Cyclone Winston

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston
Category 5 cyclone ( Australian scale )
Category 5 cyclone ( SSHWS )
Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston at its greatest intensity as it approached Fiji on February 20, 2016
Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston at its greatest intensity as it approached Fiji on February 20, 2016
Emergence February 7, 2016
resolution March 3, 2016
Peak wind
speed
230  km / h (145  mph ) (10 minutes sustained)
285  km / h (180  mph ) (sustained for 1 minute)
Lowest air pressure 915  hPa ( mbar )
dead 43 total
Property damage Unknown
Affected
areas 		Fiji , Tonga , Niue
Season overview:
'

Cyclone Winston , according to the WMO classification Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston (locally also as Hurricane Winston ) was a tropical cyclone active in the southern Pacific Ocean since February 7, 2016 and the first recorded cyclone to make a landfall in category 5 of the Australian intensity scale had in Fiji . The storm system was classified as a tropical fault on February 7, northwest of Port Vila , Vanuatu . During the following days the system developed steadily and moved southeast. It reached storm strength on February 11th. After a rapid intensification , Winston achieved ten-minute wind speeds of around 175 km / h. Less favorable conditions then led to a weakening before the storm abruptly swung in a northwestern direction on February 14th. Winston paused north of Tonga on February 17th . The storm intensified again and doubled in intensity on its way west, reaching Category 5 on both the Australian cyclone intensity scale and the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale on February 19 . With ten-minute wind speeds of 230 km / h and a central air pressure of 915 hPa, Cyclone Winston reached its greatest intensity on the following day shortly before landfall on Viti Levu , Fiji.

At least 42 people were killed in the effects of the cyclone in Fiji and one person was killed in Vanuatu. Communication links to at least six islands were temporarily lost.

History of tropical cyclones in Fiji

Although frequently affected by tropical cyclones, Fiji's main islands - Viti Levu and Vanua Levu - are not regularly affected by strong cyclones. The previously strongest storm on the islands of Fiji since systematic weather records began was Cyclone Evan in December 2012, which struck the west coast of Viti Levu as a Category 4 storm on both the Australian scale and the SSHS. The strongest storm with landfall on Viti Levu or Vanua Levu in 1985 was cyclone Nigel with ten-minute winds of 150 km / h and one-minute winds of 195 km / h. The relative absence of severe cyclones in the area of ​​the capital Suva , on the southeast coast of Levu, has made the population careless. Many believed that strong storms were confined to the north and west. Because Cyclone Winston was approaching Suva directly from the east, Angela Fritz of the Washington Post called the storm the "biggest accident to be expected".

Storm course

Cyclone's track

On February 7, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), as the responsible Regional Specialized Meteorological Center, began observing Tropical Fault 09F, which had formed about 1000 km northwest of Port Vila , Vanuatu . During the following days the system moved southeast and developed steadily in a favorable environment. On February 10, the United States' Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began issuing storm warnings and classified it as Tropical Cyclone 11P, at that time 860 km west-northwest of Suva, Fiji. The FMS placed the system in Category 1 on the Australian cyclone scale early on February 11 and named it Winston when the storm was about 820 km west-northwest of Suva. Embedded in a north-westerly medium high-altitude wind, the system slowly moved south-east. At around 12:00 PM UTC that day, Winston intensified into a Category 2 cyclone with a small, well-defined eye with deepening convection .

Due to its location in an environment favorable for further development with water surface temperatures of 30 to 31 ° C, a robust discharge at high altitude and light to moderate wind shear , Winston intensified rapidly in a severe tropical cyclone on February 12 at around 6:00 a.m. Category 3 and only six hours later to Category 4. The system showed a well-trained eye, embedded in deep convection, and for the first time reached its highest intensity at 18:00 UTC with ten-minute winds of 175 km / h (the JTWC estimated the one-minute wind speeds at 205 km / h). Shortly afterwards, increasing wind shear caused the cyclone to weaken; the convection warmed up and appeared increasingly torn in satellite images. On February 14, Winston turned northeast as a subtropical front positioned itself north of the cyclone.

Cyclones Tatiana (left) and Winston (right) on February 12th.

Persistent wind shear shifted the center of the cyclone so that the circulation was partially free. As a result, the system lost its status as a severe tropical cyclone on February 15 at 00:00 UTC. On February 16, the conditions for the cyclone's development became more favorable and the wind shear decreased. On this day a clearly recognizable band of rain wrapped itself in the circulation, marking the beginning of the renewed intensification. With increasing convection, an eye formed again and Winston was upgraded to a severe tropical cyclone again at 18:00 UTC. The core of the storm became progressively more compact and better defined as it strengthened, and a central dense overcast formed on February 17 . During the day, Cyclone Winston reached a region with only weak steering currents and became almost stationary. The eye of the storm became more visible as the system moved back west late on February 17th.

A deepening high pressure ridge in the south drove Winston west on February 18 and steered him towards Fiji. The eye enlarged that day and the high altitude discharge was better defined. Winston's general structure became increasingly symmetrical, and the system took on signs of an annular tropical cyclone. On February 19, the cyclone intensified further and the eye, which was 27 km in diameter, was surrounded by intense convection. Winston reached Category 5, the highest level on the Australian intensity scale, at 06:00 UTC; the ten-minute wind speeds reached 205 km / h. The nearly perfect conditions fueled the intensification and Winston deepened further. At 18:00 UTC, the JTWC estimated the one-minute continuous wind speeds at 265 km / h and classified the cyclone as equivalent to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale . Around this time, the cyclone passed directly over the island of Vanua Balavu . Wind gusts of 325 km / h were measured there.

When the cyclone passed Vanua Levu just south of early February 20, Winston reached ten-minute winds of 230 km / h and an air pressure of 915 hPa. The JTWC rated Winston slightly stronger, with one-minute winds of 285 km / h just ahead landfall in Rakiraki District on Viti Levu . Winston is the only Category 5 cyclone, regardless of which of the two scales, that directly affected Fiji and is therefore the strongest recorded cyclone in the island nation.

Effects

Fiji

Winston at the time of landfall on Viti Levu on February 20

On February 14, the FMS began issuing storm warnings for the southern Lau Islands in Fiji. These warnings were extended to February 15, but were suspended on February 16 as Winston left state territory. On February 18, warnings were resumed for the northern and eastern islands after the cyclone changed direction and started moving back towards Fiji. Warnings of a hurricane-force storm were issued on February 19 for most of the northern islands in the immediate migratory path. The emergency shelters on the southern Lau Islands and on Koro and Taveuni were opened on February 19; a total of 700 locations across the country. The Fijian armed forces have been put on standby for relief efforts. A state of emergency was declared on the afternoon of February 20th. A nationwide curfew was imposed at 6:00 p.m. local time. Public transport on Viti Levu has ceased and the state road administration has recommended that residents limit journeys to urgent emergencies. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama described the storm as "a test of the heaviest kind".

On February 20, cyclone Winston caused widespread damage to several islands in Fiji. About 900,000 people in the country were cut off from electricity, including the residents of Vanua Levu completely, as the storm uprooted trees and destroyed utility lines. Communication links to Vanua Balavu, Lakeba, Cicia, Nayau, Taveuni and Qamea were lost. The public telephone network on Matuku was completely interrupted.

At least 43 people were killed nationwide: 21 in the Eastern Division , 13 in the Western Division , six in the Central Division, and three in the Northern Division . Seven people were also missing at sea near the Yasawa Islands .

In Fiji's Eastern Division , 150 houses were destroyed and 60 more damaged. Koro was also badly hit, schools destroyed and the roofs of numerous houses covered. The village of Kade was completely devastated. One resident died in the collapse of his house in Nabasovi and another twelve people in Nabuna . Significant damage was also reported on Ovalau .

On Viti Levu, strong winds destroyed at least two houses in Waidamu; a river burst its banks and flooded several villages.

The total damage as of February 28, 2016 was estimated at half a billion US dollars .

Other South Pacific Nations

Winston made two impacts on Tonga within a few days . The cyclone caused significant damage in northern Tonga. About 2500 residents sought protection in emergency shelters. In the first passage of the storm, only agriculture was largely damaged, while in the second passage more severe structural damage occurred. At least 10 houses were destroyed and another 200 damaged.

Winston also had an impact on Niue on February 16 ; the FMS warned of strong winds and strong waves.

consequences

Fiji

The country's schools were closed for a week due to serious damage to the school buildings. In Labasa , two people were arrested for violating the curfew and several others received warnings. The New Zealand government initially set aside 50,000 NZD for the preparation of relief measures and relief supplies worth 170,000 NZD. The country also dispatched a Lockheed P-3 Orion to help locate victims and assess aerial damage in Fiji.

Tonga

Also Tonga received from New Zealand money and relief supplies, and New Zealand supplied 8,000 people with clean drinking water. Even Australia presented Tonga help available, including the distribution of food in value 300,000 AUD by the Tonga Red Cross Society , the deployment of two aircraft and two civil defense experts of the Australian Civilian Corps to assist in the relief efforts.

Web links

Commons : Zyklon Winston  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

supporting documents

  1. ↑ a b Losalini Bolatagici: TC Winston death toll rises to 43 (English) . In: Fiji Times , February 29, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016. 
  2. ^ Nasik Swami: Hurricane Winston makes landfall in Viti Levu . In: Fiji Times , February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016 Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fijitimes.com 
  3. ↑ a b Angela Fritz: Catastrophic Cyclone Winston bears down on Fiji's main island in worst case scenario (English) . In: The Washington Post , February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016. 
  4. ↑ Jeff Masters: A grinch in paradise: Category 4 Tropical Cyclone Evan slams Fiji ( English ) Weather Underground. December 17, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  5. ^ Tropical Disturbance Summary for Area Equator to 25S, 160E to 120W ( English ) Fiji Meteorological Service. February 7, 2016. Archived from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  6. ^ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans ( English ) Joint Typhoon Warning Center. February 10, 2016. Archived from the original on February 10, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  7. ↑ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Eleven) Warning Nr 001 ( English ) Joint Typhoon Warning Center. February 10, 2016. Archived from the original on February 10, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  8. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A4 ( English ) Fiji Meteorological Service. February 11, 2016. Archived from the original on February 11, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  9. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A6 ( English ) Fiji Meteorological Service. February 11, 2016. Archived from the original on February 11, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  10. ↑ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning Nr 003 ( English ) Joint Typhoon Warning Center. February 11, 2016. Archived from the original on February 11, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  11. ↑ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning Nr 005 ( English ) Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Archived from the original on February 12, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  12. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A9 ( English ) Fiji Meteorological Service. February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  13. ↑ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A10 ( English ) Fiji Meteorological Service. February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  14. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A11 ( English ) Fiji Meteorological Service. February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  15. ^ A b [Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Rolling Best Track ] ( English , TXT) In: Joint Typhoon Warning Center . United States Naval Research Laboratory , Marine Meteorology. February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  16. ^ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 007 ( English ) Joint Typhoon Warning Center. February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  17. ^ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 008 ( English ) Joint Typhoon Warning Center. February 14, 2016. Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  18. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A19 ( English ) Fiji Meteorological Service. February 15, 2016. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  19. ^ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 013 ( English ) Joint Typhoon Warning Center. February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  20. ^ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 014 ( English ) Joint Typhoon Warning Center. February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  21. ↑ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A26 ( English ) Fiji Meteorological Service. February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.
  22. ^ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 016 (Report).
  23. ↑ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 017 (Report).
  24. ↑ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 018 (Report).
  25. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A30 (Advisory).
  26. ↑ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 020 (Report).
  27. ↑ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 021 (Report).
  28. ^ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 022 (Report).
  29. ^ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 022 (Report).
  30. ↑ a b c Jeff Masters and Bob Henson: Fiji Pounded by its First Category 5 Storm on Record: Tropical Cyclone Winston . Weather Underground. February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  31. ↑ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 024 (Report).
  32. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A37 (Advisory).
  33. ^ Tropical Cyclone 11P (Winston) Warning NR 027 (Report).
  34. ↑ a b c d e f Winston leaves trail of destruction ( English ) Radio New Zealand. February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  35. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number A42 (Advisory).
  36. ↑ Jon Erdman: Tropical Cyclone Winston Makes Category 5 Landfall; Strongest on Record in Fiji ( English ) The Weather Channel. February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  37. ↑ Losalini Bolatagici: Winston the strongest, first Category 5 cyclone to hit Fiji (English) . In: Fiji Times , February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016 Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved February 22, 2016. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fijitimes.com 
  38. ^ Special Weather Bulletin Number One for Fiji On Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston (Report).
  39. ^ Special Weather Bulletin Number Seven for Fiji On Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston (Report).
  40. ^ Special Weather Bulletin Number Fifteen for Fiji On Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston (Report).
  41. ^ Special Weather Bulletin Number Sixteen for Fiji On Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston (Report).
  42. ^ Special Weather Bulletin Number Twenty-Four for Fiji On Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston (Report).
  43. ↑ Savaira Tabua: Evacuation centers activated in upper Lau group ( English ) Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  44. ↑ Akosita Talei: RFMF on standby for TC Winston ( English ) Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  45. ^ Nasik Swami: Fiji declares State of Natural Disaster (English) . In: Fiji Times , February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016 Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved February 22, 2016. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fijitimes.com 
  46. ↑ Indra Singh: Nationwide Curfew as TC Winston batters Fiji group (English) . In: Fiji Times , February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016. 
  47. ↑ Nadia Khomami: Cyclone Winston: Fiji counts deaths and damage from giant storm (English) . In: The Guardian , February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016. 
  48. ↑ Elenoa Turagaiviu: Restoration of essential services is a priority ( English ) Fiji Broadcast Corporation. February 21, 2016. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 22, 2016. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fbc.com.fj
  49. ↑ Luke Rawalai: TC Winston: Telecommunications to Taveuni cut (English) . In: Fiji Times , February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016 Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved February 22, 2016. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fijitimes.com 
  50. ^ Aliki Bia: No links to some islands in Lau Group ( English ) Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  51. ↑ Tokasa Rainima: Matuku prepares for bad weather ( English ) Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  52. ↑ Maciu Bolaitamana: West claimsoft 10 lives ( English ) Fiji Broadcast Corporation. February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.fbc.com.fj
  53. ↑ UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (February 21, 2016).
  54. ↑ Savaira Tabua: Teachers quarters blown away ( English ) Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  55. ↑ Talebula Kate: All houses destroyed in island village (English) . In: Fiji Times , February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016. 
  56. ↑ Farzana Nisha: Death of an elderly man confirmed ( English ) Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  57. ↑ Tokasa Rainima: 12 villagers injured in Nabuna, Koro ( English ) Fiji Broadcast Corporation. February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  58. ↑ Ellen Stolz: Ovalau experiencing destructive winds ( English ) Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  59. ^ Nasik Swami: Two houses blown away in Nausori (English) . In: Fiji Times , February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016 Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved February 22, 2016. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fijitimes.com 
  60. ↑ Fiji: Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston. Situation Report No. 8 (as of February 28, 2016). OCHA, accessed March 8, 2016 .
  61. ↑ Despite some damage, Tonga escapes the worst of Winston (English) . In: Fiji Times , February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016 Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved February 22, 2016. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fijitimes.com 
  62. ↑ webcitation.org
  63. ↑ Ritika Pratap: Schools to go on one week break ( English ) Fiji Broadcast Corporation. February 21, 2016. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016. Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved February 22, 2016. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fbc.com.fj
  64. ↑ Elenoa Turagaiviu: Two people arrested in Labasa ( English ) Fiji Broadcast Corporation. February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  65. ^ Murray McCully: NZ sends Orion and releases aid to Fiji ( English ) Government of New Zealand. February 22, 2016. Accessed February 21, 2016.
  66. ↑ 5 Things to Know About Tropical Cyclone Winston ( English ) Retrieved on February 20 2016th
  67. ^ Tropical Cyclone Winston ( English ) Government of Australia. February 20, 2016. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016. Retrieved on February 22, 2016.