Cyclone Oli (2010)
Encyclopedia
Severe Tropical Cyclone Oli (RSMC Nadi designation 07F, JTWC designation 12P) was the first severe tropical cyclone within the South Pacific basin since Severe Tropical Cyclone Gene in 2008.
At least one person was killed by large swells produced by the storm in French Polynesia.
(FMS) early on January 29. In their first advisory on the system, the FMS designated the system as Tropical Disturbance 07F and centered roughly 700 km, (430 mi) north-west of Suva
, Fiji
. The following day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
(JTWC) began monitoring the disturbance as an area of mid-level convection
. Satellite imagery depicted a developing low-level circulation center within the system as it moved within a region of moderate wind shear
. Later on January 30, convective banding features developed along the periphery of the system as it moved eastward in response to a subtropical
ridge
to the north. Around 0900 UTC
on January 31, the FMS upgraded the disturbance to a tropical depression. Shortly thereafter, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
on the system, stating that the system was likely to develop into a tropical storm within 24 to 48 hours. Early the next day, the JTWC declared that the depression had intensified into a tropical storm and classified it as Tropical Cyclone 12P.
and the surrounding islands. As the storm bypassed Tahiti and nearby islands on February 4 and 5, the local government declared a red alert as winds up to 195 km/h (120 mph) impacted the region. Numerous structures were damaged across the islands and several people were injured. Numerous power and telephone lines were knocked out, hampering communication on the affected islands.
Shortly after the storm passed, power companies deployed crews to restore power to the island. By 9:30 am (local time) on February 5, roughly 20% of the island's homes remained without power.
On the island of Tubuai
alone, 200 homes sustained damage from the storm, leaving more than $11 million (USD) in monetary losses. Elsewhere in the region, the storm left an additional $13 million in damage.
Following the widespread damage from the storm, the local government declared a state of natural calamity. Additionally, the overseas minister of France pledged to establish a relief fund for victims of the storm.
At least one person was killed by large swells produced by the storm in French Polynesia.
Meteorological history
Severe Tropical Cyclone Oli was first identified by the Fiji Meteorological ServiceFiji 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...
(FMS) early on January 29. In their first advisory on the system, the FMS designated the system as Tropical Disturbance 07F and centered roughly 700 km, (430 mi) north-west of Suva
Suva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
, Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
. The following day, the 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) began monitoring the disturbance as an area of mid-level convection
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
. Satellite imagery depicted a developing low-level circulation center within the system as it moved within a region of moderate wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
. Later on January 30, convective banding features developed along the periphery of the system as it moved eastward in response to a subtropical
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
to the north. Around 0900 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
on January 31, the FMS upgraded the disturbance to a tropical depression. Shortly thereafter, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
on the system, stating that the system was likely to develop into a tropical storm within 24 to 48 hours. Early the next day, the JTWC declared that the depression had intensified into a tropical storm and classified it as Tropical Cyclone 12P.
Cook Islands
Late on January 31, RSMC Nadi placed the islands of Pukapuka, Nassau and Suwarrow under a tropical cyclone alert, whilst a strong wind warning was put in place for the rest of the northern Cook Islands. Early the next day, RSMC Nadi cancelled the alert for Pukapuka and Nassau, whilst placing Suwarrow island under a tropical cyclone warning. However the warning was cancelled later that day, after Oli had moved away.Tahiti
Prior to Oli's arrival, roughly 3,400 people were evacuated from low-lying, coastal areas in TahitiTahiti
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...
and the surrounding islands. As the storm bypassed Tahiti and nearby islands on February 4 and 5, the local government declared a red alert as winds up to 195 km/h (120 mph) impacted the region. Numerous structures were damaged across the islands and several people were injured. Numerous power and telephone lines were knocked out, hampering communication on the affected islands.
French Polynesia
After tracking by Tahiti, Oli turned southward and threatened the islands of French Polynesia. Officials quickly began urging people to evacuate to designated shelters and remain indoors. All flights were cancelled to and from the area as well as all sea-faring vessels. All schools were closed prior to Oli's arrival. About 650 tourists were trapped on Bora Bora Island after transportation throughout the region was shut down. An estimated 4,000 residents on the islands evacuated to public shelters by February 4.Cook Islands
Minor damages were reported within the Cook Islands after they were affected by heavy rain, high seas and strong winds. On Penrhyn and Pukapuka island heavy rain caused houses and roads to be flooded, whilst on Omoka island, wharfs were reported to have been damaged.Tahiti
Numerous structures were damaged across the islands and several people were injured. Numerous power and telephone lines were knocked out, hampering communication on the affected islands. Major damage was reported in Papenoo.Shortly after the storm passed, power companies deployed crews to restore power to the island. By 9:30 am (local time) on February 5, roughly 20% of the island's homes remained without power.
French Polynesia
At least one person was killed by large swells produced by the storm around the island of Tubuai in the Austral islands, south of Tahiti. Hundreds of homes were damaged across the islands as strong winds, recorded up to 200 km/h (124.3 mph) battered them. The winds also downed power and telephone lines and led to officials banning road travel. Winds up to 120 km/h (74.6 mph) impacted Bora Bora Island during the storm's passage. A total of 40 homes were destroyed on the island and one person was seriously injured.On the island of Tubuai
Tubuai (Austral Islands)
Tubuai is the name of a group of islands and also the name of its main island, being part of the Austral Islands, French Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean. Tubuai, the main island of the Tubuai Island group, is located at . It is south of Tahiti...
alone, 200 homes sustained damage from the storm, leaving more than $11 million (USD) in monetary losses. Elsewhere in the region, the storm left an additional $13 million in damage.
Following the widespread damage from the storm, the local government declared a state of natural calamity. Additionally, the overseas minister of France pledged to establish a relief fund for victims of the storm.