1970–71 South Pacific cyclone season

The 1970–71 South Pacific cyclone season, in terms of severe tropical cyclones, was the least active season on record, with none of its six storms strengthening above Category 2 tropical cyclone intensity. It was a below average season, beginning late and ending early. The season officially began on November 15 and ended on April 30, but the first storm formed a month after that, on December 15.

1970–71 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedDecember 15, 1970
Last system dissipatedApril 19, 1971
Strongest storm
NameLena
 • Maximum winds95 km/h (60 mph)
(10-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure980 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total disturbances6
Tropical cyclones5
Severe tropical cyclones0
Total fatalitiesUnknown
Total damageUnknown
Related articles

Seasonal summary

Systems

Tropical Cyclone Priscilla
Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
 
DurationDecember 15 – December 19
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  990 hPa (mbar)

During December 15, a small tropical depression developed about 278 km (175 mi) to the north of Yasawa-i-Rara in Fiji's Yasawa Islands.[1] Over the next day, the system drifted westwards, before it started to move southwards and intensify further.[1] The system subsequently became equivalent to a modern-day category 1 tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 75 km/h (45 mph) during December 17.[1][2] During that day, the system passed about 95 km (60 mi) to the west of Nadi and started to move south-eastwards and passed well to the south of Ono-I-Lau during December 18.[1] The system was last noted during the next day, after it had moved below 25S and out of the tropics.[1] It was thought that the system caused gale-force winds in parts of Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kandavu and the Yasawa and Mamanutha group of islands.[1]

Tropical Cyclone Rosie
Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 30 – January 6
Peak intensity85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min)  980 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Rosie was a weak cyclone which existed in late December 1970 near New Caledonia.

Tropical Cyclone Ida
Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 15 – February 23
Peak intensity85 km/h (55 mph) (10-min)  980 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Ida existed from 16 to 22 February 1971 in the Coral Sea.

Tropical Cyclone Fiona
Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 24 – March 1
Peak intensity70 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  991 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Fiona existed from 16 to 28 February 1971. It developed from remains of Cyclone Gertie, which was located in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Tropical Cyclone Lena
Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationMarch 13 – March 23
Peak intensity95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min)  980 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Lena existed from 13 to 20 March 1971 near New Caledonia.

Other systems

Tropical Depression Nora caused minor damage and gale-force winds over the Yasawa and Mamanuca islands, Viti-Levu as well as the Lomaiviti Islands, when it impacted Fiji between October 29–30.[3]

Cyclone Dora formed in the Coral Sea east of Proserpine on February 10, 1971. It took a southeasterly track over the next four days, away from the Queensland coast, turning into a low pressure system well east of the Queensland/New South Wales border. On February 17, the system reintensified into a cyclone east of the Gold Coast, and it crossed the Queensland coast north of Brisbane at Redcliffe. Widespread structural damage was reported, with numerous power lines falling and roofs being uproofed.

During March 8, Tropical Cyclone Thelma impacted Western and Southwestern Fiji and caused flooding in Ba.[4]

Seasonal effects
Name Dates active Peak classification Sustained
wind speeds		 Pressure Areas affected Damage
(USD)		 Deaths Refs
NoraOctober 29 – 30Tropical depressionNot SpecifiedNot SpecifiedFijiMinor[3]
PriscillaDecember 15 – 19Category 1 tropical cyclone75 km/h (45 mph)990 hPa (29.23 inHg)FijiMinor[3]
RosieDecember 30 – January 4Category 2 tropical cyclone100 km/h (65 mph)980 hPa (28.94 inHg)Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New ZealandMinorNone[5][6]
Season aggregates
7 systemsOctober 29 – March 23

See also
  • Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1970, 1971
  • Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1970, 1971
  • Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1970, 1971
  • North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1970, 1971

References
  1. Krishna, Ram (January 4, 1981). Publication No. 2: Tropical Cyclones in Fiji: November 1969 – April 1980 (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service.
  2. "1970 Tropical Cyclone Priscilla (1970351S17176)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  3. Waygood, J.L.M. (October 20, 1980). Tropical Cyclones affecting Fiji: November 1969 to April 1980 (Information Sheet No. 59). Fiji Meteorological Service.
  4. McGree, Simon; Yeo, Stephen W; Devi, Swastika (October 1, 2010). Flooding in the Fiji Islands between 1840 and 2009 (PDF) (Report). Risk Frontiers. p. 41. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  5. Tropical cyclones in Vanuatu: 1939 to 1989 (PDF) (Report). Vanuatu Meteorological Service. February 19, 1991. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  6. "1970 Tropical Cyclone (Storm) Rosie (1970364S15165)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
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