ANNUAL SUMMARY OF GLOBAL TROPICAL SEASON

2001

WMO/TD-No. 1132

Report No. TCP - 48

SECRETARIAT OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION GENEVA - SWITZERLAND

© World Meteorological Organization 2002

N O T E

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

CONTENTS

PART A Page

Introduction 1

Monitoring, Forecasting and Warning of Tropical 4

Tropical Cyclone RSMCs 7

RSMC Honolulu – Hurricane Center RSMC La Réunion - Centre RSMC Miami - Hurricane Center/USA National Hurricane Center RSMC Nadi - Tropical Cyclone Centre RSMC - tropical cyclones New Delhi RSMC - Center

Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres with regional responsibility 11

PART B ANNUAL TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARIES (YEAR 2001)

I. RSMC Honolulu - Hurricane Center and RSMC Miami - Hurricane Center

II. RSMC La Réunion - Tropical Cyclone Centre

III. RSMC Miami - Hurricane Center/USA National Hurricane Center

IV. RSMC Nadi - Tropical Cyclone Centre, TCWC - Brisbane and TCWC -

V. RSMC - tropical cyclones New Delhi

VI. RSMC Tokyo - Typhoon Center

VII. TCWC - Darwin, TCWC - Perth and TCWC - Brisbane

INTRODUCTION

The production of an annual summary of tropical cyclone seasons of all to be published in the Tropical Cyclone Programme Basins was first considered during the 1996 Second TC RSMCs Technical Coordination Meeting (Miami, , USA, 13 to 19 November 1996). The 1999 Third TC RSMCs Technical Coordination Meeting agreed on the fundamental contents of each report as suggested by the rapporteur Mr Alan Radford (UK). Consequently, the first annual global summary of tropical cyclones for the year 2000 was published as a WMO Technical Document in 2001.

The post analysis, best track data, damage reports and verification statistics were provided by the six TC RSMCs (Honolulu*, La Réunion, Miami, Nadi, New Delhi and Tokyo) and four TCWCs (Brisbane, Darwin, Perth and Wellington) while the track charts were provided by the U.K. Met Office (Messrs. Alan Radford and Julian Heming). The English text of the individual tropical cyclone summaries for the TC RSMC La Réunion 2001 cyclone season was provided by Mr Shyamnath Veerasamy of the Mauritius Meteorological Service.

The electronic version of this publication is available at: http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/TCP/TDs/TD1082-TCseason2001.doc

About 80 tropical cyclones form annually over warm tropical . When they develop and attain an intensity with surface wind speed exceeding 118 km/h, they are called hurricanes in the western hemisphere, in the western North Pacific region and severe tropical cyclones, tropical cyclones or similar names in other regions.

Such tropical cyclones are among the most devastating of all natural hazards. Their potential for wrecking havoc caused by their violent winds, torrential rainfall and associated surges, floods, tornadoes and mud slides is exacerbated by the length and width of the areas they affect, their severity, frequency of occurrence and the vulnerability of the impacted areas. Every year several tropical cyclones cause sudden-onset disasters of varying harshness, with loss of life, human suffering, destruction of property, severe disruption of normal activities and set-back to social and economic advances.

However, a particularly important aspect of tropical cyclones, as distinct from most other natural hazards, is the availability of operational systems for monitoring, forecasting and warning of all tropical cyclones, everywhere in the world, as a basis for preparedness action and, hence, disaster mitigation.

As a result of international cooperation and coordination, and with the aid of meteorology and modern technology, such as satellites, weather radars and computers, all tropical cyclones around the globe are now being monitored from their early stages of formation and throughout their lifetime. Six centres designated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and located in Honolulu, La Réunion, Miami, Nadi (), New Delhi and Tokyo, as well as other centres of national Meteorological Services carry out these activities. These centres also provide forecasts on the behaviour of tropical cyclones, their movement and changes in intensity and on associated phenomena - principally storm surges and flash floods.

Timely official warnings for national territory are contained in releases issued by the national Meteorological Services for dissemination to all those who are threatened. The activities are coordinated at the global and regional levels by the WMO through its World Weather Watch and Tropical Cyclone Programmes.

Effective 1 July 2001

List of Tropical Cyclone RSMCs

Caribbean Sea, Gulf of , North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific Oceans (I & II) : RSMC Miami - Hurricane Center/NOAA/NWS National Hurricane Center, USA. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/products.html

Central North Pacific (III) : RSMC Honolulu – Hurricane Center/NOAA/NWS Pacific Region http://www.nws.noaa.gov/pr/hnl/cphc/pages/cphc.shtml

Western North Pacific and South Sea (IV): RSMC Tokyo - Typhoon Center/ Meteorological Agency. http://ddb.kishou.go.jp/typhoon/cyclone/cyclone.html

Bay of Bengal and the (V): RSMC - tropical cyclones New Delhi/ Meteorological Department http://www.imd.ernet.in/services/cyclone/cyclone-warning-services.htm

South-West (VI): RSMC La Réunion - Tropical Cyclone Centre/Météo-France. http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/trajGP/data/home_trajGP.html

South-West (XI): RSMC Nadi - Tropical Cyclone Centre/Fiji Meteorological Service. http://www.met.gov.fj/advisories.html

List of Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres with regional responsibility

South-East Indian Ocean (VII) : TCWC - Perth/ (Western region), Australia. http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa

Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpenteria (VIII) : TCWC - Darwin/Bureau of Meteorology, Australia. http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nt/inside/cyclone/cyclone.shtml

Coral Sea (IX) : TCWC - Brisbane/Bureau of Meteorology, Australia. http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/gld/cyclone.shtml

Solomon Sea and Gulf of Papua (X) : TCWC - Port Moresby/, Papua New Guinea. (to be established soon)

Tasman Sea (XII) : TCWC - Wellington/Meteorological Service of , Ltd. http://www.metservice.co.nz/forecasts/current_high_seas_warnings.asp

NOTE: Tropical cyclones do not occur in other regions.

MONITORING, FORECASTING AND WARNING OF TROPICAL CYCLONES

The monitoring, forecasting and warning of tropical cyclones are carried out within the framework of the WMO's World Weather Watch (WWW), which is a unique achievement in international cooperation. The operation of the Programme is based on the fundamental concept that each of the approximately 185 participating countries and territories, which are Members of WMO, undertakes according to its means, to meet certain responsibilities in the agreed global scheme so that all countries may benefit from the consolidated efforts. The main purpose of the WWW is to ensure that the national Meteorological Service of each Member has access to the information it needs to provide effective services.

The WWW has three main components: the Global Observing, Telecommunications and Data-processing Systems - GOS, GTS and GDPS. About 10,000 land-based stations, 8,000 ships and other marine stations, and in the order of 3,000 aircraft, together with 8 geostationary and polar-orbiting meteorological satellites of the composite GOS measure or observe the meteorological elements and provide the data needed for analyzing and forecasting the weather and meteorological phenomena.

The GTS, the arteries and veins of the WWW, is a worldwide system for the rapid exchange of these data and of processed information, including analyses and forecasts, which are produced by the GDPS. The latter component comprises a network of three World Meteorological Centres (WMCs) and 34 Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres, (RSMCs) each with specified tasks and roles. These include the supplying of products and guidance for the third group of centres, the national Meteorological Services which have the responsibility for providing weather services, in particular severe weather warning, to meet operational needs.

Six of the RSMCs are directly concerned with tropical cyclones. These RSMCs carry out monitoring and forecasting of tropical cyclones and issue information for the international community including the international media, in addition to providing advisory information and guidance to national Meteorological Services. The provision of tropical cyclone warnings for national territory and coastal waters is, basically, a national responsibility. Such official warnings are contained in advisories issued by the national Meteorological Service.

There has been significant improvement in the monitoring and forecasting of tropical cyclones over the years resulting from developments of the WWW and advances in technology and related fields. Examples are:

 The network of geostationary and polar-orbiting meteorological satellites and other satellites providing meteorological information which enable improved and continuous monitoring, especially over data-sparse ocean areas, from the early stages of formation of the tropical cyclone;

 Advances in the capabilities of meteorological satellites, providing higher-resolution imagery, measurement of additional parameters such as water vapour, and cloud motion vectors at various altitudes, and grid point values for ingestion in numerical prediction models;

 Satellite-based communications providing links with greater reliability and higher speed;

 Technological developments in super computers, other large computers and PCs (Personal Computers) capable of handling greater volumes of data at faster speeds and with improved affordability, as needed for many activities from numerical weather prediction - NWP, to more routine activities of the operational services;

 Scientific advances in the understanding and modelling (including NWP) of tropical cyclones and their environment;

 Technological advances in instruments and equipment such as Doppler cyclone monitoring radar which gives radar imagery and also the wind field in tropical cyclones;

 Hurricane reconnaissance aircraft.

*as of June 2001

TROPICAL CYCLONE RSMCs

Six centres, each operated on a cooperative basis by its country's national Meteorological Service, and located in Honolulu, La Réunion, Miami, Nadi (Fiji), New Delhi and Tokyo, have been formally designated by the WMO as Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) with activity specialization in tropical cyclone analysis, tracking and forecasting. They have specific assigned roles and international and regional responsibilities under the WWW and the Tropical Cyclone Programmes.

The WMO's Tropical Cyclone Programme (TCP) promotes the development of regionally coordinated systems to mitigate tropical cyclone disasters. The areas of activity range from the application of meteorology, based on the WWW, and hydrology, through promotion of risk evaluations, response to warnings and establishment of disaster prevention and preparedness measures. Emphasis is placed on the provision of reliable forecasts of tropical cyclone tracks and intensity, associated weather conditions and phenomena along with timely warnings, covering all tropical cyclone prone areas. In this latter connection, each of the five regional bodies of the TCP has drawn up an Operational Plan with the respective tropical cyclone RSMC as a core feature. The plans are designed to ensure full coordination and, taking advantage of the high level of cooperation which has been generated, to record the agreed comprehensive arrangements for operational meteorological services to support tropical cyclone disaster mitigation.

The tropical cyclone RSMCs were selected on the basis of the unanimous proposals of the TCP regional bodies, with participation of the Meteorological Services of all tropical cyclone- prone countries in the particular region, the evaluation and certification, under the WWW by experts in operational meteorology from many countries, of the facilities and capabilities of the centre to carry out its role and the formal approval of the WMO's Executive Council.

The specialized functions of the tropical cyclone RSMCs are, principally, the detection, monitoring and track and intensity forecasting of all tropical cyclones in its region, the provision of these first level basic information to the international community including the international media and the provision of real-time advisory information and guidance to the national Meteorological Services in its region. Their functions also include responsibility for deciding when to assign names to tropical cyclones, the training of tropical cyclone forecasters of the national Meteorological Services, preparing operational performance statistics and annual summaries of tropical cyclone seasons, a central role in tropical cyclone data archival, tropical cyclone research and involvement in activities for public awareness of tropical cyclones. In practical terms, the series of the TCP's "Tropical Cyclone RSMCs Technical Coordination Meetings" serves as an effective mechanism for inter-regional and overall technical coordination of the programme.

All the tropical cyclone RSMCs have been designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization as ICAO Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centres with the task of providing specialized tropical cyclone advisory services for the aviation community. These centres have also been assigned a key role in the provision of information and warnings of tropical cyclones, through the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, for ships on the high seas and other marine interests in tropical cyclone prone areas.

Each of the tropical cyclone RSMCs is co-located with and forms part of their National Meteorological Centre, of Fiji, India and Japan, or the Regional Meteorological Service of Météo-France in La Réunion or the USA National Weather Service's Tropical Prediction Center and Pacific Region. All are supported by their respective national Meteorological Service and have cooperative arrangements with other Services and Institutions such as, for example, meteorological research facilities. All these RSMCs have been upgrading their expertise, meteorological equipment, computer systems, scientific knowledge and techniques and other facilities towards improvement of their services. The rate of progress by RSMC Nadi was augmented by technical cooperation projects with Australia, Japan, New Zealand, USA and other Members of WMO or groups of Members. These RSMCs all have highly trained and well experienced staff and other facilities that have been described as state-of-the-art meteorological equipment and computer systems.

For example, all tropical cyclone RSMCs have high speed satellite links to the GTS, real time access to high resolution imagery and digital data from geostationary satellites and polar- orbiting meteorological satellites, 10 cm cyclone monitoring radars and receive model outputs and forecasts from numerical weather prediction models run on large high speed computers. All are highly computerized with software to process satellite data (calibration, navigation, zoom, enhancement, overlaying, etc.) and radar data (looping, merging, track analysis, rainfall quantification, etc.) message switching, data display and analysis, forecast preparation, product delivery and even for more routine functions. This allows automation and application of many techniques, speed and reliability in task performance and time for tropical cyclone specialist staff to concentrate on tasks requiring their knowledge and experience.

Each of the tropical cyclone RSMCs serves as a national tropical cyclone warning centre for their respective country. All are continuing to further enhance their facilities and capabilities and to provide more effective services to meet their national, regional and international commitments.

Some aspects related to the facilities and work of each of the tropical cyclone RSMCs are briefly mentioned below.

RSMC Honolulu – Hurricane Center

The RSMC Honolulu-Hurricane Center is co-located in the National Weather Service Honolulu Forecast Office. It issues tropical cyclone warnings, watches, advisories, discussions, and statements for all tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific from 140 Degrees West Longitude to the International Dateline. The season officially begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. However, tropical cyclones can occur at any time. The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Honolulu activates the Center when: (1) a tropical cyclone moves into the Central Pacific from the Eastern Pacific, (2) a tropical cyclone forms in the Central Pacific, or (3) a tropical cyclone moves into the Central Pacific from the West. During Central Pacific tropical cyclone events, bulletins are regularly scheduled every six hours: 1500Z/0500HST, 2100Z/1100HST, 0300Z/1700HST, and 0900Z/2300HST. However, when significant changes take place and/or a tropical cyclone watch or warning is in to keep everyone informed on the latest positions and forecasts.

RSMC La Réunion - Tropical Cyclone Centre

The main circuit, an umbilical cord for the centre is its high speed satellite link with the Central Service of Météo-France in Toulouse. It permits access to all the databases of Météo- France and, in particular, to the French (ARPEGE) and ECMWF (European Centre for Medium- range Weather Forecasting) global models outputs.

The centre is equipped with MDD and DRS data reception station and system which allow reception of products from the meteorological centres in Bracknell, Rome, Toulouse and collection of data from numerous weather stations in its region. It receives real-time data from the European geostationary satellite METEOSAT, the USA's TIROS polar orbiting satellites and the European remote-sensing satellite.

Computer software, SYNERGIE, developed by Météo-France, facilitates the cross- analysis of all available meteorological information and supports the work of the forecaster in many ways.

Cyclone track and intensity forecasting rely to a great extent on the numerical models outputs, such as from the French ARPEGE series of global and limited area spectral models.

The centre provides training for cyclone forecasters in its region, including a biennial course for forecasters.

RSMC Miami - Hurricane Center/USA National Hurricane Center

The centre has been carrying out several of its current functions over the past many years, with continuing development of its facilities and improvement in its services, nationally and to the regions it serves. In some respects, it has been a pioneer and leader in these fields.

Technologies supporting hurricane detection, monitoring, forecasting and warning by the centre include:

 USA-NOAA geostationary meteorological satellites GOES-E and GOES-W parked normally over 75°W and 135°W, providing the RSMC with high-quality visible and infra-red imagery at standard operational intervals of 30 minutes and possibility of updates as frequently as every 5 minutes during hurricane warning situations;

 USA-TIROS polar orbiting satellites;

 Doppler radar network, most of which are installed by the USA National Weather Service over national territory;

 USA-aircraft reconnaissance of hurricanes in the Atlantic, and Caribbean areas, including turbo-prop low altitude flights into hurricanes and the newer Gulfstream IV high-altitude jet for measuring the steering currents on the periphery;

 USA advanced computer/telecommunications weather interactive processing system, AWIPS, to help forecasters analyse and prepare and disseminate forecasts and warnings.

The centre relies on several techniques, mostly NWP, to prepare guidance to the forecasters and it cooperates with research and operational activities within and outside NOAA in the further development and testing of the models and techniques. It provides training for tropical cyclone forecasters from all the tropical cyclone-prone regions.

RSMC Nadi - Tropical Cyclone Centre

One of the major features of the functions of the centre is the provision of not only information and advisory services for its region, but of full tropical cyclone forecast and warning services for eight countries and territories and special advisory services for two countries in its region.

Tropical cyclone alerts and warnings are issued in the form of Special Weather Bulletins at least every six hours and usually at three-hourly intervals for warnings, to the national Meteorological Services of the country under threat. Special Advisory Bulletins are issued to two countries at least every six hours during threat of a tropical cyclone, to assist their national Meteorological Services in preparing local warnings.

The centre receives high-resolution data in real-time from the Japanese GMS geostationary meteorological satellite, the USA GOES-W geostationary and NOAA polar- orbiting meteorological satellites.

The computer system installed, called Fiji Integrated Meteorological System, FIMS, is a complete meteorological system comprising from data collection through forecast preparation to product delivery. The communication network was the most recent available on the market in architecture and design at the time of its installation in 1998. There is a direct high-speed link with the WMC Melbourne and a planned direct link with WMC Washington.

The centre was moved into a new building in 1998 and has been utilizing the modernized meteorological equipment and facilities since then.

RSMC - tropical cyclones New Delhi

There are two peak periods for tropical cyclones in the and Arabian Sea areas, the post-monsoon and the pre-monsoon months.

A Regional Telecommunications Hub on the GTS is co-located with the RSMC New Delhi. In addition to meteorological data and products received on the GTS, the centre receives support from the application program satellite imagery from the Indian INSAT geostationary satellite located over the Indian Ocean. These data are used for the detection, analysis and tracking of tropical cyclones in the region and also to assist in forecasting their movement and intensity.

The center applies all the standard techniques in tropical cyclone forecasting. NWP forecasts are made using an advanced high-resolution multi-level primitive equation model run in operational mode on the India Meteorological Department's super-computer system. The numerical guidance provided by the model serves to enhance the degree of confidence in the synoptic forecasts.

Special attention is being given to storm surges associated with tropical cyclones in this region, which constitute one of the world's foremost natural hazards, due to the shallow bathymetry and the large range of the astronomical tide. The forecast track, size and intensity of the tropical cyclone itself are of vital importance, in conjunction with numerical model output and pre-computed nomograms for storm surge forecasting.

RSMC Tokyo - Typhoon Center

A Regional Telecommunications Hub on the Main Telecommunications Network of the GTS is co-located with RSMC Tokyo.

The center operationally analyses the synoptic observations, data from the Japanese geostationary meteorological satellite, GMS, which provides excellent coverage of the region, other meteorological satellites and weather radars. Forecasts made operationally, particularly those for longer periods up to 72 hours, rely heavily on the products of NWP models at the Japan Meteorological Agency, JMA. The Typhoon Model (TYM) and the Global Spectral Model (GSM) are used for the prediction of tropical cyclones. These advanced models are nevertheless under constant revision. Forecast verification reveal a long-term trend of improving forecast and numerical guidance for forecasters in track forecasts and in storm surge prediction.

The synoptic field and sea surface temperature distribution are taken into account, especially for intensity forecasting. A new method of modifying numerical model output to get 48 hour and 72 hour intensity forecasts is planned for early implementation operationally.

RSMC Tokyo staff members serve as resource persons in international training seminars on typhoon monitoring and forecasting, hosted by JMA for the benefit of other national Meteorological Services in the typhoon region.

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING CENTRES WITH REGIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

The tropical cyclone warning centres with regional responsibility are operated by and are part of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the National Weather Service of Papua New Guinea and the Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd. Their functions include the detection, monitoring and track and intensity forecasting of all tropical cyclones in their respective region and the provision of these first level basic information to the international community, in addition to provision of local warnings to meet their national responsibilities. Their functions also include assigning names to tropical cyclones forming within their region. TCWC Port Moresby has responsibility for a comparatively small region in which only a few tropical cyclones form, and for activities as outlined above, primarily the provision of local warning services. The three Australian centres are directly linked to WMC Melbourne and are fully supported by their national Meteorological Service. The Wellington centre is also fully supported by its national Meteorological Service. They provide, additionally, information and warning for marine interests in their regions. TCWC Darwin has been designated as an ICAO Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centre and provides specialized tropical cyclone advisory services for the aviation community.

* * * * * *

RSMC Honolulu Hurricane Center

Director: Mr James Weyman

RSMC Miami - Hurricane Center

Director: Mr Max Mayfield

CENTRAL CENTER - HONOLULU * renamed RSMC Honolulu - Hurricane Center (with effect from 1 July 2001)

SUMMARY

Tropical activity was light during the 2001 season. Although the season was off to the quickest start in history with the first named tropical cyclone ever in June, there were only four total tropical cyclones, and two of them were short-lived.

Tropical Storm Barbara in the East Pacific moved into Central Pacific waters 22 June, but rapidly dissipated. Only two advisories were issued by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) on T.S. Barbara. Tropical Depression One-C developed 11 September, but only lasted for twelve hours before dissipating. Tropical Depression Two-C developed 23 September over somewhat warmer waters near 10oN, and developed enough to last 48 hours. Winds persisted at 30 kt through most of its cycle as it tracked westward. The former Hurricane Narda was the best organized of the Central Pacific tropical cyclones. Moving into the Central Pacific as a tropical storm 23 October, it encountered a strongly sheared environment at 16oN. Despite the organized low-level center, the shearing kept the convection far away from the center and the system gradually eroded until the last advisory twenty-four hours later.

None of the tropical cyclones threatened the Hawaiian Islands. The trend of neutral or La Niña conditions since 1998 continued through 2000. The number of tropical cyclones was about the long-term average (4.5) this season, but the systems were neither vigorous nor a threat to develop into something more substantial.

Robert W. Kelly Treena Loos Kevin R. Kodama

List of Tropical Cyclones in 2001

Tropical Cyclone Duration Min Central Pressure Max Wind * (UTC dates) (hPa) (kt)

TS Barbara 20 Jun 23 Jun 997 (12UTC 21 Jun) 50 (12UTC 21 Jun) TD 1-C 11 Sep 11 Sep - 30 TD 2-C 23 Sep 25 Sep - 30 TS Narda 20 Oct 25 Oct 980 (00UTC 20 Oct) 75 (00UTC 20 Oct)

1 minute wind

TROPICAL STORM BARBARA 20 to 23 June

Tropical Depression Two-E (TD-2E) formed near 12oN 127oW off the southern tip of Baja, on 20 June. Moving west northwestward, TD-2E was upgraded to Tropical Storm Barbara on 20 June 20 at 21UTC by the National Hurricane Center. This is the first tropical storm to reach the Central Pacific during the month of June. Although Barbara entered the Central Pacific as a tropical storm, it was quickly downgraded to a tropical depression by the CPHC on 22 June at 21UTC. Tropical Depression Barbara continued to weaken as it moved west northwestward over cooler water, until 03UTC 23 June, when CPHC issued its last advisory.

Best Track Data

Position Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (kt) STAGE

062018 13.2 130.4 35 TS 062100 13.7 131.6 40 TS 062106 14.2 132.8 45 TS 062112 14.7 134.1 50 TS 062118 15.1 135.3 45 TS 062200 15.6 136.5 45 TS 062206 16.1 137.8 40 TS 062212 16.5 139.0 35 TS 062218 16.8 140.1 30 TD 062300 17.3 141.2 30 TD

TROPICAL DEPRESSION ONE-C 11 September

Tropical Depression One-C (TD-1C) formed on September 11 more than 400 NM southeast of the Island of , near 14.1oN 152.1oW. The system moved west northwestward to 15oN 153oW by 06UTC 11 September, and then southwestward to 12.6oN 154.8oW by 12UTC 11 September. The system was poorly organized, and the convection of TD One-C dissipated by 12UTC 11 September. Tropical Depression One-C never reached tropical storm strength.

Best Track Data

Position Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (kt) STAGE

091103 13.9 151.5 30 TD 091106 15.0 153.0 30 TD 091112 12.6 154.8 25 L

TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO-C 23 to 25 September

Tropical Depression Two-C (TD-2C) formed near 10oN 147.4oW on 22 September, southwest of Tropical Storm Kiko (in the East Pacific). Throughout 23 September, TD-2C remained a poorly organized system that slowly moved west-northwestward. A slight increase in convection became apparent 03UTC 24 September, and was followed by a period of consistent thunderstorm activity near the circulation center. Tropical Depression Two-C continued in the west-northwest direction, but weakened by 03UTC 25 September.

Best Track Data

Position Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (kt) STAGE

092309 10.0 147.4 30 TD 092315 10.0 148.4 30 TD 092321 10.0 149.7 30 TD 092403 10.2 151.0 30 TD 092409 10.5 152.6 30 TD 092415 10.5 155.6 30 TD 092421 10.4 155.6 30 TD 092503 10.9 159.1 25 L 092509 11.1 161.2 25 L

TROPICAL STORM NARDA 20 to 25 October

In the East Pacific near 11.3oN 125.8oW, sea surface temperatures of 27oC to 28oC on 20 October 15UTC, supported the development of Tropical Depression Sixteen-E (TD-16E) from a band of convective clouds. Six hours later TD-16E was upgraded to Tropical Storm Narda near 11.9oN 127oW. Maintaining a west-northwestward path, Tropical Storm Narda steadily intensified until it reached hurricane status 21 October 21UTC near 14.2oN 131.2oW. Narda reached a maximum wind speed of 75 knots October 22, and then began to weaken from an increase of vertical shear aloft. Narda was downgraded to a Tropical Storm near 16.3oN 135.7oW 03UTC 23 October. Tropical Storm Narda continued to weaken as it crossed into the Central North Pacific, where CPHC downgraded the storm to a Tropical Depression at 03 UTC 24 October near 16.5oN142oW. CPHC issued the last advisory on Tropical Depression Narda at 03UTC on 25 October.

Best Track Data

Position Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (kt) STAGE

102015 11.3 125.8 30 TD 102021 11.9 127.0 35 TS 102121 14.2 131.2 65 H 102200 14.5 131.4 75 H 102206 15.1 132.2 70 H 102212 15.5 133.3 70 H 102218 15.9 134.2 65 H 102300 16.1 135.2 60 TS 102303 16.3 135.7 60 TS 102306 16.2 136.4 55 TS 102312 16.3 138.1 40 TS 102318 16.3 139.6 35 TS 102321 16.3 139.6 35 TS 102403 16.5 142.0 30 TD 102406 16.5 142.4 30 TD 102412 16.7 143.5 30 TD 102418 16.9 144.4 30 TD 102500 16.9 145.5 30 TD

2001 Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season Summary RSMC Miami

In a normal eastern North Pacific hurricane season, there are 16 named tropical storms and nine hurricanes. The 2001 season was near normal with respect to these numbers; there were 15 named tropical cyclones, of which 8 became hurricanes. However, only two of the systems became major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale) compared to the normal of 4. Most of the tropical cyclones formed from disturbances and tropical waves that moved westward from the Caribbean and crossed into the eastern Pacific. However, the longitude of formation was spread out through the entire tropical portion of the basin and most of the systems moved away from Mexico. Gil and Henriette will be remembered for their interaction. These interactions are in general not well depicted in the official forecasts or in numerical models. In addition, there were two tropical depressions which failed to reach tropical storm status. Both depressions remained over open water.

On average, three or four tropical cyclones affect in Mexico every year. However, Mexico was relatively fortunate during the 2001 hurricane season, since it was hit only by Juliette, a Category 1 hurricane at . Juliette caused two fatalities and produced significant damage to the tourist and hotel industry in southern Baja California. Adolph, Dalila, Ivo and Lorena threatened Mexico, requiring the issuance of watches and/or warnings. However, Adolph, Dalila and Ivo turned away before reaching the coast, and Lorena dissipated before landfall. Dalila moved close enough to the coast to bring heavy rains to the state of .

List of Tropical Cyclones in 2001

Tropical Duration* Min Central Max Wind Direct Cyclone (UTC dates) Pressure (hPa) (mph) Deaths

H Adolph 25 May 01 Jun 940 145 TS Barbara 20 Jun 26 Jun 997 60 TS Cosme 13 Jul 15 Jul 1000 45 H Dalila 21 Jul 28 Jul 987 75 TS Erick 20 Jul 24 Jul 1001 40 H Flossie 26 Aug 02 Sep 972 105 H Gil 04 Sep 09 Sep 975 100 TS Henriette 04 Sep 08 Sep 994 65 TS Ivo 10 Sep 15 Sep 997 50 H Juliette 21 Sep 03 Oct 923 145 2 H Kiko 21 Sep 25 Sep 990 75 TS Lorena 02 Oct 04 Oct 997 60 TS Manuel 10 Oct 18 Oct 997 60 H Narda 20 Oct 25 Oct 980 85 H Octave 31 Oct 03 Nov 980 85

* Dates begin at 0000UTC and include tropical depression stage (wind speed less than 39 mph) HURRICANE ADOLPH 25 May to 1 June

Adolph had the distinction of being the strongest and only Category 4 hurricane on record for May in the basin. It formed from a weak low that moved from Panama into the Pacific Ocean on May 22 but did not organize into a tropical storm until the 26th while located about 225 miles south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. It became a hurricane one day later. Adolph meandered for a while and threatened the coast of Mexico from Acapulco to Lazaro Cardenas. However, the hurricane began moving west northwestward, and watches and warnings for the coast were discontinued. It continued to strengthen, and its maximum sustained winds reached 145 mph on the 29th. Adolph then moved westward and weakened to dissipation about 460 miles south- southwest of the southern tip of Baja, California.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

052518 13.6 101.1 1006 25 TD 052600 13.7 101.2 1006 30 “ 052606 13.8 101.2 1006 30 “ 052612 13.7 100.9 1006 30 “ 052618 13.6 100.5 1004 35 TS 052700 13.5 100.2 1000 40 “ 052706 13.3 100.0 997 50 “ 052712 13.2 99.7 992 60 “ 052718 13.5 99.5 980 75 H 052800 13.9 99.8 965 95 “ 052806 14.2 100.2 960 105 “ 052812 14.4 100.5 955 110 “ 052818 14.7 101.2 948 115 “ 052900 15.0 102.1 940 125 “ 052906 15.3 103.2 940 125 “ 052912 15.5 104.2 940 125 “ 052918 15.7 105.2 948 115 “ 053000 15.9 106.1 955 110 “ 053006 16.0 107.0 960 100 “ 053012 16.2 107.8 965 95 “ 053018 16.3 108.6 975 90 “ 053100 16.4 109.4 979 80 “ 053106 16.4 110.2 982 70 “ 053112 16.4 110.8 987 65 “ 053118 16.3 111.3 990 65 “ 060100 16.2 111.8 997 55 TS 060106 16.2 112.0 1003 45 “ 060112 16.3 112.3 1005 35 “ 060118 16.4 112.5 1006 30 TD 060200 Dissipated

TROPICAL STORM BARBARA 20 to 26 June

Barbara was a 60 mph tropical storm that formed on June 20th about 1325 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas and moved west-northwestward for several days. Barbara passed north of the Hawaiian Islands on June 25-26 as a weakening tropical depression.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

062000 11.9 126.5 1008 30 TD 062006 12.3 127.8 1008 30 “ 062012 12.7 129.1 1007 30 “ 062018 13.2 130.4 1005 35 TS 062100 13.7 131.6 1003 40 “ 062106 14.2 132.8 1000 45 “ 062112 14.7 134.1 997 50 “ 062118 15.1 135.3 999 45 “ 062200 15.6 136.5 1001 45 “ 062206 16.1 137.8 1003 40 “ 062212 16.5 139.0 1005 35 “ 062218 16.8 140.1 1006 30 TD 062300 17.3 141.2 1006 30 “ 062306 17.7 142.6 1007 30 “ 062312 18.0 143.7 1009 25 “ 062318 18.2 145.0 1011 25 “ 062400 18.8 146.3 1011 25 “ 062406 19.3 147.6 1011 25 “ 062412 19.8 148.9 1011 25 “ 062418 20.3 150.3 1012 25 “ 062500 20.7 151.8 1012 25 “ 062506 21.1 153.2 1013 25 “ 062512 21.6 155.0 1014 25 “ 062518 22.2 156.9 1014 25 “ 062600 22.6 158.9 1014 25 “ 062606 23.1 161.0 1014 25 “ 062612 Dissipated

NOTE: Data west of 140oW was provided by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu, HI.

TROPICAL STORM COSME 13 to 15 July

Cosme was a short-lived system that formed on July13 about 380 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, and reached its peak intensity of 45 mph later that day. It moved toward the west-northwest away from land and dissipated on the 15th.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

071306 15.0 108.4 1007 25 TD 071312 15.8 110.0 1003 35 TS 071318 16.3 111.4 1000 40 “ 071400 16.8 112.4 1000 40 “ 071406 17.2 113.3 1002 35 “ 071412 17.7 114.2 1003 35 “ 071418 18.2 115.1 1004 30 TD 071500 18.8 115.9 1005 25 “ 071506 19.2 116.6 1006 25 “ 071512 Dissipated to Low

HURRICANE DALILA 21 to 28 July

Hurricane Dalila formed as a tropical depression about 300 miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on July 21st, and its winds reached 75 mph on the 24th while it moved on a track parallel to the coast of Mexico. associated with Dalila produced heavy rains and flash flooding that damaged dozens of homes in the state of Chiapas. The tropical cyclone dissipated on the 28th about 750 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

072100 11.3 93.8 1007 30 TD 072106 11.9 94.9 1006 30 “ 072112 12.4 96.0 1004 35 TS 072118 13.0 97.0 1001 40 “ 072200 13.6 98.2 997 50 “ 072206 14.2 99.4 994 55 “ 072212 14.8 100.7 994 55 “ 072218 15.5 102.1 994 55 “ 072300 16.1 103.4 994 55 “ 072306 16.7 104.5 994 55 “ 072312 17.2 105.6 994 55 “ 072318 17.5 106.4 994 55 “ 072400 17.7 107.3 990 60 “ 072406 18.0 108.1 988 60 “ 072412 18.2 109.0 982 65 H 072418 18.4 109.8 988 60 TS 072500 18.6 110.5 989 60 “ 072506 18.8 111.1 990 55 “ 072512 19.0 111.6 990 55 “ 072518 19.1 112.2 990 55 “ 072600 19.3 112.8 990 55 “ 072606 19.5 113.4 990 55 “ 072612 19.7 114.0 990 55 “ 072618 19.9 114.7 990 55 “ 072700 20.1 115.5 990 55 “ 072706 20.4 116.3 992 50 “ 072712 20.7 117.1 994 45 “ 072718 21.1 117.9 996 40 “ 072800 21.5 118.9 999 35 “ 072806 22.0 119.9 1003 30 TD 072812 22.4 121.1 1007 25 “ 072818 Dissipated

TROPICAL STORM ERICK 20 to 24 July

Tropical Storm Erick formed well to the southwest of Mexico. It attained minimal tropical storm strength about 950 miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas on July 21, and maintained 40 mph winds for a couple of days. Erick dissipated on the 24th over cool waters.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

072018 13.9 117.4 1007 30 TD 072100 14.3 118.1 1007 30 “ Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

072106 14.9 118.8 1007 30 “ 072112 15.5 119.6 1007 30 “ 072118 16.2 120.4 1005 35 TS 072200 17.0 121.5 1005 35 “ 072206 17.7 122.3 1005 35 “ 072212 18.5 123.3 1001 35 “ 072218 19.2 124.5 1002 35 “ 072300 19.6 125.6 1002 35 “ 072306 20.0 126.5 1003 35 “ 072312 20.4 127.4 1005 30 TD 072318 20.8 128.0 1006 30 “ 072400 21.1 128.6 1008 25 “ 072406 Dissipated

HURRICANE FLOSSIE 26 August to 2 September

Hurricane Flossie was the second hurricane of the season and formed from the same that spawned Chantal in the Atlantic. It formed on August 26 about 270 miles south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California, and moved slowly westward for a day, strengthening to a hurricane on the 27th. It then made a small cyclonic loop about 230 miles west of Socorro Island as it interacted with an upper-level low. Once away from the upper-low, Flossie intensified to a peak of 105 mph on the 29th. It then moved over cooler waters and dissipated by September 2. After dissipation, the remnant moisture from the system helped to trigger thunderstorms and flash flooding across portions of southern California on September 2- 3. Four people were struck by lightning in the and San Bernardino mountains, two of them were killed . More than 2 inches of rain fell in an hour, producing flash flooding in San Diego and Riverside Counties. The total damage estimate was $35,000.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

082606 19.1 108.5 1004 30 TD 082612 19.7 109.7 1004 30 “ 082618 20.0 110.6 1003 35 TS 082700 20.1 111.6 1002 40 “ 082706 20.2 112.5 1000 45 “ 082712 20.1 113.3 994 55 “ 082718 19.9 113.8 989 65 H 082800 19.5 114.1 989 65 “ 082806 19.2 114.3 989 65 “ 082812 19.1 114.3 985 70 “ 082818 19.4 114.7 985 70 “ 082900 19.8 115.1 983 75 “ 082906 20.1 115.4 980 80 “ 082912 20.6 116.2 977 85 “ 082918 20.9 116.6 972 90 “ 083000 21.5 117.1 975 85 “ 083006 21.9 117.7 979 80 “ 083012 22.4 118.0 983 70 “ 083018 22.9 118.1 987 65 “ 083100 23.4 118.4 989 65 “ 083106 23.6 118.6 994 60 TS 083112 23.9 118.9 997 55 “ 083118 24.3 119.2 999 50 “ Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

090100 24.8 119.3 1002 40 “ 090106 25.2 119.1 1005 35 “ 090112 25.6 118.9 1005 30 TD 090118 26.0 118.6 1006 30 “ 090200 26.6 118.4 1007 25 “ 090206 Dissipated

HURRICANE GIL 4 to 9 September

TROPICAL STORM HENRIETTE 4 to 8 September

Hurricane Gil and Tropical Storm Henriette were notable for their interaction. Gil formed from an area of disturbed weather associated with the southern portion of the tropical wave which spawned Dean in the Atlantic. The disturbance crossed Central America on August 24 and moved westward, but it did not become a tropical depression until September 4 when it was located about 980 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. On the same day, early morning visible satellite images indicated that another circulation was organized enough to be classified as a tropical depression about 345 miles west-southwest of Manzanillo, and about 880 miles east of developing Gil. Gil reached hurricane intensity with maximum winds of 100 mph and Henriette strengthened to a peak of 65 mph. Initially, Gil moved westward but Henriette moved faster and passed to the north of Gil. The two cyclones began to rotate around each other. Henriette became absorbed by the circulation of Gil and dissipated on the 8th. However, its remnant disturbance made a counterclockwise loop of Gil over the ensuing 24 h. Gil’s circulation persisted a little bit longer but gradually weakened. It dissipated on 9th about 1150 miles east of the Hawaiian Islands.

Best Track for Hurricane Gil

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE 090406 15.4 122.6 1006 30 TD 090412 15.4 123.4 1004 35 TS 090418 15.4 124.2 1002 40 “ 090500 15.4 124.5 997 50 “ 090506 15.4 124.7 994 55 “ 090512 15.3 125.0 994 55 “ 090518 15.2 125.5 990 60 “ 090600 15.1 126.0 986 65 H 090606 15.1 126.5 983 70 “ 090612 15.0 127.3 979 75 “ 090618 14.9 128.0 975 85 “ 090700 15.1 128.5 975 85 “ 090706 15.4 128.7 975 85 “ 090712 15.9 129.1 979 80 “ 090718 16.5 129.5 979 75 “ 090800 17.4 129.5 987 65 “ 090806 18.8 129.8 990 60 TS 090812 20.6 130.3 997 50 “ 090818 22.1 132.1 1003 40 “ 090900 22.4 134.5 1006 30 TD 090906 21.5 136.2 1008 30 “ 090912 20.7 137.2 1008 30 “ 090918 20.7 137.5 1009 25 “ 091000 Dissipated

Best Track Data for Tropical Storm Henriette

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE 090412 16.9 108.8 1006 25 TD 090418 17.5 110.1 1006 25 “ 090500 17.8 111.5 1006 30 “ 090506 17.9 112.9 1005 35 TS 090512 17.8 114.3 1005 40 “ 091518 17.7 115.7 1003 40 “ 090600 17.7 117.1 1000 45 “ 090606 18.2 118.5 997 50 “ 090612 18.8 119.9 997 50 “ 090618 19.6 121.5 997 50 “ 090700 20.5 122.9 994 55 “ 090706 21.3 124.5 997 50 “ 090712 22.1 126.0 1000 45 “ 090718 22.6 127.7 1000 45 “ 090800 22.9 129.8 1002 40 “ 090806 22.6 132.2 1004 35 “ 090812 21.6 134.3 1010 30 TD 090818 dissipated within circulation of Hurricane Gil

TROPICAL STORM IVO 10 to 14 September

Tropical Storm Ivo formed about 115 miles south-southwest of Acapulco on September 10. It moved slowly west-northwestward with its circulation hugging the coast, producing tropical storm force winds on shore. The storm’s proximity to land prompted warnings for portions of the coast of Mexico. Ivo’s maximum intensity was 50 mph, and it dissipated over cool waters on the 15th about 345 miles west of Baja California.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

091012 14.8 98.9 1004 25 TD 091018 14.9 100.1 1004 25 “ 091100 15.2 101.4 1002 30 “ 091106 15.7 102.7 1000 35 TS 091112 16.7 104.3 1000 35 “ 091118 17.3 105.5 1000 35 “ 091200 17.9 106.7 999 35 “ 091206 18.5 108.0 999 35 “ 091212 19.4 108.8 999 40 “ 091218 20.3 109.6 997 45 “ 091300 21.0 110.3 998 45 “ 091306 21.8 111.2 998 45 “ 091312 23.0 112.5 998 45 “ 091318 23.9 113.8 1002 40 “ 091400 24.6 114.6 1004 35 “ 091406 25.0 115.2 1004 30 TD 091412 25.2 116.2 1005 25 “ 091418 25.1 117.0 1006 25 “ 091500 25.1 117.5 1007 20 “ 091506 Dissipated

HURRICANE JULIETTE 21 September to 3 October

Hurricane Juliette was the most memorable cyclone of the season and the only tropical one to make landfall during 2001. It brought 90 mph winds and heavy rain to the southern Baja California peninsula and caused flooding in the state of Sonora on mainland Mexico. Juliette formed as a tropical depression on September 21 about 105 miles south of the coast of , from the remnants of Caribbean Tropical Depression Nine which crossed Central America and moved over the Pacific. Under very favorable environmental conditions, Juliette intensified rapidly and reached 145 mph winds as the cyclone moved on track parallel to the coast of Mexico. A strong west of the U.S. west coast forced Juliette to turn northward, and the center of the weakening hurricane passed just west of Cabo San Lucas. Juliette moved inland on the 30th near San Carlos on the west coast of Baja California as a tropical storm with 40 mph winds. The cyclone crossed the Baja peninsula and moved over the waters of the Gulf of California as a disorganized tropical depression, and it dissipated on October 3 over the northern portion of the Gulf of California. Two deaths are attributed to Juliette: a fisherman who died near Acapulco when his boat capsized in high seas, and a surfer who drowned near the Baja California coast. According to Mexican news agency reports, Juliette “clobbered” the resort of Cabo San Lucas, isolating it from the outside world for several days. Flooding in the state of Sonora drove more than 38,000 people from their homes. Moisture from Juliette produced thunderstorm activity in southern California on the 30th, knocking down trees and power lines across the Coachella Valley.

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

092106 12.6 91.1 1007 30 TD 092112 13.0 92.8 1005 35 TS 092118 13.5 94.3 997 35 “ 092200 13.6 95.8 996 40 “ 092206 13.6 97.3 996 45 “ 092212 13.5 98.5 995 45 “ 092218 13.5 99.7 994 45 “ 092300 14.2 100.4 992 50 “ 092306 14.6 101.3 986 55 “ 092312 14.8 102.2 976 65 H 092318 14.9 102.8 960 85 “ 092400 14.8 103.3 941 110 “ 092406 15.0 103.5 941 115 “ 092412 15.1 103.8 952 100 “ 092418 15.2 104.1 957 95 “ 092500 15.4 104.7 941 115 “ 092506 15.9 105.3 935 125 “ 092512 16.2 106.2 928 125 “ 092518 16.4 107.2 923 125 “ 092600 16.8 107.9 925 125 “ 092606 17.5 108.6 930 115 “ 092612 18.2 109.1 935 105 “ 092618 18.8 109.8 940 100 “ 092700 19.4 110.3 942 95 “ 092706 20.1 110.5 949 90 “ 092712 20.7 110.8 955 85 “ 092718 21.4 110.7 961 80 “ 092800 22.3 110.7 968 80 “ 092806 22.8 111.0 971 75 H 092812 23.0 111.1 981 70 “ 092818 23.2 111.1 987 60 TS 092900 23.4 111.2 987 60 “ 092906 23.6 111.3 983 65 H 092912 23.8 111.5 985 65 “ 092918 24.0 111.7 990 45 TS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

093000 25.0 112.0 1000 35 “ * 093006 26.1 111.8 1003 30 TD 093012 27.1 111.8 1005 30 “ 093018 28.2 112.0 1005 30 “ 100100 28.7 112.2 1005 25 “ 100106 29.2 112.5 1006 25 “ 100112 29.7 112.7 1006 25 “ 100118 30.2 113.1 1006 30 “ 100200 30.4 113.3 1006 30 “ 100206 30.6 113.6 1006 30 “ 100212 30.5 113.8 1006 30 “ 100218 30.4 114.4 1007 30 “ 100300 30.2 114.6 1008 25 “ 100306 Dissipated * landfall near San Carlos, Mexico on Baja, California

HURRICANE KIKO 21 to 25 September

Hurricane Kiko formed on September 21 about 635 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California and its winds reached 75 mph on the 23rd. Kiko moved on a general west and west-northwest track over open water and dissipated on the 25th.

Best track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

092118 15.6 116.1 1007 30 TD 092200 15.9 117.2 1005 30 “ 092206 16.3 118.3 1004 30 “ 092212 17.0 119.2 1003 35 “ 092218 17.7 120.2 1002 40 “ 092300 18.0 121.2 1000 45 “ 092306 18.1 122.2 994 55 “ 092312 18.2 123.3 990 65 “ 092318 18.3 124.4 992 60 TS 092400 18.6 125.1 994 55 “ 092406 19.0 125.6 994 55 “ 092412 19.1 126.2 997 50 “ 092418 19.2 126.7 997 50 “ 092500 19.2 127.2 1001 40 “ 092506 19.2 127.9 1003 35 “ 092512 19.2 128.6 1004 30 TD 092518 19.2 129.3 1006 25 “ 092600 Dissipated

TROPICAL STORM LORENA 2 to 4 October

Tropical Storm Lorena was another short-lived tropical cyclone that briefly threatened southwestern Mexico. It formed on October 2 about 370 miles south-southwest of Acapulco and headed for the area of Cabo Corrientes. Lorena reached a maximum intensity of 60 mph. on the 3rd, but it quickly dissipated on the 4th before reaching the coast.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

100200 11.9 102.0 1006 30 TD 100206 12.0 103.1 1005 30 “ 100212 12.6 104.3 1004 35 TS 100218 13.2 105.4 1002 40 “ 100300 14.3 106.0 1002 40 “ 100306 15.0 106.3 1000 45 “ 100312 15.7 106.5 997 50 “ 100318 16.2 106.7 1000 45 “ 100400 16.8 106.7 1004 40 “ 100406 17.6 107.0 1004 35 “ 100412 18.5 107.0 1006 30 TD 100418 19.6 106.7 1009 25 “ 100500 Dissipated

TROPICAL STORM MANUEL 10 to 18 October

Tropical Storm Manuel formed from the remnants of Atlantic , whose core had dissipated over the mountains of Central America. A portion of the remnant circulation reorganized into a tropical depression on October 10th about 200 miles south-southeast of Acapulco. After becoming a tropical storm on the 11th, it moved west to west-southwestward away from Mexico and weakened to tropical depression status temporarily. Manuel then turned to the northwest and regained tropical storm status on the 15th. It strengthened to its peak intensity, 60 mph, on the 16th a little over 600 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. It dissipated over cooler waters a couple of days later.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

101012 14.1 99.2 1007 30 TD 101018 14.0 100.6 1006 30 “ 101100 14.4 102.0 1006 30 “ 101106 14.7 103.3 1005 35 TS 101112 15.2 104.7 1003 40 “ 101118 15.7 105.9 1000 45 “ 101200 15.9 107.3 1000 45 “ 101206 15.7 108.4 1003 40 “ 101212 15.4 109.5 1005 30 TD 101218 14.9 110.5 1005 30 “ 101300 14.8 111.2 1005 30 “ 101306 14.6 111.9 1005 30 “ 101312 14.3 112.6 1005 30 “ 101318 14.1 113.0 1005 30 “ 101400 13.9 113.3 1005 30 “ 101406 13.9 113.6 1005 30 “ 101412 14.0 113.8 1005 30 “ 101418 14.3 113.9 1005 30 “ 101500 14.7 114.1 1005 30 “ 101506 15.3 114.4 1004 35 TS 101512 15.9 114.8 1004 35 “ 101518 16.5 115.3 1004 35 “ 101600 17.1 115.9 1002 40 “ 101606 17.5 116.9 1000 45 “ 101612 18.0 118.1 997 50 “ Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

101618 18.6 119.3 1000 45 “ 101700 19.2 120.2 1000 45 “ 101706 19.8 120.8 1003 40 “ 101712 20.5 121.3 1005 35 “ 101718 21.1 121.6 1007 30 TD 101800 21.8 121.8 1009 25 “ 101806 Dissipated to Low

HURRICANE NARDA 20 to 25 October

Hurricane Narda formed over open water about 1325 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas Mexico on October 20 and reached its maximum intensity of 85 mph on the 22nd. Narda then turned from a west-northwestward to westward heading, while weakening over the next several days. Strong vertical caused the tropical cyclone to dissipate a little less than 600 miles east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands on the 25th

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (mb) (kt) STAGE

102012 11.0 125.0 1006 30 TD 102018 11.6 126.4 1004 35 TS 102100 12.1 127.5 1002 40 “ 102106 12.6 128.5 1000 45 “ 102112 13.3 129.6 994 55 “ 102118 13.9 130.6 987 65 H 102200 14.5 131.4 980 75 “ 102206 15.1 132.2 983 70 “ 102212 15.5 133.3 983 70 “ 102218 15.9 134.2 987 65 “ 102300 16.1 135.2 990 60 TS 102306 16.2 136.4 994 55 “ 102312 16.3 138.1 1002 40 “ 102318 16.3 139.6 1002 35 “ 102400 16.4 141.2 1004 30 TD 102406 16.5 142.4 1004 30 “ 102412 16.7 143.5 1004 30 “ 102418 16.9 144.4 1004 30 “ 102500 16.9 145.5 1004 30 “ 102506 16.9 146.5 1005 25 “ 102512 Dissipated

HURRICANE OCTAVE 31 October to 3 November

Hurricane Octave developed from a large area of disturbed weather about 1150 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas on October 31. It strengthened into a hurricane on November 1 and soon reached its peak intensity of 85 mph. Octave began to weaken on the 2nd, and the tropical cyclone dissipated on November 3 over open waters.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

103100 12.1 122.8 1007 30 TD 103106 12.5 123.9 1005 35 TS 103112 13.0 124.8 1004 35 “ 103118 13.4 125.8 1002 40 “ 110100 14.1 126.8 997 50 “ 110106 14.6 127.7 997 50 “ 110112 15.1 128.2 994 55 “ 110118 15.8 128.4 987 65 H 110200 16.5 128.6 980 75 “ 110206 17.0 128.8 980 75 “ 110212 17.5 129.2 985 65 “ 110218 17.9 129.5 989 60 TS 110300 18.3 130.2 997 45 “ 110306 18.5 131.0 1004 35 “ 110312 18.7 131.8 1005 30 TD 110318 18.8 132.5 1009 30 “ 110400 Low Cloud Swirl

RSMC La Réunion - Tropical Cyclone Centre

Director: Mr Dominique Landais

Classification of Cyclonic Disturbances

Low pressure area: region of the atmosphere in which the pressures are lower than those of the surrounding region at the same level and where the cloud masses do not appear to be organized.

Extra-tropical disturbance: synoptic scale low pressure area outside of the .

Sub-tropical disturbance: synoptic scale low pressure area having during its life, characteristics which could belong to both tropical and extra-tropical depressions. In the South West Indian Ocean, the genesis of such system is regularly observed over the South of Mozambique Channel.

Zone of disturbed weather: non frontal synoptic scale low pressure area originating in the tropics or sub-tropics with enhanced convection and light surface winds.

Tropical wave: trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade wind easterlies or equatorial westerlies. The wave may reach maximum amplitude in the lower middle troposphere, or may be the reflexion of an upper-troposphere cold low or equatorial extension of a mid-latitude trough.

Tropical disturbance: generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low pressure area, originating over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation (wind estimated to be not exceeding 27 knots (50 km/h, force 6 in the )).

Tropical depression: tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 28 to 33 knots (51 to 62 km/h, force 7 in the Beaufort scale).

Moderate tropical storm: tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 34 to 47 knots (63 to 88 km/h, force 8 or 9 in the Beaufort scale).

Severe tropical storm: tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 48 to 63 knots (89 to 117 km/h, force 10 or 11 in the Beaufort scale).

Tropical cyclone: tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 64 to 89 knots (118 to 165 km/h, force 12 in the Beaufort scale).

Intense tropical cyclone: tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 90 to 115 knots (166 to 212 km/h).

Very intense tropical cyclone: tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to exceed 115 knots (212 km/h).

Cyclone Season

Period of the year during which most of the tropical disturbances occur. In the South- West Indian Ocean, this period is between 1 November and 30 April (For Mauritius and Seychelles: this period is between 1 November and 15 May).

RSMC LA REUNION - TROPICAL CYCLONE CENTER

SUMMARY

Both of rather low activity and element in terms of impacting inhabited lands, this first cyclone season on the Millennium won’t leave the same sour taste it did last season.

Compared with the 1999/2000 season, the cyclone activity was nearly reduced by half and set noticeably inferior to normal activity, thus reaching nearly the same level of the 1998/1999 fairly inactive season (indeed, a 36 days of total cumulated number of days with the presence on the area of a tropical depression of significant intensity – at least equal to that of a moderate tropical storm – were recorded, against a 53 average and a 48 median). This reduced cyclone activity was due essentially to the small number of systems of moderate intensity (tropical storms), the number of cyclonic days (with the presence of a mature tropical cyclone) being for its part – a little paradoxically – slightly more than normal. The cyclogeneses were thus less frequent than average but proportionally spawned more tropical cyclones.

For the fourth consecutive year, this season started very tardily; this is in fact what will actually remain in the climatological records. As a reminder, in terms of starting dates of the cyclone seasons, the median is situated on 17th November (50% of the starting season dates occurring before 17th November, and 50% afterwards), the last quintile standing for its part around the middle of December. With a start on 31st December, this season ranked 4th among the most tardy seasons since the beginning of the satellite era, thus occupying the position held till then by the previous season. However, this assertion should be relativized since two systems that had both reached the tropical depression stage had been observed before that : a first low had been classified at the minimum tropical depression stage on the very day the cyclone season change occurred (on 1st August 2000), thus inaugurating very precociously – in depth of the southern hemisphere winter – the 2000 – 2001 season while a second tropical depression developed on the northeastern sector of the basin between 12th and 13th November. However, as these two systems did not last more than 24 hours at the tropical depression stage, they were not taken into account in the final cyclone season records.

Out of the eleven (11) systems that gave rise to the issuance of advisories and warnings (less than the previous years), eight (8) of them were finally retained in the final season records. Out of those 8 systems, only 5 were named, which is a very low number considering it is only the fifth time since the beginning of the satellite era (1967-1968) that not more than 5 systems are being named (only two seasons actually had less than 5 named systems). Out of those 5 named systems though, 4 had acquired the tropical cyclone status, which is within the basin’s norm (average values being 9 tropical storms, among which 4 reach the tropical cyclone stage.

Worth of note though is that one system (No 10), graded in real time as a tropical depression, was actually upgraded to a tropical storm afterwards. This very small-sized system (‘’midget’’ system) that evolverd very temporarily on the far eastern part of the basin, was actually not the only atypical system of this season which was characterized by the development of several very unusual systems. Apart from a monsoon depression (system No 7), whose clockwise circulation reached its peak organization and intensity in the extratropical field, and Tropical Cyclone DERA, which went through an explosive intensification phase on the central Mozambique Channel and then kept its tropical cyclone status up to a relatively high latitude for the basin, another midget-type system deserves special mention.

Last season, a very unusual hybrid system ( subtropical depression No 13) developed in April 2000 over the South of the Mozambique Channel. That System was considered at the time as a real curiosity with no similarity with any recent system.

In fact, one should have been able to project into the future to find an analogue. Indeed, the No 11 system of that season displayed a lot of similarities to the subtropical depression of April 2000. But beside its atypical genesis and structure, it was even more exceptional given the date of its formation (peak intensity on 21st June, date of the southern hemisphere’s winter solstice) so that it developed over relatively cool waters (sea surface temperature of 24-25o C).

That system that ended being classified as a subtropical one while it could just as well have been classified as a tropical storm (since the winds probably reach at least storm force winds), did actually upset the records in some way. The date of its genesis makes it the most tardy and intense system (since the beginning of the satellite era) to form in the South-West Indian Ocean (Tropical Storm GRITELLE of 1991 held the previous record but it was a little before mid-June). The fact that it developed over the Mozambique Channel makes it even more unusual especially since there is no trace whatsoever of any tropical depression in this sector of the basin, neither in June nor even in May (this has been so since at least 1967).

Although the cyclogenesis or attempts of cyclogenesis were distributed evenly throughout nearly the whole year, with two systems monitored during the southern winter, most of the cyclonic activity concentrated in the month of January with the successive development of three tropical cyclones (ANDO, BINDU and CHARLY), including two intense ones. Another remarkable feature of this season was the total absence of cyclogenesis for a whole month between the beginning of February and March, which is usually the period that undergoes activity peak in the basin.

Finally, unlike the two previous seasons, the zonal trajectories were practically non-existent this year, meridian-like or ‘’pseudo-parabolic’’ tracks being a rule for nearly all systems.

As is often the case in seasons where meridian-like tracks are the main trend, the cyclone risk was noticeably leas as regards the inhabited lands gathered on the western part of the basin, and none of them really suffered from the different meteors of the season. After the sinister 1999-2000 cyclone season, this season was rather clement in comparison since none of the depression systems resulted in such heavy damage for the populations of the area as those caused by the devastating and deadly phenomenons of last year.

Madagascar and countries of Southern , especially Mozambique, that were all badly affected in 2000 were spared this time, as the only system that concerned Madagascar and Mozambique (DERA) only influenced them at the beginning of its life-cycle thus at weak intensity. As for the Mascarenes, they avoided the direct blow of the only two meteors that really threatened them (ANDO and EVARISTE). In La Réunion Island, the beneficial rain brought by these two depression systems did not manage however to counterbalance the rainfall deficit of the warm season that would undergo drought.

List of the Tropical Cyclones in 2001

Tropical Cyclone Duration Min Central Pressure Max Wind* (kph) (UTC dates) (hPa)

ITC ANDO 12 Dec 13 Jan 925 105 (06 & 07 Jan) TC BINDU 03 Jan 22 Jan 955 80 (13 Jan) TC CHARLY 17 Jan 01 Feb 930 100 (22 Jan) TC DERA 04 Mar 13 Mar 955 80 (11 & 12 Mar) STS EVARISTE 02 Apr 08 Apr 973 60 (05 & 06 Apr)

* 10 minute wind

Intense Tropical Cyclone Ando 31 December 2000 to 13 January

It is for the fourth consecutive year that the cyclone season starts very late. The first significant tropical depression formed on the 30th December 2000, developing from a closed cyclonic circulation within the I.T.C.Z, at about 400 Km to the south-west of Diego-Garcia. After staying dormant for 48 hours, the disturbance showed real sign of development on the 02nd January 2001. As the system headed towards the west-south-west, it gradually moved under improving upper diverging conditions and became a tropical storm on the following night.

The intensification, which was slow in the beginning, became rapid afterwards and in less than 24 hours, Ando became a tropical cyclone before dawn on the 04th . At almost the same moment, the meteor adopted a general south-westerly movement; it was starting to be attracted by an important weakness in the pressure field which was associated with the presence, since a few days, of a depression in the southern part of the Mozambique Channel. This situation, which persisted continually during the following few days, imparted a general south-south- westerly movement to the cyclone up to the 07th. In the meantime, Ando intensified into an intense cyclone and passed at about 120 Km to the south-east of Tromelin Island early during the day on the 05th. The highest gust recorded at Tromelin was 120 Km/hr. Ando maintained the same intensisty for a short while, but by the end of that day it started to reintensify and reached its maximum intensity in the morning of the 06th; Ando maintained that intensity for 24 hours. Around the 60 Km-diameter , the estimated maximum 10-minute average wind was 180 Km/hr, with gust reaching 260 Km/hr. At its peak intensity, Ando was a compact system with practically no cloud masses around its 400 Km-diameter central core, except in the north-west quadrant.

Afterwards, around noon on the 06th of January, intense cyclone Ando passed at about 200 Km to the west of Reunion Island. Because La Reunion was outside the zone of violent winds, the highest gusts observed on the coasts barely exceeded 100 Km/hr, while they reached 130 Km/hr on high grounds. Initially, the rainfall, being of an orographic nature, was concentrated on the high grounds. After the passage of Ando at its closest distance from La Reunion, the rainfall became widespread and more abundant on highgrounds late at night on the 06th. This rainy episode, lasting for about 72 hours, brought a lot of rain over the interior part of the Island; more than 1200 mm of rain over the volcanic mountains. The rainfall amounts recorded during this episode are considered as typical for a cyclonic event. Two persons died when they were carried away by flood water affecting the gorges.

During the day on the 07th, Ando started to show sign of weakening. But it was only during the evening that the cloud structures associated with the meteor were starting to dislocate under the influence of a north-westly shear. After crossing latitude 23°S, Ando came suddenly in contact with a perturbed upper level westerly airstream associated with a subtropical jetstream. Early during the day on the 08th of January, Ando, then a severe tropical storm, was heading towards the southern latitudes. South of latitude 26°S, the vertical shear was becoming more severe. As a result, Ando, which had resisted the shear fairly well, started to weaken significantly during the day on the 09th , just before being transformed into a subtropical system on the following night. Gradually, the system filled up. On the 11th, on reaching latitude 35°S, the remnants of the depression returned back and finally dissipated south of Madagascar on the 13th.

Ando, the first named system of the season, turned out to be the most intense and the only one to have been a menace to the inhabited countries of the zone. Fortunately Reunion Island was spared by it.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat.(°S) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt)

123106 9.7 68.4 1002 20 123112 9.9 67.6 1002 20 123118 10.2 66.6 1002 20 010100 10.5 65.6 1000 20 010106 10.6 64.4 1000 20 010112 10.5 63.6 1000 20 010118 10.7 63.0 1000 20 010200 10.8 62.5 1000 20 010206 11.0 62.1 999 20 010212 11.2 61.5 997 25 010218 11.4 60.9 995 25 010300 11.6 60.3 992 30 010306 11.8 59.7 985 35 010312 12.0 59.3 975 40 010318 12.5 58.5 973 40 010400 13.1 58.2 965 45 010406 13.6 57.5 960 50 010412 14.1 57.0 950 55 010418 14.8 56.5 935 55 010500 15.7 56.1 935 55 010506 16.5 55.5 940 55 010512 17.1 55.0 940 55 010518 17.8 54.7 935 55 010600 18.5 54.2 935 55 010606 19.3 53.7 930 60 010612 20.1 53.4 930 60 010618 21.0 53.1 930 60 010700 21.7 52.8 933 60 010706 22.6 52.4 935 55 010712 23.1 52.1 940 55 010718 23.5 51.8 950 55 010800 23.8 51.3 960 50 010806 24.1 50.9 970 45 010812 24.6 50.8 980 40 010818 25.2 50.7 985 35 010900 26.1 50.5 985 35 010906 26.9 50.5 985 35 010912 27.7 50.6 988 30 010918 28.6 50.7 990 30

Tropical Cyclone Bindu 03 to 22 January

The second system of the season formed on the 02nd January, a few days after the formation of Ando, to the north of Cocos Island. It originated as a low in the monsoon trough and moved westward, crossing longitude 90°E in the afternoon of the 03rd, still in the embryonic stage. It was not before travelling for more than 1000 Km and during more than three days that there was any significant development, due to the inhibiting effect of a moderate vertical shear from the east. It was only as from the 07th, that the system, by adopting a less zonal trajectory, entered the region south of latutude 10°S where the vertical shear was decreasing and where it could really start to intensify.

On the following night, after reaching the tropical storm stage, Bindu turned southward towards a weakness in the pressure field induced by a middle to upper tropospheric trough. This meridional track brought Bindu closer to an upper level ridge situated near latitude 15°S and where conditions were more favourable, especially as far as upper divergence was concerned. Between the 08th and the 09th, the intensification was marked and Bindu attained the mature tropical cyclone stage. It was then a very small system : the CDO, which surrounded a 25 Km diameter eye, had a diameter of about 100 Km.

Afterwards, Bindu started to weaken and the system was downgraded to a severe tropical storm in the afternoon of the 10th. This degeneration, probably resulting from an overconsumption of energy, coincided with another quasistationary episode of the system which was then located in a barometric col to the north of the above mentioned mid-level trough.

It was only during the evening of the 10th that Bindu started to be influenced by a steering current which caused it to move towards the west-south-west. In response to this movement, the system reintensified. On the 11th, the reintensification was confirmed and Bindu reacquired a banding type eye and was once again upgraded to a tropical cyclone at the end of the day. At dawn on the 12th of January, Bindu, once again, acquired a southerly movement; these frequent changes in the trajectory made the track of Bindu resemble a staircase.

Late at night on the 12th, Bindu reached its maximum intensity when it was about 600 Km to the east-north-east of Rodrigues and managed to maintain almost the same intensity till the evening on the 13th. Afterwards, the cyclone started to weaken: its cloud mass was disintegrating under the influence of a shear from the north-north-west. During the start of the shearing process, the movement of Bindu became erratic and quasistationary. The resulting decrease in its energy supply, together with the intrusion of low level dry air in its south-west quadrant, accelerated the weakening process of Bindu.

Soon after being downgraded to a severe tropical storm early in the afternoon on the 14th, Bindu started to move towards the west-south-west. But this time there would be no abatement, the meteor continued to weaken due to an increase in the vertical shear. Towards the end of the night on the 15th, Bindu became a moderate storm when it was at about 115 Km to the south of Rodrigues; weather over the Island did not deteriorate significantly. Bindu continued to weaken while moving towards the south-west. At dawn on the 17th, Bindu suddenly turned towards the south, ahead of an approaching polar trough. Ex-Bindu became extratropical on the 18th when approaching latitude 30°S. The remnant of the system finally filled up on the 22nd, near latitude 35°S.

Best Track Data

MMDDHR Position Pressure Wind Speed Lat. (°S) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt)

010306 8.9 90.6 1002 20 010312 9.1 89.7 1002 20 010318 9.2 88.7 1002 20 010400 9.3 87.6 1002 20 010406 9.4 86.8 1000 20 010412 9.3 86.3 1000 20 010418 9.2 85.8 1000 20 010500 9.1 85.3 1002 20 010506 9.1 84.7 1002 20 010512 9.4 83.8 1000 20 010518 9.6 82.9 1000 20 010600 9.5 81.9 1000 20 010606 9.4 80.9 1000 20 010612 9.8 79.5 999 20 010618 10.5 78.3 998 25 010700 11.2 77.4 998 25 010706 11.7 76.2 998 25 010712 11.7 74.8 996 25 010718 11.9 74.2 992 30 MMDDHR Position Pressure Wind Speed Lat. (°S) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt)

010800 12.6 73.7 990 30 010806 13.5 73.4 985 35 010812 14.4 73.3 978 40 010818 15.3 73.1 975 40 010900 15.6 72.6 965 45 010906 15.7 72.4 960 50 010912 16.0 72.5 960 50 010918 16.2 72.6 960 50 011000 16.3 72.8 960 50 011006 16.4 72.8 960 50 011012 16.4 72.6 975 40 011018 16.5 72.2 980 40 011100 16.5 71.8 980 40 011106 16.6 71.4 975 40 011112 16.8 70.6 970 45 011118 16.9 69.9 965 45 011200 17.1 69.3 963 45 011206 17.4 69.2 958 50 011212 17.6 69.2 958 50 011218 18.1 69.1 955 50 011300 18.5 68.9 955 50 011306 19.1 68.8 955 50 011312 19.4 68.6 955 50 011318 19.2 68.6 955 50 011400 19.1 68.6 960 50 011406 19.3 68.4 965 45 011412 19.3 68.4 975 40 011418 19.6 67.7 980 40 011500 19.8 66.9 985 35 011506 20.0 66.0 987 35 011512 20.2 65.2 990 30 011518 20.6 64.2 990 30 011600 21.0 63.3 992 30 011606 21.7 62.1 994 30 011612 22.2 61.3 996 25 011618 22.8 60.5 998 25 011700 23.5 59.5 1000 20 011706 24.5 59.4 1000 20 011712 25.4 59.5 1000 20 011718 27.1 59.7 1000 20 011800 28.8 60.0 1000 011806 30.3 60.1 1000 011812 31.4 60.1 1000 011818 31.5 60.8 1000 011900 31.4 61.5 1000 011906 31.2 62.2 1000 011912 31.1 63.0 1000 011918 30.9 63.5 1002 012000 31.1 63.5 1002 012006 31.6 63.2 1002 012012 31.7 62.6 1002 012018 31.6 62.0 1004 012100 31.5 61.4 1004 012106 31.6 60.8 1004 012112 31.7 60.4 1004 012118 32.5 60.1 1005 012200 33.6 59.9 1006 012206 34.9 60.3 1008

Tropical Cyclone Charly 17 January to 01 February

During January 2001, disturbed activity continued and a third cyclone developed in less than three weeks. Charly developed in the wake of Bindu and had a very similar life cycle: Charly originated in the extreme east of the cyclone basin; its track, which was almost parallel but more regular, caused it to pass south of Rodrigues in a weakening stage and finally, after temporarily evolving to the south of the Mascarenes, moved away towards the extratropical region. Having experienced a more laborious genesis than Bindu, Charly became an intense cyclone and was the second and last intense tropical cyclone of the 2000 – 2001 season and was the second most intense after Ando.

Charly originated on the 08th of January over the same oceanic region as Bindu, within the near- equatorial trough at about 600 Km to the south-west of Sumatra. In spite of the fact that there was no significant development during the following week, the low pressure area moved in a general south-westerly track and crossed longitude 90°E on the 16th, and thus officially entered the South-west Indian Ocean. The system was classified as a tropical disturbance early at night on the 17th, but deepening remained very slow. It was only after 24 hours, late at night on the 18th, that the system started to develop significantly. During the day on the 19th, the system became a tropical storm and was named CHARLY.

From then on, intensification proceeded at an almost climatological rate. A ragged banding-type eye developed in the morning of the 20th of January, but it remained fairly ill-defined until the following day and maintained the severe tropical storm stage during that period. As from the afternoon of the 21st, intensification became vigourous and after becoming a tropical cyclone, Charly reached the intense cyclone stage on the following day. It reached its maximum intensity late in the afternoon on the 22nd January, after deepening by about 35 hPa during the preceeding 24 hours. The maximum 10-minute average wind was estimated to be about 185 Km/hr, with gusts of the order of 260 Km/hr.

At its peak intensity, Charly was evolving on the equatorward edge of a high level ridge. But when it approached latitude 20°S, the meteor found itself on the polar side of that upper level ridge and thus in a region of increasing vertical shear. At the same time, with the injection of dry air into the cyclone via its south-western sector and its evolution over colder water, Charly started to weaken rapidly. As from the middle of the night on the 23rd, that is about 30 hours after reaching its peak intensity, Charly was downgraded to less than a tropical cyclone.

It was a moderately sheared system which passed to the south of Rodrigues in the morning of the 24th of January; this was less than eight days after the passage of Bindu. Being given that Charly passed at a much greater distance from Rodrigues than Bindu, the Island was practically unaffected by the meteor. Soon after, Charly was downgraded to a moderate tropical storm, then to a tropical storm in the afternoon of the 25th of January.

At latitude 25°S, the trajectory of the remnants of ex-Charly became erratic because of a slack pressure field. From the 26th to the 29th, the disturbance moved slowly and erratically along longitude 55°E at a few hundred kilometres south of the Mascarenes, with several changes in the direction of motion. During all that time, the residual low maintained itself quite distinctly. Near force winds continued to prevail in the southern sectors because of the strong pressure gradient resulting from the subtropical high pressure belts.

On the 29th of January, the blocking situation eased off. After reaching its westernmost part of its trajectory, the remnant low made a loop and started to move at an accelerating pace, ahead of a . With the arrival of the anticyclonic cell which followed the polar trough, the low suddenly slowed down. It merged with the frontal system on the 31st of January near latitude 35°S, transformed itself into a wave on the cold front and finally moved away towards the mid- latitudes.

Best Track Data

MMDDHR Position Pressure Wind Speed Lat. (°S) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt)

011712 12.2 86.3 1001 15 011718 12.3 86.5 1000 20 011800 12.5 86.5 1000 25 011806 12.7 86.3 1000 20 011812 13.1 85.7 999 20 011818 13.2 84.8 999 20 011900 13.3 83.9 998 25 011906 13.9 84.0 998 25 011912 14.4 83.9 994 30 011918 15.0 83.4 990 30 012000 15.4 82.8 985 35 012006 16.1 82.3 980 40 012012 16.5 81.6 975 40 012018 16.9 80.6 973 40 012100 17.2 79.3 973 40 012106 17.4 78.3 973 40 012112 17.5 77.1 965 45 012118 17.8 75.9 960 50 012200 18.1 75.0 955 50 012206 18.3 74.0 948 55 012212 18.9 72.9 930 60 012218 19.4 72.0 925 60 012300 20.0 70.8 925 60 012306 20.7 69.7 940 55 012312 21.5 68.3 955 50 012318 21.9 67.2 970 45 012400 22.2 65.7 975 40 012406 22.6 64.3 983 35 012412 22.9 63.1 987 30 012418 23.4 61.3 990 30 012500 24.0 60.0 993 30 012506 24.5 59.0 995 25 012512 25.0 58.2 997 25 012518 25.2 57.6 998 25 012600 25.2 57.0 998 25 012606 25.4 57.2 1000 20 012612 25.6 57.3 1000 20 012618 26.1 57.1 1000 20 012700 26.5 56.8 1000 20 012706 26.8 56.3 1000 20 012712 26.8 55.7 1000 20 012718 26.6 55.0 1002 20 012800 26.5 54.5 1002 20 012806 26.6 54.2 1002 20 012812 27.1 54.1 1002 20 012818 27.5 54.0 1002 20 012900 27.4 53.7 1002 20 012906 27.1 53.9 1002 20 012912 27.3 54.9 1002 20 012918 27.9 56.3 1004 013000 28.7 57.4 1004 013006 29.9 58.6 1004 013012 31.8 59.5 1004 013018 32.3 59.7 1004 013100 32.8 59.8 1004 013106 33.3 60.1 1002 013112 34.0 60.7 1002 013118 34.9 61.0 1000 020100 36.0 61.2 1000 020106 36.8 61.5 998 c. Casualty and Damage Statistics

There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with Charly.

Tropical Cyclone Dera 04 to 13 March

Appearing after one month of total and unusual cyclonic inactivity observed in February, this depression originated on the 04th of March, mid-way between the Seychelles and Madagascar. Conditions were not favourable for development because of a moderate vertical wind shear from the east to south-east. The system drifted in a general south-west direction and entered the north of Madagascar between Diego-Suarez and Vohemar, late at night on the 05th as a tropical disturbance. Evanescent and filled up to a large extent after its passage over the northern part of Madagascar, the remnant low pressure area, simply detectibled from surface observations, emerged over the sea and crossed the Mozambique Channel.

In spite of being weak, the passage of this low at about 100 Km to the south of Mayotte Island caused important meteorological chaos on the Island between the 06th and the 07th of March. The thundery cloud masses present in the reactivated monsoon flux to the north of the low pressure area were responsible for the heavy precipitations (locally more than 150 mm of rain were recorded in 24 hours) and thundery showers accompanied by violent gusts (gust of 101 Km/hr was recorded) which caused damages and many disruptions over the Island.

It was only on the 08th of March, after moving towards the south-west and then towards the south, that the low pressure area, then situated off the Mozambican coast, started to show signs of reorganization before intensifying very rapidly on the 09th. On the same evening, the centre of DERA, already a severe tropical storm, passed at less than 20 Km to the east of Europa Island. Gusts reaching 155 Km/hr were observed prior to the passage of the forward part of the developing eyewall. The lowest pressure recorded at the Meteo France station was 973 hPa and occurred when Dera was closest to the station and was on the point of becoming a tropical cyclone.

Afterwards, Dera moved towards the south, then towards to south-east. Having reached the mature tropical cyclone stage over the south of the Mozambique Channel, Dera maintained its structure until it reached an unusually high latitude for this cyclone basin (the eye disappeared only south of latitude 35°S). Caught ahead of a strong polar trough, the meteor was aspirated towards the southern latitudes at an accelerated speed. In the morning of the 13th of March, the centre of Dera, moving at the amazing speed of 60 knots, passed very close to the Meteo France station situated on Crozet Island, where the pressure fell to 975 hPa (a fall of 47 hPa in 24 hours) and hurricane force wind (maximum gusts reaching 140 Km/hr) was briefly experienced.

It is to be noted that the depression, in spite of becoming extratropical since the preceeding night and having the characteristics of a classical frontal depression, had nevertheless conserved some tropical features. The depression still had a warm core in the lower levels : two hours after the lowest pressure was observed, the temperature at Crozet rose by an amazing 7°C. This warm bubble of air moved away quicker than it arrived and in slightly more than one hour, the temperature fell equally by 7°C.

Best Track Data

MMDDHR Position Pressure Wind Speed Lat. (°S) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt)

030412 09.8 52.4 1004 15 MMDDHR Position Pressure Wind Speed Lat. (°S) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt)

030418 10.4 51.9 1004 15 030500 10.7 51.3 1003 20 030506 10.8 50.9 1003 20 030512 11.4 50.5 1002 20 030518 12.3 50.1 1002 20 030600 12.7 49.4 1004 20 030606 13.4 48.0 1005 15 030612 13.9 45.9 1004 15 030618 14.0 44.7 1003 20 030700 14.1 43.6 1003 20 030706 14.4 42.6 1003 20 030712 14.8 41.8 1002 20 030718 15.4 40.9 1002 20 030800 16.0 40.3 1000 20 030806 16.4 40.1 1000 20 030812 17.3 39.8 999 20 030818 17.7 39.9 998 25 030900 18.6 40.1 996 25 030906 19.8 40.4 990 30 030912 21.1 40.7 978 40 030918 22.0 40.6 973 40 031000 22.8 40.5 970 45 031006 23.7 40.5 965 45 031012 24.4 40.5 965 45 031018 25.2 40.7 965 45 031100 26.1 40.4 965 45 031106 26.7 40.4 965 45 031112 27.4 40.2 960 50 031118 28.5 40.4 955 50 031200 29.6 41.1 955 50 031206 31.7 42.1 955 50 031212 34.5 43.4 955 50 031218 37.5 45.5 965 45 031300 42.0 48.7 975

Severe Tropical Storm Evariste 02 to 08 April 2001

Only one tropical depression was named during the month of April. The tropical disturbance that could have been the last system of the present cyclonic season (but it did not because of the midget system which developed at the end of June in the southern part of the Mozambique Channel) first appeared at the beginning of the month, at about 600 Km to the east-north-east of Agalega; further development was hard to come. It was only in the afternoon of the 04th of April that the disturbance laboriously reached the depression stage. Intensification was well established for 24 hours and the depression was named EVARISTE late at night on the 04th. It was not very far from reaching the cyclone stage early at night on the 05th of April, when it peaked as a well-developed severe tropical storm.

Early during the day, Evariste, after moving initially towards the south-south-west, maintained a meridional track. It was almost at its peak intensity that Evariste passed at about 100 Km to the east of St Brandon at mid-day on the 06th of April. Being in the less strong sector of the storm, St Brandon recorded a maximum gust of only 91 Km/hr.

Several hours later, the storm started to weaken under the influence of a growing vertical wind shear from the north-north-west. The centre of Evariste passed at about 200 Km to the west of Rodrigues early during the day on the 07th of April. Afterwards, the sheared depression filled up. Towards the end of the afternoon on the 07th, the remnant of Evariste slowed down and was hesitant as to its subsequent movement. After being temporarily attracted by the cyclonic circulation associated with a low pressure formed off the south-east coast of Madagascar, the remnant of Evariste finally moved towards the south-east and disappeared rapidly around latitude 30°S.

Best Track Data

MMDDHR Position Pressure Wind Speed Lat. (°S) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt)

040212 09.5 62.1 1003 15 040218 09.7 61.9 1002 20 040300 09.8 61.8 1000 20 040306 10.1 62.1 1000 20 040312 10.5 62.2 999 20 040318 10.7 62.8 999 20 040400 11.1 63.3 999 20 040406 12.0 63.8 999 20 040412 12.8 63.3 997 25 040418 13.1 62.6 995 25 040500 13.3 61.9 990 30 040506 13.6 61.5 985 35 040512 14.4 61.3 978 40 040518 15.0 61.1 975 40 040600 15.6 61.0 973 40 040606 16.2 61.0 975 40 040612 17.0 60.8 975 40 040618 18.0 60.8 980 40 040700 19.2 61.0 985 35 040706 21.5 62.0 987 35 040712 23.1 61.7 990 30 040718 23.0 60.9 995 25 040800 23.4 61.0 999 20 040806 24.2 62.2 1000 20 040812 25.8 63.8 1000 040818 27.9 64.8 1002

RSMC Miami - Hurricane Center

Director: Mr Max Mayfield

Classification of Cyclonic Disturbances

Tropical Cyclone A non-frontal cyclone of synoptic scale, developing over tropical or subtropical waters and having a definite organized surface circulation.

A. Hurricane A warm core tropical cyclone in which maximum average surface wind (one-minute mean) is 118 km/h (74 mph) (64 knots) or greater.

B. Tropical storm A well organized warm-core tropical cyclone in which the maximum average surface wind (one-minute mean) is in the range 63-117 km/h (39-73 mph) (34-63 knots) inclusive.

C. Tropical depression A tropical cyclone in which the maximum average surface wind (one minute mean) is 62 km/h (38 mph) (33 knots) or less.

Subtropical cyclone A low pressure system, developing over subtropical waters which initially contains few tropical characteristics. With time the can become tropical.

A. Subtropical Storm A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 63 km/h (39 mph) (34 knots) or greater.

B. Subtropical depression A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind is less than 63 km/h (39 mph) (34 knots).

Tropical wave A trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade wind easterlies or equatorial westerlies. The wave may reach maximum amplitude in the lower middle troposphere, or may be the reflection of an upper-troposphere cold low or equatorial extension of a mid-latitude trough.

Tropical disturbance A discrete system of apparently organized convection originating in the tropics or sub-tropics, having a non-frontal migratory character and having maintained its identity for at least 24 hours.

Hurricane season

The portion of the year having a relatively high incidence of hurricanes. In the Atlantic, Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the period from 01 June to 30 November, and in the East Pacific, from 15 May to 30 November.

RSMC MIAMI - HURRICANE CENTER Summary

The 2001 hurricane season featured considerably above-normal activity. Fifteen named storms developed, of which 9 became hurricanes. Four of these became major hurricanes - Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. These numbers well exceeded the long-term averages of 9-10 tropical storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2-3 major hurricanes. There were also 2 tropical depressions that did not become tropical storms. The bulk of the activity occurred after September 1, when 11 named storms formed along with all of the hurricanes. Only the 1887 and 1969 hurricane seasons showed more activity during the September-to November period. The first hurricane did not develop until September 8, which was the latest such occurrence since 1984. Three hurricanes occurred during November, which was the first such occurrence on record.

Major hurricanes Iris and Michelle struck land areas around the Caribbean causing 48 deaths. Michelle also caused damage in . For the second consecutive year there were no hurricane in the , although Tropical Storms Barry and Gabrielle were just under hurricane strength at landfall. caused enormous flooding resulting in 41 direct deaths and billions of dollars in damage.

List of the Tropical Cyclones in 2001

Tropical Cyclone Duration Min Central Pressure Max Wind* (hPa) (mph)

TS Allison 05 Jun 17 Jun 1000 60 TS Barry 02 Aug 07 Aug 990 70 TS Chantal 14 Aug 22 Aug 997 70 TS Dean 22 Aug 28 Aug 994 70 H Erin 01 Sep 15 Sep 965 120 H Felix 06 Sep 18 Sep 965 115 H Gabrielle 11 Sep 19 Sep 975 80 H Humberto 21 Sep 27 Sep 970 105 H Iris 04 Oct 09 Oct 948 145 TS Jerry 06 Oct 08 Oct 1005 50 H Karen 12 Oct 15 Oct 982 80 TS Lorenzo 27 Oct 31 Oct 1007 40 H Michelle 29 Oct 05 Nov 933 140 H Noel 04 Nov 06 Nov 986 75 H Olga 24 Nov 04 Dec 973 90  1 minute wind

TROPICAL STORM ALLISON 5 to 17 June

Allison developed from a disturbance that moved from the eastern Pacific into the Gulf of Mexico. Thunderstorms increased over the western Gulf on June 4, and on the morning of the 5th, the system quickly developed into a tropical storm. Allison reached a maximum intensity of 60 mph that afternoon, then it moved inland over southeast Texas with 50 m. p. h. winds a few hours later. Allison weakened to a depression before stalling over eastern Texas on the 7th. The remnant circulation then drifted southward and emerged over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico on the 9th. Once over water, the system reorganized as a subtropical cyclone before moving inland over Louisiana early on the 11th. Winds increased to 45 mph that morning as the center tracked over southeastern Louisiana and southeastern Mississippi. The system then weakened to a subtropical depression, which tracked east northeastward before stalling over eastern on the 14th. Allison drifted for almost three days before moving northeastward off the mid-Atlantic coast on the 17th. It re-intensified into a subtropical storm over the Atlantic later that day before merging with a cold front. It dissipated on the 19th southeast of . Sea Rim State Park, Texas reported 47 mph sustained winds with gusts to 61 mph. However, the main effect of Allison was extremely heavy rainfall and resulting flooding from eastern Texas across the Gulf states and along the mid-Atlantic coast. Damage estimates are $5 billion or more and there were 41 deaths directly attributable to the storm. The death toll by states is: Texas 23, Florida 8, Pennsylvania 7, Louisiana 1, Mississippi 1, and Virginia 1. Nine more deaths are indirectly associated with Allison. This makes Allison the deadliest and costliest United States tropical storm of record. Most of the damage and fatalities occurred near Houston, Texas, as the Port of Houston reported 36.99 inches of rain and other nearby locations reported more than 30 inches.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE 060512 27.5 95.0 1007 40 TS 060518 28.5 95.3 1002 50 “ 060521 28.9 95.3 1003 45 “ Landfall near Freeport, Texas 060600 29.3 95.3 1003 45 “ 060606 30.1 95.2 1006 30 TD 060612 31.0 95.2 1005 20 “ 060618 31.5 95.0 1005 20 “ 060700 31.6 95.0 1005 20 “ 060706 31.8 94.9 1006 20 “ 060712 31.4 94.9 1006 20 “ 060718 31.1 95.0 1007 15 “ 060800 30.9 95.6 1002 15 “ 060806 30.7 96.1 1004 20 “ 060812 30.4 96.2 1007 20 “ 060818 30.2 96.1 1007 20 “ 060900 29.9 95.9 1007 20 “ 060906 29.6 95.8 1007 20 “ 060912 29.3 95.8 1007 20 “ 060918 28.9 95.6 1008 20 “ 061000 28.6 95.2 1008 20 SuTD 061006 28.6 94.7 1007 25 “ 061012 28.7 94.3 1006 25 “ 061018 28.8 93.5 1006 30 “ 061100 29.1 92.3 1005 30 “ (new center) 061102 29.6 91.6 1004 30 “ landfall near Morgan City, LA 061106 30.0 90.5 1003 35 SuTS 061112 30.7 89.4 1000 40 “ 061118 31.0 88.4 1002 35 “ 061200 31.3 87.4 1004 25 SuTD 061206 31.8 86.1 1005 20 “ 061212 32.4 84.7 1006 20 “ 061218 32.8 83.6 1006 20 “ 061300 33.1 82.6 1006 20 “ 061306 33.4 81.6 1004 25 “ 061312 33.7 80.7 1005 25 “ 061318 34.0 79.6 1006 25 “ 061400 34.3 78.5 1006 25 “ 061406 34.6 77.9 1006 25 “ 061412 34.8 77.7 1007 25 “ 061418 34.6 77.6 1008 25 “ 061500 34.6 77.2 1008 25 “ Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE 061506 34.9 77.0 1008 25 “ 061512 35.5 76.9 1008 25 “ 061518 35.9 76.8 1009 25 “ 061600 36.3 76.6 1007 25 “ 061606 36.6 76.2 1007 25 “ 061612 36.8 75.9 1007 25 “ 061618 37.2 75.5 1006 25 “ 061700 37.8 75.4 1006 25 “ 061706 38.6 74.5 1005 30 “ 061712 39.3 73.4 1004 40 SuTS 061718 40.0 72.1 1005 35 “ 061800 40.6 70.8 1006 30 Extratropical Low 061806 41.3 69.4 1008 30 “ 061812 42.0 67.4 1009 30 “ 061818 42.7 64.6 1011 25 “ 061900 43.5 61.0 1012 20 “ 061906 Dissipated

TROPICAL STORM BARRY 2 to 7 August

Barry formed from a tropical wave over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on August 2. After initially moving west-northwestward, the storm slowed to an erratic drift on the 3rd that continued into the 4th. Strong upper-level winds caused Barry to weaken to a depression early on the 4th. These winds decreased later that day, allowing the cyclone to regain tropical storm strength. Barry moved northward and intensified on the 5th, and it made landfall near Destin, Florida early on the 6th as an estimated 70 m. p. h. tropical storm. It turned northwestward and weakened to a depression over southwestern Alabama, then weakened further to a low over northern Mississippi. The remnants of Barry dissipated over southeastern Missouri on the 8th. The highest winds from official observations were 48 mph with gusts to 78 mph at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. However, unofficial observations indicated sustained winds of 70 to 75 mph with higher gusts. Rainfalls of up to eleven inches occurred in the Florida Panhandle. Barry caused about $30 million damage.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (mb) (kt) STAGE

080212 25.7 84.8 1011 30 TD 080218 26.2 84.9 1010 45 TS 080300 26.4 85.6 1007 40 “ 080306 26.6 86.3 1008 35 “ 080312 26.9 87.0 1007 35 “ 080318 26.8 87.2 1007 35 “ 080400 26.7 87.5 1005 30 TD 080406 26.6 87.8 1005 30 “ 080412 26.9 87.7 1006 30 “ 080418 27.1 87.5 1005 35 TS 080500 27.3 87.3 1003 35 “ 080506 27.5 86.7 1004 40 “ 080512 28.1 86.4 990 50 “ 080518 28.6 86.4 991 60 “ 080600 29.5 86.3 992 60 “ 080605 30.4 86.3 990 60 “ Landfall at Sta. Rosa Beach, Florida 080606 30.6 86.4 991 60 “ Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (mb) (kt) STAGE

080612 31.8 86.9 1007 25 TD 080618 32.7 87.7 1009 20 “ 080700 33.3 88.5 1012 15 “ 080706 34.0 89.1 1015 15 Remnant Low 080712 34.7 89.7 1017 10 “ 080718 35.6 89.8 1018 10 “ 080800 36.6 89.9 1016 10 “ 080806 37.5 90.0 1017 10 “ 080812 Dissipated

TROPICAL STORM CHANTAL 14 to 22 August

Chantal originated from a tropical wave and first became a depression on August 14 about 1500 miles east of the southern . The depression moved rapidly westward and degenerated into an open wave on the 16th, which produced tropical-storm force winds on Martinique as it moved through the . The wave slowed down over the eastern , and when a circulation redeveloped on the 17th it became a tropical storm. Chantal moved westward and briefly had 70 m. p. h. winds on the 19th while south of . The storm weakened later that day, but it re-intensified as it approached and the Yucatan Peninsula. Chantal made landfall near the Belize-Mexico border late on the 20th with 70 mph winds. It weakened to a depression and then dissipated over southeastern Mexico on the 22nd. Caye Caulker, Belize reported a wind gust of 71 mph, while Chetumal, Mexico reported a gust to 62 mph along with 13.41 inches of rain. There were no casualties associated with Chantal as a tropical cyclone. However, lightning associated with the tropical wave caused two deaths in Trinidad. Damage in Belize is estimated at $10 to 15 million. There were no reports of significant damage in Mexico.

Best Track Data

NOTE: Positions and pressures given during the tropical wave stage are representative values for the low-level vorticity center

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

081418 12.8 37.0 1010 25 TD 081500 12.9 39.3 1010 25 “ 081506 12.9 39.3 1010 25 “ 081506 12.6 41.6 1010 25 “ 081512 12.3 43.9 1010 30 “ 081518 12.3 46.3 1010 30 “ 081600 12.4 48.8 1010 30 “ 081606 12.4 51.3 1011 30 “ 081612 12.7 53.9 1012 30 Tropical Wave 081618 12.7 57.2 1012 30 “ 081700 13.1 60.6 1011 35 “ 081706 13.3 62.8 1011 35 “ 081712 13.7 64.6 1010 35 TS 081718 14.2 66.4 1006 35 “ 081800 14.4 68.2 1004 45 “ 081806 14.6 70.4 1003 55 “ 081812 14.8 72.9 1006 50 “ 081818 15.3 75.2 1003 50 “ 081900 15.3 77.2 1002 55 “ 081906 15.4 78.4 997 60 “ 081912 15.7 79.6 1004 60 “ 081918 16.2 81.1 1005 55 “ Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

082000 16.7 82.6 1007 50 “ 082006 17.1 84.1 1008 50 “ 082012 17.5 85.6 1007 50 “ 082018 17.9 86.7 1006 55 “ 082100 18.1 87.7 1000 60 “ 082102 18.1 87.8 999 60 “ Landfall near Mexico/Belize border 082106 18.2 88.1 1000 55 “ 082112 18.4 88.7 1002 45 “ 082118 18.6 89.5 1006 35 “ 082200 18.7 90.3 1007 25 TD 082206 18.4 91.2 1008 25 “ 082212 17.9 92.2 1009 25 “ 082218 Dissipated

TROPICAL STORM DEAN 22 to 28 August

Dean formed from a tropical wave moving across the Leeward and Virgin Islands on August 22. It organized into Tropical Storm Dean just north of the Virgin Islands, when an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that winds were near 60 mph. However, the system soon encountered a hostile environment, and it weakened to a tropical wave north the next day. Dean’s remnants moved mostly northward for the next several days and re-formed into a broad low pressure area. On the 26th, thunderstorm activity became better organized near the center, indicating that it was again acquiring tropical cyclone characteristics. Dean regained tropical storm status late that day about 400 miles north-northeast of . Maximum winds reached 70 mph while Dean moved northeastward on the 27th, and it became extratropical the next day southeast of . St. Croix reported a wind gust to 48 mph, while St. Thomas reported a gust to 47 mph. The ship Lykes Navigator reported 67 mph winds on the 27th, which helped determine that Dean had regained tropical storm status. Locally heavy rains over produced flooding that caused an estimated $2 million damage.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

082212 17.9 64.3 1010 45 TS 082218 19.1 65.9 1009 50 “ 082300 19.8 67.4 1010 50 “ 082306 20.7 68.9 1010 50 “ 082312 21.6 69.8 1012 30 TD 082318 23.0 70.2 1012 25 TW 082400 24.6 70.8 1013 25 Low 082406 26.6 70.7 1013 25 “ 082412 28.6 70.7 1012 25 “ 082418 30.3 70.2 1012 25 “ 082500 31.5 69.4 1011 25 “ 082506 32.7 67.9 1011 25 “ 082512 34.0 66.5 1010 25 “ 082518 35.0 66.0 1008 25 “ 082600 35.0 66.0 1008 25 “ 082606 35.0 66.0 1008 25 “ 082612 35.2 65.5 1008 25 “ 082618 35.5 65.0 1004 30 TD 082700 36.3 63.3 1001 40 TS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

082706 37.7 62.0 1000 50 “ 082712 38.9 60.7 996 55 “ 082718 40.6 59.4 994 60 “ 082800 42.1 57.5 995 60 “ 082806 43.5 56.0 996 55 “ 082812 44.0 53.4 997 50 “ 082818 45.5 50.5 998 45 Extratropical 082900 47.0 48.5 999 45 “ 082906 49.0 45.0 999 45 “ 082912 51.0 40.9 1000 40 “ 082918 Absorbed by Extratropical Low

HURRICANE ERIN 1 to 15 September

Erin formed on September 1 and quickly became a tropical storm about 660 miles west-southwest of the Islands. It moved west northwestward over the next few days, with maximum sustained winds reaching 60 mph on the 3rd. After that, westerly wind shear caused the cyclone to weaken to a tropical wave about 400 miles east of the northern on the 5th. However, a new center formed the next day about 475 miles north-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. The re-born Erin moved north northwestward and strengthened into a tropical storm on the 7th and to a hurricane on the 8th. It passed about 105 miles east of Bermuda on the 9th just before maximum winds reached 120 mph. After a slow recurvature from the 11th to the 13th, Erin accelerated northeastward and passed near Cape Race, Newfoundland on the 14th at just below hurricane strength. It became extratropical shortly thereafter. Cape Race reported 53 mph sustained winds with gusts to 67 mph, while Bermuda reported a gust of 41 mph. Erin brought rainfalls of up to five inches in portions of Newfoundland. No damages or casualties were reported.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE 090118 12.5 34.3 1006 30 TD 090200 12.9 35.9 1005 30 “ 090206 13.2 37.5 1002 40 TS 090212 13.5 39.0 1003 45 “ 090218 14.1 40.6 1003 45 “ 090300 14.7 42.2 1003 45 “ 090306 15.3 43.7 1003 50 “ 090312 15.9 45.3 1003 50 “ 090318 16.3 47.1 1002 40 “ 090400 16.7 48.7 1002 40 “ 090406 17.0 50.3 1000 45 “ 090412 17.0 52.0 1000 45 “ 090418 17.2 53.4 1000 45 “ 090500 17.4 54.8 1000 45 “ 090506 17.8 55.9 1000 45 “ 090512 18.1 57.0 1013 35 “ 090518 19.0 57.9 1014 25 Low Pressure Area 090600 20.1 58.1 1015 15 “ 090606 21.2 58.2 1015 15 “ 090612 22.2 58.3 1015 20 “ 090618 23.2 58.4 1013 25 Reformed TD 090700 23.9 58.1 1012 25 “ 090706 24.4 57.6 1008 30 “ 090712 24.9 57.8 1008 30 “ 090718 25.3 58.0 1005 35 TS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE 090800 26.0 58.3 1004 35 “ 090806 26.5 58.8 999 40 “ 090812 27.2 59.2 999 45 “ 090818 28.4 59.8 994 60 “ 090900 29.7 60.4 987 75 H 090906 30.6 61.3 982 90 “ 090912 31.5 62.2 979 95 “ 090918 32.4 62.8 968 105 “ 091000 33.3 63.3 969 105 “ 091006 34.2 64.1 969 105 “ 091012 34.9 64.7 969 100 “ 091018 35.7 65.4 970 90 “ 091100 36.4 65.7 973 80 “ 091106 36.9 65.9 976 80 “ 091112 37.4 65.6 976 80 “ 091118 37.8 65.1 976 80 “ 091200 38.0 64.3 976 80 “ 091206 38.0 63.3 979 75 “ 091212 37.9 62.6 979 75 “ 091218 37.9 62.0 979 75 “ 091300 38.1 61.4 979 75 “ 091306 38.3 61.0 982 70 “ 093112 38.8 60.6 982 70 “ 091318 39.6 60.2 982 70 “ 091400 40.6 59.3 982 70 “ 091406 42.0 58.1 987 65 “ 091412 43.3 56.7 987 65 “ 091418 44.7 55.2 984 65 “ 091500 46.7 52.7 981 60 TS 091506 49.0 51.0 981 60 Extratropical 091512 52.0 49.0 978 55 “ 091518 55.0 47.5 976 55 “ 091600 58.0 46.0 972 55 “ 091606 60.0 44.5 976 55 “ 091612 61.5 42.0 981 55 “ 091618 63.0 38.9 985 50 “ 091700 65.0 35.0 995 40 “ 091706 Merged

HURRICANE FELIX 6 to 18 September

Felix first developed into a depression on September 7 southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. Late on the 8th, the westward-moving depression encountered strong shear and weakened to a tropical wave. As the wave continued westward, the shear relaxed enough to allow a new center to form early on the 10th about 1000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. This made the system the season’s fourth tropical cyclone to die in the deep tropics and then regenerate. The depression tracked steadily west-northwestward and became Tropical Storm Felix on the 11th. During the next two days Felix turned northwestward and then northward, becoming a hurricane late on the 12th. Maximum winds reached 115 mph as Felix curved northeastward late on the 13th. Slow weakening occurred thereafter. Felix turned eastward on the 15th and continued this motion until it weakened back to a tropical storm on the 17th, at which time it stalled about 350 miles southwest of the Azores. Increasing shear and cooler waters caused Felix to weaken to a depression early on the 18th and to dissipate later that day about 400 miles southwest of the Azores.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

090718 13.9 28.4 1008 30 TD 090800 14.4 29.5 1007 30 “ 090806 14.8 31.0 1007 30 “ 090812 15.0 33.0 1008 30 “ 090818 15.0 35.1 1009 25 TW 090900 15.0 37.0 1009 25 “ 090906 15.0 38.7 1009 25 “ 090912 15.0 40.2 1009 25 “ 090918 15.0 41.7 1009 25 “ 091000 15.2 43.1 1009 25 “ 091006 16.0 43.7 1008 30 TD 091012 16.5 44.8 1008 30 “ 091018 16.9 45.8 1007 30 “ 091100 17.3 46.8 1006 30 “ 091106 17.8 47.4 1004 30 “ 091112 18.6 47.7 1003 35 TS 091118 19.4 48.0 1003 35 “ 091200 20.2 48.4 1000 40 “ 091206 21.0 48.8 998 45 “ 091212 22.0 48.9 994 55 “ 091218 22.9 49.0 993 60 “ 091300 23.9 48.9 987 65 H 091306 24.8 48.6 979 75 “ 091312 25.9 48.4 972 85 “ 091318 27.1 48.0 966 95 “ 091400 28.2 47.2 962 100 “ 091406 29.3 46.6 962 100 “ 091412 30.1 45.5 966 95 “ 091418 30.9 44.3 970 90 “ 091500 31.2 42.8 970 90 “ 091506 31.5 41.4 970 90 “ 091512 31.7 39.5 970 90 “ 091518 32.1 37.6 975 85 “ 091600 32.1 36.0 975 85 “ 091606 32.6 34.8 976 80 “ 091612 33.4 33.3 977 75 “ 091618 34.3 32.4 979 70 “ 091700 35.1 32.0 981 70 “ 091706 35.4 31.7 983 65 “ 091712 35.3 31.5 985 60 TS 091718 35.2 31.8 990 55 “ 091800 35.0 32.0 995 45 “ 091806 34.8 32.0 998 40 “ 091812 34.7 31.9 1001 35 “ 091818 34.7 31.7 1002 30 TD 091900 34.6 31.6 1002 25 “ 091906 Dissipated

HURRICANE GABRIELLE 11 to 19 September

Gabrielle formed over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on September 11. After looping slowly for two days, it turned northeastward on the 13th as it became a tropical storm. Gabrielle moved inland near Venice, Florida on the 14th as an estimated 70-m. p. h. tropical storm. The storm moved northeastward into the Atlantic near Cape Canaveral, Florida on the 15th. Gabrielle continued northeastward and became an 80-mph hurricane on the 17th while located about 250 miles north of Bermuda. It weakened to a tropical storm on the 18th and became extratropical the next day about 330 miles south of Cape Race. A marine laboratory at New Pass, Florida reported 59 mph sustained winds, while a buoy off the southwest Florida coast reported 51 mph sustained winds with a gust to 98 mph. Coastal storm surge flooding of up to 5 feet above normal occurred along the central Florida west coast. Over 10 inches of rain caused major flooding in west-central Florida and along the lower St. Johns River. Gabrielle also dropped up to 6 inches of rain on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland. One drowning death at the Alabama coastline is attributed to Gabrielle, and the storm caused $230 million damage in Florida.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

091118 25.8 84.1 1010 25 TD 091200 25.7 84.6 1009 25 “ 091206 25.7 85.0 1008 25 “ 091212 25.6 85.3 1008 25 “ 091218 25.4 85.4 1007 30 “ 091300 25.1 85.7 1005 30 “ 091306 25.2 85.3 1005 30 “ 091312 25.3 84.9 1003 35 TS 091318 25.4 84.5 998 40 “ 091400 25.4 84.1 997 45 “ 091406 25.8 83.6 992 50 “ 091412 27.1 82.6 983 60 “ landfall near Venice, Florida 091418 28.0 81.8 994 45 “ 091500 28.6 81.4 995 40 “ 091506 28.6 80.9 995 40 “ 091512 28.9 80.1 998 40 “ 091518 29.8 79.0 999 45 “ 091600 30.4 77.9 998 50 “ 091606 30.8 76.8 998 50 “ 091612 31.6 74.9 995 55 “ 091618 32.3 72.8 995 55 “ 091700 33.1 70.7 991 65 H 091706 34.0 68.5 991 65 “ 091712 35.3 66.6 983 70 “ 091718 36.2 64.7 983 70 “ 091800 36.9 62.9 987 60 TS 091806 37.9 61.8 990 55 “ 091812 39.0 60.4 990 55 “ 091818 40.2 58.9 980 60 “ 091900 41.5 57.5 975 60 “ 091906 42.8 55.5 976 55 Extratropical 091912 43.5 54.0 978 60 “ 091918 46.5 52.0 986 60 “ 092000 48.5 48.5 988 60 “ 092006 50.0 46.0 986 60 “ 092012 52.0 43.0 984 60 “ 092018 54.0 40.0 981 65 “ 092100 55.0 37.5 981 65 “ 092106 55.0 35.0 981 65 “ 092112 56.0 32.5 984 60 “ 092118 57.5 31.0 987 55 “ 092200 merged with another extratropical storm

HURRICANE HUMBERTO 21 to 27 September

Humberto formed on September 21 about 490 miles south of Bermuda from a trough trailing from Gabrielle. It moved northwestward and strengthened into a tropical storm on the 22nd. On the 23rd Humberto gradually turned northward and became a hurricane, passing about 140 miles west of Bermuda. Winds reached 100 mph early on the 24th, followed by some weakening as Humberto turned northeastward. The cyclone re-intensified on the 26th, and maximum winds reached 105 mph while Humberto was centered about 200 miles south-southeast of Sable Island, Nova Scotia. The hurricane turned eastward and weakened to a tropical storm on the 27th. Humberto became extratropical later that day, and the remnant circulation was eventually absorbed by a larger low over the far north Atlantic.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

092112 25.1 64.2 1012 25 TD 092118 25.8 65.0 1012 25 “ 092200 26.5 65.5 1010 25 “ 092206 27.2 65.9 1010 30 “ 092212 27.9 66.3 1007 40 TS 092218 28.6 66.7 998 50 “ 092300 29.3 67.0 995 55 “ 092306 30.1 67.3 994 55 “ 092312 31.0 67.5 990 65 H 092318 31.9 67.4 986 80 “ 092400 32.8 67.1 983 85 “ 092406 33.8 66.8 989 75 “ 092412 35.0 66.3 990 70 “ 092418 35.9 65.4 991 70 “ 092500 36.8 64.3 992 65 “ 092506 37.7 63.4 992 65 “ 092512 38.5 62.4 992 65 “ 092512 38.5 62.4 992 65 “ 092518 39.2 61.6 990 65 “ 092600 39.6 60.7 990 65 “ 092606 40.4 60.3 980 75 “ 092612 41.0 59.2 970 90 “ 092618 41.8 57.5 977 80 “ 092700 42.2 54.6 987 70 “ 092706 42.4 51.3 991 65 “ 092712 42.2 47.5 994 60 TS 092718 41.5 44.5 996 45 “ 092800 Dissipated

HURRICANE IRIS 4 to 9 October

Iris developed from a tropical wave near the Windward Islands on October 4. It moved west northwestward into the Caribbean Sea and became a tropical storm on the 6th. Iris turned westward and reached hurricane status on the 7th just south of the Barahona Peninsula of the . The hurricane passed near the southern coast of Jamaica, then it rapidly intensified over the western Caribbean. Maximum winds reached 145 mph just before landfall near Monkey River Town in southern Belize on the evening of the 8th. Iris weakened rapidly after landfall and dissipated over eastern Mexico on the 9th. Although Iris was a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale at landfall, the core was small and severe damage from winds and an 8 to 15 ft storm surge was concentrated within a 70 mile wide area of southern Belize. Iris caused at least 31 deaths - 20 from the boat M/V Wave Dancer which capsized near Big Creek, Belize. Damage in Belize is estimated at $66 million.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

100412 12.3 58.2 1011 25 TD 100418 12.8 59.9 1010 30 “ 100500 13.4 61.4 1010 30 “ 100506 14.0 63.0 1010 30 “ 100512 14.8 64.5 1008 35 TS 100518 15.5 66.0 1005 45 “ 100600 15.7 67.7 1001 50 “ 100606 16.0 69.0 998 55 “ 100612 16.5 70.5 998 55 “ 100618 16.9 72.2 992 65 H 100700 16.9 74.0 993 75 “ 100706 16.9 75.3 989 75 “ 100712 17.3 77.0 989 75 “ 100718 17.4 78.9 991 75 “ 100800 17.3 80.6 998 80 “ 100806 17.2 82.3 963 90 “ 100812 17.1 84.0 950 120 “ 100818 16.8 86.0 950 115 “ 100900 16.5 88.0 948 125 “ 100902 16.3 88.4 948 125 landfall near Monkey River Town, Belize 100906 16.2 89.9 1005 60 “ 100912 16.2 91.9 1004 30 TD 100918 Dissipated

TROPICAL STORM JERRY 6 to 8 October

Jerry developed from a tropical wave on October 6 about 620 miles east-southeast of . It reached tropical storm strength later that day. Jerry moved through the Windward Islands with 50 mph winds on the 7th and 8th. Jerry then became disorganized in the eastern Caribbean Sea and dissipated late on the 8th. Caravelle on Martinique reported 45 mph sustained winds with gusts to 58 mph. There are no reports of damages or casualties.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed STAGE MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt)

100612 10.6 50.6 1008 25 TD 100618 10.8 52.1 1007 30 “ 100700 11.0 53.8 1007 35 TS 100706 11.3 55.7 1007 40 “ 100712 11.7 57.7 1007 45 “ 100718 12.5 59.5 1007 45 “ 100800 13.1 60.2 1006 45 “ 100806 13.8 62.0 1004 45 “ 100812 14.2 64.0 1007 35 “ 100818 14.5 66.0 1008 25 TD 100900 Dissipated

HURRICANE KAREN 12 to 15 October

Karen formed from a frontal system that stalled a couple hundred miles southeast of Bermuda on October 10. A low formed on the 11th, which became a subtropical storm as it tracked northwestward near Bermuda early on the 12th. The storm turned northward later that day. It then became better organized, transforming into Tropical Storm Karen early on the 13th and becoming a hurricane later that day. Karen moved northward for the next 2 days, with maximum winds reaching 80 mph early on the 14th. It made landfall in western Nova Scotia on the 15th as a 45-mph tropical storm. Karen became extratropical as it then tracked northeastward toward western Newfoundland where it merged with a large mid-latitude low pressure system. Official observations on Bermuda included 67 mph sustained winds with gusts to 90 mph. There were unofficial reports of sustained winds near 75 mph with gusts over 100 mph. These winds caused tree and power line damage leaving more than 23,000 people without power and causing a cruise ship to break anchor at the height of the storm. Heavy rainfall occurred over much of Nova Scotia and western Newfoundland. Up to 6 inches of rain fell in less than 12 hours near Cape Race, and the worst flooding in 100 years occurred in St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

101106 27.5 63.0 1009 30 Extratropical Low 101112 29.8 62.5 1003 35 “ 101118 30.8 63.5 998 45 “ 101200 31.8 64.7 991 60 SuTS 101206 32.2 65.8 988 60 “ 101212 32.8 65.8 988 60 “ 101218 33.5 66.3 988 60 “ 101300 34.2 66.1 988 60 “ 101306 34.9 65.3 988 60 TS 101312 36.2 64.8 989 60 “ 101318 37.3 64.6 985 65 H 101400 37.9 64.0 985 65 “ 101406 38.6 63.7 982 70 “ 101412 39.3 63.9 988 60 TS 101418 40.1 64.1 992 55 “ 101500 40.9 64.4 995 50 “ 101506 42.3 65.0 997 45 “ 101512 44.2 64.8 998 40 “ Landfall near Western Head, Nova Scotia 101518 48.0 62.0 1002 40 Extratropical Low 101600 Absorbed by larger Extratropical Low

TROPICAL STORM LORENZO 27 to 31 October

Lorenzo formed from a non-tropical low in the eastern Atlantic. The low became a tropical depression on October 27 about 850 miles southwest of the Azores and moved slowly westward. Late on the 29th it reached minimal tropical storm strength about 1,250 miles west-southwest of the Azores. Lorenzo turned to the northwest and then to the north on the 30th with little change in strength. Accelerating rapidly to the north-northeast early on the 31st, Lorenzo lost tropical characteristics ahead of an approaching cold front about 700 miles west of the Azores.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

102712 27.2 34.9 1010 30 TD 102718 27.5 36.1 1009 30 “ 102800 27.5 37.4 1009 30 “ 102806 27.5 38.7 1009 30 “ 102812 27.5 39.8 1009 30 “ 102818 27.5 41.0 1009 30 “ 102900 27.2 41.3 1009 30 “ 102906 27.7 41.9 1009 30 “ 102912 27.8 42.7 1009 30 “ 102918 28.0 43.7 1009 30 “ 103000 28.5 44.6 1007 35 TS 103006 29.4 45.5 1007 35 “ 103012 30.9 45.6 1007 35 “ 103018 32.8 46.0 1008 35 “ 103100 347.9 44.9 1008 35 “ 103106 37.4 43.1 1008 35 “ 103112 Merged with Frontal System

HURRICANE MICHELLE 29 October to 5 November

Michelle, a classical late-season hurricane, started as a broad low associated with a tropical wave in the southwestern Caribbean Sea. It developed into a tropical depression on October 29 along the east coast of . The depression meandered over northeastern Nicaragua for two days. Late on the 31st it moved into the northwestern Caribbean Sea and became Tropical Storm Michelle. The cyclone moved slowly north northwestward for the next two days as it strengthened into a hurricane. The hurricane turned slowly northward on November 3 and then turned northeastward on the 4th as maximum winds reached 140 mph. Later that day. Michelle hit western as a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. A weakening Michelle continued northeastward through the Bahamas on the 5th and became extratropical over the southwestern Atlantic on the 6th. Michelle was the strongest hurricane to hit Cuba since 1952 and left a trail of damage and death from Central America to the Bahamas. Cayo Largo, Cuba reported 124 mph sustained winds with gusts to 130 mph along with a 9 to 10 ft storm surge. Nassau, Bahamas reported a peak gust of 88 mph. Winds of 40 to 50 mph with higher gusts occurred over portions of south Florida. Seventeen deaths are associated with the hurricane, including 6 in , 5 in Cuba, 4 in Nicaragua, and 2 in Jamaica. Widespread damage occurred over portions of central and western Cuba with additional damage in the Bahamas. Widespread heavy rains over Central America and the northwest Caribbean caused extensive flooding and mud slides in portions of Nicaragua, Honduras, Jamaica, and . Minor damage was reported in the and south Florida.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (mb) (kt) STAGE

102918 13.3 83.6 1004 30 TD 103000 13.7 83.6 1004 30 “ 103006 13.7 84.1 1005 30 “ Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (mb) (kt) STAGE

103012 13.3 83.9 1005 30 “ 103018 13.0 83.5 1006 30 “ 103100 13.7 83.6 1004 30 “ 103106 14.3 83.4 1005 30 “ 103112 14.8 83.2 1004 30 “ 103118 15.3 83.1 1004 30 “ 110100 15.8 83.1 1001 35 TS 110106 16.5 83.4 999 45 “ 110112 16.8 83.6 995 50 “ 110118 17.0 83.8 993 50 “ 110200 17.3 83.9 991 55 “ 110206 17.5 83.9 988 60 “ 110212 17.8 84.0 979 70 H 110218 18.0 84.0 969 80 “ 110300 18.5 84.0 957 90 “ 110306 18.8 84.3 942 105 “ 110312 18.9 84.3 937 115 “ 110318 19.3 84.1 934 110 “ 1103/21 19.4 83.9 933 110 “ 110400 19.7 83.7 938 115 “ 110406 20.1 83.3 944 120 “ 110412 20.8 82.5 947 120 “ 110418 21.5 81.8 949 120 “ Landfall at Cayo Largo, Cuba 110423 22.1 81.2 950 115 “ Landfall at , Cuba 110500 22.3 80.9 953 105 “ 110506 23.1 79.7 972 80 “ 110512 24.3 78.0 974 80 “ Landfall at Andros Island, Bahamas 110518 25.4 76.4 980 75 “ Landfall at Eleuthera Island, Bahamas 110600 26.3 74.5 980 75 Extratropical 110606 26.9 72.6 980 75 “ 110612 27.3 69.7 984 65 “ 110618 28.7 66.5 989 55 “ 110700 Absorbed by frontal system

HURRICANE NOEL 4 to 6 November

Noel developed from another Atlantic non-tropical low. It became a subtropical storm on November 4 about 890 miles south of Cape Race. The northward-moving cyclone acquired more tropical characteristics and became a hurricane on the 5th, as shown by a report of 75 mph winds from the ship Tellus. Noel soon weakened to a tropical storm and, while accelerating northward, lost tropical characteristics on the 6th about 330 miles southeast of Cape Race. It was soon absorbed by another extratropical low.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

110400 33.9 50.4 988 45 SuTS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

110406 34.1 50.4 990 45 “ 110412 34.3 50.4 993 45 “ 110418 35.2 50.3 993 50 “ 110500 36.1 50.1 991 55 “ 110506 37.0 50.1 988 60 “ 110512 37.8 50.3 986 65 H 110518 38.8 50.2 986 65 “ 110600 39.7 49.7 990 60 TS 110606 41.3 49.2 994 55 “ 110612 43.0 48.5 996 50 Extratropical 110618 45.0 48.0 1000 50 “ 110700 Absorbed by Extratropical Low

HURRICANE OLGA 24 November to 4 December

Olga formed from yet another non-tropical low that became a subtropical storm about 900 miles east-southeast of Bermuda on November 24. The storm moved northwestward to westward for a day or so as it acquired tropical characteristics. It became a hurricane about 500 miles east of Bermuda on the 26th. Olga made two counterclockwise loops from the 26th to the 28th, during which time maximum winds reached 90 mph. It then moved southwestward, weakening to a tropical storm on the 29th and a depression on the 30th. Olga turned northwestward late on December 1. It then turned north-northwestward and regained tropical storm strength on the 2nd. The cyclone turned eastward on the 3rd and again weakened to a depression on the 4th. It dissipated later that day about 700 miles east of Nassau. The only known damage from Olga was to the sailing yacht Manana Tres which encountered the center on November 24. Swells generated by Olga affected portions of the U.S. east coast, the Bahamas, the and northeastern Caribbean islands.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

112306 30.5 51.0 1003 25 Extratropical 112312 30.2 51.0 1000 25 “ 112318 29.7 50.7 994 30 “ 112400 29.3 50.3 990 50 SuTS 112406 29.3 50.0 990 50 “ 112412 29.5 49.8 98.9 50 TS 112418 30.3 49.5 989 50 “ 112500 31.3 50.6 989 50 “ 112506 31.8 52.0 989 50 “ 112512 31.7 53.5 989 55 “ 112518 30.8 55.0 987 60 “ 112600 30.3 55.3 979 60 “ 112606 30.1 55.6 979 60 “ 112612 30.6 55.9 979 65 H 112618 31.1 56.0 977 65 “ 112700 32.1 56.2 975 75 “ 112706 32.6 57.0 973 80 “ 112712 31.5 57.2 974 80 “ 112718 32.0 56.0 975 75 “ 112800 32.3 55.8 975 75 “ 112806 32.6 55.7 975 75 “ 112812 32.4 56.2 977 75 “ 112818 31.4 57.0 979 70 “ Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

112900 30.3 57.6 987 65 “ 112906 29.3 58.7 990 60 TS 112912 28.4 60.1 992 60 “ 112918 27.3 61.8 994 55 “ 113000 26.2 63.2 998 45 “ 113006 25.3 64.7 1001 35 “ 113012 24.5 66.2 1003 30 TD 113018 23.7 67.1 1004 30 “ 120100 23.4 67.7 1004 30 “ 120106 23.1 68.0 1005 30 “ 120112 22.8 68.3 1004 30 “ 120118 23.0 68.6 1004 30 “ 120200 23.4 68.9 1003 35 TS 120206 24.3 68.9 1003 35 “ 120212 25.5 69.2 1001 40 “ 120218 26.4 69.5 1001 40 “ 120300 27.0 69.7 1004 35 “ 120306 27.4 69.9 1005 35 “ 120312 27.8 69.9 1005 35 “ 120318 27.7 69.6 1005 35 “ 120400 27.7 69.1 1006 30 TD 120406 27.8 68.2 1006 30 “ 120412 27.8 68.0 1006 30 “ 120418 27.0 67.4 1006 30 “ 120500 Dissipated

RSMC Nadi - Tropical Cyclone Centre

Director: Mr Rajendra Prasad

TCWC – Brisbane & Darwin

TCWC - Wellington

Classification of Cyclonic Disturbances

English French

Classification of weather Classification des perturbations disturbances météorologiques

Tropical depression < 34 knots Dépression tropicale faible

34 knots < Tropical cyclone (gale) < 48 knots Dépression tropicale modérée

48 knots < Tropical cyclone (storm) < 64 knots Dépression tropicale forte

64 knots < Tropical cyclone (hurricane) Cyclone tropical Severe tropical cyclone

______

Cyclone Season: The period of the year with a relatively high incidence of tropical cyclones. In the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean, it is the period from 1 November to 30 April. (Note: cyclones occasionally occur outside of this period.)

Special Advisories for National Meteorological Centres

RSMC Nadi-Tropical Cyclone Centre** is responsible for providing special advisory messages for use by the Tropical Cyclone Operational Centre, the National Meteorological Service and the US National Weather Service Office (WSO) Pago Pago, American Samoa in the preparation of warnings and advices.

Brisbane Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) is responsible for providing special advisory messages for use by National Meteorological Centre in Solomon Islands in the preparation of warnings and advises.

FORECASTS AND WARNINGS FOR THE OPEN SEA

In accordance with Annex VI of WMO Technical Regulations (WMO Manual on Marine Meteorological Services), the responsibility for the preparation of marine tropical cyclone forecasts and warnings in the South Pacific and South-east Indian Ocean is shared amongst Members as follows:

Warning centre Boundary of area with prime responsibility

Brisbane TCWC* 05S 160E, 08S 155E, 12S 155E, 12S 147E, 09S 144E, 10S 141E, 14S 138E, 32S 138E, 32S 160E, 05S 160E. Darwin TCWC*+ EQ 125E, 15S 125E, 15S 129E, 32S 129E, 32S 138E, 14S 138E, 10S 141E, EQ 141E, EQ 125E. RSMC Nadi 25S 160E, 25S 120W, EQ 120W, EQ 160E, 25S 160E. Perth TCWC 10S 090E, 36S 090E, 36S 129E, 15S 129E, 15S 125E, 10S 125E, 10S 090E. Port Moresby TCWC EQ 141E, 10S 141E, 09S 144E, 12S 147E, 2S 155E, 08S 155E, 05S 160E, EQ 160E, EQ 141E. Wellington 25S 160E, 25S 120W, 40S 120W, 40S 160E, 25S 160E.

* Used by Fiji ** Used by Australia and Papua New Guinea + Used by Australia and Fiji *** Used by Australia

RSMC NADI-TROPICAL CYCLONE CENTRE

SUMMARY 2000-2001 Season

A summary is presented of tropical cyclone activity during the 2000/2001 Tropical Cyclone Season for the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi - Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi-TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR) covering from to 25°South Latitude and 60°East to 120°West Longitude.

Tropical Cyclone activity during the 2000/2001 Tropical Cyclone Season in the RSMC Nadi AOR was well below average with the occurrence of a total of only four tropical cyclones. This was a continuation of the downward trend since the 1997-98 TC Season (refer Figure 1) when the region was arguably at its most active phase, at least in the last 20 years or so. Of the four tropical cyclones that formed, only one attained hurricane force intensity.

Perhaps intriguing, though not unique, the first half of the 2000/2001 Season (November, December and January) was tropical cyclone-free. From records available, the last time this occurred was during the 1944/1945 TC Season about 56 years ago.

ENSO generally hovered about the neutral during the 2000/2001 Tropical Cyclone Season, a pattern it assumed since mid-1998, after recovering from one of its coldest episodes to date. Monthly values of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) (refer Figure 2) were +22 in November, +8 in December, +9 in January, +12 in February, +7 in March, 0 in April and -9 in May. Neutrality was perhaps better reflected in the fact that two of the total four cyclones developed over the Coral Sea region, while the other two, to the east of the Dateline (refer Table 1).

As in the last Season, both tropical cyclones developing east of the Dateline formed further south than their counterparts in the Coral Sea region. This was attributed to the persistence of the cold Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomaly about the equatorial region, east of the Dateline. Additionally, Oma and Rita did not undergo extra-tropical transition till well into the sub-tropics, as opposed to Paula and Sose. This was, to a greater extent, the consequence of the northward migration of the colder SST anomaly together with stronger upper westerlies west of the Dateline throughout the Season.

TC Oma was more of a hybrid, developing off a tropical upper tropospheric trough (tutt), rather than a spin-up, in a high-vorticity strip of the monsoon trough.

List of the Tropical Cyclones in 2001

Tropical Duration Max Wind (kt) Cyclone (UTC dates)

TC Oma 20 Feb 10 Jan 55 (06UTC 21 Feb) STC Paula 26 Feb 27 Jan 95 (00UTC 02 Mar) TC Rita 01 Mar 29 Feb 45 (06UTC 02 Mar) TC Sose 05 Apr 11 Apr 60 (00UTC 08 Apr)

Figure 1: Tropical Cyclone Activity in RSMC Nadi AOR in the last 10 Seasons.

16 14 12 10 8 6 No. of TCs 4 2 0

90-91 92-93 94-95 96-97 98-99 00-01

Figure 2: Southern Oscillation Index values vs 5-Month Running Means for the period January 1996 to September 2001.

Reference:

Australian Bureau of Meteorology web site, http://www.bom.gov.au/, for Monthly SOI values and 5-month running mean, from 1996 to September 2001.

Verification Statistics

Position forecast verification statistics for each cyclone (Table 2) were derived by comparing the initial and forecast positions (given in warnings issued by RSMC Nadi-TCC) with post analysis ‘best track’ positions. It must be noted here, that the Australian Tropical Cyclone Workstation (ATCW) verification programme, which is used by RSMC Nadi, is sensitive to insufficient data. Consequently, Oma could not be verified, beyond the 12-hour forecast positions.

Overall, initial position errors for individual cyclones showed a general decrease, at least for the past five seasons. However, the large error contributed by Oma, by virtue of being a hybrid developing under strong vertical shear, kept the aggregate to within similar values as those for the past seasons.

At 12 hours, the aggregate revealed forecasts performing better than persistence. This has shown a marked improvement, despite the large errors associated with Oma, when compared with the past five seasons.

Again, at 24-hours, the aggregate reveal that forecasts showed skill over persistence. Compared with the previous five seasons, position forecast errors have maintained a significant decreasing trend.

Table 2. Position forecast verification statistics for official warnings issued by RSMC Nadi. Forecast positions are verified against the official best track. Persistence errors (in brackets) are included for comparison. Oma could not be verified beyond 12 hours due insufficient data.

Lead-time 0 hours 12 hours 24 hours Name Mean error Number Mean error Number Mean error (km) Number (km) (km) Oma 110 17 143(247) 5 - - Paula 19 23 80(107) 18 176(258) 15 Rita 19 14 120(120) 10 163(219) 18 Sose 18 22 98(90) 19 170(245) 17 Aggregate 39 76 100(117) 54 180(278) 46

In Table 3, the radius of the circles (centred on the centroid of the errors) containing 50% of the operational initial positions, is smaller than 0.5 degree of latitude (55.5 km) for all cases, except for Oma. The aggregate, however, revealed a value within the threshold. Therefore the warning positions could have been given as "Position Good", most of the time.

The forecast error centroids and size of the radius of the 50% circle (centred on the centroid of the errors) indicate bias and consistency of bias in the forecast positions, as reflected by Oma. Sose’s relatively large easterly bias was attributed to difficulty in forecasting the cyclone’s southwest turn when it was persistently heading southeast.

Table 3. Centroid of errors for initial (0-hour lead time), 12-hour and 24-hour forecast positions given in warnings issued by RSMC Nadi with the radius of the circle enclosing 50% of the positions. All distances are in kilometres.

Lead-time 0 hours 12 hours 24 hours Centroid Radius of Centroid Radius of Centroid Radius of Name E-wd, N-wd 50% circle E-wd, N-wd 50% circle E-wd, N-wd 50% circle Oma* -14, 39 94 -98, 73 108 - - Paula -4, -2 24 -33, -8 69 -107, -10 129 Rita 5, -6 30 4, -54 101 14, -73 148 Sose 8, 2 15 74,6 65 159, 10 111 Aggregate -1, 7 53 7, -6 97 -4, 11 173 * Oma could not be verified beyond 12 hours due to insufficient data. NOTE: In the discussions that follows, distances are in nautical miles (nm = nautical mile = 1.15 statutory mile) and wind speeds are 10-minute averages.

TROPICAL CYCLONE OMA (08F) 20 to 22 February

The first tropical cyclone of the 2000/2001 Tropical Cyclone Season in RSMC Nadi’s AOR developed from an upper-level cut-off low (TUTT) which spun its way down to the surface about 300 nm west-northwest of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands around 19/1800 UTC. Prevailing conditions at the time were quite favourable for cyclogenesis, with warm SSTs around 30ºC and weakly sheared environment. Through the night hours of the 20th, 08F underwent very rapid development, with deep convection erupting over the Low-Level Circulation Centre (LLCC) (exposed during the previous daylight hours). Cloud tops steadily cooled while the whole convective concentration increased spatially. Cold convective bands were also seen to wrap tightly around the LLCC. Subsequently the system was named around 20/1800 UTC while located about 180 nm southwest of Rarotonga and moving towards the southeast at about 10 to 15 knots. However, in retrospect, TC Oma could have been named before 20/1200 UTC.

Oma then accelerated to about 20 knots toward the southeast, rapidly intensifying to reach storm intensity at 21/0000 UTC. Peak intensity of 55 knots was attained six hours later at 21/0600 UTC. However, 6 hours further on, it was downgraded to a gale at 21/1200 UTC. It was around this time, as the cyclone was rapidly moving towards New Zealand's AOR under a strong northwesterly steering regime, that primary responsibility for warnings was subsequently handed over to RSMC Wellington. Oma was declared extra-tropical at 22/1200 UTC, some 1000 nm south-southeast of Rarotonga.

The first Special Weather Bulletin for Rarotonga and Mangaia in the Southern Cooks was issued around 20/2053 UTC, when Oma was about 180nm to the southwest of Rarotonga. Against initial expectations, suddenly developed over these islands, when very strong surface convergence, and subsequent active convection, erupted in the general eastern semi- circle. Maximum winds recorded at Rarotonga were gale force with gusts to 70 knots. Despite this, damage over the Southern Cooks was mainly to crops, vegetation and a couple of houses used for outside cooking, unroofed.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°S) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

022106 24.1 160.0 50 TC 022118 27.6 156.0 45 TC 022206 32.6 150.2 45 TC

SEVERE TROPICAL (09F) 26 February to 04 March

Tropical Depression (09F) was first identified embedded in an active monsoon trough just south of the Solomons, or about 210 nm northwest of in Vanuatu, at 25/1800 UTC. It was then lying under an upper centre and drifting slowly southeast. Shear was minimal. SST was around 30º C. By 26/0000 UTC, due to a surge in surface flux, convection suddenly erupted close to the LLCC though it was confined to the northern and eastern quadrants. Convective bands also began to wrap around the LLCC with increased curvature. With deep convection around the centre expanding spatially and cooling further, atmospheric pressures at the surface dropped steadily. QuikScat and SSM/I data on the local evening of the 26th confirmed that gales were persisting in the northeastern semicircle of the system. Consequently, 09F was named Tropical Cyclone Paula at 26/1200 UTC while located about 120 nm northwest of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu.

Paula was then moving southeast at about 10 knots with gales confined to within 90 nm of the centre in the northeastern semicircle, but rapidly intensifying. The system then began to rotate in a clockwise loop under a weak steering current. Six hours later, at 27/0000 UTC, Paula reached storm category. By 27/0600 UTC and while completing the loop, the cyclone developed a small CDO with a ragged eye-like feature. At 27/1200 UTC hurricane intensity was attained as the eye was becoming better defined with marked increase in overall organisation and convection. The cyclone was then located about 90 nm northwest of Espiritu Santo and beginning to accelerate southeast while still intensifying.

With a slightly cloud-filled eye, Paula moved across Vanuatu, making landfall just north of around 28/1200 UTC with winds of 85 knots close to the centre. Special Advisories for Vanuatu commenced around 25/2344 UTC, some two and a half days earlier, when it was anticipated that TD-09F would reach tropical cyclone status within the next 12 to 24 hours and pose a threat to the country. The final one was issued at 0230 UTC on March 1st. In all, fourteen Special Advisories were issued for Vanuatu at six hourly intervals.

Fiji was first put on Tropical Cyclone Alert in the first Special Weather Bulletin, issued around 28/0330 UTC, when it was anticipated that Paula could move reasonably close to the country and possibly cause damaging gale-force winds or stronger by early March 2nd. This was later upgraded to a Tropical Cyclone Warning with prediction of Damaging Gale Force Winds for Southwest Viti Levu, Yasawa and Kadavu around 28/1730 UTC when the need became apparent. Vatulele, Beqa and nearby smaller islands, as well as Lomaiviti and Southern Lau, were later included in subsequent issues. At 0800 UTC on March 1st the Gale Warning for Vatulele, Beqa, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands was upgraded to a Storm Warning as Paula further intensified. However, this was downgraded to a Gale Warning around 01/2000 UTC when the cyclone was rapidly moving away from the area. The final Special Weather Bulletin for Fiji was issued around 01/2300 UTC as the cyclone raced away from the country. Altogether, there were eighteen Special Weather Bulletins issued for Fiji. The closest Paula came to any part of Fiji was around 01/1800 UTC when the cyclone passed about 90 nm south- southwest of Kadavu. Paula, after re-analysis, peaked around March 02/0000 UTC, with 95 knots.

After Paula had passed Fiji, it steadily accelerated southeastward under increasing northwesterly steering current into an environment of very strongly vertical wind shear. Under the conditions weakening was imminent, with peak winds dropping from 90 knots to 60 knots in a period of 30 hours. Primary responsibility for warnings was officially handed over to TCWC Wellington at 03/0600 UTC with the cyclone at marginal hurricane intensity and weakening further. Paula became extra-tropical at 04/0600 UTC when it was located about 850 nm east- northeast of the northern tip of New Zealand.

In Vanuatu, many locally-styled houses, gardens and tree crops were destroyed in the northern parts while in Port Vila many yachts were either sunk or set adrift and a number of small coastal ships were forced aground. One death was reported in central Vanuatu. OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) reported that damage was sustained to 45-50% of homes and gardens, 35% of water supplies, 20% of schools, 15% of medical centres and to 25% of other infrastructure.

In Fiji, surge and swell generated by Paula caused severe damage to the Coral Coast coastline of the main island of Viti Levu. A number of homes especially in this area were also damaged or destroyed, together with crops including sugar cane and vegetation. Minor landslides were also reported and roads were closed due to floods, fallen trees and sea-borne debris. Preliminary damage assessment in these areas estimated that damage totalled around $F2-3 million. In , pounding surf extensively damaged The Good Samaritan Resort at Kolovai on the west coast of Tongatapu, while badly damaging a wharf on the nearby island of Eua.

Best Track Data

Position Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°S) Long. (°W) (kt) STAGE

022612 12.6 164.8 35 TC 022700 13.6 164.3 45 TC 022712 14.3 165.5 55 TC 022800 16.1 166.5 85 STC 022812 17.4 168.8 85 STC 030100 18.6 171.5 90 STC 030112 19.8 175.2 90 STC 030200 21.3 179.2 90 STC 030212 22.9 177.7 90 STC 030300 24.3 175.7 80 STC 030312 26.2 174.2 65 STC 030400 27.8 172.3 55 TC 030412 30.1 170.6 45 TC

TROPICAL CYCLONE RITA (10F) 1 to 5 March

A tropical disturbance was first identified at 0000 UTC on 27 February as it drifted slowly southeastward just southeast of Hao in the Tuamotu Group. At this time, the disturbance was embedded in an active SPCZ and positioned slightly north of a diffluent upper ridge. During the next day the system was significantly influenced by southerly wind shear, which displaced its cloud canopy to the north and exposed the LLCC to the south. However, overnight on the 28th, convection began to develop close to the centre, against the shear and diurnal variations. SST was around 30C. With the active eastward-progressing MJO cycle, potential for development into a tropical cyclone was high. By 28/2000 UTC convection had continued to increase about the centre with further cooling of cloud tops. 10F was consequently named Tropical Cyclone “Rita” while located about 210 nm northeast of Mururoa and moving slowly southward under a weak northerly steering field.

By 02/0000 UTC, overall convective organisation showed significant improvement resulting in a small CDO-type feature appearing with cloud tops cooling steadily. Based on this, the intensity was increased to storm category at 02/0600 UTC as Rita moved towards south-southeast at about 05 knots. However, convective tops warmed rapidly thereafter under strong wind shear with steady signs of weakening. The system was subsequently downgraded to gale intensity six hours later.

After 02/1200 UTC, Rita turned toward the south and into strong northwesterly wind shear. The strong subtropical ridge to the east steered the system more south-southwestward, resulting it its passage just northwest of Rikitea. The cyclone maintained this track and intensity as it moved into TCWC Wellington’s AOR after 03/1800 UTC. Rita retained its circulation and identity as a cyclone for at least another 36 hours after exiting Nadi’s AOR. It finally became extra- tropical around 05/0600 UTC while located about 500 nm south-southwest of Pitcairn Island.

Best Track Data

Position Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°S) Long. (°W) (kt) STAGE

030206 20.6 134.7 35 TC 030218 21.9 135.2 35 TC Position Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°S) Long. (°W) (kt) STAGE

030306 23.5 135.3 40 TC 030318 24.8 136.3 40 TC 030406 26.5 136.7 40 TC 030418 29.3 136.6 35 TC 030506 31.7 135.6 30 TD

TROPICAL (13F) 5 to 11 April

A weak disturbance was first identified on April 3rd located about 180 nm east-northeast of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. It was then drifting northwest at about 5 knots along a quasi-stationary convergence zone. Upper-level shear was quite evident with consequential dense cirrus outflow making low-level centre location extremely difficult. By the 4th, the system reached tropical depression stage under a developing upper-level outflow pattern which significantly improved overnight. SST was around 30C, and shear also began to ease a little, thus allowing for organization. TD-13F continued to track west-northwestward just north of Espiritu Santo throughout the 5th, still substantially being affected by diurnal effects. However, by 05/1200 UTC convection about the centre and overall organization showed a marked improvement, with spiral bands feeding into the central feature. Potential for development into a tropical cyclone at this stage was considered high. Subsequently, the first Gale Warning was issued mentioning the anticipated presence of gales in the next 12 hours. By 05/1800 UTC, with convection erupting about the centre, the system was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone and named “Sose”, while located about 60 nm northwest of Espiritu Santo and moving slowly westward.

At 06/0000 UTC shear and diurnal effects were somewhat pronounced on Sose, exacerbated by frictional interference from the mountainous landmass of Espiritu Santo located about 90 nm to the east-southeast. The cyclone lingered about this area for almost 24 hours as it was blocked by an intense middle-level subtropical ridge to the south. By 06/1800 UTC an approaching middle-level trough from the west and the subsequent collapse of the mid-level subtropical ridge finally allowed for a southeast movement. Surface convergence then improved under good upper outflow in all quadrants. Though effects of environmental entrainment were apparent, overall organisation and convection especially in feeder bands were still increasing markedly. Consequently, at 07/0000 UTC the cyclone was upgraded storm category while located about 60 nm west of the northernmost tip of Espiritu Santo and moving southeast at about 10 knots. Six hours later convection had increased around the central area resulting a well organised CDO. By 08/0000 UTC the CDO had become more compact with spiral bands wrapping tightly around it. Intensity was subsequently raised with maximum average winds now estimated to be 60 knots close to the cyclone centre. This was incidentally Sose's peak intensity. A slow-moving surface subtropical high pressure system over New Zealand latitudes forced the tightening of the pressure gradient to some 400-500 nm to the south of the system. Consequently, gales spread further out from the cyclone circulation. However, this area of gales gradually diminished as Sose moved further south and started losing intensity.

As Sose steadily tracked to the southeast, it was gradually being subjected to increasing vertical wind shear, enhanced by an approaching upper level trough. However, the cyclone was also running into a strong mid-level ridge, which effectively blocked any further eastward movement and forced it to deflect towards the south. Under the circumstances, the CDO top was sheared off to the southeast while the low-level circulation was steered southward. With consequent weakening, the cyclone was downgraded to gale intensity at 09/1800 UTC while located about 180 nm to the southeast of and drifting towards the south-southwest at 05 knots. Primary responsibility for further warnings was eventually handed over to TCWC Wellington soon after 10/1200 UTC when the system was entering its AOR. Eighteen hours later Sose became extra-tropical roughly 150 nm north-northeast of .

In Vanuatu a 6-year old boy was swept away whilst trying to cross a swollen river at Nawalala Village on Espiritu Santo with his father. An inter-island vessel, the M.V. Omale, also sank in heavy seas off the coast of Malo Island near Espiritu Santo. Fortunately, all its 16 passengers and crew made it ashore safely after spending four hours in the water. Villages on the south coast of Espiritu Santo and in the vicinity of Luganville, the main town on the island, suffered from flooding which cut off roads and destroyed crops already adversely affected by Cyclone Paula that passed the area a month earlier. Some 59 houses were completely destroyed and 101 houses partially damaged by wind. On tiny Ahamb Island, four classrooms and all food crops left by Paula, plus those planted since, were destroyed. On Ambae, buildings were damaged and at least two schools lost classrooms. In Port Vila, 50 people were evacuated due to flooding. Power lines were brought down and roads were blocked by floodwaters and accumulated debris. Roads and water catchment areas were also blocked and reservoirs sustained damage from the debris. Most school classrooms and crops were destroyed. On the island of Mare in the French territory of New Caledonia, a 37-year-old man was reported missing and feared drowned after he got swept away by a large wave. This occurred while he was reported to be watching huge waves crash into the Island's high cliffs at night when one engulfed him. Sose’s large circulation, combined with the effect of a high pressure system near New Zealand generated huge waves that battered portions of Australia's East Coast. Reports of waves up to 8 metres were recorded at Cape Moreton and waves in the 4-5 metre range battered the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. There were two cases of drowning reported in on the 8th when large swells forced into an area usually protected from southeasterly swells.

Best Track Data

Position Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°S) Long. (°W) (kt) STAGE

040518 14.0 165.6 35 TC 040606 13.6 165.3 40 TC 040618 14.6 165.0 50 TC 040706 15.7 166.8 65 STC 040718 17.8 167.7 70 STC 040806 19.6 167.9 60 TC 040818 20.7 169.4 55 TC 040906 22.0 170.5 50 TC 040818 23.4 170.1 50 TC 041006 24.5 169.9 40 TC 041018 25.7 170.1 35 TC 041106 26.4 169.5 30 TD

TCWC – Brisbane and Darwin

TROPICAL CYCLONE WYLVA 14 – 22 February

Wylva was a relatively short-lived cyclone, which formed in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria close to the coast. The pre-cyclone circulation formed in the monsoon trough over Cape York Peninsula and moved over Gulf waters on 15 February. A favourable upper ridge to its southwest and a good vertical structure helped its steady development and it became a named system late on the 15th. With a firm mid-level ridge to the south, its motion was steadily towards southwest, remaining weak. The system moved inland by 1200 UTC on the same day. The situation was complex, with an apparent eye on radar (maybe a middle-level centre) coming ashore and leaving the low-level centre behind. The low-level circulation then tracked westwards over the Australian continent. The system maintained its cloud structure quite well, like Winsome before it and Abigail afterwards. As a cyclone it had little impact, due to the remoteness of the area affected, but the remnants of the system produced a record flood in the upper Victoria River which inundated the Kalkarindji, Daguragu, Mistake Creek and Pigeon Hole communities. Around 700 people were evacuated, and damage to infrastructure was estimated at A$13 million. Many areas were isolated by the floods, and required aerial food drops.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°S) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

021400 13.5 141.5 1000 L 021412 14.4 141.0 1000 L 021500 14.7 140.6 998 L 021506 14.6 140.1 996 L 021512 15.1 139.4 996 L 021518 15.3 138.7 994 L 021600 15.5 138.4 990 40 TC 021606 16.0 138.0 990 40 TC 021611 16.4 137.0 995 35 TC 021700 18.0 136.0 995 L 021712 19.0 135.0 993 L 021800 18.9 132.7 993 L 021812 18.7 130.5 988 L 021900 19.0 128.0 992 L 021912 19.5 125.0 994 L 022000 20.5 123.5 998 L 022012 21.5 122.5 995 L 022100 22.2 120.5 994 L 022112 23.0 118.0 993 L 022200 23.5 116.0 998 L

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE ABIGAIL 22 February to 8 March

Abigail started as a complex area of low pressure within the monsoon trough in the Coral Sea on 22 February. There were two centres of about 1001 hPa: one near 12S, 157E and the other near 17.5S, 154E. Over the next 24 hours the lows merged and the system tracked westward in an environment of favourable upper divergence, steered by the subtropical ridge to its south. Shortly before reaching the east coast of Australia, the system exhibited a sudden intensification, and at 0000 UTC on the 24th it was named Abigail. It crossed the coast just north of the city of Cairns, weakening below cyclone strength soon after landfall. There was minor flooding, but little major damage.

Abigail continued its westward movement as a tropical depression and entered the Gulf of Carpentaria on the 25th, where it slowed while intensifying. By 1800 UTC on the 25th it once again reached tropical cyclone intensity. With an upper almost overhead and a monsoonal inflow, it became a severe tropical cyclone during the 26th while continuing a southwest and then westward track. The eye of the cyclone passed over Mornington Island Township around 0830 UTC on the 26th with a local barograph reading of 968.5 hPa (station level) at this time. On Mornington Island, Abigail caused widespread damage to trees, but the impact on buildings was restricted to roofing damage. There was a storm surge of 1.3 m at Mornington Island. Further east, at Karumba on the Queensland coast, there was a 1.2 m storm surge.

The system crossed the Northern Territory coast at about 1600 UTC on the 26th and weakened to a depression on the 27th. It moved west through northern Australia along a track close to that followed by Winsome and Wylva, and brought further heavy rainfall and associated extensive floods to northern Australia. Many communities cut off by the previous events remained isolated. Heavy rainfall in central from the remnants of Abigail flooded the Kiwirrkurra community, and required the evacuation of 160 residents.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°S) Long. (°W) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

022300 15.7 152.9 998 L 022306 16.6 152.1 997 L 022312 17.3 149.9 996 L 022318 16.7 148.1 993 L 022400 16.6 146.1 992 40 TC 022406 16.6 144.5 996 L 022412 16.7 143.6 996 L 022418 16.6 142.3 996 L 022500 16.5 141.0 996 L 022506 16.4 140.8 994 L 022512 15.8 140.2 994 L 022518 15.8 140.0 990 45 TC 022600 15.9 139.7 986 50 TC 022606 16.3 139.4 975 60 TC 022612 16.6 138.5 970 65 STC 022618 16.7 137.8 975 60 TC 062700 16.9 136.9 990 40 TC 062706 17.2 136.0 992 L 022712 18.0 135.5 992 L 022800 18.0 134.0 992 L 022812 16.5 132.0 992 L 030100 17.5 130.5 998 L 030112 17.5 128.5 995 L 030200 18.5 127.0 995 L 030212 19.0 126.0 994 L 030300 19.5 124.5 992 L 030312 20.0 124.5 993 L 030400 20.5 124.4 994 L 030412 21.5 124.3 994 L 030500 22.5 124.0 993 L 030512 23.0 125.0 995 L 030600 24.5 127.0 996 L 030612 25.0 126.5 996 L 030700 25.5 126.0 1000 L 030712 25.5 125.5 1002 L 030800 26.5 124.5 1004 L

TCWC - Wellington

TROPICAL CYCLONE SOSE 12 to 14 April

The only tropical cyclone to have any influence on New Zealand weather during the 2000-01 season was Cyclone Sose. In mid-April this cyclone moved south from the subtropics towards northern districts and was eventually absorbed into a complex depression system moving onto the country from the Tasman Sea. The humid, moisture-laden air associated with Cyclone Sose combined with the strong upward motion preceding the Tasman Sea depressions, bringing heavy rain over northern districts. The result was flooding and disruption, especially in Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty. In Northland rainfalls of 200mm in 24 hours were recorded (12-13th April) resulting in flooding of roads and properties, notably in Kaio. Rainfall rates of 26mm per hour in Whitianga (on the Coromandel Peninsula) early on the 13th, and over 40mm per hour in Tauranga early on the 14th also produced floods. The heavy rain was accompanied by gale force northeasterlies in many northern regions. Near Ohakune, 3 people were injured by a tent which collapsed in the wind. In Cook Strait, Lynx fast-ferry sailings were cancelled on the 13th due to southerly gales and heavy swell. In Picton, strong southerlies caused power-lines to arc, sparking a fire on the 13th which lasted into the 14th. The wet, stormy weather contributed to numerous car accidents in northern districts, some involving fatalities.

RSMC tropical cyclones New Delhi

Director: Mr S.R. Kalsi

Classification of Cyclonic Disturbances

Classifications of cyclonic disturbances for the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea region for the exchange of messages among the Panel countries are given below:

Weather system Maximum wind speed

1. Low pressure area Wind speed less than 17 kt (31 km/h)

2. Depression Wind speed between 17 and 27 kt (31 and 51 km/h)

3. Deep depression Wind speed between 28 and 33 kt (52 and 61 km/h)

4. Cyclonic storm Wind speed between 34 and 47 kt (62 and 88 km/h)

5. Severe cyclonic storm Wind speed between 48 and 63 kt (89 and 118 km/h)

6. Very severe cyclonic storm Wind speed between 64 and 119 kt (119 and 221 km/h)

7. Super cyclonic storm Wind speed 120 kt and above (222 km/h)

Cyclone Season

The periods April to May and October to December during which most of the cyclonic storms occur in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

The periods April to May and October to mid-December during which most of the cyclonic storms occur in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

RSMC TROPICAL CYCLONES NEW DELHI

SUMMARY

The North Indian Ocean witnessed the development of four cyclonic storms and two depressions as compared to five cyclones and one depression in the previous year. Out of the four cyclones, three developed in the Arabian Sea and only one in the Bay of Bengal. No damage to life and property was caused due to cyclones in Panel Member countries other than India. Even in India, the damage to life and property was much less compared to some other years in the recent past. Except for the very severe cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea in the month of May, the remaining three cyclones were marginal ones. All the three cyclones that developed over the Arabian Sea weakened over the sea itself.

Like the previous year, convective activity was generally subdued over the central Bay of Bengal during the month of October except over the South East Bay of Bengal where it was pronounced. This is evident from the mean Outgoing Long-Wave Radiation (OLR) field derived from INSAT-1D IR data. The convection maxima was located over Sumatra and extended up to the Gulf of across neighbouring land areas. Similar conditions prevailed in November. In December, the convection maxima shifted eastwards.

List of the Tropical Cyclones in 2001

Tropical Duration Min Central Pressure Max Wind Cyclone (UTC dates) (hPa) (kt)

AS VSCS 21 May 29 May 932 (09UTC 24 May) 115 (09UTC 24 May) AS CS 24 Sep 28 Sep 1000 (12UTC 25 Sep) 35 (12UTC 25 Sep) AS CS 08 Oct 10 Oct 998 (09UTC 09 Oct) 35 (09UTC 09 Oct) BOB CS 14 Oct 16 Oct 998 (12UTC 15 Oct) 35 (12UTC 15 Oct)

CS - Cyclomic Storm VSCS - Very Severe Cyclonic Storm BOB - Bay of Bengal AS – Arabian Sea

VERY SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM OVER THE ARABIAN SEA 21 to 28 May

The first cyclonic storm of the year formed as a TD over the east central Arabian Sea on 21 May 2001. Moving initially in an easterly direction, it intensified into a CS on the morning of 22 May. Thereafter it took an almost U-turn and further intensified into a VSCS in the morning of 23 May. The peak intensity was attained in the afternoon of 24 May when estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed reached 115 kts. It retained this intensity till the early morning hours of 25 May and started weakening thereafter before recurving to the north. It was seen as a well marked low pressure area over the sea off Saurashtra coast on 29 May. This system remained over the sea for more than a week.

The start of the second half of May 2001 witnessed the development of an active equatorial trough in the North Indian Ocean. The Optimum Interpolation (OI) analysis showed the presence of a weak trough over central Arabian Sea in the lower troposphere on 19 May with a cyclonic circulation at 500 hPa level. Low level winds were southwesterly at 20 kts over the southwest Arabian Sea. A cyclonic circulation developed at the leading edge of surging southwest monsoon flow, in the lower troposphere over the central Arabian Sea which extended up to the 500 hPa level. Low level winds continued to be southwesterly at 20 kts over the southwest Arabian Sea. The circulation slowly moved eastwards and lay over east central Arabian Sea on the morning of 20 May. Relative vorticity was positive and of the order of 6 to 8 x 10-5/s at 500 hPa over central Arabian Sea and between 0 and 2 x 10-5/s at 850 hPa. Subsequently, the positive vorticity field showed a gradual increase in the lower troposphere over central Arabian Sea and was of the order of 4 to 6 x 10-5/s on 21 May at 850 hPa. The vertical wind shear between 200 hPa and 850 hPa was generally small and of the order of 5 to 10 kts during the period 19 to 21 May which is considered favourable for cyclogenesis and further growth. Under these favorable conditions a depression formed in the east central Arabian Sea in the evening of 21 May and was centered at 12UTC near 13.5oN 69.0oE.

The system first took an eastward course and intensified into a CS in the morning of 22 May and was centered at 03UTC near 14.0oN 71.5oE. A (CDO) of about 1 degree diameter was seen in the visible cloud imagery with bands hooking on to it from the northern and western sectors. An open “eye” was seen by the Cyclone Detection Radar (CDR) at Goa at 17UTC of the same day. It reported spiral bands later until 12UTC of 23 May. The system further intensified into a SCS at 15UTC of 22 May near 14.0oN 71.5oE when the area of core convection further increased in size. During the next six hours the system moved in a northerly direction and acquired VSCS intensity at 21UTC of 22 May when it was located near 14.5oN 71.5oE. From this time onwards the warm air had started intruding into the core convection. Banding “eye” was seen in the visible imagery at 03UTC of 23 May. A clear circular “eye” appeared at 05UTC of the same day. Hereafter, it took a northwesterly direction and acquired its peak intensity with estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of the order of 115 kts at 09UTC of 24 May when it was located near 17.0oN 68.5oE. The system retained its peak intensity till 00UTC of 25 May. At this time, the system was located near 17.0oN 68.0oE. Thereafter, the system started moving in a westerly direction and showing signs of weakening.

Remaining practically stationary near 17.0oN 68.0oE when the system weakened when the estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed became 90 kts at 06UTC of 25 May. In fact, the eye feature had been lost by 06UTC of 25 May when the system was undergoing shear. The convection decreased around a low-level circulation centre. However, the system started moving in a northerly direction after 12UTC of 25 May and further weakened into a SCS at 03UTC of 26 May when it was located 17.5oN 67.5oE. A bouy at 15.5oN 69.2oE reported winds of 30 kts at 200o and surface pressure of 997.5 hPa at this stage.

The SCS continued to move in a northerly direction. Low level cloud lines indicated a vortex centre near the eastern edge at 03UTC of 27 May when it weakened into a CS and located near 18.0oN 67.5oE. The low level circulation centre became fully exposed and was displaced further away by 09UTC of the same day. The system maintained its northerly course until 12UTC 27 May. Thereafter, it drifted in a north northeasterly direction and weakened into a TD at 18UTC of the next day when it was centred near 21.5oN 69.0oE. It further weakened into a low pressure area in the morning of 29 May over the sea close to Saurashtra coast.

WEATHER REALISED The storm affected the coasts of Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat states. The maximum sustained surface wind speed reported from Goa was 22 kts at 11UTC 22 May. Subsequently, the system drifted away from the Maharashtra coast and started affecting Gujarat coast after the evening of 27 May. Along the Gujarat coast, Veraval reported surface winds between 20 to 28 kts from 15UTC 27 May to 01UTC 29 May with strongest winds of 32 kts at 01UTC 28 May.

In association with this system, moderate rainfall was reported from stations in Goa and the coastal areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat including some of the interior districts. This resulted into normal to excess rainfall along the west coast.

DAMAGE No damage to life and property was reported.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MM DDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

052112 13.5 69.0 1000 25 D 052118 13.5 70.0 1000 25 D 052121 13.5 70.0 998 30 DD 052200 14.0 71.0 998 30 DD 052203 14.0 71.5 996 40 CS 052206 14.0 71.5 996 45 CS 052209 14.0 71.5 994 45 CS 052212 14.0 71.5 992 45 CS 052215 14.0 71.5 990 55 SCS 052218 14.0 71.5 988 55 SCS 052221 14.5 71.5 982 65 VSCS 052300 14.5 71.5 980 65 VSCS 052303 15.0 71.5 974 77 VSCS 052306 15.5 71.0 964 90 VSCS 052309 16.0 71.0 962 90 VSCS 052312 16.0 70.5 960 90 VSCS 052315 16.0 70.5 962 90 VSCS 052318 16.0 70.5 962 90 VSCS 052321 16.0 70.0 960 90 VSCS 052400 16.0 69.5 960 90 VSCS 052403 16.5 69.5 950 102 VSCS 052406 17.0 69.0 946 102 VSCS 052409 17.0 68.5 932 115 VSCS 052412 17.0 68.5 932 115 VSCS 052415 17.0 68.5 932 115 VSCS 052418 17.0 68.5 932 115 VSCS 052421 17.0 68.0 932 115 VSCS 052500 17.0 67.5 932 115 VSCS 052503 17.0 68.0 948 102 VSCS 052506 17.0 68.0 960 90 VSCS 052509 17.0 68.0 960 90 VSCS 052512 17.2 67.5 968 77 VSCS 052515 17.0 68.0 968 77 VSCS 052518 17.0 68.0 970 77 VSCS 052521 17.0 67.5 970 77 VSCS 052600 17.5 67.5 976 65 VSCS 052603 17.5 67.5 982 55 SCS 052606 17.5 67.5 984 55 SCS 052609 17.5 67.5 984 55 SCS 052612 17.5 67.5 982 55 SCS 052615 17.5 67.5 982 55 SCS 052618 17.5 67.5 982 55 SCS 052621 18.0 67.5 982 55 SCS 052700 18.0 67.5 984 55 SCS 052703 18.0 67.5 986 45 CS 052706 18.0 67.5 986 45 CS 052709 18.0 67.5 986 45 CS 052712 19.0 67.5 988 45 CS 052715 19.0 68.0 994 35 CS 052718 19.0 68.0 994 35 CS 052721 19.5 68.0 994 35 CS 052800 19.5 68.0 994 35 CS 052803 20.0 68.0 994 35 CS 052806 20.0 68.0 996 35 CS 052809 20.0 68.0 996 35 CS 052812 21.0 68.5 996 30 DD 052815 21.0 68.5 996 30 DD Position Pressure Wind Speed MM DDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

052818 21.5 69.0 998 25 D 052821 21.5 69.0 998 25 D 052900 21.5 69.0 998 25 D 052803 The system weakened into a low pressure area over the sea close to the Saurashtra coast

DEPRESSION OVER THE BAY OF BENGAL 12 to 13 June

A low pressure area that formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal on 10 June concentrated into a TD on 12 June before crossing the Orissa coast near Paradip (42976). It lashed Orissa with some exceptionally heavy rains on 12 and 13 June.

The first low pressure area of the southwest monsoon season formed on the leading edge of the monsoon current in the northwest Bay of Bengal on 10 June. A low level circulation centre was seen in the satellite imagery on 12 June with a deep layer cluster located to the west over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining land areas of Orissa. This was accompanied with a surge in the southwesterly flow that strengthened on this day. Relative vorticity at 850 hPa showed an increase both in the east Arabian Sea and north Bay of Bengal. By morning of 12 June, the surge in thesouthwesterlies had moved over to the eastern parts of peninsular India, adjoining areas of Bay of Bengal including also some parts of central Bay of Bengal. Relative vorticity increased over the Orissa coast from 6 x 10-5/s on the 11th to 12 x 10-5/s on the 12th of June. A TD formed on 12 June and it lay centred at 03UTC 12 June near 19.5oN 87.0oE.

The system moved slowly in a northwesterly direction and crossed the Orissa coast around 10UTC 12 June. It then continued to move in a northwesterly direction. The system weakened into a low pressure area in the evening of 13 June near Raigarh (42884) in Chattishgarh region).

WEATHER REALISED Under the influence of the depression widespread rainfall with isolated very heavy to exceptionally heavy rain occurred over Orissa from 11 to 14 June. Puri (43053) received record breaking 2-days rainfall of 70 cm (34 cm on 12 June and 36 cm on 13 June).

DAMAGE No damage to life and property was reported.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

061203 19.5 87.0 990 25 D 061212 20.0 86.5 990 25 D 061303 21.0 85.5 994 25 D 061309 21.0 85.0 994 25 D 061312 21.5 84.5 L

CYCLONIC STORM OVER THE ARABIAN SEA 24 to 27 September

A depression developed over the east central Arabian Sea on 24 September. Moving northwestwards it intensified into a cyclonic storm on 26 September. However, it weakened and dissipated over the sea. Development of a cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea during the month of September is rare. Cyclonic storms had earlier developed over the Arabian Sea in September in the years 1974 and 1979. They also weakened and dissipated over the sea.

The week beginning from 20 September witnessed a northward propagation of maximum cloud zone (MCZ) from close to equator to 15oN in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. In the beginning of the week an east-west oriented shear line was seen between 2.1 km and 4.5 km above sea level and extended from east Arabian Sea to Andaman Sea. In this shear line a cyclonic circulation developed on 20 September over the north interior Karnataka and adjoining Konkan and Goa and extended up to 4.5 km in the vertical, tilting southwestwards with height. It moved westwards and was located over the eastern central Arabian Sea off Konkan-Goa coast on 23 September. Subsequently, a low pressure area formed over east central Arabian Sea off Konkan-Goa coast that concentrated into a TD over east central Arabian Sea in the afternoon of 24 September. The initial development was also seen in the LAM analysis of 22 and 23 September. A ship reported winds of 28 kts at 290o and pressure of 1004.2 hPa. The organized convection was located to the west of the low-level circulation centre.

Moving westwards it further intensified into a cyclonic storm in the evening of 25 September and lay centred at 12UTC 25 September near 17.0oN 68.0oE. Thereafter, it took a northwesterly course till the morning of 26 September and took a westerly direction later. It maintained its intensity until the evening of 27 September. The low level circulation again got displaced from the dense convection. As in earlier years, this system weakened and dissipated over the sea itself.

WEATHER REALISED As the system did not come near land, it did not produce any significant weather over the country. Isolated rainfall occurred over the southern Gujarat region and Saurashtra on 26 and 27 September.

DAMAGE No damage to life and property was reported.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

092409 17.0 69.5 1006 25 D 092412 17.0 69.5 1006 25 D 092418 17.0 69.0 1004 30 DD 092500 17.0 69.0 1004 30 DD 092503 17.0 68.5 1004 30 DD 092506 17.0 68.0 1000 30 DD 092509 17.0 68.0 1000 30 DD 092512 17.0 68.0 1000 35 CS 092515 17.0 68.0 1000 35 CS 092518 17.0 68.0 1000 35 CS 092521 17.0 69.0 1000 35 CS 092600 17.0 68.0 1000 35 CS 092603 18.0 67.5 1000 35 CS 092606 17.5 67.0 1000 35 CS 092609 18.0 66.5 1000 35 CS 092612 18.3 66.0 1000 35 CS 09265 18.5 66.0 1000 35 CS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

092618 18.5 65.5 1000 35 CS 092621 18.5 65.5 1000 35 CS 092700 18.5 65.0 1000 35 CS 092703 18.5 64.0 1000 35 CS 092706 18.5 64.0 1004 35 CS 092712 18.5 63.5 1006 30 DD 092718 18.5 63.0 1006 30 DD 092721 18.5 62.5 1008 25 D 092800 The system weakened into a low pressure area over the sea.

CYCLONIC STORM OVER THE ARABIAN SEA 8 to 10 October

It was a short-lived system that developed as a TD over east central Arabian Sea, intensified into a cyclonic storm on the same day and died out on the afternoon of the next day. Like the other two earlier systems, it also weakened and dissipated over the sea itself.

A low pressure area migrated to the east central Arabian Sea and neighbouring land areas on 08 October that concentrated into a TD at 21UTC of the same day. At this time, the satellite imagery showed a compact cloud vortex with a band on the eastern side. Moving westwards, the system further intensified into a cyclonic storm at 09UTC 09 October near 18.5oN 68.5oE when the cloud organization had shown marked improvement. It moved northwestwards and until 21UTC 09 October and took a westerly course later. There was a considerable decrease in the extent and organization of deep convection that led to the weakening and dissipation of the system over the sea by evening of 10 October.

WEATHER REALISED As the system dissipated over the sea itself, there was no significant rainfall realized over the coastal areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat states.

DAMAGE No damage to life and property was reported.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

100821 18.3 71.0 1004 25 D 100900 18.5 70.5 1004 25 D 100903 18.5 70.0 1002 30 DD 100906 18.5 69.0 1000 30 DD 100909 18.5 68.5 998 35 CS 100912 19.0 68.0 998 30 CS 100915 19.0 68.0 998 35 CS 100918 19.0 67.5 998 35 CS 100921 19.0 67.5 998 35 CS 101000 19.0 67.5 998 35 CS 101003 19.0 67.5 1000 30 DD 101006 19.0 67.5 1000 30 DD 101009 19.0 67.5 1002 25 D 101012 The system weakened into a low pressure area

CYCLONIC STORM OVER THE BAY OF BENGAL 14 to 17 October

This was the only storm of the post monsoon season that led to significant damages in some southern parts of Andhra Pradesh State of India due to intense rains. A low pressure area that formed over west central Bay of Bengal on 14 October intensified into a marginal cyclone before crossing Andhra Pradesh coast near Nellore (43245) on the morning of 16 October.

A well-marked low pressure area formed over west central and adjoing southwest Bay of Bengal on 14 morning. A ship (WMG) at 12.5oN 84.5oE reported winds of 24 kts at 260o and pressure of 1008.1 hPa at 06UTC 14 October. A cloud cluster was seen over the west central Bay in the afternoon of 14 October in which convection increased at 09UTC 14 October. The well-marked low pressure area concentrated into a TD at 12UTC on the same day near 13.5oN 84.0oE. Moving west northwestwards it intensified further into a CS at 12UTC 15 October near 14.0oN 81.0oE. Numerous cloud lines/bands around central area convection were noticed at this stage indicating organized convective structure associated with a marginal cyclone of T2.5 intensity. Moving westwards, the cyclonic storm crossed the coast near Nellore in the morning of 16 October and was located at 03UTC 16 October near 14.0oN 79.5oE.

The CS moved slowly in a north-westerly direction and weakened into a TD at 18UTC 16 October when it was located about 100 km northwest of Nellore. It further weakened into a low pressure area on the morning of 17 October over Rayalaseema region in southern Andhra Pradesh.

WEATHER REALISED Under the influence of the CS exceptionally heavy rainfall occurred in some places in Andhra Pradesh particularly south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.

DAMAGE Andhra Pradesh

Number of deaths: 108 Number of missing persons: 21 Number of tanks breached 1635 Damage to crops (paddy, groundnut, pulses etc.): 1,250,000 ha. due to water stagnation Number of houses damaged: 55,747

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

101412 13.5 84.0 1000 25 D 101418 13.5 83.0 1002 25 D 101500 13.5 83.0 1002 25 D 101503 13.5 82.5 1002 25 D 101506 13.5 82.0 1002 25 D 101509 13.5 81.5 1000 30 DD 101512 13.7 81.0 998 35 CS 101515 14.0 80.5 998 35 CS 101518 14.0 80.0 998 35 CS 101521 14.0 80.0 998 35 CS 101600 14.0 79.5 1000 35 CS 101603 The system crossed south Andhra Pradesh coast near Nellore around this time 14.0 79.5 1000 35 CS 101606 14.0 79.5 1000 35 CS 101609 14.5 79.5 1000 35 CS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

101612 14.5 79.5 1002 30 DD 101618 15.0 79.0 1004 25 D

DEPRESSION OVER THE BAY OF BENGAL 11 TO 12 November

It was a case of a TD that developed and weakened over the sea itself.

A low pressure area formed over southwest and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal off Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu coasts in the morning of 07 November. It became well- marked on 09 November and persisted over the same area until the next day. It concentrated into a TD in the morning of 11 November and was located at 03UTC 11 November near 16.5oN 83.0oE about 100 km south of Kakinada (43189). Moving in a north northeasterly direction, it retained its intensity as a TD till 00UTC 12 November when it was located near 18.5oN 85.5oE. Thereafter, it weakened into a well-marked low pressure area over west central Bay of Bengal close to north Andhra Pradesh coast by morning of 12 November. It finally dissipated over the sea itself.

WEATHER REALIZED In association with the system increased rainfall activity was reported over coastal Andhra Pradesh and coastal Orissa.

DAMAGE No damage to life and property was reported.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

111103 16.5 83.0 1004 25 D 111106 17.0 83.5 1006 25 D 111112 17.5 84.5 1004 25 D 111118 18.0 85.0 1004 25 D 111200 18.5 85.5 1004 25 D The system weakened over central Bay of Bengal close to north Andhra Pradesh coast in the morning

RSMC Tokyo-Typhoon Center

Director: Mr Tatsuo Ueno

Classification of Cyclonic Disturbances

Tropical cyclone: Generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale cyclone originating over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation. (The term is also used for a storm in the South-West Indian Ocean in which the maximum of the sustained wind speed* is estimated to be in the range of 64 to 90 knots and in the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean with the maximum of the sustained over 33 knots.)

Tropical depression: A tropical cyclone with the maximum sustained winds of 33 knots (17.1 m/s, 61 km/h) or less near the centre.

Tropical storm: A tropical cyclone with the maximum sustained winds of 34 knots (17.2 m/s, 62 km/h) to 47 knots (24.4 m/s, 88 km/h) near the centre.

Severe tropical storm: A tropical cyclone with the maximum sustained winds of 48 knots (24.5 m/s, 89 km/h) to 63 knots (32.6 m/s, 117 km/h) near the centre.

Typhoon: A tropical cyclone with the maximum sustained winds of 64 knots (32.7 m/s, 118 km/h) or more near the centre.

Cyclone Season

Tropical Cyclones in the western north Pacific Ocean occurs all-year round.

RSMC TOKYO-TYPHOON CENTER

SUMMARY

In 2001, 26 tropical cyclones of tropical storm (TS) intensity or higher were tracked in the western North Pacific and the . The total number is nearly normal compared to the thirty-year-average of 27.8 for 1961-90. Thirteen cyclones out of them (57% of the total) reached typhoon (TY) intensity; the percentage is slightly larger than normal (54%). Four out of the remainder attained severe tropical storm (STS) intensity and six of the rest remained at TS intensity.

The tropical cyclone season of this year began in the middle of May about one month and a half later than normal with the development of STS Cimaron (0101). Since then tropical cyclone activity In the basin had been suppressed and no tropical cyclone of TS intensity or higher was generated for more than one month.

In late June, cyclogenesis became active and seven tropical cyclones were generated in total by the end of July. As the extension of sub-tropical high was stronger than normal to the west and to the north through this period, six cyclones except TY Kong-rey (0106) took northwestward tracks without recurving and made landfall on the Asian continent or . In particular, TY Chebi (0102), TS Trami (0105) and TY Toraji (0108) which hit or passed near Taiwan caused serious damage to the region.

Tropical cyclone formation was normal from August to September; six and five cyclones formed in August and September, respectively. After the middle of August, the sub-tropical high went back to the east, and many cyclones moved northward east of Japan along the western periphery of the high. Among them TY Pabuk (0111) and TY Danas (0115) hit Japan and brought heavy damage to the country. Meanwhile, two typhoons, Nari (0116) and Lekima (0119) hit Taiwan in September and affected the region again.

The formation in October was slightly below normal. Two typhoons tracked south of Japan and another typhoon developed east of the Marianas Islands.

Other features of the tropical cyclone activity in 2001 were as follows:

 Tropical cyclones in 2001 tended to track in higher latitudes. The mean existing position of 22 tropical cyclones of 24.3oN was rather high compared to an average position of 20.5oN.

 Mean genesis point of 18.1oN was a little bit higher than an average of 16.2oN; and

 Statistics on their duration of TS intensity or higher, minimum central pressure and maximum sustained winds were all about normal.

List of the Tropical Cyclones in 2001

Tropical Cyclone Duration Min Central Pressure Max Wind (kt) (UTC dates) (hPa)

STS Cimaron 11 May 14 May 985 (00UTC 13 May) 50 TY Chebi 20 Jun 24 Jun 965 (18UTC 22 Jun) 65 STS Durian 30 Jun 02 Jul 970 (18UTC 01 Jul) 60 STS Utor 02 Jul 06 Jul 965 (18UTC 03 Jul) 60 TS Trami 10 Jul 11 Jul 994 (12UTC 10 Jul) 40 TY Kong-rey 22 Jul 29 Jul 955 (06UTC 26 Jul) 70 STS Yutu 23 Jul 26 Jul 975 (00UTC 25 Jul) 55 Tropical Cyclone Duration Min Central Pressure Max Wind (kt) (UTC dates) (hPa)

TY Toraji 27 Jul 30 Jul 960 (06UTC 28 Jul) 75 TY Man-yi 02 Aug 09 Aug 955 (18UTC 04 Aug) 80 TS Usagi 10 Aug 11 Aug 992 (06UTC 10 Aug) 35 TY Pabuk 14 Aug 22 Aug 960 (00UTC 17 Aug) 70 TY Wutip 27 Aug 03 Sep 930 (12UTC 29 Aug) 90 TS Sepat 27 Aug 30 Aug 990 (06UTC 28 Aug) 45 TS Fitow 30 Aug 31 Aug 990 (18UTC 30 Aug) 35 TY Danas 04 Sep 12 Sep 945 (06UTC 08 Sep) 85 TY Nari 06 Sep 17 Sep 960 (06UTC 11 Sep) 75 19 Sep 20 Sep TY Wipha 18 Sep 21 Sep 975 (18UTC 20 Sep) 65 TY Francisco 20 Sep 25 Sep 945 (18UTC 23 Sep) 85 TY Lekima 22 Sep 27 Sep 965 (06UTC 24 Sep) 70 TY Krosa 04 Oct 09 Oct 950 (12UTC 06 Oct) 80 TY Haiyan 12 Oct 18 Oct 960 (21UTC 15 Oct) 70 TY Podul 20 Oct 28 Oct 925 (12UTC 25 Oct) 100 TY Lingling 06 Nov 12 Nov 940 (18UTC 10 Nov) 85 TS Kajiki 04 Dec 09 Dec 996 (18UTC 07 Dec) 65 TY Faxai 13 Dec 25 Dec 925 (00UTC 23 Dec) 105 TS Vamei 27 Dec 28 Dec 1006 (06UTC 27 Dec) 75

SEVERE TROPICAL STORM CIMARON (0101) 11 to 14 May

A tropical depression formed between the islands of Mindoro and Palawan, in the at 12UTC 09 May 2001. Moving northward, the depression developed into a tropical storm west of at 00UTC 11 May and was named Cimaron. It turned to the northeast and further intensified into a severe tropical storm south of Taiwan at 00UTC 13 May. Slightly weakening to TS intensity, Cimaron kept its northeastward track south of Japan until 09UTC 14 May. It then moved eastward and was transformed into an near northeast of Okinawa shortly thereafter.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

051100 17.1 119.1 1000 35 TS 051106 17.6 119.1 998 35 TS 051112 18.0 119.2 998 35 TS 051118 18.4 119.4 996 40 TS 051200 18.9 119.9 994 40 TS 051206 19.5 120.5 994 40 TS 051212 20.0 121.0 994 40 TS 051215 20.2 121.1 992 45 TS 051218 20.4 121.3 990 45 TS 051221 20.7 121.5 990 45 TS 051300 20.9 121.7 985 50 STS 051303 21.6 122.2 985 50 STS 051306 22.1 122.6 990 45 TS 051309 22.6 123.2 990 45 TS 051312 23.1 123.9 990 45 TS 051315 23.6 124.5 990 45 TS 051318 24.4 125.2 990 45 TS 051321 25.0 125.8 990 45 TS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

051400 25.6 126.5 990 45 TS 051403 26.2 127.2 992 45 TS 051406 26.7 128.0 996 40 TS 051409 27.2 128.4 998 35 TS

TYPHOON CHEBI (0102) 20 to 24 June

After more than one month rest of tropical cyclone activity from the middle of May, a tropical depression formed northwest of Yap Island at 18UTC 18 Jun. Moving west northwestward, it became a tropical storm at 06UTC 20 June. Chebi turned to the northwest, east of the Philippines at 00UTC 21 June and then attained STS intensity. It further intensified into a typhoon south of Taiwan at 18UTC 22 June and moved northward passing through the Taiwan Channel. After Chebi landed on the southeast of China, Chebi rapidly weakened into a tropical storm at 18UTC 23 June and into a tropical depression soon. The depression moved northeastward and transformed into an extratropical cyclone over the Sea at 12UTC on that day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

062006 13.0 133.4 996 35 TS 062012 13.7 131.4 996 35 TS 062018 14.0 129.1 992 40 TS 062100 14.3 127.7 990 45 TS 062106 15.2 127.2 990 45 TS 062112 16.0 125.9 985 50 STS 062118 17.2 124.8 980 50 STS 062200 18.4 123.6 980 55 STS 062206 19.5 122.2 970 60 STS 062212 20.5 121.2 970 60 STS 062218 21.0 119.9 965 65 TY 062300 22.2 119.5 965 65 TY 062306 23.4 119.2 965 65 TY 062312 24.8 119.4 985 50 STS 062318 26.5 119.7 994 40 TS

SEVERE TROPICAL STORM DURIAN (0103) 30 June to 02 July

Durian formed as a tropical depression west of Luzon at 06UTC 29 June. It moved north northwestward and became a tropical storm at 06UTC 30 June. Slightly turning to the west northwest, the storm further developed into a severe tropical storm at 18UTC 30 June. Durian then made landfall on the Leizhou peninsula, China on the early morning of 02 July. After landfall, it weakened into a TS at 06UTC 02 July and to a TD around Nanjing, China and Viet Nam on 03 July. Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

063006 17.5 114.6 996 35 TS 063012 18.1 114.4 990 45 TS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

063018 19.0 113.8 985 50 STS 070100 19.5 112.7 985 50 STS 070106 19.8 112.3 985 50 STS 070112 20.2 111.5 980 55 STS 070118 20.8 110.8 970 60 STS 070200 21.4 109.8 980 50 STS 070206 21.6 108.8 980 45 TS 070212 22.0 108.0 990 40 TS

SEVERE TROPICAL STORM UTOR (0104) 02 to 06 July

A tropical depression formed east of the Islands at 06UTC 01 July. It initially moved northward intensifying into a TS northwest of Yap at 00UTC 02 July. Turning to the northwest, it gradually intensified into a STS east of Luzon at 06UTC 03 July. The storm kept STS intensity in the South China Sea until it approached the southern coast of China on 05 July. Utor made landfall near east of around 22UTC on that day and was downgraded to TS intensity afterwards. Moving to the west, it further weakened to a TD overland in southern China at 12UTC 06 July and dissipated on the next day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

070200 10.6 137.0 990 35 TS 070206 11.6 136.1 990 35 TS 070212 12.8 134.8 990 40 TS 070218 13.8 133.0 985 45 TS 070300 14.5 131.3 980 45 TS 070306 15.8 129.7 970 55 STS 070312 16.9 128.0 970 55 STS 070318 17.6 126.1 965 60 STS 070400 18.3 124.3 965 60 STS 070406 18.9 122.0 960 60 STS 070412 19.3 120.4 965 60 STS 070418 19.9 119.9 965 60 STS 070500 20.4 118.7 965 60 STS 070506 20.7 117.6 965 60 STS 070512 21.0 116.7 965 55 STS 070518 21.9 115.7 970 50 STS 070600 22.9 114.5 975 45 TS 070606 23.1 113.4 983 35 TS

TROPICAL STORM TRAMI (0105) 10 to 11 July

Trami was a short-lived storm which formed as a TD east of the island of Samar in the Philippines at 00UTC 08 July and took an almost northwest track throughout its whole life. It intensified into a TS northeast of Luzon at 00UTC 10 July. Trami continued to move northwestward and made landfall on southern Taiwan at 06UTC 11 July. Soon after landfall it was downgraded into a TD over land and dissipated over the western coast of Taiwan on the same day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

071000 20.0 124.0 998 35 TS 071006 20.4 123.4 996 35 TS 071012 20.8 122.8 994 40 TS 071018 21.3 122.3 996 35 TS 071100 21.7 121.7 998 35 TS 071106 22.4 120.8 998 35 TS

TYPHOON KONG-REY (0106) 22 to 29 July

Kong-rey, the first typhoon of this season developed into a TD west of Marcus Island at 06UTC 21 July. On a westward track it intensified into a TS at 00UTC 22 July. Gradual intensification ensued and it was upgraded to a STS at 18UTC 23 July east of Iwo Jima. Turning to the north northeast, it further developed into a typhoon northwest of Chichi-jima at 18UTC 25 July. At 06UTC of the next day, Kong-rey now located north of the island reached its peak with maximum sustained winds of 70 kts. It then tracked east northeastward and started to weaken and was downgraded to STS intensity east of Japan at 06UTC 28 July. Accelerating to the northeast, the storm became an extratropical cyclone far east of Japan at 00UTC 29 July.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

072200 25.0 150.4 1004 35 TS 072206 25.2 149.7 1002 40 TS 072212 25.3 149.1 1002 40 TS 072218 25.3 148.6 1000 40 TS 072300 25.2 147.9 998 40 TS 072306 25.3 147.1 996 45 TS 072312 25.3 146.3 992 45 TS 072318 25.3 145.3 985 50 STS 072400 25.5 144.0 980 55 STS 072403 25.7 143.5 980 55 STS 072406 25.9 142.9 980 55 STS 072409 26.1 142.6 980 55 STS 072412 26.4 142.1 980 55 STS 072415 26.6 141.8 980 55 STS 072418 26.8 141.4 980 55 STS 072421 27.0 141.0 980 55 STS 072500 27.2 140.6 980 55 STS 072506 27.6 140.4 975 55 STS 072512 28.1 140.4 970 60 STS 072518 28.6 140.4 965 65 TY 072600 29.3 140.8 960 70 TY 072606 29.7 141.1 955 70 TY 072612 30.2 141.8 955 70 TY 072618 30.7 142.6 955 70 TY 072700 31.2 143.5 955 70 TY 072706 31.7 144.7 955 70 TY 072712 32.1 146.0 960 70 TY 072718 32.6 147.3 965 65 TY 072800 33.2 148.5 970 65 TY 072806 33.7 149.9 975 60 STS 072812 34.5 151.9 980 60 STS 072818 36.0 153.4 980 60 STS

SEVERE TROPICAL STORM YUTU (0107) 23 to 26 July A TD formed northeast of Luzon at 18UTC 22 July. Moving west northwestward, it developed into a TS at 18UTC 23 July and into a STS southeast of Hong Kong at 06UTC 24 July. After it reached peak intensity south of Hong Kong at 00UTC 25 July, Yutu weakened into a TS southwest of Hong Kong at 18UTC 25 July and made landfall on the coast of southern China at around this time. Moving westward, it was downgraded to a TD in southern China at 00UTC 26 July and dissipated on the same day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

072318 20.2 119.7 994 35 TS 072400 20.5 118.3 985 45 TS 072406 20.6 117.0 980 50 STS 072412 20.6 115.8 980 50 STS 072418 20.6 114.6 980 50 STS 072500 20.6 113.9 975 55 STS 072506 20.8 113.2 975 55 STS 072512 21.2 112.4 980 50 STS 072518 21.5 111.1 985 45 TS

TYPHOON TORAJI (0108) 27 to 30 July

Toraji formed as a TD far east of the Philippines at 06UTC 25 July. Moving northwestward and then west northwestward, it attained TS intensity east of Luzon at 00UTC 27 July and STS intensity at 12UTC on the same day. It became a typhoon and made a slight turn to the northwest at 18UTC 27 July and then reached peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 75 kts northeast of Luzon at 06UTC 28 July. On the northwestward track Toraji started weakening just prior to its landfall on Taiwan around 16UTC 29 July. It then entered the Taiwan Straits and was downgraded to a TD close to the coast of southeastern China at 18UTC 30 July. The depression moved northward and became an extratropical cyclone over land east of Beijing at 06UTC 01 August.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

072700 17.1 127.5 994 35 TS 072706 17.3 126.8 990 45 TS 072712 17.5 126.0 980 55 STS 072718 17.9 125.5 970 65 TY 072800 18.5 124.8 965 70 TY 072806 19.1 124.3 960 75 TY 072812 19.9 123.7 960 75 TY 072818 20.6 123.1 960 75 TY 072900 21.3 122.8 960 75 TY 072906 22.2 122.4 960 75 TY 072912 23.2 122.1 960 75 TY 072915 23.5 121.6 970 65 TY 072918 23.8 121.2 975 60 STS 072921 24.2 121.1 980 50 STS 073000 24.6 121.0 980 50 STS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

073006 25.3 120.7 985 45 TS 073012 25.7 120.2 994 35 TS

TYPHOON MAN-YI (0109) 02 to 09 August

A TD which formed north of the Truk Islands at 18UTC 01 August developed into a TS on a northwestward track at 06UTC 02 August and into a STS east of the Mariana Islands at 06UTC on the following day. Slightly turning to the north northwest, it further intensified into a typhoon north of the Mariana Islands at 06UTC 04 August and reached its peak of a maximum sustained winds of 80 kts west of Iwo-Jima on 18UTC 04 August. Man-yi then decelerated and began to change its track to the northeast on 05 August. On the northeastward track it was downgraded to a STS east of Japan at 00UTC 08 August. Accelerating to the north, it further weakened to a TS at 00UTC 09 August and became an extratropical cyclone at 18UTC on that day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

080206 11.8 150.9 1000 35 TS 080212 12.3 150.4 996 40 TS 080218 13.6 149.6 996 40 TS 080300 14.8 148.8 994 45 TS 080306 16.1 147.7 990 50 STS 080312 17.4 146.8 985 50 STS 080318 18.4 145.8 980 55 STS 080400 19.8 145.2 975 60 STS 080406 21.2 144.6 965 70 TY 080412 22.4 144.1 960 75 TY 080418 23.6 143.7 955 80 TY 080500 24.7 143.6 955 80 TY 080503 25.0 143.5 955 80 TY 080506 25.3 143.6 955 80 TY 080509 25.4 143.7 955 80 TY 080512 25.5 143.9 955 80 TY 080515 25.7 144.1 955 80 TY 080518 25.9 144.2 955 80 TY 080521 25.9 144.5 955 75 TY 080600 26.1 144.6 955 75 TY 080606 26.5 144.9 955 75 TY 080612 26.8 145.4 955 75 TY 080618 27.3 145.9 955 75 TY 080700 28.0 146.6 960 70 TY 080706 29.0 147.4 960 70 TY 080712 30.0 148.4 965 65 TY 080718 31.2 149.3 965 65 TY 080800 32.6 150.1 970 60 STS 080806 34.2 150.7 975 55 STS 080812 36.1 151.2 980 55 STS 080818 37.6 151.0 985 50 STS 080900 38.8 151.4 990 45 TS 080906 40.4 151.6 992 45 TS 080912 42.0 153.0 996 40 TS

TROPICAL STORM USAGI (0110) 10 to 11 August

Usagi was a very short-lived cyclone of which duration of TS intensity or higher was less than one day. The storm formed as a TD over the South China Sea at 12UTC 08 August and moved west northwestward throughout its whole life. It became a TS southwest of Island at 06UTC 10 August and then made landfall north of Viet Nam on the early morning of 11 August. Shorty after landfall, it weakened into a TD near the border of Lao PDR and Viet Nam at 00UTC 11 August. It finally dissipated on the same day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

081006 17.8 108.5 992 35 TS 081012 18.0 107.6 992 35 TS 081018 18.5 106.1 994 35 TS

TYPHOON PABUK (0111) 14 to 22 August

Pabuk formed as a TD east of the Mariana Islands at 12UTC 13 August. Moving northward, it developed into a tropical storm over the northern part of the Islands at 12UTC, 14 August. Turning to the west northwest, the storm further intensified into a STS south of Iwo-jima at 06UTC 15 August and became a typhoon at 18UTC on the following day. After it reached its peak at 00UTC 17 August, it moved northwestward south of Japan from 18 to 19 August keeping TY intensity. Pabuk then changed its direction to the north northeast on 20 August and made landfall on the Pacific coast of Japan around 10UTC 21 August. After landfall, the typhoon passed along the Pacific coast of Japan with gradual weakening from the evening of 21 to the early morning of 23 August. It was downgraded to a TD just east of northern Japan at 03UTC 23 August and dissipated shortly.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

081412 16.4 145.8 996 35 TS 081418 16.8 144.5 992 40 TS 081500 18.3 143.2 990 45 TS 081506 18.9 142.4 985 50 STS 081512 19.2 141.2 985 50 STS 081518 19.2 140.7 980 55 STS 081600 19.6 140.2 975 60 STS 081606 19.8 139.5 975 60 STS 081612 20.0 139.0 970 60 STS 081618 20.4 138.6 965 65 TY 081700 20.8 138.2 960 70 TY 081706 21.1 137.6 960 70 TY 081712 21.3 137.3 960 70 TY 081718 21.3 137.0 960 70 TY 081800 21.6 136.8 960 70 TY 081806 21.8 136.4 960 70 TY 081812 21.9 135.8 960 70 TY 081818 22.3 135.1 960 70 TY 081900 22.8 134.5 960 70 TY 081903 23.5 134.1 960 70 TY 081906 24.2 133.7 960 70 TY Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

081909 24.7 133.3 960 70 TY 081912 25.3 133.3 960 70 TY 081915 25.9 133.1 960 70 TY 081918 26.3 133.0 960 70 TY 081921 26.6 132.9 960 70 TY 082000 28.5 132.9 960 70 TY 082003 29.0 132.9 960 70 TY 082006 29.5 133.1 960 70 TY 082009 29.9 133.3 960 70 TY 082012 30.1 133.7 965 65 TY 082015 30.5 133.9 965 65 TY 082018 30.7 134.3 965 65 TY 082021 31.3 134.6 965 65 TY 082100 32.0 134.6 965 65 TY 082103 32.4 134.7 965 60 STS 082106 33.0 134.9 970 55 STS 082109 33.4 135.4 970 55 STS 082110 33.5 135.5 970 55 STS 082112 33.7 135.7 970 55 STS 082115 33.8 136.0 975 50 STS 082118 34.2 136.5 975 50 STS 082119 34.3 136.7 975 50 STS 082121 34.5 137.0 975 50 STS 082200 34.5 137.9 980 45 TS 082203 34.8 138.8 982 45 TS 082205 35.3 139.5 982 45 TS 082206 35.5 139.8 982 45 TS 082209 36.5 140.6 985 45 TS 082212 37.4 141.1 986 40 TS 082215 38.5 141.7 988 40 TS

TYPHOON WUTIP (0112) 27 August to 03 September

Wutip, which formed as a TD west of the Mariana Islands at 06UTC 26 August, took almost a northwest trajectory throughout its whole life of about one week. It developed rapidly to attain TS intensity at 06UTC 27 August, STS intensity at 00UTC 28 August and became a TY southeast of Iwo-jima at 12UTC 28 August. After reaching peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 90 kts on 29 August, Wutip turned alightly to the north while weakening east of Chichi-jima at 12 UTC 30 August and reverted back to a northeastward track on the next day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

082706 17.5 141.0 996 35 TS 082712 18.0 141.5 994 40 TS 082718 18.8 142.1 990 45 TS 082800 19.6 143.0 985 55 STS 082806 20.4 143.6 975 60 STS 082812 21.2 144.4 965 70 TY 082818 22.1 144.9 955 75 TY 082900 22.8 145.4 945 80 TY 082906 23.4 145.9 935 85 TY 082912 24.0 146.5 930 90 TY 082918 24.6 146.8 930 90 TY 083000 25.1 147.1 930 90 TY 083006 25.5 147.4 935 85 TY Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

083012 26.0 147.8 945 80 TY 083018 26.9 147.7 955 75 TY 083100 27.6 147.7 960 70 TY 083106 28.5 148.0 960 70 TY 083112 29.4 148.5 965 65 TY 083118 30.1 149.2 970 60 STS 090100 31.1 150.0 970 60 STS 090106 32.0 151.0 975 60 STS 090112 32.7 152.3 975 60 STS 090118 33.2 153.1 980 55 STS 090200 33.9 154.3 985 50 STS 090206 34.7 155.7 990 45 TS 090212 35.2 157.1 990 45 TS 090218 36.2 157.9 994 40 TS

TROPICAL STORM SEPAT (0113) 27 to 20 August

Soon after the formation of Wutip, Sepat formed into a TD northwest of at 18UTC 26 August. It moved north northwestward and became a TS east of Marcus Island at 18UTC 27 August. Accelerating to the north over the waters far east of Japan, it maintained TS intensity for a few days. As it shifted to the northeast, Sepat transformed into an extratropical cyclone at 18UTC 30 August and dissipated on the next day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

082718 24.0 161.7 996 35 TS 082800 24.5 161.0 994 40 TS 082806 25.1 161.2 990 45 TS 082812 26.3 161.3 990 45 TS 082818 27.8 160.9 992 45 TS 082900 29.1 160.7 994 40 TS 082906 30.4 160.7 994 40 TS 082912 32.0 160.4 994 40 TS 082918 34.1 160.0 992 40 TS 083000 36.2 159.5 992 40 TS 083006 38.5 160.2 992 40 TS 083012 40.5 161.6 992 40 TS

TROPICAL STORM FITOW (0114) 30 to 31 August

Fitow was a very short-lived cyclone with only a half-day duration of TS intensity or higher. It formed as a TD over the South China Sea at 00UTC 28 August. The TD moved westward for two days and turned to the northwest passing Hainan Island at 00UTC 30 August. Changing its direction to the northwest, it reached TS intensity over the Gulf of Tongking at 18UTC 30 August and then made landfall on the coast around the border between Viet Nam and China on the afternoon of 31 August. After landfall. it quickly weakened to a TD and dissipated the next day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

083018 21.0 109.2 990 35 TS 083100 21.2 109.1 990 35 TS

TYPHOON DANAS (0115) 04 to 12 September

A tropical depression, which formed south of Marcus Island at 00UTC 03 September, moved westward and attained TS intensity at 00UTC 04 September. Turning to the north northwest, it steadily intensified into a STS at 12UTC 04 September and into a TY at 00UTC 05 September. It then took a northwestward track and reached its peak with maximum sustained winds of 85 kts north of Chichi-jima at 06UTC 08 September. The TY migrated to the waters south of Japan with gradual weakening on 10 September where it made a change of direction to the northeast and hit the Pacific coast near Tokyo around 00UTC 11 September. After it passed over Tokyo, Danas blew out into the east of Japan on the afternoon of that day and weakened into a TS. It accelerated to the northeast and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone at 06UTC 12 September. Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

090400 18.6 152.9 996 35 TS 090406 18.7 152.1 990 45 TS 090412 19.0 151.7 980 55 STS 090418 19.2 151.3 975 60 STS 090500 20.0 151.1 965 70 TY 090506 20.7 151.0 960 75 TY 090512 21.5 150.8 955 80 TY 090518 22.3 150.6 955 80 TY 090600 23.0 150.5 955 80 TY 090606 23.8 150.6 950 80 TY 090612 24.7 150.1 950 80 TY 090618 25.6 149.5 950 80 TY 090700 26.4 148.8 950 80 TY 090706 27.3 147.5 955 75 TY 090712 27.8 146.2 955 75 TY 090718 28.4 144.8 955 75 TY 090800 28.5 143.6 950 80 TY 090803 28.4 143.1 950 80 TY 090806 28.4 142.6 945 85 TY 090809 28.4 142.3 945 85 TY 090812 28.4 141.9 945 85 TY 090815 28.4 141.8 945 85 TY 090818 28.7 141.6 945 85 TY 090821 29.2 141.3 945 85 TY 090900 29.8 140.6 945 85 TY 090903 30.1 139.8 945 85 TY 090906 30.5 139.1 945 85 TY 090909 30.8 138.7 945 85 TY 090912 31.1 138.4 950 80 TY 090915 31.5 137.9 950 80 TY 090918 31.8 137.6 955 75 TY 090921 32.1 137.5 955 75 TY 091000 32.5 137.4 960 70 TY 091003 32.8 137.3 960 70 TY 091006 33.1 137.3 960 70 TY Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

091009 33.4 137.6 960 70 TY 091012 33.6 137.8 960 70 TY 091015 33.9 138.1 960 70 TY 091018 34.2 138.5 965 60 STS 091021 34.7 139.0 970 55 STS 091100 35.2 139.5 970 55 STS 091103 35.8 139.9 974 55 STS 091106 36.3 140.3 976 50 STS 091109 37.1 141.2 985 45 TS 091112 37.8 141.9 985 45 TS 091115 38.8 142.7 990 40 TS 091118 39.8 143.7 990 40 TS 091121 40.7 144.5 990 40 TS 091200 42.0 145.7 992 40 TS 091203 43.2 146.9 992 40 TS

TYPHOON NARI 06 to 20 September

Nari was a long-lived tropical cyclone which drifted over the waters between Taiwan and Okinawa for more than ten days. It developed into a TD east of Taiwan at 000UTC 05 September. It was upgraded into a TS at 00UTC 06 September and a STS at 21UTC 06 September while moving towards the east northeast. After it passed over Okinawa Island on the morning of 07 September, Nari began to turn around and crossed the island a second time on the early morning of 08 September. It then executed a one and a half counter clockwise rotation over the waters west of Okinawa from 7 to 14 September. During the turn, Nari attained TY intensity at 00UTC 11 September, weakened to a STS at 03UTC 12 September and passed Kume-jima (an Island west of Okinawa) on the early morning of 13 September. After the turn, it took a southwestward track and hit Taiwan around midnight of 17 September. It was downgraded to a TD at 06UTC 17 September. Migrating to the west over the Taiwan Channel, the TD reached TS intensity again at 18UTC 19 September. It made a second landfall east of Hong Kong around noon of 20 September. It rapidly weakened into a TD at 06UTC on that day and dissipated overland north of Hong Kong.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

090600 25.1 123.8 998 35 TS 090603 25.2 124.1 996 35 TS 090606 25.3 124.5 994 35 TS 090609 25.5 125.0 994 35 TS 090612 25.8 125.7 994 35 TS 090615 26.0 126.4 992 40 TS 090618 26.1 127.0 992 40 TS 090621 26.1 127.5 985 50 STS 090622 26.1 127.6 985 50 STS 090700 26.2 127.9 985 50 STS 090703 26.4 128.1 985 50 STS 090706 26.4 128.3 985 50 STS 090709 26.4 128.3 980 55 STS 090712 26.3 128.3 980 55 STS 090715 26.2 128.1 975 60 STS 090718 26.3 127.8 975 60 STS 090721 26.6 127.7 975 60 STS 090800 26.8 127.3 975 60 STS 090803 27.0 127.0 975 60 STS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

090806 27.2 126.7 975 60 STS 090809 27.2 126.3 975 60 STS 090812 27.2 125.9 975 60 STS 090815 27.2 125.5 975 60 STS 090818 27.2 125.2 975 60 STS 090821 27.3 125.2 975 60 STS 090900 27.3 125.2 980 55 STS 090903 27.3 125.0 980 55 STS 090906 27.3 124.9 980 55 STS 090909 27.3 125.1 975 60 STS 090912 27.3 125.0 970 60 STS 090915 27.2 125.0 970 60 STS 090918 27.2 125.0 970 60 STS 090921 27.0 125.0 970 60 STS 091000 26.8 124.9 970 60 STS 091003 26.6 125.1 970 60 STS 091006 26.4 125.3 970 60 STS 091009 26.3 125.5 970 60 STS 091012 26.2 125.8 970 60 STS 091015 26.2 126.1 970 60 STS 091018 26.2 126.3 970 60 STS 091021 26.2 126.5 970 60 STS 091100 26.2 126.7 970 65 TY 091103 26.2 126.9 965 70 TY 091106 26.3 127.1 960 75 TY 091109 26.4 127.2 960 75 TY 091112 26.4 127.2 960 75 TY 091115 26.4 127.1 960 75 TY 091118 26.4 127.1 965 70 TY 091121 26.4 127.1 970 65 TY 091200 26.4 127.1 970 65 TY 091203 26.4 127.1 975 60 STS 091206 26.4 127.1 975 60 STS 091209 26.2 127.2 975 60 STS 091212 26.3 127.2 975 60 STS 091215 26.3 127.0 975 60 STS 091218 26.4 126.8 975 60 STS 091221 26.5 126.6 975 60 STS 091300 26.6 126.5 975 60 STS 091303 26.7 126.3 975 60 STS 091306 26.9 126.2 975 60 STS 091309 27.1 126.1 975 60 STS 091312 27.2 125.9 975 60 STS 091318 27.4 125.7 975 60 STS 091400 27.6 125.3 975 60 STS 091406 27.4 125.0 975 60 STS 091412 27.1 124.8 975 60 STS 091418 26.8 124.5 980 55 STS 091500 26.4 124.3 975 60 STS 091506 26.1 124.0 970 65 TY 091512 25.9 123.8 970 65 TY 091515 25.8 123.6 970 65 TY 091518 25.7 123.5 965 70 TY 091521 25.6 123.4 965 70 TY 091600 25.5 123.1 960 75 TY 091603 25.5 122.8 960 75 TY 091606 25.3 122.5 960 75 TY 091612 25.1 122.1 970 65 TY 091618 24.7 121.6 990 40 TS 091700 24.3 121.5 994 35 TS

091918 22.7 118.3 992 40 TS 092000 22.8 116.8 994 35 TS TYPHOON WHIPA (0117) 18 to 21 September

While Nari was tracking over Taiwan, a TD formed southwest of Iwo-Jima at 00UTC 17 September. Moving north northwestward, it intensified into a TS west of the island at 18UTC 18 September and into a STS west of Chichi-jima at 12UTC on the same day. The storm then changed its direction to the northeast south of Japan around 12UTC 19 September. Accelerating to the northeast, Wipha attained TY intensity east of Japan at 18UTC 20 September. It transitioned into an extratropical cyclone far to the east of Japan soon after it weakened into a STS at 00UTC 21 September.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

091800 25.3 139.7 996 40 TS 091806 26.4 139.0 990 45 TS 091812 27.7 138.6 985 50 STS 091818 28.9 138.2 985 50 STS 091900 29.9 138.2 980 55 STS 091903 30.4 138.2 980 55 STS 091906 30.9 138.3 980 55 STS 091909 31.4 138.6 980 55 STS 091912 31.8 138.8 980 60 STS 091915 32.2 139.1 980 60 STS 091918 32.7 139.7 980 60 STS 091921 33.1 140.3 980 60 STS 092000 33.4 140.7 980 55 STS 092003 33.8 141.3 980 55 STS 092006 34.3 142.2 980 55 STS 092012 34.8 143.7 980 60 STS 092018 36.1 145.8 975 65 TY 092100 37.7 148.4 980 60 STS 092106 39.9 152.1 985 55 STS

TYPHOON FRANCISCO (0118) 20 to 25 September

A day after the development of Wipha, Francisco developed into a TD south of Wake Island at 00UTC 18 September. It initially moved westward, then northwestward and attained TS intensity southwest of the island at 00UTC 20 September. Turning to the north northwest, the storm began to develop and became a STS at 00UTC 22 September and a TY a mere six hours later. Francisco took a northward track east of Chichi-jima Island and reached peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 85 kts at 18UTC 23 September. It slowly weakened as it accelerated northwards. Francisco was downgraded into a STS east of Japan at 00UTC 25 September and became an extratropical cyclone on the same day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

092000 15.6 159.9 996 35 TS 092006 16.2 158.6 996 35 TS 092012 17.1 157.0 996 35 TS 092018 17.9 155.5 992 40 TS 092100 18.4 154.0 992 40 TS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

092106 18.8 153.1 992 40 TS 092112 19.2 152.1 990 45 TS 092118 19.9 151.2 985 50 STS 092200 20.8 150.0 975 60 STS 092206 21.6 149.3 970 65 TY 092212 22.6 148.9 965 70 TY 092218 23.5 148.4 960 75 TY 092300 24.5 148.1 955 75 TY 092306 25.5 147.6 950 80 TY 092312 26.3 147.6 950 80 TY 092318 27.2 147.6 945 85 TY 092400 28.4 147.9 945 85 TY 092406 29.7 148.2 955 75 TY 092412 31.2 148.5 965 70 TY 092418 33.4 148.8 970 65 TY 092500 35.4 148.4 975 60 STS 092506 37.3 149.5 980 55 STS 092512 39.3 152.3 985 50 STS

TYPHOON LEKIMA (0119) 22 to 27 September

Lekima developed into a TD east of Luzon at 00UTC 22 September, moved westward and reached TS intensity at 12UTC of the same day. Turning to the north, it rapidly intensified into a STS at 18UTC 23 September and into a TY north of Luzon at 06UTC 24 September. Lekima continued to move north as it weakened to a STS and made landfall on Taiwan around 12UTC 26 September. Soon after landfall, it was downgraded to a TS and to a TD at 18UTC 27 September. The TD entered the Taiwan Channel on 29 September and dissipated over the waters west of Okinawa a day later.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

092212 19.4 124.3 998 35 TS 092218 19.4 123.6 996 35 TS 092300 19.4 122.9 996 35 TS 092306 19.2 122.2 990 40 TS 092312 19.2 122.0 985 45 TS 092318 19.3 121.8 980 50 STS 092400 19.7 121.6 975 60 STS 092406 19.8 121.5 965 70 TY 092412 20.0 121.7 965 70 TY 092418 20.2 121.9 965 70 TY 092500 20.4 121.9 970 65 TY 092506 20.8 122.0 975 60 STS 092512 21.2 121.8 970 65 TY 092518 21.4 121.7 970 65 TY 092600 21.6 121.5 970 65 TY 092606 22.2 121.4 975 60 STS 092612 22.6 120.9 985 50 STS 092618 23.3 121.0 992 40 TS 092700 23.6 121.1 996 40 TS 092706 23.7 121.2 996 40 TS 092712 23.7 121.4 998 35 TS

TYPHOON KROSA (0120) 04 to 09 October

Krosa developed into a TD east of the Mariana Islands at 12UTC 03 October. Moving northwestward, it steadily developed to attain TS intensity west of the Islands at 06UTC 04 October, STS intensity at 18UTC on that day and TY intensity at 06UTC 05 October. Krosa recurved west of Iwo-Jima on 06 October, where it reached peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 80 knots. It then accelerated to the northeast and gradually weakened to a STS east of Japan at 18UTC 08 October. The storm became an extratropical cyclone over the same waters at 06UTC 09 October.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

100406 15.8 142.5 996 35 TS 100412 16.6 141.5 990 45 TS 100418 17.4 140.3 985 50 STS 100500 17.9 139.3 980 55 STS 100506 18.8 138.3 970 65 TY 100512 19.7 137.2 960 70 TY 100518 20.8 136.4 960 70 TY 100600 21.4 135.8 955 75 TY 100606 22.4 135.1 955 75 TY 100612 23.4 135.3 950 80 TY 100618 24.0 135.5 950 80 TY 100700 24.8 135.8 950 80 TY 100706 25.6 136.7 950 80 TY 100712 26.3 137.6 955 75 TY 100718 27.0 138.5 955 75 TY 100800 28.0 139.7 960 70 TY 100806 28.9 140.7 960 70 TY 100812 29.8 142.5 965 65 TY 100818 31.1 145.0 975 60 STS 100900 32.5 147.8 985 50 STS

TYPHOON HAIYAN (0121) 12 to 18 October

Haiayn formed into a TD east of Luzon at 18UTC 11 October. It reached TS intensity at 12UTC 12 October and then became stationary over the same waters from 00UTC to 18 UTC 13 October when it attained STS intensity and started moving northward. Haiyan turned to the northwest at 12UTC 14 October and developed gradually to attain TY intensity at 15UTC 15 October. It then began to recurve passing east of Taiwan around 00UTC 16 October. Moving east northeastward, the typhoon gradually weakened to a STS north of Okinawa at 00UTC 17 October and to a TS south of Japan at 00UTC on the following day. The storm became an extratropical cyclone east of Japan shortly thereafter.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

101212 17.3 130.2 1000 35 TS 101218 17.8 129.8 996 35 TS 101300 18.6 129.8 994 40 TS 101306 18.6 129.9 990 45 TS 101312 18.5 129.9 990 45 TS Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

101318 18.6 130.0 985 50 STS 101400 19.3 129.8 985 50 STS 101406 20.3 129.7 980 50 STS 101412 21.1 129.5 975 55 STS 101418 21.8 128.5 975 55 STS 101500 22.1 127.8 975 55 STS 101506 22.6 126.6 970 60 STS 101512 23.1 125.7 970 60 STS 101515 23.5 125.4 965 65 TY 101518 23.9 125.1 965 65 TY 101521 24.2 124.7 960 70 TY 101600 24.5 124.4 960 70 TY 101603 24.9 124.4 960 70 TY 101606 25.4 124.5 960 70 TY 101609 26.0 124.7 960 70 TY 101612 26.3 125.0 960 70 TY 101615 26.5 125.3 960 70 TY 101618 27.0 125.8 965 65 TY 101621 27.4 126.4 965 65 TY 101700 27.6 127.1 970 60 STS 101703 27.8 127.8 970 60 STS 101706 28.2 128.7 970 55 STS 101709 28.7 130.0 970 55 STS 101712 29.1 130.8 975 50 STS 101715 29.3 131.7 980 50 STS 101718 29.5 133.2 980 50 STS 101721 30.1 134.6 980 50 STS 101800 30.7 136.4 985 45 TS 101803 31.6 138.3 985 45 TS 101806 32.5 139.6 990 45 TS 101809 33.3 141.3 996 40 TS

TYPHOON PODUL (0122) 20 to 28 October

While Haiyan was tracking south of Japan, a TD formed southwest of Pohnpei Island at 00UTC 18 October. Moving westward and then northward, it became a TS west of the island at 00UTC 20 October. On the northward track it developed into a STS far east of the Mariana Islands at 00UTC 21 October and into a TY over the same waters at 18UTC on that day. After it made a half counterclockwise turn, Podul moved northwestward and reached peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 100 kts south of Minamitori-shima at 12 UTC 25 October. It then recurved and accelerated to the north northeast passing east of the island on the evening of 26 October. On the north-northeast track it was downgraded to a STS far east of Japan at 18 UTC 27 October and became an extratropical cyclone soon after.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

102000 7.1 156.3 998 35 TS 102006 7.7 156.3 996 35 TS 102012 8.8 156.7 996 40 TS 102018 9.8 156.7 992 45 TS 102100 10.9 156.5 985 50 STS 102106 11.8 156.3 980 50 STS 102112 12.3 156.6 975 60 STS 102118 13.0 156.7 970 65 TY Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

102200 13.5 156.6 965 70 TY 102206 13.9 156.7 960 70 TY 102212 14.6 156.9 960 70 TY 102218 14.8 157.3 955 75 TY 102300 15.1 157.6 950 80 TY 102306 15.5 158.0 940 85 TY 102312 16.0 157.8 935 90 TY 102318 16.3 157.4 930 95 TY 102400 16.6 157.2 930 95 TY 102406 17.1 156.9 930 95 TY 102412 17.5 156.3 930 95 TY 102418 18.0 155.9 930 95 TY 102500 18.5 155.1 930 95 TY 102506 19.3 154.5 930 95 TY 102512 20.0 154.1 925 100 TY 102518 20.9 154.0 925 100 TY 102600 21.9 154.0 925 100 TY 102606 23.2 154.3 930 95 TY 102612 24.7 154.9 935 90 TY 102618 26.6 155.8 945 85 TY 102700 28.9 157.0 955 75 TY 102706 31.4 158.5 965 70 TY 102712 34.0 160.3 970 65 TY 102718 36.5 161.8 975 60 STS

TY LINGLING (0123) 06 to 12 November

Lingling which formed as a TD northeast of Mindanao Island at 00UTC 6 November took an almost westward track throughout its whole life of about one week. It developed into a TS close to Leyte Island at 18UTC 06 November and held TS intensity until it crossed Panay Island and entered the Sulu Sea at 00UTC 08 November when it resumed development. Lingling reaches STS intensity when it entered the South China Sea at 18UTC on that day and TY intensity over the same waters at 12UTC 09 November. Having reached its peak of maximum sustained winds of 85 kts east off southern Viet Nam at 00UTC 11 November, it started to weaken and was downgraded to a STS at 18UTC on that day. The storm made landfall on southern Viet Nam around 20 UTC of the same day. It weakened to a TD in the same area at 00UTC 12 November and dissipated soon after over .

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind S peed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

110618 10.4 125.3 996 35 TS 110700 10.5 124.4 996 35 TS 110706 10.7 123.9 994 35 TS 110712 10.9 123.3 996 35 TS 110718 11.2 122.7 994 35 TS 110800 11.5 122.0 992 40 TS 110806 11.9 121.4 990 45 TS 110812 12.3 120.7 990 45 TS 110818 12.5 119.7 980 55 STS 110900 12.7 118.7 980 55 STS 110906 13.0 117.9 975 60 STS 110912 13.2 117.0 970 65 TY 110918 13.4 116.1 965 70 TY 111000 13.4 115.3 955 75 TY Position Pressure Wind S peed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

111006 13.5 114.7 950 80 TY 111012 13.5 114.1 945 85 TY 111018 13.6 113.3 945 85 TY 111100 13.5 112.5 940 85 TY 111106 13.5 111.7 940 85 TY 111112 13.5 110.5 955 70 TY 111118 13.5 109.5 985 50 STS

TROPICAL STORM KAJIKI (0124) 04 to 08 December

After about three weeks after the dissipation of Lingling, a TD formed northeast of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines at 00UTC 04 December. Moving west northwestward, it developed into a TS just east of Leyte Island at 00UTC 05 December. Kajiki passed the central part of the Philippines from the afternoon of that day till morning of 06 December and then slightly weakened to a TD over the Sulu Sea at 06UTC 06 December. Entering the South China Sea, it resumed development finally attaining TS intensity at 18UTC 06 December. It then tracked westward for abour one and a half days. It degenerated into a TD over the same waters at 06UTC 08 December and dissipated on the next day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

120500 10.4 126.3 1000 35 TS 120506 10.8 125.3 998 35 TS 120512 10.9 124.0 1000 35 TS 120518 11.2 122.9 998 35 TS 120600 11.3 122.2 998 35 TS 120606 11.7 121.4 1000 - 120612 11.8 120.7 1000 - 120618 12.0 119.4 998 35 TS 120700 12.3 117.8 998 35 TS 120706 12.4 116.5 996 35 TS 120712 13.2 115.5 996 35 TS 120718 13.2 114.6 996 35 TS 120800 12.8 114.0 996 35 TS

TYPHOON FAXAI (0125) 13 to 26 December

Faxai was the most intense tropical cyclone of this season. The cyclone formed as a TD southeast of Pohnpei Island at about 18UTC 13 December. It first drifted very slowly for about three days and attained TS strength at 18UTC 16 December. It maintained TS intensity as it drifted west northwestward and then eastward for another three days until 18UTC 19 December when it began to move northwestward. Accelerating to the northwest, Faxai gradually intensified into a STS northeast of Pohnpei Island at 06UTC 20 December and into a TY north of the island at 00UTC 21 December. Having reached peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 105 kts east of the Mariana Islands at 18UTC 22 December, it recurved over the northern part of the Islands on 24 December. Moving to the northeast while gradually weakening, Faxai was downgraded to a STS west of Minamitori-shima at 06UTC 25 December. It transitioned into an extratropical cyclone far to the east of Japan at 00UTC the next day.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

121618 5.5 161.6 998 35 TS 121700 5.6 161.6 998 35 TS 121706 5.8 161.3 994 40 TS 121712 5.9 161.1 994 40 TS 121718 5.9 161.0 992 40 TS 121800 5.9 161.0 992 40 TS 121806 5.9 161.0 992 40 TS 121812 5.7 161.5 992 40 TS 121818 5.8 162.0 990 45 TS 121900 6.1 162.1 990 45 TS 121906 6.1 162.2 990 45 TS 121912 6.2 162.2 990 45 TS 121918 6.3 162.3 990 45 TS 122000 7.2 161.5 990 45 TS 122006 7.8 160.6 985 50 STS 122012 8.2 159.8 985 50 STS 122018 8.6 159.2 975 60 STS 122100 9.1 158.4 970 65 TY 122106 9.9 157.8 965 70 TY 122112 10.6 156.8 955 75 TY 122118 11.0 155.9 945 85 TY 122200 11.7 155.1 935 90 TY 122206 12.4 153.9 925 95 TY 122212 13.1 152.7 920 100 TY 122218 13.9 151.5 915 105 TY 122300 14.8 150.2 915 105 TY 122306 15.7 149.1 925 95 TY 122312 16.4 148.1 940 85 TY 122318 17.3 147.2 950 80 TY 122400 18.2 146.5 950 80 TY 122406 19.2 146.3 950 80 TY 122412 20.2 146.8 955 75 TY 122418 21.8 147.3 960 70 TY 122500 23.3 149.0 965 65 TY 122506 25.3 151.5 970 60 STS 122512 27.2 154.4 980 55 STS 122518 29.6 158.5 985 50 STS

TROPICAL STORM VAMEI (0126) 27 December

Vamei reached TS intensity at a record breaking low latitude 1.5oN close to the equator. The storm formed as a TD east of at 12UTC 26 December. Moving west, it became a TS at 00UTC 27 December and crossed Singapore around 12UTC on the same day. Soon after passage, it weakened to a TD and dissipated over the northern part of Sumatra Island at 12UTC 28 December.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wi nd Speed MMDDHR Lat. (°N) Long. (°E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

122700 1.5 105.2 1008 40 TS 122706 1.5 104.4 1006 45 TS 122712 1.6 103.9 1008 35 TS

TCWC - Perth

TCWC - Darwin

TCWC - Brisbane

Perth/Darwin/Brisbane TCWCs Summary*

In 2001 there were nine cyclones in the Australian Region. This falls short of the 22-year annual average of 11.5. All of the cyclones began within monsoon or near-equatorial troughs. Only one cyclone formed in the Coral Sea, which is substantially below the average of four, and only four formed in the Indian Ocean, compared to an average of six. In contrast, the formation of four cyclones in the Arafura Sea/Gulf of Carpentaria was above average. Two systems, Abigail and Walter, attained severe tropical cyclone status. Five of the systems made landfall as tropical cyclones, and Winsome caused one death. Several systems in February persisted as depressions for a number of days after landfall, and following similar tracks, led to widespread flooding in northern Australia. In November, there was a near-gale force tropical low which moved through the Indonesian Archipelago, and was notable because of its track, which lay unusually close to the equator.

The early 2001 season was characterised by moderate La Niña conditions, which had shifted to neutral conditions by the late 2001 season. Cyclone numbers in 2001 were fewer than the 11 observed in 2000. A drop in cyclone numbers would be expected in a move away from La Niña conditions, but the drop seems to have preceded the change in the phase of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation this time. Intraseasonal oscillations had a pronounced effect on cyclone occurrence. The five cyclones around February occurred during the passage of a particularly active phase of the Madden-Julian Oscillation, and the last two events (the Indonesian low and Bessi) of the year were around the time that a weak pulse of the Madden- Julian Oscillation (the first of the new Australian season) was passing through the area.

List of Tropical Cyclones in 2001

Tropical Cyclone Duration Min Central Pressure Max Wind** (UTC dates) (hPa) (kt)

TC Terri 28 Jan 31 Jan 975 60 TC Winsome 8 Feb 15 Feb 981 40 TC Vincent 12 Feb 15 Feb 980 55 TC Wylva 14 Feb 22 Feb 990 40 STC Abigail 22 Feb 8 Mar 970 65 STC Walter 1 Apr 8 Apr 940 95 TC Alistair 14 Apr 24 Apr 975 60 TC Alex 25 Oct 30 Oct 984 50 L Tropical Low 13 Nov 23 Nov 997 30 TC Bessi 24 Nov 5 Dec 980 55

* The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is responsible for tropical cyclone monitoring in the area south of the equator between longitudes 90E-160E. The responsibility is shared between three Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres: Perth (west of 125E), Darwin (125E-142E) and Brisbane (east of 142E). The tropical cyclone season in the Southern Hemisphere normally extends from 1 November to 30 April inclusive, so this annual summary encompasses the latter part of the 2000/2001 season and the initial part of the 2001/2002 season.

** 10 minute wind

TROPICAL CYCLONE TERRI 28 January – 31 January (Perth TCWC)

This system resulted from a low which formed in the monsoon trough over the northern Kimberley region of Western Australia, at the start of an active phase of the Madden-Julian Oscillation. A weak cross-equatorial burst in the lower levels on 28 and 29 January increased the low-level vorticity and provided the trigger for further development. A middle-level ridge over central Australia then steered the low southwest into the Timor Sea and Indian Ocean with cyclone intensity being reached during 29 January. The initial development of Terri was impeded by wind shear in the upper levels. The shear weakened briefly as the cyclone aligned beneath the upper ridge. This allowed the system intensify to storm force as it travelled to the southwest. This was short lived however as the middle-level circulation became dislocated from the surface centre due to the influence of a large amplitude mid- and upper-level trough to the west. Under the influence of this trough, the low-level centre recurved to the southeast and crossed the northwest Australian coast east of Port Hedland at about 0100 UTC on 31 January. The system weakened slightly as it approached the coast and moved inland through a sparsely populated area, causing minimal damage. Mean winds of 52 knots were observed at Bedout Island, whilst at Pardoo winds of 60 knots with gusts to 75 knots were reported. In general rainfall totals were lower than usual, with falls in the path of the system below 100 mm.

Terri weakened further as it moved steadily south southeast toward the interior of Australia, and degenerated into a tropical depression after 2200 UTC on 31 January. It then accelerated southward over the Great Sandy Desert ahead of an approaching cold front, and weakened rapidly. Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

012804 14.2 124.8 1002 23 L 012810 14.6 124.2 1001 25 L 012816 15.1 123.5 1000 27 L 012822 15.5 122.8 998 29 L 012904 15.7 122.1 996 33 L 012910 15.9 121.6 994 35 TC 012916 16.0 121.2 992 40 TC 012922 16.3 120.8 988 45 TC 013001 16.6 120.4 985 50 TC 013004 17.0 120.0 980 55 TC 013007 17.4 119.6 975 60 TC 013010 17.9 119.3 975 60 TC 013013 18.3 119.2 975 60 TC 013016 18.7 119.1 975 60 TC 013019 19.0 119.1 975 60 TC 013022 19.3 119.3 980 55 TC 013101 19.9 119.6 980 55 TC 013104 20.5 119.9 980 55 TC 013107 21.4 120.2 985 50 TC 013110 22.3 120.5 985 50 TC 013113 23.1 120.8 990 40 TC 013116 23.9 121.1 990 40 TC 013119 24.8 121.4 990 40 TC

TROPICAL CYCLONE WINSOME 8 – 15 February (Darwin TCWC)

Winsome was initially analysed as a large circulation over the Arafura Sea north of Australia on 8 February, in an active monsoon trough. The system was in a region of low vertical wind shear, and the upper pattern was favourable for development: strong cross-equatorial easterlies and a vigorous upper trough leaning back from the Coral Sea to an upper low at the base of the Gulf of Carpentaria provided an area of good upper divergence. In addition, a westward-propagating equatorial Rossby wave interacted with the monsoon low as the low slowly drifted into the Gulf of Carpentaria. A broad area of gales in the Gulf of Carpentaria was associated with the low. These winds produced above-normal seas and water levels in the trapped basin of the Gulf.

Winsome became a tropical cyclone on the 10th at an unusually low central pressure (986 hPa), due to the low environmental pressures in the broad and deep monsoon trough. It moved south-southwest, crossing the coast of the Northern Territory within 24 hours. The cyclone’s lifetime corresponded with peak spring tides, and the coastal crossing in the Gulf occurred near the high tide. A 2 metre storm surge caused damage estimated at A$1 million in the coastal community of Numbulwar, and the port of Bing Bong and towns of Alyangula and Nhulunbuy were also affected by flooding from storm surges. Winsome caused one death: a fisherman was lost from his vessel south of Groote Eylandt at the mouth of the Roper River.

Winsome moved inland, but remained a significant system as it crossed northern Australia during the next few days. Gale-force monsoon westerlies persisted at a large radius north of the low’s centre. Darwin experienced strong winds and severe wind gusts, as ex-Winsome passed 300 km to the south on 12 and 13 February. Large swell combined with high tides to produce coastal erosion and dangerous conditions at Darwin beaches. Heavy rain associated with the low caused extensive flooding in many parts of the Northern Territory, cutting major highways. Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

020800 11.0 138.7 998 20 L 020812 10.8 137.6 998 20 L 020900 10.5 136.5 998 20 L 020912 11.3 136.7 996 25 L 021000 11.5 137.3 992 25 L 021006 12.7 137.5 988 30 L 021012 13.5 136.8 986 40 TC 021015 13.7 136.5 984 40 TC 021018 13.8 136.2 981 40 TC 021021 14.1 135.9 981 40 TC 021100 14.4 135.6 982 40 TC 021103 14.7 135.4 984 40 TC 021106 15.0 135.0 986 30 L 021112 15.3 134.1 987 25 L 021200 -16.0 132.7 987 25 L 021212 -17.0 131.0 988 15 L 021300 -18.0 130.0 988 25 L

TROPICAL CYCLONE VINCENT 12 – 15 February (Perth TCWC)

Vincent formed from a low embedded in an active monsoon trough in the Indian Ocean, nearly 1000 km off the northwest Australian coast. The low had been prevented from developing for several days due to strong vertical wind shear, but the shear weakened sufficiently to allow Vincent to develop on 12 February. A strong westerly monsoon steered the system to the east southeast as it intensified to storm force. Vertical wind shear increased again, weakening Vincent during the 13th. The low-level centre continued to track east southeastwards in the monsoon trough while the deep convection became increasingly displaced to the west through wind shear. The system weakened below cyclone strength on 15 February prior to the low-level centre crossing the coast south of Broome. At this time there was still a large area of gales to the north of the monsoon trough, but winds on the southern side of the trough were only moderate. For most of its lifetime Vincent had the characteristics of a monsoon low, with the strongest winds being somewhat displaced from the centre, and a band of strong monsoonal winds evident well to the north. Vincent is not known to have caused any damage. Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

021201 14.9 110.9 990 40 TC 021204 14.7 110.8 988 45 TC 021207 14.5 111.0 984 50 TC 021210 14.4 111.4 980 55 TC 021213 14.4 111.9 980 55 TC 021216 14.4 112.4 980 55 TC 021219 14.5 113.0 980 55 TC 021222 14.5 113.7 984 50 TC 021301 14.6 114.4 984 50 TC 021304 14.9 115.0 986 45 TC 021307 15.2 115.3 986 45 TC 021310 15.4 115.6 988 45 TC 021313 15.5 116.1 988 45 TC 021316 15.5 116.7 990 40 TC 021319 15.6 117.3 990 40 TC 021322 15.8 117.8 990 40 TC 021401 16.0 118.3 990 40 TC 021404 16.2 118.5 990 40 TC 021407 16.5 118.8 990 40 TC 021410 16.7 119.1 990 40 TC 021416 16.8 119.7 990 40 TC 021422 16.9 120.1 990 40 TC 021504 17.1 120.7 990 40 TC 021510 17.8 121.7 990 40 TC

TROPICAL CYCLONE WYLVA 14 – 22 February (Brisbane/Darwin TCWCs)

Wylva was a relatively short-lived cyclone, which formed in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria close to the coast. The pre-cyclone circulation formed in the monsoon trough over Cape York Peninsula and moved over Gulf waters on 15 February. A favourable upper ridge to its southwest and a good vertical structure helped its steady development and it became a named system late on the 15th. With a firm mid-level ridge to the south, its motion was steadily towards southwest, remaining weak. The system moved inland by 1200 UTC on the same day. The situation was complex, with an apparent eye on radar (maybe a middle-level centre) coming ashore and leaving the low-level centre behind. The low-level circulation then tracked westwards over the Australian continent. The system maintained its cloud structure quite well, like Winsome before it and Abigail afterwards. As a cyclone it had little impact, due to the remoteness of the area affected, but the remnants of the system produced a record flood in the upper Victoria River which inundated the Kalkarindji, Daguragu, Mistake Creek and Pigeon Hole communities. Around 700 people were evacuated, and damage to infrastructure was estimated at A$13 million. Many areas were isolated by the floods, and required aerial food drops. Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

021400 13.5 141.5 1000 L 021412 14.4 141.0 1000 L 021500 14.7 140.6 998 L 021506 14.6 140.1 996 L 021512 15.1 139.4 996 L 021518 15.3 138.7 994 L 021600 15.5 138.4 990 40 TC 021606 16.0 138.0 990 40 TC 021611 16.4 137.0 995 35 TC 021700 18.0 136.0 995 L 021712 19.0 135.0 993 L 021800 18.9 132.7 993 L 021812 18.7 130.5 988 L 021900 19.0 128.0 992 L 021912 19.5 125.0 994 L 022000 20.5 123.5 998 L 022012 21.5 122.5 995 L 022100 22.2 120.5 994 L 022112 23.0 118.0 993 L 022200 23.5 116.0 998 L

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE ABIGAIL 22 February – 8 March (Brisbane/Darwin TCWCs)

Abigail started as a complex area of low pressure within the monsoon trough in the Coral Sea on 22 February. There were two centres of about 1001 hPa: one near 12S, 157E and the other near 17.5S, 154E. Over the next 24 hours the lows merged and the system tracked westward in an environment of favourable upper divergence, steered by the subtropical ridge to its south. Shortly before reaching the east coast of Australia, the system exhibited a sudden intensification, and at 0000 UTC on the 24th it was named Abigail. It crossed the coast just north of the city of Cairns, weakening below cyclone strength soon after landfall. There was minor flooding, but little major damage.

Abigail continued its westward movement as a tropical depression and entered the Gulf of Carpentaria on the 25th, where it slowed while intensifying. By 1800 UTC on the 25th it once again reached tropical cyclone intensity. With an upper anticyclone almost overhead and a monsoonal inflow, it became a severe tropical cyclone during the 26th while continuing a southwest and then westward track. The eye of the cyclone passed over Mornington Island Township around 0830 UTC on the 26th with a local barograph reading of 968.5 hPa (station level) at this time. On Mornington Island, Abigail caused widespread damage to trees, but the impact on buildings was restricted to roofing damage. There was a storm surge of 1.3 m at Mornington Island. Further east, at Karumba on the Queensland coast, there was a 1.2 m storm surge.

The system crossed the Northern Territory coast at about 1600 UTC on the 26th and weakened to a depression on the 27th. It moved west through northern Australia along a track close to that followed by Winsome and Wylva, and brought further heavy rainfall and associated extensive floods to northern Australia. Many communities cut off by the previous events remained isolated. Heavy rainfall in central Western Australia from the remnants of Abigail flooded the Kiwirrkurra community, and required the evacuation of 160 residents. Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

022300 15.7 152.9 998 L 022306 16.6 152.1 997 L 022312 17.3 149.9 996 L 022318 16.7 148.1 993 L 022400 16.6 146.1 992 40 TC 022406 16.6 144.5 996 L 022412 16.7 143.6 996 L 022418 16.6 142.3 996 L 022500 16.5 141.0 996 L 022506 16.4 140.8 994 L 022512 15.8 140.2 994 L 022518 15.8 140.0 990 45 TC 022600 15.9 139.7 986 50 TC 022606 16.3 139.4 975 60 TC 022612 16.6 138.5 970 65 STC 022618 16.7 137.8 975 60 TC 062700 16.9 136.9 990 40 TC 062706 17.2 136.0 992 L 022712 18.0 135.5 992 L 022800 18.0 134.0 992 L 022812 16.5 132.0 992 L 030100 17.5 130.5 998 L 030112 17.5 128.5 995 L 030200 18.5 127.0 995 L 030212 19.0 126.0 994 L 030300 19.5 124.5 992 L 030312 20.0 124.5 993 L 030400 20.5 124.4 994 L 030412 21.5 124.3 994 L 030500 22.5 124.0 993 L 030512 23.0 125.0 995 L 030600 24.5 127.0 996 L 030612 25.0 126.5 996 L 030700 25.5 126.0 1000 L 030712 25.5 125.5 1002 L 030800 26.5 124.5 1004 L

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE WALTER 1 – 8 April (Perth TCWC)

Walter developed from a middle-level low which tracked westwards from northern parts of Australia late in March. A surface low developed below this feature in the northern Indian Ocean, just south of Java. Convection associated with the middle-level low developed cyclonic banding within 24 hours of the surface low forming. A middle-level ridge to the south of the system pushed the low westward. Increasing low-level vorticity combined with a slight weakening in upper-level wind shear, led to the intensification of the system to cyclone strength on 2 April. Hurricane intensity was reached on the 4th, and a maximum intensity of 940 hPa was attained as the system moved through the axis of the upper ridge. At its closest approach Walter passed 70 km to the northwest of Cocos Island, which experienced 56 knot gusts and received 170 mm of rain, but only suffered minor tree damage. A trough in the middle levels approached from the west, causing Walter to move to the south southwest. This trough continued to amplify in the middle levels and captured the system on 7 April. The system began to weaken through the effects of an increasing upper-level northerly wind shear. On the 8th, the low-level circulation was exposed as the deep convection was completely sheared. Walter fell below cyclone intensity on 8 April. Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

040104 10.7 110.7 1003 23 L 040110 10.3 110.0 1000 27 L 040116 10.1 109.5 998 30 L 040122 9.9 109.0 995 35 TC 040204 9.7 107.9 995 35 TC 040210 9.5 106.9 992 40 TC 040216 9.5 105.6 990 40 TC 040222 9.6 104.5 988 45 TC 040304 9.7 103.5 985 50 TC 040310 9.8 102.7 980 55 TC 040316 9.9 101.7 978 55 TC 040322 10.0 100.9 970 65 STC 040404 10.1 100.0 965 70 STC 040410 10.3 98.9 950 85 STC 040416 10.6 98.1 945 90 STC 040422 11.0 96.9 940 95 STC 040504 11.5 96.6 940 95 STC 040510 11.8 96.3 945 90 STC 040516 12.1 96.0 945 90 STC 040522 12.7 95.4 950 85 STC 040604 13.3 94.7 955 80 STC 040610 14.0 94.4 960 75 STC 040616 14.4 94.3 965 70 STC 040622 15.0 94.4 970 65 STC 040704 16.5 95.0 975 60 TC 040710 18.2 95.5 980 55 TC 040716 18.9 95.3 985 50 TC 040722 19.7 95.0 990 40 TC 040804 20.6 94.8 994 35 TC 040810 21.7 94.4 998 30 L

TROPICAL CYCLONE ALISTAIR 14 – 24 April (Darwin/Perth TCWCs)

Following the demise of Walter the major focus of monsoonal activity shifted to the north of Australia. An equatorial westerly wind burst developed by mid-April and this spawned twin depressions - one on each side of the Equator. The northern system did not develop to tropical cyclone intensity. The southern system first appeared as a low- to mid-level circulation in the northeastern Arafura Sea on the 14th. Strong ridging persisting with depth over the Australian continent maintained easterly winds into the monsoon trough, enhancing convergence and convection in the area and keeping the trough to the north of Australia. The low was in a weak- to-moderate easterly wind shear environment with the upper ridge located just to the south of the trough. Convection increased during the 15th with banding improving on the 16th and the circulation being analysed from the surface to 500 hPa. The low commenced moving to the west southwest and reached cyclone strength at 1800 UTC on 16 April.

The system tracked steadily southwest and brushed past the Cobourg Peninsula and Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory as it deepened. Only minor damage to vegetation was experienced. Alistair continued its southwest track under the influence of a strong middle-level high over the Australian continent. It moved through the Timor Sea while intensifying to storm force. The cyclone passed close to Troughton Island and the northwest Kimberley coast on the 18th, with peak recorded mean winds of 46 gusting to 59 knots. As Alistair moved into the Indian Ocean it experienced increasing vertical wind shear and the deep convection became displaced to the southeast of the low-level centre. At this time Alistair encountered a weakness in the ridge that caused it to slow and move in a more southerly direction.

By 22 April the low-level centre was completely exposed and convection was limited to outbursts in the southeast quadrant. Although the system had very limited deep convection for several days it maintained a well organised low-level circulation. The system then began to move southeast under the influence of middle-level northwesterly winds, indicating that the system was still being steered by mid-level winds despite having little deep convection associated with it. Convection began to rebuild on the southeast side as it moved towards the West Australian coast, crossing close to Carnarvon on 24 April. As the centre passed just to the north of the town, a peak wind gust of 48 knots from the southeast was recorded, and 114 mm of rain fell at Ellavalla Station. Banana plantations to the north of Carnarvon reported 30-40% crop losses. Alistair weakened rapidly upon landfall.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

041512 7.5 137.0 1008 L 041600 8.2 135.5 1003 23 L 041606 9.0 134.0 1000 27 L 041612 9.5 133.5 1000 27 L 041618 10.0 132.8 995 35 TC 041619 10.2 132.8 995 35 TC 041622 10.2 132.3 995 35 TC 041701 10.4 131.4 990 40 TC 041704 10.4 131.0 990 40 TC 041707 10.8 130.5 990 40 TC 041710 11.2 130.0 990 40 TC 041716 11.7 128.7 990 40 TC 041722 12.5 127.2 985 50 TC 041800 12.7 126.9 985 50 TC 041805 13.6 126.0 985 50 TC 041810 14.3 124.5 980 55 TC 041816 14.9 123.3 975 60 TC 041822 15.5 122.4 975 60 TC 041904 16.4 121.1 975 60 TC 041910 17.2 120.0 980 55 TC 041916 17.2 118.4 980 55 TC 041921 17.4 117.6 985 50 TC 041922 17.4 117.6 985 50 TC 042001 17.9 116.0 985 50 TC 042004 18.1 115.3 990 40 TC 042007 18.4 114.6 990 40 TC 042010 18.8 113.9 990 40 TC 042013 19.3 113.3 990 40 TC 042016 19.6 112.7 990 40 TC 042022 19.9 112.1 990 40 TC 042101 20.1 111.6 990 40 TC 042104 20.4 111.1 990 40 TC 042107 20.8 110.6 990 40 TC 042110 20.9 110.3 990 40 TC 042113 21.1 110.1 990 40 TC 042116 21.2 109.9 990 40 TC Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

042119 21.4 109.6 990 40 TC 042122 21.6 109.4 990 40 TC 042201 21.9 109.2 990 40 TC 042204 22.2 108.9 990 40 TC 042207 22.6 108.9 990 40 TC 042210 22.9 109.0 990 40 TC 042213 23.2 109.2 990 40 TC 042216 23.4 109.3 990 40 TC 042219 23.6 109.4 990 40 TC 042222 23.9 109.5 990 40 TC 042301 24.2 109.6 990 40 TC 042304 24.3 110.0 990 40 TC 042307 24.3 110.4 990 40 TC 042310 24.3 111.0 990 40 TC 042313 24.3 111.6 990 40 TC 042316 24.4 112.3 998 30 L 042319 24.5 113.1 998 30 L 042322 24.7 114.0 1000 27 L

Late 2001 (2001-02 Season)

TROPICAL CYCLONE ALEX/ANDRE 25 – 30 October (Perth TCWC/La Réunion)

The circulation associated with tropical cyclone Alex/Andre may be traced back to a weak low west of Sumatra. The low is a regular feature of the southern near-equatorial trough. By 25 October the low became convectively more active due to a good inflow from the southern hemisphere ridge and a favourable upper ridge to its east. The convection was further enhanced by a northerly inflow from the . Tropical Cyclone Alex was named on the 26th and started drifting slowly to the west, mainly due to the low- and mid-level easterly steering flow. The intensification was limited as the system remained close to the equator. By the 28th the cyclone moved into the La Réunion area of responsibility and was renamed as Severe Tropical Storm Andre. Close proximity to the equator and its movement into a zone of upper-level high vertical wind shear hindered its intensification and it was downgraded a low late on the 30th. (See La Réunion summary for further details.)

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

102500 7.4 96.8 1004 20 L 102506 7.4 96.5 1002 20 L 102512 7.5 96.0 1000 25 L 102518 7.6 95.6 998 30 L 102600 8.0 95.0 998 30 L 102603 8.0 94.7 995 35 TC 102606 8.0 94.5 995 35 TC 102612 7.9 94.0 992 38 TC 102618 7.8 93.5 990 40 TC 102700 7.7 92.9 988 40 TC 102706 7.6 92.0 986 45 TC 102612 7.7 91.3 984 48 TC 102718 7.8 90.7 984 50 TC Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

102800 7.9 90.1 984 50 TC 102806 8.2 89.3 984 50 TC 102812 8.4 88.5 984 50 TC

INDONESIAN TROPICAL LOW 13 – 23 November (Darwin TCWC)

It is thought that this system came close to tropical cyclone intensity for a short period on 22 November. It was first identified as a 1008 hPa tropical low in the near-equatorial trough near Bougainville Island on 13 November. A deep circulation to 600 hPa and a broad area of disorganised convection developed as the low moved west southwest towards the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. On the 16th, deep convection developed near the centre of the system and its central pressure fell to 1001 hPa. The low turned towards the northwest under the influence of a strengthening 700 hPa ridge over eastern Australia and moved over the Fly River region of Papua New Guinea early on the 17th. Around this time, the low moved north of the 200 hPa ridge axis into a region of persistent northeasterly vertical wind shear. Deep convection weakened, leaving a well-defined low-level circulation which traversed southern Irian Jaya, and entered the northern Arafura Sea early on 19 November. The system then commenced a steady westward track for the next 3 days along 7S, through the southern Molucca island groups and into the Banda Sea.

A developing trend commenced late on 20 November, with peak intensity appearing to have occurred at around 0000 UTC on the 21st, possibly associated with the passage of an upper- level trough south of the system and a temporary weakening of wind shear in its vicinity. At this time, central pressure may have fallen below 995 hPa, before a weakening trend commenced around 0000 UTC on the 22nd, apparently under the influence of slightly stronger vertical wind shear. At peak intensity, the maximum sustained winds near the system centre were assessed as being just below gale force (around 30 knots). No nearby surface observations were available. The low continued its slow weakening trend as it moved further west in subsequent days, dissipating north of Alor Island (north of Timor) by 24 November.

Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

111312 4.5 157.5 1008 15 L 111400 6.0 156.0 1008 15 L 111412 6.0 156.0 1006 15 L 111418 7.0 153.0 1005 15 L 111500 9.0 151.0 1006 15 L 111506 9.0 149.0 1004 15 L 111512 9.5 146.5 1004 15 L 111518 9.7 146.0 1002 20 L 111600 10.2 145.0 1002 20 L 111606 10.3 144.5 1001 20 L 111612 10.2 144.0 1001 20 L 111618 10.0 143.5 1001 20 L 111700 8.4 142.4 1002 20 L 111706 8.2 141.7 1004 15 L 111712 7.3 140.9 1005 15 L Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

111718 7.0 140.6 1004 15 L 111800 6.8 140.5 1005 15 L 111806 6.9 139.6 1004 15 L 111812 6.8 139.0 1004 15 L 111818 6.7 138.2 1001 20 L 111900 6.9 137.9 999 25 L 111906 7.2 137.6 1000 25 L 111912 7.3 136.5 1001 25 L 111918 6.9 135.2 1002 25 L 112000 6.8 134.8 999 25 L 112006 6.9 133.2 998 25 L 112012 6.7 132.9 997 25 L 112018 6.7 131.5 996 30 L 112100 6.5 131.1 994 30 L 112106 6.6 130.0 995 30 L 112112 6.8 128.0 996 30 L 112118 6.8 127.5 994 30 L 112200 6.4 126.9 997 30 L 112206 6.1 126.5 999 25 L 112212 5.9 126.2 1000 25 L 112300 5.5 126.6 1000 25 L

TROPICAL CYCLONE BESSI/BAKO 24 November – 5 December (Perth TCWC/La Réunion)

Bessi was first analysed as a tropical low on 24 November in the southern Indian Ocean west of Sumatra within the active convection zone associated with a near-equatorial trough in the region. The system was located initially between 95° and 100°E. It gained strength under the influence of weak vertical wind shear, favourable upper-level divergence and good low-level inflow on either side of the trough. Intensification to tropical cyclone stage occurred by 0000 UTC on the 27th. Bessi initially moved south under the influence of cross-equatorial flow. Later it was caught in the flow from the southern subtropical high and started moving west southwest. Bessi reached an estimated maximum wind of 55 knots at 0600 UTC on the 28th and then weakened as it moved into a region of increased vertical wind shear. When the system entered the La Réunion area of responsibility, it was renamed as Bako. It continued its west southwestward movement and re-intensified. (See La Réunion summary for further information.) The system did not affect any island communities during its lifetime. Best Track Data

Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

112506 7.0 95.6 1004 20 L 112512 7.6 94.9 1004 20 L 112518 7.7 94.9 1004 20 L 112600 7.8 94.8 1002 25 L 112606 7.9 94.8 1000 25 L 112612 8.0 94.8 998 30 L 112618 8.2 94.4 998 30 L 112700 8.3 94.0 995 35 TC Position Pressure Wind Speed MMDDHR Lat (oS) Long (o E) (hPa) (kt) STAGE

112706 8.3 93.6 994 35 TC 112712 8.6 93.2 992 40 TC 112718 8.9 92.8 990 40 TC 112800 9.5 92.4 985 50 TC 112806 9.7 92.3 980 55 TC 112812 10.4 92.3 985 50 TC 112818 10.9 92.0 988 45 TC 112900 11.2 91.8 990 40 TC 112906 12.2 91.5 992 40 TC 112912 13.4 91.2 994 35 TC 112918 13.9 90.2 994 35 TC 113000 14.2 89.3 992 40 TC 113006 14.5 88.9 990 40 TC 113012 14.7 88.0 988 45 TC 113018 14.9 87.0 985 50 TC 120100 15.0 86.2 980 55 TC 120106 15.1 85.6 980 55 TC 120112 15.3 85.5 970 65 STC

013122 25.8 122.0 990 40 TC