1995–96 South Pacific cyclone season
Encyclopedia
The 1995–96 South Pacific cyclone season was one of the least active tropical cyclone seasons on record, with only four tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E
. The season officially ran from November 1, 1995 until April 30, 1996. The first storm developed on January 12, while the last one dissipated on April 2. During the season the most intense tropical cyclone was Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti, which reached a minimum pressure of 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) as it affected New Caledonia. After the season ended Beti's name was the only name to be retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists and was replaced with Bune, after it inflicted over 4.3 million (USD) worth of damage to Australia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand.
During the season, tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center
(RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji
, and the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWC) in Brisbane, Australia
and Wellington, New Zealand
. Throughout the season the United States Navy also monitored the basin and issued unofficial warnings, through its Joint Typhoon Warning Center
(JTWC) and Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NPMOC). Tropical cyclones that were located between 160°E and 120°W as well as the Equator and 25°S were monitored by RSMC Nadi while any that were located to the south of 25°S between 160°E and 120°W were monitored by TCWC Wellington. During the season the JTWC issued warnings on any tropical cyclone that was located between 160°E and 180° while the NPMOC issued warnings for tropical cyclones forming between the 180° and the American coast. RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington both used the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, and measured windspeeds over a 10-minute period during the season, while the JTWC and the NPMOC measured sustained windspeeds over a 1-minute period.
Because of a weak La Nina
event, most tropical cyclones that developed within the season occurred within the Coral Sea. The weak La Nina also affected the amount of tropical cyclones that occurred during the year with only 4 tropical cyclones occurring the season as a whole became one of the most inactive tropical cyclone seasons since 1969-70. The first tropical cyclone of the season, Yasi, developed on January 12 as a tropical depression before it was named on January 16. As a tropical cyclone, Yasi brought significant rain to both Fiji and Tonga before it dissipated on January 19 to the south of Papette in French Polynesia. After Yasi dissipated, no tropical cyclones were recorded in the basin until March 9; however on February 12, a tropical low developed to the west of New Caledonia. Over the next 24 hours the low deepened to about 1002 hPa before it crossed 160°E and moved into the Australian region where it became known as the Queen Elizabeth II storm. On February 22 and 23, a shallow tropical depression moved around the Fijian archipelago and caused some flooding of low lying areas in Vanua Levu. On March 9 and 10, Tropical Cyclones Zaka and Atu both developed near New Caledonia, about 1000 km (621.4 mi) apart and took similar tracks towards the southeast before becoming extratropical. On March 21, the final tropical cyclone of the season developed to the northeast of Vanuatu. Over the next couple of days the depression gradually developed further and was named as Beti, before it passed over Vanuatu and New Caledonia. On March 29, after it had passed over New Caledonia, Beti degenerated into an extratropical cyclone, before dissipating on April 2. After the season ended the name Beti was retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists and was replaced with the name Bune.
, about 430 km (270 mi) to the south of Labasa
. Over the next few days, the depression moved towards the southeast before it started to affect Tonga on January 15. During the following day, the depression rapidly developed further as it interacted with the South Pacific Convergence Zone
, before the NPMOC initiated warnings on the system and designated it as 08P. At 0000 UTC on January 17, the NPMOC reported that the depression had reached its peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph) while RSMC Nadi reported that the depression had intensified into a tropical cyclone while it was located about 510 km (320 mi) to the southeast of Nukualofa, Tonga. However RSMC Nadi did not name it Yasi for another 12 hours, while the system reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph). After it was named on January 17, Yasi accelerated towards the southeast, before it moved out of RSMC Nadi's area of responsibility. During January 18, the NPMOC issued their final warning because Yasi had degenerated into an extratropical cyclone. TCWC Wellington monitored Yasi's remnants for another day, before they dissipated about 1520 km (940 mi) to the south of Papette
, French Polynesia
. As the system stayed over water for most of its life there was no major impact reported on any islands, however Yasi did cause some minor damage after it brought some rain to Tonga.
, about 150 km (95 mi) to the northwest of Noumea, New Caledonia. During that day an upper level trough
moved over New Zealand which brought the jet stream
over New Caledonia. As a result this made the depression hard to locate with satellite imagery. However later that day despite the system being poorly organized, RSMC Nadi reported that the depression had intensified into a tropical cyclone and named it Zaka. As they named it RSMC Nadi reported that the system had reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 65 km/h (40 mph) with further development of the system restricted by strong vertical wind shear. Early on March 10, the JTWC designated Zaka as Tropical Cyclone 20P, while it had its peak 1-minute windspeeds of 75 km/h (45 mph). RSMC Nadi then issued their final advisory at 0600 UTC, as Zaka had weakened into a tropical depression and was moving into TCWC Wellingtons area of responsibility. TCWC Wellington and the JTWC continued to monitor Zaka for another day before issuing their final warnings on March 11 as it became extratropical. Zaka dumped 376 mm (14.8 in) of rain on Vanuatu in just 24 hours.
in Papua New Guinea
. Over the next few days, the system remained weak and gradually moved southeast before it crossed 160°E and moved into the basin on March 9. During the next day, both the JTWC and RSMC Nadi started to monitor the system as a tropical depression as it moved through the Loyalty Islands
. On March 11, the depression intensified into a tropical cyclone as it moved southeastward, prompting RSMC Nadi to name it Atu at 1800 UTC. Early on March 12, the JTWC reported that Atu had reached its peak 1-minute windspeeds of 100 km/h (65 mph). Later that morning RSMC Nadi reported that Atu had reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph). After it had peaked in intensity, Atu weakened under the influence of strong vertical windshear before the JTWC and RSMC Nadi issued their final advisories during March 13 as Atu had become extratropical. Atu's remnants were then monitored by RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington until they dissipated on March 18.
on March 24, after passing over the Vanuatuan islands of Pentecost
and Malekula. As Beti moved into the Coral Sea, the system quickly intensified further, with RSMC Nadi reporting on March 25 that Beti had intensified into a category 3 severe tropical cyclone. As Beti intensified into a severe tropical cyclone, the ridge of high pressure weakened as it interacted with an upper level trough of low pressure. As a result, the system started to move towards the south-southeast.
Over the next couple of days Beti continued to intensify as it moved towards New Caledonia, before the JTWC reported at 1800 UTC on March 26, that Beti had reached its peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 195 km/h (120 mph). Six hours later, RSMC Nadi reported that the system had peaked as a category 4 severe tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 165 km/h (105 mph). Later on March 27, Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti made landfall on the Grande Terre island
of New Caledonia near its peak intensity and quickly weakened into a category 2 tropical cyclone. During the next day, Beti moved towards the southeast under the influence of the trough, reemerging into the Coral Sea as a weakening tropical cyclone that had started to transition into an extratropical cyclone. Later on March 28, RSMC Nadi passed the primary warning responsibility of the cyclone to TCWC Wellington, before the JTWC issued their final advisory on Beti as it had become extratropical. Over the next few days, TCWC Wellington continued to monitor the remnants of Beti, as it came under the influence of a high pressure area and moved around the East Coast of New Zealand. The extratropical remnants of Beti then dissipated on April 2 about 1400 km (870 mi) to the southeast of Wellington.
While it was active, Cyclone Beti was responsible for 2 deaths and caused some damage in Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. The most significant damage occurred in New Caledonia where wind and flooding destroyed crops, gardens and caused disruption to the electricity network, water supply, road and telephone communications. Many homes and roads were also badly damaged, with over 50% of lower standard housing on the outskirts of Noumea damaged after rivers and creeks burst their banks. Press reports indicated that Beti inflicted between FF 22-27 million (4.3 -5.3 million USD) in damage to New Caledonia and that only a few injuries had occurred. Within Vanuatu, Beti caused about VUV
3 million ($35,000 USD) in damage to food gardens and shelters. As an extratropical cyclone
, Beti generated a high surf and long period swells that hit both eastern Australia and New Zealand. Within Australia, the high surf left several competitors in the Australian life surfing championships injured, while another competitor was killed after his boat was swamped by large waves. Within New Zealand, Beti's remnants caused flooding and mud-slips, which led to several roads being closed. A helicopter and its pilot were lost at the height of the storm, while they were traveling from Napier
to Gisborne
.
| 08P|| Yasi || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Fiji, Tonga || Minor || None ||
|-
| N/A || QEII || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None ||
|-
| N/A || STD || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Fiji || Minor || None ||
|-
| 20P || Zaka || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || New Caledonia || Minor || None ||
|-
| 21P || Atu || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || New Caledonia || Minor || None ||
|-
| 23P || Beti || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Australia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand || 4,300,000 || 2 ||
|-class="unsortable"
! colspan=10| Season Aggregates
|-class="unsortable"
!colspan=2| 4 depressions !! January 12 – March 29 !! !! 165 km/h (105 mph) !! 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) !! !! 4,300,000 !! 2 !!
|}
160th meridian east
The meridian 160° east of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
. The season officially ran from November 1, 1995 until April 30, 1996. The first storm developed on January 12, while the last one dissipated on April 2. During the season the most intense tropical cyclone was Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti, which reached a minimum pressure of 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) as it affected New Caledonia. After the season ended Beti's name was the only name to be retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists and was replaced with Bune, after it inflicted over 4.3 million (USD) worth of damage to Australia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand.
During the season, tropical cyclones were officially monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center
Regional Specialized Meteorological Center
A Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre is responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, and warnings regarding the specific program they have a part of, agreed by consensus at the World Meteorological Organization as part of the World Weather Watch.-Tropical...
(RSMC) in Nadi, Fiji
Fiji Meteorological Service
The Fiji Meteorological Service is a Department of the government of Fiji responsible for providing weather forecasts and is based in Nadi. Since 1995, FMS has been responsible for naming and tracking tropical cyclones in the Southwest Pacific region...
, and the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWC) in Brisbane, Australia
Bureau of Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology is an Executive Agency of the Australian Government responsible for providing weather services to Australia and surrounding areas. It was established in 1906 under the Meteorology Act, and brought together the state meteorological services that existed before then...
and Wellington, New Zealand
Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited
Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited was established as a State-Owned Enterprise in 1992. It employs about 215 staff and its headquarters are in Wellington, New Zealand...
. Throughout the season the United States Navy also monitored the basin and issued unofficial warnings, through its Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
(JTWC) and Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NPMOC). Tropical cyclones that were located between 160°E and 120°W as well as the Equator and 25°S were monitored by RSMC Nadi while any that were located to the south of 25°S between 160°E and 120°W were monitored by TCWC Wellington. During the season the JTWC issued warnings on any tropical cyclone that was located between 160°E and 180° while the NPMOC issued warnings for tropical cyclones forming between the 180° and the American coast. RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington both used the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale, and measured windspeeds over a 10-minute period during the season, while the JTWC and the NPMOC measured sustained windspeeds over a 1-minute period.
Seasonal summary
| Record | TC Tropical cyclone A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor... |
STC |
| Average activity(1969-70 – 1994-95) | ||
| Record high activity | 0 1991–92 South Pacific cyclone season The 1991–92 South Pacific cyclone season saw a significant increase in the amount of tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 1991, to April 30, 1992, however tropical cyclones that developed outside these dates, counted... |
0 1991–92 South Pacific cyclone season The 1991–92 South Pacific cyclone season saw a significant increase in the amount of tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific to the east of 160°E. The season officially ran from November 1, 1991, to April 30, 1992, however tropical cyclones that developed outside these dates, counted... |
| Record low activity | 3 | 1 1994–95 South Pacific cyclone season The 1994–95 South Pacific cyclone season was one of the least active tropical cyclone seasons on record, with only three tropical cyclones officially occurring within the South Pacific Ocean basin between 160°E and 120°W... |
| Activity during the season | 4 | 1 |
Because of a weak La Nina
La Niña
La Niña is a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that is the counterpart of El Niño as part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation climate pattern. During a period of La Niña, the sea surface temperature across the equatorial Eastern Central Pacific Ocean will be lower than normal by 3–5 °C...
event, most tropical cyclones that developed within the season occurred within the Coral Sea. The weak La Nina also affected the amount of tropical cyclones that occurred during the year with only 4 tropical cyclones occurring the season as a whole became one of the most inactive tropical cyclone seasons since 1969-70. The first tropical cyclone of the season, Yasi, developed on January 12 as a tropical depression before it was named on January 16. As a tropical cyclone, Yasi brought significant rain to both Fiji and Tonga before it dissipated on January 19 to the south of Papette in French Polynesia. After Yasi dissipated, no tropical cyclones were recorded in the basin until March 9; however on February 12, a tropical low developed to the west of New Caledonia. Over the next 24 hours the low deepened to about 1002 hPa before it crossed 160°E and moved into the Australian region where it became known as the Queen Elizabeth II storm. On February 22 and 23, a shallow tropical depression moved around the Fijian archipelago and caused some flooding of low lying areas in Vanua Levu. On March 9 and 10, Tropical Cyclones Zaka and Atu both developed near New Caledonia, about 1000 km (621.4 mi) apart and took similar tracks towards the southeast before becoming extratropical. On March 21, the final tropical cyclone of the season developed to the northeast of Vanuatu. Over the next couple of days the depression gradually developed further and was named as Beti, before it passed over Vanuatu and New Caledonia. On March 29, after it had passed over New Caledonia, Beti degenerated into an extratropical cyclone, before dissipating on April 2. After the season ended the name Beti was retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists and was replaced with the name Bune.
Tropical Cyclone Yasi
On January 12, RSMC Nadi reported that a tropical depression had developed over the Fijian island of Vanua LevuVanua Levu
Vanua Levu , formerly known as Sandalwood Island, is the second largest island of Fiji. Located 64 kilometres to the north of the larger Viti Levu, the island has an area of 5,587.1 km² and a population of some 130,000.- Geography :...
, about 430 km (270 mi) to the south of Labasa
Labasa
Labasa is a town in Fiji with a population of 27,949 at the most recent census held in 2007.Labasa is located in Macuata Province, in the north-eastern part of the island of Vanua Levu, and is the largest town on the island. The town itself is located on a delta formed by three rivers - the...
. Over the next few days, the depression moved towards the southeast before it started to affect Tonga on January 15. During the following day, the depression rapidly developed further as it interacted with the South Pacific Convergence Zone
South Pacific convergence zone
The South Pacific Convergence Zone , a reverse-oriented monsoon trough, is a band of low-level convergence, cloudiness and precipitation extending from the west Pacific warm pool south-eastwards towards French Polynesia...
, before the NPMOC initiated warnings on the system and designated it as 08P. At 0000 UTC on January 17, the NPMOC reported that the depression had reached its peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph) while RSMC Nadi reported that the depression had intensified into a tropical cyclone while it was located about 510 km (320 mi) to the southeast of Nukualofa, Tonga. However RSMC Nadi did not name it Yasi for another 12 hours, while the system reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph). After it was named on January 17, Yasi accelerated towards the southeast, before it moved out of RSMC Nadi's area of responsibility. During January 18, the NPMOC issued their final warning because Yasi had degenerated into an extratropical cyclone. TCWC Wellington monitored Yasi's remnants for another day, before they dissipated about 1520 km (940 mi) to the south of Papette
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
, French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
. As the system stayed over water for most of its life there was no major impact reported on any islands, however Yasi did cause some minor damage after it brought some rain to Tonga.
Tropical Cyclone Zaka
On March 9, RSMC Nadi reported that a tropical depression had developed within an active convergence zoneSouth Pacific convergence zone
The South Pacific Convergence Zone , a reverse-oriented monsoon trough, is a band of low-level convergence, cloudiness and precipitation extending from the west Pacific warm pool south-eastwards towards French Polynesia...
, about 150 km (95 mi) to the northwest of Noumea, New Caledonia. During that day an upper level trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
moved over New Zealand which brought the jet stream
Jet stream
Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow air currents found in the atmospheres of some planets, including Earth. The main jet streams are located near the tropopause, the transition between the troposphere and the stratosphere . The major jet streams on Earth are westerly winds...
over New Caledonia. As a result this made the depression hard to locate with satellite imagery. However later that day despite the system being poorly organized, RSMC Nadi reported that the depression had intensified into a tropical cyclone and named it Zaka. As they named it RSMC Nadi reported that the system had reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 65 km/h (40 mph) with further development of the system restricted by strong vertical wind shear. Early on March 10, the JTWC designated Zaka as Tropical Cyclone 20P, while it had its peak 1-minute windspeeds of 75 km/h (45 mph). RSMC Nadi then issued their final advisory at 0600 UTC, as Zaka had weakened into a tropical depression and was moving into TCWC Wellingtons area of responsibility. TCWC Wellington and the JTWC continued to monitor Zaka for another day before issuing their final warnings on March 11 as it became extratropical. Zaka dumped 376 mm (14.8 in) of rain on Vanuatu in just 24 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Atu
On March 4, the JTWC started to monitor an area of disturbed weather that was located within the Australian region about 900 km (560 mi), to the southeast of Port MoresbyPort Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. Over the next few days, the system remained weak and gradually moved southeast before it crossed 160°E and moved into the basin on March 9. During the next day, both the JTWC and RSMC Nadi started to monitor the system as a tropical depression as it moved through the Loyalty Islands
Loyalty Islands
The Loyalty Islands are an archipelago in the Pacific. They are part of the French territory of New Caledonia, whose mainland is away. They form the Loyalty Islands Province , one of the three provinces of New Caledonia...
. On March 11, the depression intensified into a tropical cyclone as it moved southeastward, prompting RSMC Nadi to name it Atu at 1800 UTC. Early on March 12, the JTWC reported that Atu had reached its peak 1-minute windspeeds of 100 km/h (65 mph). Later that morning RSMC Nadi reported that Atu had reached its peak 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 85 km/h (50 mph). After it had peaked in intensity, Atu weakened under the influence of strong vertical windshear before the JTWC and RSMC Nadi issued their final advisories during March 13 as Atu had become extratropical. Atu's remnants were then monitored by RSMC Nadi and TCWC Wellington until they dissipated on March 18.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti
On March 19, the JTWC started to monitor a tropical disturbance that was located about 1145 km (710 mi) to the northwest of Suva, Fiji. Over the next couple of days the system moved towards the south and gradually developed further in an area of low vertical windshear, before the system was designated as Tropical Depression 23P by the JTWC and RSMC Nadi on March 21. Over the next couple of days, 23P moved further towards the south, before the depression started to move towards the southwest as a ridge of high pressure strengthened on March 23. Later that day, RSMC Nadi reported that the depression had intensified into a category 1 tropical cyclone and named it as Beti. During that day, Beti continued to develop further before the system moved into the Coral SeaCoral Sea
The Coral Sea is a marginal sea off the northeast coast of Australia. It is bounded in the west by the east coast of Queensland, thereby including the Great Barrier Reef, in the east by Vanuatu and by New Caledonia, and in the north approximately by the southern extremity of the Solomon Islands...
on March 24, after passing over the Vanuatuan islands of Pentecost
Pentecost Island
Pentecost Island is one of the 83 islands that make up the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. It lies due north of capital Port Vila. Pentecost Island is known as Pentecôte in French and Pentikos in Bislama. The island was known in its native languages by names such as Vanu Aroaroa, although these...
and Malekula. As Beti moved into the Coral Sea, the system quickly intensified further, with RSMC Nadi reporting on March 25 that Beti had intensified into a category 3 severe tropical cyclone. As Beti intensified into a severe tropical cyclone, the ridge of high pressure weakened as it interacted with an upper level trough of low pressure. As a result, the system started to move towards the south-southeast.
Over the next couple of days Beti continued to intensify as it moved towards New Caledonia, before the JTWC reported at 1800 UTC on March 26, that Beti had reached its peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 195 km/h (120 mph). Six hours later, RSMC Nadi reported that the system had peaked as a category 4 severe tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 165 km/h (105 mph). Later on March 27, Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti made landfall on the Grande Terre island
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
of New Caledonia near its peak intensity and quickly weakened into a category 2 tropical cyclone. During the next day, Beti moved towards the southeast under the influence of the trough, reemerging into the Coral Sea as a weakening tropical cyclone that had started to transition into an extratropical cyclone. Later on March 28, RSMC Nadi passed the primary warning responsibility of the cyclone to TCWC Wellington, before the JTWC issued their final advisory on Beti as it had become extratropical. Over the next few days, TCWC Wellington continued to monitor the remnants of Beti, as it came under the influence of a high pressure area and moved around the East Coast of New Zealand. The extratropical remnants of Beti then dissipated on April 2 about 1400 km (870 mi) to the southeast of Wellington.
While it was active, Cyclone Beti was responsible for 2 deaths and caused some damage in Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu. The most significant damage occurred in New Caledonia where wind and flooding destroyed crops, gardens and caused disruption to the electricity network, water supply, road and telephone communications. Many homes and roads were also badly damaged, with over 50% of lower standard housing on the outskirts of Noumea damaged after rivers and creeks burst their banks. Press reports indicated that Beti inflicted between FF 22-27 million (4.3 -5.3 million USD) in damage to New Caledonia and that only a few injuries had occurred. Within Vanuatu, Beti caused about VUV
Vanuatu vatu
The vatu is the currency of Vanuatu.The vatu has no subdivisions.-History:The vatu was introduced in 1982, after independence, to replace the New Hebrides franc at par...
3 million ($35,000 USD) in damage to food gardens and shelters. As an extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
, Beti generated a high surf and long period swells that hit both eastern Australia and New Zealand. Within Australia, the high surf left several competitors in the Australian life surfing championships injured, while another competitor was killed after his boat was swamped by large waves. Within New Zealand, Beti's remnants caused flooding and mud-slips, which led to several roads being closed. A helicopter and its pilot were lost at the height of the storm, while they were traveling from Napier
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
to Gisborne
Gisborne, New Zealand
-Economy:The harbour was host to many ships in the past and had developed as a river port to provide a more secure location for shipping compared with the open roadstead of Poverty Bay which can be exposed to southerly swells. A meat works was sited beside the harbour and meat and wool was shipped...
.
Seasonal effects
|-| 08P|| Yasi || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Fiji, Tonga || Minor || None ||
|-
| N/A || QEII || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || None || None || None ||
|-
| N/A || STD || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Fiji || Minor || None ||
|-
| 20P || Zaka || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || New Caledonia || Minor || None ||
|-
| 21P || Atu || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || New Caledonia || Minor || None ||
|-
| 23P || Beti || || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || bgcolor=#| || Australia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand || 4,300,000 || 2 ||
|-class="unsortable"
! colspan=10| Season Aggregates
|-class="unsortable"
!colspan=2| 4 depressions !! January 12 – March 29 !! !! 165 km/h (105 mph) !! 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) !! !! 4,300,000 !! 2 !!
|}
See also
- List of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons
- List of South Pacific cyclone seasons
- Atlantic hurricane seasons: 19951995 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. It officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the north Atlantic ocean...
, 19961995 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. It officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the north Atlantic ocean... - Pacific hurricane seasons: 19951995 Pacific hurricane seasonThe 1995 Pacific hurricane season was the least active Pacific hurricane season since 1979. Of the eleven tropical cyclones that formed during the season, four affected land, with the most notable storm of the season being Hurricane Ismael, which killed at least 116 people in Mexico...
, 19961995 Pacific hurricane seasonThe 1995 Pacific hurricane season was the least active Pacific hurricane season since 1979. Of the eleven tropical cyclones that formed during the season, four affected land, with the most notable storm of the season being Hurricane Ismael, which killed at least 116 people in Mexico... - Pacific typhoon seasons: 19951995 Pacific typhoon season-Typhoon Faye:On July 19, Tropical Storm Faye became the first typhoon of the season, tied for the second latest date of the first typhoon with 1977, only behind Otto of 1998. It tracked northwestward and reached a peak of 120 mph winds 2 days later. Faye turned northward, and after...
, 19961996 Pacific typhoon seasonThe 1996 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1996, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November... - North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 19951995 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasonThe 1995 North Indian Ocean cyclone season had no bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with peaks in May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean.-Season summary:Four tropical...
, 19961996 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasonThe 1995 North Indian Ocean cyclone season had no bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with peaks in May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean.-Season summary:Eight tropical...