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1978–79 South Pacific cyclone season
The 1978–79 South Pacific cyclone season ran year-round from July 1 to June 30. Tropical cyclone activity in the Southern Hemisphere reaches its peak from mid-February to early March.
The precursor to Tropical Cyclone Fay can be traced back to an area of disturbed weather about 400 mi (640 km) to the west of Tuvalu early on December 25. As it moved southeastward, it intensified into a tropical cyclone by the next day, before moving close to Rotuma by December 28 and reaching peak intensity the following day. The cyclone then moved through Fiji, where sustained winds were pushing at 60 kn (110 km/h; 69 mph) with hurricane-force wind gusts. Once through the islands, Fay accelerated southwards, and was last noted on December 31 as it was becoming extratropical northeast of New Zealand.
Weather stations at Undu Point and Savusavu recorded winds of 60 kn (110 km/h; 69 mph) as Fay passed through Fiji. Some of the Lau Islands suffered coastal damage from storm surge.
Gordon was first tracked on January 3, when it was about 90 mi (140 km) to the north-northeast of the island of Tokelau. As it moved in a general southwestward direction, it strengthened into a tropical cyclone by the next day, before becoming a severe tropical cyclone by January 6. Then, it crossed to the north of Vanuatu with winds of 70 kn (130 km/h; 81 mph), before weakening into a tropical cyclone by January 7. It later approached New Caledonia while continuing to weaken on January 8, before it turned to the west, and subsequently exited the basin on January 9. Severe damage was reported in Vanuatu.
Forming to the north of Vanuatu on January 29, Henry strengthened into a tropical cyclone on January 31, and took a southward track before becoming an extratropical cyclone and moving over New Zealand by February 4. It had little affect to land areas in Vanuatu.
Originating in the Australian region, Judith became a tropical cyclone as it moved close to Vanuatu, before turning west and re-entering the region by February 6. Like Henry, it also had little affect to land areas in Vanuatu.
Kerry's origins can be traced back to a low that became evident about 485 miles (781 km) to the southeast of Kiribati on February 7. By February 10, some cyclonic curvature could be detected in the surrounding convection, and by February 13, it had strengthened into a category 1 tropical cyclone. Moving generally west-southwest, it further strengthened into a category 2 tropical cyclone by 17:00 UTC on the same day, before fully becoming a severe tropical cyclone by February 14. As it moved closer near the Solomon Islands, it lashed Ulawa and neighboring islands, turning southwest and missing Makira and Guadalcanal, before skirting near Bellona. The cyclone then subsequently exited the basin and into the Australian region on February 15.
Severe damage was reported over the Solomon Islands, with monetary damages of SI$200 thousand. Over 22,000 people were homeless after the cyclone. 4 people were reported dead.
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1978–79 South Pacific cyclone season AI simulator
(@1978–79 South Pacific cyclone season_simulator)
1978–79 South Pacific cyclone season
The 1978–79 South Pacific cyclone season ran year-round from July 1 to June 30. Tropical cyclone activity in the Southern Hemisphere reaches its peak from mid-February to early March.
The precursor to Tropical Cyclone Fay can be traced back to an area of disturbed weather about 400 mi (640 km) to the west of Tuvalu early on December 25. As it moved southeastward, it intensified into a tropical cyclone by the next day, before moving close to Rotuma by December 28 and reaching peak intensity the following day. The cyclone then moved through Fiji, where sustained winds were pushing at 60 kn (110 km/h; 69 mph) with hurricane-force wind gusts. Once through the islands, Fay accelerated southwards, and was last noted on December 31 as it was becoming extratropical northeast of New Zealand.
Weather stations at Undu Point and Savusavu recorded winds of 60 kn (110 km/h; 69 mph) as Fay passed through Fiji. Some of the Lau Islands suffered coastal damage from storm surge.
Gordon was first tracked on January 3, when it was about 90 mi (140 km) to the north-northeast of the island of Tokelau. As it moved in a general southwestward direction, it strengthened into a tropical cyclone by the next day, before becoming a severe tropical cyclone by January 6. Then, it crossed to the north of Vanuatu with winds of 70 kn (130 km/h; 81 mph), before weakening into a tropical cyclone by January 7. It later approached New Caledonia while continuing to weaken on January 8, before it turned to the west, and subsequently exited the basin on January 9. Severe damage was reported in Vanuatu.
Forming to the north of Vanuatu on January 29, Henry strengthened into a tropical cyclone on January 31, and took a southward track before becoming an extratropical cyclone and moving over New Zealand by February 4. It had little affect to land areas in Vanuatu.
Originating in the Australian region, Judith became a tropical cyclone as it moved close to Vanuatu, before turning west and re-entering the region by February 6. Like Henry, it also had little affect to land areas in Vanuatu.
Kerry's origins can be traced back to a low that became evident about 485 miles (781 km) to the southeast of Kiribati on February 7. By February 10, some cyclonic curvature could be detected in the surrounding convection, and by February 13, it had strengthened into a category 1 tropical cyclone. Moving generally west-southwest, it further strengthened into a category 2 tropical cyclone by 17:00 UTC on the same day, before fully becoming a severe tropical cyclone by February 14. As it moved closer near the Solomon Islands, it lashed Ulawa and neighboring islands, turning southwest and missing Makira and Guadalcanal, before skirting near Bellona. The cyclone then subsequently exited the basin and into the Australian region on February 15.
Severe damage was reported over the Solomon Islands, with monetary damages of SI$200 thousand. Over 22,000 people were homeless after the cyclone. 4 people were reported dead.