, 1989 |
| Strongest storm |
|
| Name |
Harry |
| • Maximum winds |
185 km/h (115 mph)
(10-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure |
925 hPa (mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics |
| Total depressions |
14 |
| Tropical cyclones |
14 |
| Severe tropical cyclones |
6 |
| Total fatalities |
Unknown |
| Total damage |
Unknown |
| Related articles |
|
|
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons
1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91
|
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
|
|
| Duration |
December 15 – December 25 |
| Peak intensity |
100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) 980 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 1 – January 4 |
| Peak intensity |
110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min) 975 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 1 – January 8 |
| Peak intensity |
95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min) 985 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 6 – January 9 |
| Peak intensity |
85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min) 987 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 7 – February 23 |
| Peak intensity |
185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min) 925 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 21 – March 1 |
| Peak intensity |
150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min) 970 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 21 – March 3 |
| Peak intensity |
155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min) 960 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 22 – February 28 |
| Peak intensity |
150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min) 965 hPa (mbar) |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
March 29 – April 4 |
| Peak intensity |
95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min) 985 hPa (mbar) |
The 1988–89 South Pacific cyclone season was an active tropical cyclone season with an above average number of tropical cyclones observed.
During the season despite positive values of the Southern Oscillation Index being recorded throughout the season, there was an unusual distribution of tropical cyclones with five developing between 180° and 140°W. This unusual distribution of tropical cyclones was attributed to the relatively rapid development of an active South Pacific Convergence Zone over an area of cooler than normal sea surface temperatures during January and February 1989.
On December 15, the FMS reported that a tropical depression had developed, within the monsoon trough just to the north of Vanuatu. The system subsequently persisted for a week with little change in intensity, as it gradually moved south-southwest over Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Between December 20–21, an area of high pressure developed to the south of the system, which prevented any further southwards movement. The system subsequently moved north-eastwards and passed over southern Vanuatu, before the FMS reported late on December 23, that the cyclone had become equivalent to a category 1 tropical cyclone and named it Eseta. At around this time the system was located about 525 km (325 mi) to the southwest of Nadi, Fiji and had started to move south-westwards as it interacted with a trough of low pressure in the Tasman Sea. During December 24, the system intensified further, before the FMS reported later that day that Eseta had peaked with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 100 km/h (65 mph). The system subsequently degenerated into an extratropical depression and impacting New Zealand between December 29–30.
As a tropical depression, Eseta caused heavy rainfall within Vanuatu, however there were no reports of any damages to property or crops. The system subsequently caused strong gusty winds and prolonged heavy rainfall over the Fiji Islands between December 22 – 27, with Nadi airport reporting sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and wind gusts of 58 mph (95 km/h). The heavy rain lead to widespread flooding over various parts of the island nation, with minor damage to roads and crops reported. The system's remnants brought heavy rain and flooding to parts of New Zealand's Northland, Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, with flood damage to a supermarkets storeroom was estimated at 7004300000000000000♠NZD30 thousand, 7004250000000000000♠USD25 thousand. Several homes were evacuate while it was thought that the heavy rain had contributed to at least 50 injuries with seven of those in a weather-related car accident.
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Wikipedia
