Tropical Cyclone guidance: November 2009 to April 2010
Tropical cyclone (TC) “Mick” was the second TC to form in the Southwest Pacific region for the 2009/2010. The system originated from a weak area of low pressure northeast of Vanuatu, and gradually strengthened into a Tropical Depression on December 11. Mick was located 225 kilometres west of Rotuma when it became a TC, and accelerated south-southeast while intensifying into a Category 2 cyclone as it approached Fiji. At landfall, Mick had average winds estimated at 60 knots (110km/hr) and gusts of up to 90 knots (165km/hr). Heavy rainfall associated with TC Mick caused flooding over most low-lying areas of Viti Levu, and the damages have been estimated to cost over 25 million Fijian dollars. More details about TC Mick the 2009–10 TC outlook can be found on NIWA's Tropical cyclone outlook webpage.