1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season

The 1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season was an above-average season.

1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedNovember 27, 1980
Last system dissipatedMarch 21, 1981
Strongest storm
NameFreda
  Maximum winds150 km/h (90 mph)
(10-minute sustained)
  Lowest pressure955 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions12
Tropical cyclones11
Severe tropical cyclones4
Total fatalitiesUnknown
Total damageUnknown
Related articles

Seasonal summary

This season marked the first time that the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued warnings and performed best track analysis on significant tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere.[1]

Systems

Tropical Cyclone Diola

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationNovember 27 – November 30
Peak intensity65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min)  990 hPa (mbar)

Diola existed from November 27 to November 30.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Arthur

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationJanuary 11 – January 17
Peak intensity130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min)  965 hPa (mbar)

Arthur existed from January 11 to January 17.

Tropical Cyclone Betsy

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationJanuary 30 – February 4
Peak intensity65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min)  995 hPa (mbar)

Betsy existed from January 30 to February 4.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Cliff

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 8 – February 13 (Crossed 160°E)
Peak intensity120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  970 hPa (mbar)

After ravaging the South Pacific islands, Cyclone Cliff struck Queensland on February 14. The effects of the cyclone was felt from Noosa to Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. One person died in the storm.[2]

Tropical Cyclone SP198006

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
 
DurationFebruary 16 – February 21
Peak intensity95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min)  985 hPa (mbar)

This cyclone existed from February 16 to February 21.

Tropical Cyclone Daman

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 20 – February 24
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min)  980 hPa (mbar)

Daman existed from February 20 to February 24.

Tropical Cyclone SP198008

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 22 – March 7
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  990 hPa (mbar)

This cyclone existed from February 22 to March 7.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 24 – March 9
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min)  955 hPa (mbar)

Freda existed from February 24 to March 9.

Tropical Cyclone Esau

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationMarch 1 – March 5
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min)  980 hPa (mbar)

Esau existed from March 1 to March 5.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tahmar

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationMarch 8 – March 13
Peak intensity120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  970 hPa (mbar)

Tahmar existed from March 8 to March 13.

Tropical Cyclone Fran

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationMarch 17 – March 24
Peak intensity95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min)  985 hPa (mbar)

Fran existed from March 17 to March 24.

Other systems

The JTWC initiated warnings on Tropical Cyclone 12P during January 26, which had moved into the basin from the Australian region during the previous day. The system subsequently passed in between Vanuatu and New Caledonia before it was last noted during January 27.

See also

  • Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1980, 1981
  • Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1980, 1981
  • Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1980, 1981
  • North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1980, 1981

References

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