1977–78 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedNovember 24, 1977
Last system dissipatedApril 22, 1978
Strongest storm
NameBob and Charles
 • Maximum winds155 km/h (100 mph)
(10-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure945 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions8
Tropical cyclones8
Severe tropical cyclones3
Total fatalitiesUnknown
Total damageUnknown
Related articles

Seasonal summary

Systems

Tropical Cyclone Steve

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationNovember 24 – December 4
Peak intensity110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min);
965 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Tessa

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 5 – December 11
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min);
990 hPa (mbar)

Tessa precursor tropical depression was first noted on December 5, while it was located in the southern Line Islands of Kiribati.[1][2] Over the next couple of days, the system moved southeastwards and gradually intensified, before it was named Tessa by the FMS during December 7.[1]

During December 9, the system moved in between Puka Puka and Reao as it continued to weaken and move south-eastwards towards the Gambier Islands.[1] The system was last noted during December 11, while it was located about 590 km (365 mi) to the northeast of Adams Town in the Pitcarn Islands.[2] As the system moved through the Tuamotu Islands of French Polynesia, Tessa caused significant precipitation over the islands, with the Puka Puka weather station recording a 24-hour rainfall total of 154.2 mm (6.07 in) during December 8.[1]

Tropical Cyclone Anne

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 23 – December 31
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);
980 hPa (mbar)

For several days during the week building up to Christmas 1977, a tropical disturbance persisted about 925 km (575 mi) to the northeast of Fiji and to the northwest of Samoa.[3] A distinct cyclonic circulation subsequently started to develop during December 23, while it was located about 740 km (460 mi) to the northeast of Vanua Levu. Over the next day the system moved south-westwards and passed within 75 km (45 mi) of Futuna, before it was named Anne by the FMS during December 24, as satellite pictures showed that a tropical cyclone was developing. During December 25, the winds were indirectly estimated to be off gale-force, as it passed south-westwards through the Fijian Islands.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Bob

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 31 – January 12
Peak intensity155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min);
945 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Charles

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 13 – March 1
Peak intensity155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min);
945 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Diana

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
 
DurationFebruary 15 – February 22
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);
980 hPa (mbar)

During February 15, a tropical depression developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone, to the west of French Polynesia's Society Islands.[1][4] Over the next couple of days, the system moved eastwards towards Mopelia while gradually developing further, before it was named Diana by the FMS during February 16.[1]

Tropical Cyclone Ernie

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 17 – February 23
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);
980 hPa (mbar)

During February 17, the FMS started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed, about 560 km (350 mi) to the northwest of Udu Point in Fiji.[3] During that day, the system deepened as it moved south-eastwards towards Fiji before the FMS named it Ernie.[3]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hal

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationApril 13 – April 22
Peak intensity130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min);
965 hPa (mbar)

Season effects


Name Dates Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD)		 Deaths Refs
Category Wind speed Pressure
SteveNovember 24 – December 4Category 2 tropical cyclone110 km/h (70 mph)965 hPa (28.50 inHg)
TessaDecember 5 – 11Category 1 tropical cyclone75 km/h (45 mph)990 hPa (29.23 inHg)[1][2]
AnneDecember 23 – 31Category 1 tropical cyclone100 km/h (65 mph)980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
BobDecember 31 – January 12Category 3 severe tropical cyclone155 km/h (100 mph)945 hPa (27.91 inHg)
CharlesFebruary 13 – March 1Category 3 severe tropical cyclone155 km/h (100 mph)945 hPa (27.91 inHg)
DianaFebruary 15 – 22Category 2 tropical cyclone100 km/h (65 mph)980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
ErnieFebruary 17 – 23Category 2 tropical cyclone100 km/h (65 mph)980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
HalApril 13 – 22Category 3 severe tropical cyclone130 km/h (80 mph)965 hPa (28.50 inHg)
Season aggregates
8 systemsNovember 24 – April 22155 km/h (100 mph)945 hPa (27.91 inHg)

See also

  • Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1977, 1978
  • Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1977, 1978
  • Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1977, 1978
  • North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1977, 1978

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Laurent, Victoire; Varney, Patrick (2014). Historique des Cyclones de Polynesie Francaise [History of Cyclones in French Polynesia] (in French). Meteo France. pp. 113–114. ISBN 978-2-9522946-1-4.
  2. 1 2 3 "1977 Tropical Cyclone TESSA (1977339S11204)". The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Krishna, Ram (January 4, 1981). Publication No. 2: Tropical Cyclones in Fiji: November 1969 – April 1980 (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. pp. 3–5.
  4. ↑ "1978 Tropical Cyclone Diana (1978047S13197)". The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
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