Feature article
Tropical Cyclone summary for the 2002/03 season
Stuart Burgess and Ashmita Gosai, NIWA
‘Fili’, was the only tropical cyclone to occur in April, bringing gale force winds to parts of Tonga on the 14th. This was the ninth tropical cyclone to occur so far this season, the same as that of an average season (9), and three more than during the previous season (6). January 2003 was the most active month, with 3 occurrences. The 2002/03 tropical cyclone season was the most active since the season of 1998/99 when there were also 9 occurrences (see Figure 1). Unusually, six of the nine 2002/03 tropical cyclones reached major hurricane strength, with sustained wind speeds of at least 168 km/h. Five of the nine 2002/03 tropical cyclones originated east of the date line (the tracks of which are shown in Figure 2) which was expected because of the moderate ENSO conditions.
Fig 1: The number of Southwest Pacific tropical cyclones for the 2002/03 season (solid red bar) compared to frequencies during the past 20 years. The horizontal green line indicates the 20-year average.
Fig 2: Southwest Pacific tropical cyclone tracks: for the 2002/03 season.
Estimates of maximum sustained wind speeds for named tropical cyclones in the 2002/03 season:
| Name | Origin | Period of Occurrence | Estimated Maximum Sustained Wind Speed (km/h) | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yolande | 10°S 179°E | 1-12 Dec 2002 | 75 | Tropical Depression |
| Zoe | 10°S 179°W | 24-31 Dec 2002 | 285 | Major Hurricane |
| Ami | 11S 177°W | 11-15 Jan 2003 | 205 | Major Hurricane |
| Beni | 12°S 158°E | 25-31 Jan 2003 | 230 | Major Hurricane |
| Cilla | 19°S 177°W | 27-28 Jan 2003 | 65 | Gale |
| Dovi | 13°S 163°W | 5-10 Feb 2003 | 240 | Major Hurricane |
| Erica | 22°S 155°E | 4-15 Mar 2003 | 260 | Major Hurricane |
| Eseta | 16°S 173°E | 10-14 Mar 2003 | 205 | Major Hurricane |
| Fili | 16°S 176°W | 14 Apr 2003 | 65 | Gale |
The three most devastating tropical cyclones of the 2002/03 season were ‘Zoe’, which was very destructive to the Santa Cruz Islands of Tikopia and Anuta of the Solomon Islands, wiping out plantations, and causing many islanders to take shelter in caves. ‘Ami’, affected the north and east of Fiji, with at least 15 people swept away by floodwaters with 4 still missing, along with extensive damage to villages and plantations. ‘Erica’, was very powerful, with hurricane force winds and high rainfall affecting New Caledonia, resulting in extensive damage – the most destructive there in the last 50 years. Mean sea level pressures at Vavouto fell as low as 952.3 hPa.
There is still a small chance of another tropical cyclone occurring in May.