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1977–78 South Pacific cyclone season

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1977–78 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedNovember 24, 1977
Last system dissipatedApril 22, 1978
Strongest storm
NameBob and Charles
 • Maximum winds155 km/h (100 mph)
(10-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure945 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions8
Tropical cyclones8
Severe tropical cyclones3
Total fatalitiesUnknown
Total damageUnknown
Related articles
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons
1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80

The 1977–78 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a near-average season, with eight tropical cyclones forming.

Seasonal summary

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Tropical cyclone scales#South Pacific

Systems

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Tropical Cyclone Steve

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Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationNovember 24 – December 4
Peak intensity110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min);
965 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Tessa

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Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 5 – December 11
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min);
990 hPa (mbar)

Tessa precursor tropical depression was first noted on December 5, while it was located in the southern Line Islands of Kiribati.[1][2] Over the next couple of days, the system moved southeastwards and gradually intensified, before it was named Tessa by the FMS during December 7.[1]

During December 9, the system moved in between Puka Puka and Reao as it continued to weaken and move south-eastwards towards the Gambier Islands.[1] The system was last noted during December 11, while it was located about 590 km (365 mi) to the northeast of Adams Town in the Pitcarn Islands.[2] As the system moved through the Tuamotu Islands of French Polynesia, Tessa caused significant precipitation over the islands, with the Puka Puka weather station recording a 24-hour rainfall total of 154.2 mm (6.07 in) during December 8.[1]

Tropical Cyclone Anne

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Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 23 – December 31
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);
980 hPa (mbar)

For several days during the week building up to Christmas 1977, a tropical disturbance persisted about 925 km (575 mi) to the northeast of Fiji and to the northwest of Samoa.[3] A distinct cyclonic circulation subsequently started to develop during December 23, while it was located about 740 km (460 mi) to the northeast of Vanua Levu. Over the next day the system moved south-westwards and passed within 75 km (45 mi) of Futuna, before it was named Anne by the FMS during December 24, as satellite pictures showed that a tropical cyclone was developing. During December 25, the winds were indirectly estimated to be off gale-force, as it passed south-westwards through the Fijian Islands.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Bob

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Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 31 – January 12
Peak intensity155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min);
945 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Charles

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Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 13 – March 1
Peak intensity155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min);
945 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Diana

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Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
 
DurationFebruary 15 – February 22
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);
980 hPa (mbar)
"Cyclone Diana" redirects here. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Diana.

During February 15, a tropical depression developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone, to the west of French Polynesia's Society Islands.[1][4] Over the next couple of days, the system moved eastwards towards Mopelia while gradually developing further, before it was named Diana by the FMS during February 16.[1]

Tropical Cyclone Ernie

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Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 17 – February 23
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);
980 hPa (mbar)

During February 17, the FMS started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed, about 560 km (350 mi) to the northwest of Udu Point in Fiji.[3] During that day, the system deepened as it moved south-eastwards towards Fiji before the FMS named it Ernie.[3]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hal

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Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationApril 13 (entered basin) – April 22
Peak intensity130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min);
965 hPa (mbar)

Season effects

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Name Dates Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD) 		Deaths Refs
Category Wind speed Pressure
Steve November 24 – December 4 Category 2 tropical cyclone 110 km/h (70 mph) 965 hPa (28.50 inHg)
Tessa December 5 – 11 Category 1 tropical cyclone 75 km/h (45 mph) 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) [1][2]
Anne December 23 – 31 Category 1 tropical cyclone 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Bob December 31 – January 12 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 155 km/h (100 mph) 945 hPa (27.91 inHg)
Charles February 13 – March 1 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 155 km/h (100 mph) 945 hPa (27.91 inHg)
Diana February 15 – 22 Category 2 tropical cyclone 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Ernie February 17 – 23 Category 2 tropical cyclone 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Hal April 13 – 22 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 130 km/h (80 mph) 965 hPa (28.50 inHg)
Season aggregates
8 systems November 24 – April 22 155 km/h (100 mph) 945 hPa (27.91 inHg)

See also

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  • Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1977, 1978
  • Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1977, 1978
  • Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1977, 1978
  • North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1977, 1978

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Laurent, Victoire; Varney, Patrick (2014). Historique des Cyclones de Polynesie Francaise [History of Cyclones in French Polynesia] (in French). Meteo France. pp. 113–114. ISBN 978-2-9522946-1-4.
  2. ^ a b c "1977 Tropical Cyclone TESSA (1977339S11204)". The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Krishna, Ram (January 4, 1981). Publication No. 2: Tropical Cyclones in Fiji: November 1969 – April 1980 (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. pp. 3–5.
  4. ^ "1978 Tropical Cyclone Diana (1978047S13197)". The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
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