Tropical cyclone season
1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season Season summary map
First system formed November 27, 1980 Last system dissipated March 21, 1981 Name Freda • Maximum winds 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-minute sustained ) • Lowest pressure 955 hPa (mbar )
Total depressions 12 Tropical cyclones 11 Severe tropical cyclones 4 Total fatalities Unknown Total damage Unknown
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons 1978–79 , 1979–80 , 1980–81 , 1981–82 , 1982–83
The 1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season was an above-average season.
Seasonal summary
This season marked the first time that the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued warnings and performed best track analysis on significant tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere .[ 1]
Systems
Tropical Cyclone Diola
Duration November 27 – November 30 Peak intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min) ; 990 hPa (mbar )
Diola existed from November 27 to November 30.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Arthur
Duration January 11 – January 17 Peak intensity 130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min) ; 965 hPa (mbar )
Arthur existed from January 11 to January 17.
Tropical Cyclone Betsy
Duration January 30 – February 4 Peak intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min) ; 995 hPa (mbar )
Betsy existed from January 30 to February 4.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Cliff
Duration February 9 – February 13 (Crossed 160°E ) Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min) ; 975 hPa (mbar )
Cliff developed on February 9, near Vanua Lava , Vanuatu . The cyclone reached peak intensity on February 12, with an estimated central pressure of 975 hPa. It passed over New Caledonia at near peak intensity, with sustained winds 92 km/h (57 mph). After crossing into the Australian region , Cliff struck Queensland on February 14, making landfall near Bundaberg . The cyclone caused some crop and structural damages in South East Queensland, and beach erosion occurred on the Gold and Sunshine coasts. One man was drowned off the Gold Coast.[ 2]
Tropical Cyclone SP198006
Duration February 16 – February 21 Peak intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min) ; 985 hPa (mbar )
This cyclone existed from February 16 to February 21.
Tropical Cyclone Daman
Duration February 20 – February 24 Peak intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) ; 980 hPa (mbar )
Daman existed from February 20 to February 24.
Tropical Cyclone SP198008
Duration February 22 – March 7 Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min) ; 990 hPa (mbar )
This cyclone existed from February 22 to March 7.
Tropical Cyclone Esau
Duration March 1 – March 5 Peak intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) ; 980 hPa (mbar )
Esau existed from March 1 to March 5.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda
Freda existed from February 24 to March 9.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Tahmar
Duration March 8 – March 13 Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min) ; 970 hPa (mbar )
Tahmar existed from March 8 to March 13.
Tropical Cyclone Fran
Duration March 17 – March 24 Peak intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min) ; 985 hPa (mbar )
Fran existed from March 17 to March 24.
Other systems
The JTWC initiated warnings on Tropical Cyclone 12P during January 26, which had moved into the basin from the Australian region during the previous day. The system subsequently passed in between Vanuatu and New Caledonia before it was last noted during January 27.
Season effects
Name
Dates
Peak intensity
Areas affected
Damage(USD )
Deaths
Refs
Category
Wind speed
Pressure
Diola
November 27 – 30
Category 1 tropical cyclone
75 km/h (45 mph)
990 hPa (29.23 inHg)
Arthur
January 11 – 17
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone
130 km/h (80 mph)
965 hPa (28.50 inHg)
[ 3]
Betsy
January 30 – February 4
Category 1 tropical cyclone
75 km/h (45 mph)
990 hPa (29.23 inHg)
Cliff
February 8 – 13
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone
120 km/h (75 mph)
970 hPa (28.64 inHg)
[ 4]
Unnamed
February 16 – 21
Category 2 tropical cyclone
95 km/h (60 mph)
985 hPa (29.09 inHg)
Daman
February 20 – 24
Category 2 tropical cyclone
100 km/h (65 mph)
980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Unnamed
February 22 – March 7
Category 1 tropical cyclone
75 km/h (45 mph)
990 hPa (29.23 inHg)
Esau
March 1 – 5
Category 2 tropical cyclone
100 km/h (65 mph)
980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Freda
March 4 – 9
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone
150 km/h (90 mph)
955 hPa (28.20 inHg)
[ 5]
Tahmar
March 8 – 13
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone
120 km/h (75 mph)
970 hPa (28.64 inHg)
French Polynesia
[ 6]
Fran
March 17 – 24
Category 2 tropical cyclone
100 km/h (65 mph)
980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Season aggregates
11 systems
November 27, 1980– March 24, 1981
150 km/h (90 mph)
955 hPa (28.20 inHg)
See also
Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1980 , 1981
Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1980 , 1981
Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1980 , 1981
North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1980 , 1981
References
External links
Cyclones Hurricanes Typhoons Non-seasonal lists