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Cyclone Zoe

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Cyclone Zoe
Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 5 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Zoe strengthening with 145 mph (233 km/h) winds.
FormedDecember 23, 2002
DissipatedJanuary 1, 2003
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 240 km/h (150 mph)
1-minute sustained: 285 km/h (180 mph)
Lowest pressure890 hPa (mbar); 26.28 inHg
FatalitiesNone recorded
Areas affectedSolomon Islands
Part of the 2002-03 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season

Cyclone Zoe is the most intense tropical cyclone ever observed in the Southern Hemisphere. Only Cyclone Monica equaled its winds. Winds peaked at 240 km/h (150 mph 10-min sustained),[1] or 290 km/h (180 mph 1-min sustained).[2] Its minimum pressure was 890 hPa (mbar).[3]

Storm history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

An area of disturbed weather was first observed on December 23, 2002, and upgraded to Tropical Depression 04F about 360 nmi (670 km) to the east of Funafuti in Tuvalu early on December 25.[4] It began slowly drifting west-southwestward whilst gradually building up strength. The depression was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Zoe later on that day.[5] On December 26, Zoe began to intensify at very rapid pace, and by late December 26, equivalent-hurricane intensity was attained. Zoe continued to rapidly intensify, and by early December 28 had reached its peak winds of 130kts (240 km/h).[6] At that time, the storm was estimated to have a minimum central pressure of 890 hPa[7]. However, the minimum central pressure was unofficially estimated to be as low as 879 hPa, which would put Zoe amongst the ten most intense storms in the world, and the strongest ever outside of the north western Pacific. As is the case in many tropical cyclones, direct measurements from storm's center are not available and this number is an estimate from estimated maximum surface winds using Atkinson/Holiday wind pressure relationship.[8]

Between December 28 and December 29, Zoe moved very little, executing a small clockwise loop whilst maintaining its general intensity. During that time it passed over several small islands in the Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands. December 29 saw Zoe moving again, this time to the southeast.[9] At this time, it encountered an unfavourable environment of increasing wind shear and colder waters, and began to weaken.[10] Zoe was downgraded to a tropical depression early at the start of the new year, January 1, 2003, when it was located about 210 nautical miles (390 km) to the southwest of Nadi.[11] Warnings were discontinued that day, as Zoe became extratropical.

Impact

Although Zoe never met large land masses, it did affect several inhabited islands which had total population of around 1700. Worst damage was suffered by island Tikopia which was hit by Zoe's eyewall at its peak intensity. A storm surge of 5-10m was reported by residents. At least 70 houses were revealed to have been destroyed by initial surveys. Reports described devastation as 'total', with almost all vegetation and man-made structures shredded or blown away, and at least two villages being completely washed away by storm surge and waves. Amazingly, no direct fatalities were reported. Inhabitants of the islands took refuge from storm in higher, rocky areas and rode out the storm. On Anuta 90% of houses remained intact, and 70% of crops undamaged. Communication was lost with the island for a week. Vanuatu was inundated with seawater with villagers collecting fish from their village greens. No damage was reported on Fiji with a maximum sustained wind of 33 kn (61 km/h) at Yasawa, and a gust of 40 kn (74 km/h) at Nadi.

References

  1. ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122806.WTPS11
  2. ^ Tropical Cyclone ZOE
  3. ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122806.WTPS11
  4. ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122518.WTPS11
  5. ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122600.WTPS01
  6. ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122806.WTPS11
  7. ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122806.WTPS11
  8. ^ 2. SOUTH PACIFIC AND SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN TROPICAL CYCLONES
  9. ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122906.WTPS11
  10. ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2002/Dec/2002122918.WTPS11
  11. ^ ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Fiji/2003/Jan/2003010100.WTPS11

See also

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