The 1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season was an above-average season.
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.
Systems
Tropical Cyclone Diola
Diola existed from November 27 to November 30.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Arthur
Arthur existed from January 11 to January 17.
Tropical Cyclone Betsy
Betsy existed from January 30 to February 4.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Cliff
Cliff developed on February 9, near
Vanua Lava
Vanua Lava is the second largest of the Banks Islands in Torba Province, Vanuatu, after slightly larger Gaua.
It is located about 120 km north-northeast of Espiritu Santo and north of Gaua.
Name
The name ''Vanua Lava'' comes from the Mota ...
,
Vanuatu
Vanuatu ( or ; ), officially the Republic of Vanuatu (french: link=no, République de Vanuatu; bi, Ripablik blong Vanuatu), is an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is east of no ...
. The cyclone reached peak intensity on February 12, with an estimated central pressure of 975 hPa. It passed over
New Caledonia
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, image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg
, map_alt = Location of New Caledonia
, map_caption = Location of New Caledonia
, mapsize = 290px
, subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...
at near peak intensity, with sustained winds . After crossing into the
Australian region, Cliff struck
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, established_ ...
on February 14, making landfall near
Bundaberg
Bundaberg is a city in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia, and is the tenth largest city in the state. Bundaberg's regional area has a population of 70,921, and is a major centre of the Wide Bay–Burnett geographical region. The Bun ...
. The cyclone caused some crop and structural damages in South East Queensland, and beach erosion occurred on the
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from la, aurum) and atomic number 79. This makes it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. It is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile met ...
and
Sunshine coasts. One man was drowned off the Gold Coast.
Tropical Cyclone SP198006
This cyclone existed from February 16 to February 21.
Tropical Cyclone Daman
Daman existed from February 20 to February 24.
Tropical Cyclone SP198008
This cyclone existed from February 22 to March 7.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda
Freda existed from February 24 to March 9.
Tropical Cyclone Esau
Esau existed from March 1 to March 5.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Tahmar
Tahmar existed from March 8 to March 13.
Tropical Cyclone Fran
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.
Season effects
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See also
*Atlantic hurricane seasons:
1980
Events January
* January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission.
* January 6 – Global Positioning System time epoch begins at 00:00 UTC.
* January 9 – ...
,
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...
*Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons:
1980
Events January
* January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission.
* January 6 – Global Positioning System time epoch begins at 00:00 UTC.
* January 9 – ...
,
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...
*Western Pacific typhoon seasons:
1980
Events January
* January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission.
* January 6 – Global Positioning System time epoch begins at 00:00 UTC.
* January 9 – ...
,
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...
*North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons:
1980
Events January
* January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission.
* January 6 – Global Positioning System time epoch begins at 00:00 UTC.
* January 9 – ...
,
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:1980-81 South Pacific cyclone season
South Pacific cyclone seasons
1980 SPAC
1981 SPAC