Cyclone Vania (2011)
Encyclopedia
Severe Tropical Cyclone Vania (RSMC Nadi designation 03F, JTWC designation 05P) was the third depression, first tropical cyclone and the first severe tropical cyclone of the 2010–11 South Pacific cyclone season
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initiated warnings on the system and monitored it as Tropical Cyclone 05P. On the Next day, RSMC Nadi upgraded the depression into a Category 1 tropical cyclone and named it "Vania". Later that day, RSMC Nadi reported that Vania had intensified into a Category 2 tropical cyclone. Early the next day, RSMC Nadi upgraded Vania into a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone. Later that day, RSMC Nadi reported that Vania started weakening and downgraded it into a Category 2 tropical cyclone. Subsequently, it was downgraded to a category 1 tropical cyclone on January 14. On January 15, JTWC issued their final warning on the system. Soon, issuing their final advisory, RSMC Nadi downgraded Vania into a Tropical Depression.
, winds of 140 km/hr affected Tafea Province
, and contact with this group of islands was lost. Many buildings were damaged and trees were felled. Within 24 hours of the storm's arrival in New Caledonia, a large magnitude 7.0 earthquake
struck the Loyalty Islands
within the archipelago. Media reported that extreme wind gusts up to 225 km/h (139.8 mph) were felt in the region. The residents of New Zealand were informed about the low that would strike the country. They were informed about tropical moisture that could be pulled into the country by the low.
2010–11 South Pacific cyclone season
The 2010–11 South Pacific cyclone season is a period of the year when tropical cyclones formed within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E...
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Meteorological history
Late on January 5, RSMC Nadi upgraded an area of low pressure into a tropical disturbance giving it the identifier "03F". The disturbance slowly gained strength and on January 9, RMSC Nadi reported that the disturbance had intensified into a tropical depression. In Fiji, heavy rains associated with the initial disturbance brought significant flooding to many islands. Several roads were temporarily shut down due to rising waters, though no homes were affected. On January 11, the Joint Typhoon Warning CenterJoint 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...
initiated warnings on the system and monitored it as Tropical Cyclone 05P. On the Next day, RSMC Nadi upgraded the depression into a Category 1 tropical cyclone and named it "Vania". Later that day, RSMC Nadi reported that Vania had intensified into a Category 2 tropical cyclone. Early the next day, RSMC Nadi upgraded Vania into a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone. Later that day, RSMC Nadi reported that Vania started weakening and downgraded it into a Category 2 tropical cyclone. Subsequently, it was downgraded to a category 1 tropical cyclone on January 14. On January 15, JTWC issued their final warning on the system. Soon, issuing their final advisory, RSMC Nadi downgraded Vania into a Tropical Depression.
Preparations and Impact
Although the center of Vania continued to move away from Fiji, the storm's outer bands brought continued rainfall to the country. As the storm passed through VanuatuVanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
, winds of 140 km/hr affected Tafea Province
Tafea Province
Tafea is the southernmost province of Vanuatu. The name is an acronym for the five main islands that make up the province:1) including Goat Island and Vete Manung Island...
, and contact with this group of islands was lost. Many buildings were damaged and trees were felled. Within 24 hours of the storm's arrival in New Caledonia, a large magnitude 7.0 earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
struck 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...
within the archipelago. Media reported that extreme wind gusts up to 225 km/h (139.8 mph) were felt in the region. The residents of New Zealand were informed about the low that would strike the country. They were informed about tropical moisture that could be pulled into the country by the low.