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2016–17 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	November 12, 2016
Last system dissipated	May 14, 2017
Strongest storm
Name	Donna
• Maximum winds	205 km/h (125 mph) (10-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	935 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total disturbances	22
Total depressions	12
Tropical cyclones	4
Severe tropical cyclones	2
Total fatalities	3 total
Total damage	≥ $5 million (2016 USD)
Related articles
2016–17 Australian region cyclone season 2016–17 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19

The 2016–17 South Pacific cyclone season was the least active South Pacific cyclone season since the 2011–12 season, with only four tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E. Two of the four systems developed into severe tropical cyclones on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. The season officially ran from November 1, 2016 until April 30, 2017. However, May featured two post-season systems: Donna and Ella, of which the former was the strongest post-season South Pacific tropical cyclone ever recorded in that month. Overall, 22 tropical disturbances were monitored by a combination of the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and New Zealand's MetService.

Official advisories regarding tropical cyclones in this basin were issued by the FMS through the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) in Nadi, the BoM through the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) in Brisbane and MetService through the TCWC in Wellington. The United States Armed Forces through the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also monitored the basin and issued unofficial warnings for American interests. RSMC Nadi attached a number and an F suffix to tropical disturbances that formed in or moved into the basin while the JTWC designated significant tropical cyclones with a number and a P suffix. RSMC Nadi, TCWC Wellington and TCWC Brisbane all used the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale and estimated sustained windspeeds over a period of ten minutes, while the JTWC estimated sustained windspeeds over a 1-minute period, which were subsequently compared to the Saffir–Simpson scale (SSHWS).

Seasonal forecasts

Ahead of the cyclone season, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), New Zealand's MetService and National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and various other Pacific Meteorological services, all contributed towards the Island Climate Update tropical cyclone outlook that was released during October 2016. The outlook took into account the ENSO neutral conditions that had been observed across the Pacific and analogue seasons that had ENSO neutral and weak La Nina conditions occurring during the season. The outlook called for a near average number of tropical cyclones for the 2016–17 season, with eight to ten named tropical cyclones, to occur between 135°E and 120°W compared to an average of 10.4. At least five of the tropical cyclones were expected to become Category 3 severe tropical cyclones, while four could become Category 4 severe tropical cyclones; they also noted that a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone was unlikely to occur. In addition to contributing towards the Island Climate Update outlook, the FMS and the BoM issued their own seasonal forecasts for the South Pacific region.

The BoM issued two seasonal forecasts for the Southern Pacific Ocean, for their self-defined eastern and western regions of the South Pacific Ocean. They predicted that the Western region between 142.5°E and 165°E, had a 65% chance of seeing activity above its average of 7 tropical cyclones. The BoM also predicted that the Eastern Region between 165°E and 120°W, had a 52% chance of seeing activity above its average of 10 tropical cyclones. Within their outlook the FMS predicted that between five and six tropical cyclones, would occur within the basin compared to an average of around 7.3 cyclones. At least three of the tropical cyclones were expected to become Category 3 severe tropical cyclones, while one or two were predicted to peak as a Category 4 or 5 severe tropical cyclone. They also reported that the tropical cyclone genesis trough was expected to be located, within the Coral Sea to the west of the International Dateline. This was based on the expected and predicted ENSO conditions, and the existence of the Pacific warm pool of sub-surface temperature anomalies in this region.

Both the Island Climate Update and the FMS tropical cyclone outlooks assessed the risk of a tropical cyclone affecting a certain island or territory. As the tropical cyclone genesis trough of low pressure was expected to be located to the west of the International Dateline, normal or slightly above normal activity was expected for areas near the dateline. The Island Climate Update Outlook predicted that Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, the Solomon and Cook Islands had a normal risk of being impacted by a tropical cyclone or ex tropical cyclone. They also predicted that Tonga, Papua New Guinea and Niue had an elevated chance of being impacted, while it was thought unlikely that French Polynesia, Kiribati and the Pitcairn Islands would be affected by a tropical cyclone. The FMS's outlook predicted that Fiji and Tonga had an elevated risk, while Tuvalu, French Polynesia and Kiribati, were thought to have a low to reduced chance of being affected by a tropical cyclone. The outlook also predicted that New Caledonia, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna were thought to have a normal chance of being affected by a tropical cyclone. It was thought that there was an elevated risk of the Solomon Islands being impacted by at least one severe tropical cyclone, while other areas such as Fiji, New Caledonia, Niue, Samoa, French Polynesia and Tuvalu, had a normal to reduced chance of being impacted by a severe tropical cyclone.

An updated tropical cyclone outlook was issued by the Island Climate Update during February 2017, as the predicted La Nina conditions had not materialised and the season had produced no tropical cyclones. The outlook reported that around six tropical cyclones were now expected to occur, within the South Pacific between February and the end of the season in April. As a result, the season overall was now expected to below average, however, many islands were still expected to have a near normal risk of a tropical cyclone impacting them.

Seasonal summary

After a near average but destructive tropical cyclone season during the previous year, the first tropical disturbance of the season developed to the north-northeast of Niue during November 12. However, over the next few months, no named tropical cyclones developed. This was attributed to a number of factors, including a poorly organised South Pacific Convergence Zone and a predicted La Nina episode not developing. Four months after the beginning of the season, the first named storm, Bart, developed on February 21, making it one of the latest forming named tropical cyclones within the basin. No more cyclones were named for nearly two months after this, until the system that became Severe Tropical Cyclone Cook formed. The most active period of the season in terms of cyclone formation actually occurred outside the official bounds of the season, with both Severe Tropical Cyclone Donna and Tropical Cyclone Ella being named in May.

Systems

Tropical Depression 04F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Duration	December 12 – December 23
Peak intensity	45 km/h (30 mph) (10-min); 998 hPa (mbar)

During December 12, the FMS reported that Tropical Disturbance 04F had developed about 105 km (65 mi) to then northeast of Rotuma, Fiji.

Tropical Depression 05F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Duration	December 21 – December 26
Peak intensity	Winds not specified; 1005 hPa (mbar)

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2017)

A tropical disturbance formed east of island Fiji.It had developed into the tropical depression during 22 December. It moved westwards and dissipated 26 December.

Tropical Depression 09F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Duration	February 5 – February 11
Peak intensity	Winds not specified; 999 hPa (mbar)

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2017)

Tropical Depression 10F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Duration	February 7 – February 11
Peak intensity	Winds not specified; 993 hPa (mbar)

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2017)

Tropical Depression 11F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Duration	February 9 – February 12
Peak intensity	Winds not specified; 1002 hPa (mbar)

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2017)

Tropical Depression 13F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Duration	February 15 – February 18
Peak intensity	Winds not specified; 998 hPa (mbar)

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2017)

Tropical Depression 14F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 16 – February 22
Peak intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min); 997 hPa (mbar)

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2017)

Tropical Cyclone Bart

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 19 – February 22
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min); 994 hPa (mbar)

During February 19, the FMS reported that Tropical Disturbance 15F had developed, about 300 km (185 mi) to the southwest of Apia, Samoa. Over the next couple of days, the system gradually developed further and became a tropical depression, as it moved south-eastwards within an area of low vertical wind shear. During February 21, the JTWC initiated advisories and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 07P, after an ASCAT satellite image had revealed the presence of 65–75 km/h (40–45 mph) winds, within its partially exposed circulation. The FMS subsequently named the system Bart as it had become a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, with peak 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 75 km/h (45 mph). After it had been named, Bart continued to move south-eastwards and passed to the west of the Southern Cook Islands, before it entered MetService's area of responsibility early on February 22. During that day, the system gradually transitioned and was reclassified as an extratropical cyclone, before it continued to weaken and dissipated over open seas. Gale force winds, rain and thunderstorms were observed over the Southern Cook Islands, but there was no significant impact reported.

Tropical Depression 19F

Tropical depression (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	April 1 – April 20
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min); 988 hPa (mbar)

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2017)

Tropical Disturbance 19F was first noted on April 1, while it was located about 240 km (150 mi) to the northeast of Pago-Pago, in American Samoa.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Cook

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	April 6 – April 11
Peak intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min); 961 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Cook brought destructive winds up to 155 kilometers an hour to places such as New Caledonia, parts of Vanuatu and flooding to these areas as well as New Zealand. After drifting down the western side of the south Pacific basin, the cyclone remnants continued down to Antarctica where it was eventually completely dissipated. The cyclone was one of two and the only severe cyclone to form during the official season but was still not the strongest.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Donna

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	May 1 – May 10
Peak intensity	205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min); 935 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Donna was the strongest off-season South Pacific tropical cyclone on record during the month of May. Donna formed from an area of disturbed weather that was first monitored west-northwest of Fiji on 1 May 2017. The disturbance drifted eastward amid an increasingly favorable environment, and it was designated Tropical Depression 21F late on 2 May. Twelve hours later, it intensified into a Category 1 on the Australian tropical cyclone scale and was designated Tropical Cyclone Donna as the storm's motion shifted west and then south. After reaching its initial peak as a Category 4 cyclone early on 6 May, the effects of wind shear and upwelling caused the storm to weaken. However, it reintensified into a Category 5 cyclone on 8 May. Soon after, Donna entered a region of strong westerly flow and began to rapidly weaken. Continuing to accelerate in a southerly direction, Donna eventually weakened into a tropical low on 10 May. By 16 May, Donna's remnants had fully dissipated.

Tropical Cyclone Ella

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	May 7 – May 14
Peak intensity	110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min); 977 hPa (mbar)

During May 7, the FMS started to monitor Tropical Disturbance 22F that had developed within a trough of low pressure about 470 km (290 mi) to the northeast of Suva, Fiji. Amid generally favorable environmental conditions, Tropical Depression 22F developed southwest of American Samoa on 9 May. Just three hours later, the system intensified into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, and was named Ella by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS).

Other systems

During November 12, Tropical Disturbance 01F developed to the north-northeast of the island nation, Niue. Over the next day atmospheric convection surrounding the system significantly decreased, as the system moved south-eastwards within an area of moderate to high vertical wind shear. The system was subsequently last noted during November 13, as it was not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone. On November 23, RSMC Nadi noted that Tropical Disturbance 02F formed just to the east of Samoa. Similar to the previous system, 02F moved in a southeasterly direction in unfavorable environments until it was last noted on November 27. During November 29, Tropical Disturbance 03F moved into the basin from the Australian region, about 820 km (510 mi) to the northwest of Noumea, New Caledonia. Over the next day the system moved eastwards and remained poorly organised until it was last noted during November 30, while it was located about 365 km (225 mi) to the north of Noumea.

During the first half of January 2017, Tropical Disturbances 06F, 07F and 08F developed in quick succession. Tropical Disturbance 06F developed over the Solomon Islands on 2 January, and dissipated four days later. Tropical Disturbances 07F and 08F both formed on 10 January. The former meandered around French Polynesia before it dissipated on 20 January, while the latter degenerated within 24 hours near Fiji. Tropical Disturbance 12F developed over Fiji on February 15, and moved around the archipelago erratically for the next nine days before dissipating. On February 23, Tropical Disturbance 16F formed well to the east of Vanuatu, and stalled there for the next few days before dissipating on February 26.

On March 4, Tropical Disturbance 17F developed in roughly the same region as its predecessor 16F. However, it dissipated just one day later. Tropical Disturbance 18F developed along a pre-frontal trough of low pressure during March 18, about 455 km (285 mi) to the north of Suva, Fiji. Over the next couple of days, the system and associated trough of low pressure, moved south-eastwards towards Tonga, before the disturbance was last noted during March 21. Cloud bands associated with the trough brought heavy rain and flooding to the Northern Division.

Season effects

This table lists all the storms that developed in the South Pacific to the east of longitude 160°E during the 2016–17 season. It includes their intensity on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale, duration, name, where they affected, deaths and damages (in 2016 USD).

See also

• List of South Pacific cyclone seasons
• List of off-season South Pacific tropical cyclones
• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 2016, 2017
• Pacific hurricane seasons: 2016, 2017
• Pacific typhoon seasons: 2016, 2017
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2016, 2017
• 2016–17 Australian region cyclone season
• 2016–17 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
• South Atlantic tropical cyclone

References

1. ^ Climate Services Division (October 26, 2010). Tropical Cyclone Guidance for Season 2010/11 for the Fiji and the Southwest Pacific (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 27, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2016. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
2. ^ RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre (October 14, 2016). "2016–17 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi – TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR)" (PDF). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
3. ^ "Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook: Moderate La Niña or neutral tropical conditions expected to produce near average activity across most islands". National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. October 14, 2016. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
4. ^ "Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook Update: This update for the latter half of the 2016–17 Tropical Cyclone (TC) season (February to April 2017) suggests near normal activity can still be expected". National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. February 10, 2017. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
5. ^ National Climate Centre (October 14, 2016). "South Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outlook for 2016 to 2017". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
6. Tropical Disturbance Summary February 19, 2017 21z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. February 19, 2017. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2018. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
7. Tropical Disturbance Summary February 20, 2017 21z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. February 20, 2017. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2018. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
8. Tropical Cyclone 07P (Seven) Warning 001 February 21, 2017 03z (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. February 21, 2017. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2018. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
9. Tropical Disturbance Advisory February 21, 2017 21z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. February 21, 2017. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2018. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
10. ^ MetService (2018). Review of the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 Cyclone Seasons by TCWC Wellington. RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean Seventeenth Session. World Meteorological Organisation. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018. {{cite conference}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
11. ^ Fiji Meteorological Service (2018). Review of the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 Cyclone Seasons by RSMC Nadi. RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean Seventeenth Session. World Meteorological Organisation. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018. {{cite conference}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
12. "Cyclone Donna strongest May cyclone to hit Southern Hemisphere". 9 May 2017.
13. Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number B1 issued from RSMC Nadi May 090235 UTC (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2017. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
14. Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number B2 issued from RSMC Nadi May 090447 UTC (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2017. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
15. https://www.webcitation.org/6m01jgeYx?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201611130000.htm
16. ^ https://www.webcitation.org/6m01rEDcl?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201611132300.htm
17. https://www.webcitation.org/6mI5K56u6?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201611231800.htm
18. https://www.webcitation.org/6mKx7z6EI?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201611270600.htm
19. RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre (November 29, 2016). "Tropical Disturbance Summary November 29, 2016 06z". Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
20. RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre (November 30, 2016). "Tropical Disturbance Summary November 30, 2016 21z". Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
21. ^ Climate Services Division (January 10, 2017). Fiji Islands Climate Summary March 2017 Volume 34 Issue 1 (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 29, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2017. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
22. https://www.webcitation.org/6p9ecKO1r?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201703210900.htm
23. Climate Services Division (January 10, 2017). Fiji Islands Climate Summary December 2016 Volume 33 Issue 12 (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 8, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
24. "Cyclone "Cook" hits New Caledonia, leaving 1 dead, 20 000 without power". The Watchers. April 10, 2017.
25. "Damages reported in Temotu". Solomon Star. May 15, 2017. Archived from the original on May 16, 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

• World Meteorological Organization
• Australian Bureau of Meteorology
• Fiji Meteorological Service
• New Zealand MetService
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center

v t e Tropical cyclones of the 2016–17 South Pacific cyclone season
	DI01F DI02F DI03F TD04F TD05F DI06F DI07F DI08F TD09F TD10F TD11F DI12F TD13F TD14F 1Bart DI16F DI17F DI18F TD19F 3Cook 5Donna 2Ella
Category

• 2016–17 South Pacific cyclone season
• South Pacific cyclone seasons