Tropical Pacific rainfall

Tropical cyclones
Two named tropical cyclones occurred in the Southwest Pacific in January, being Zita from the 23rd-24th *, and Arthur from the 24th-26th. This brings the total to four so far this season, for the region east of 150°E.Tropical cyclone Zita’s estimated maximum sustained wind speeds reached 50 knots on the 23rd near the Austral Islands, with damage reported in some areas. Arthurs’s estimated maximum sustained wind speeds reached 65 knots on the 25th between the Southern Cook Islands and Central French Polynesia.

Tropical cyclones

Two named tropical cyclones occurred in the Southwest Pacific in January, being Zita from the 23rd-24th *, and Arthur from the 24th-26th. This brings the total to four so far this season, for the region east of 150°E.Tropical cyclone Zita’s estimated maximum sustained wind speeds reached 50 knots on the 23rd near the Austral Islands, with damage reported in some areas. Arthurs’s estimated maximum sustained wind speeds reached 65 knots on the 25th between the Southern Cook Islands and Central French Polynesia. Further south, in the Austral Islands, mean speeds of 45 knots with gusts to 62 knots and minor damage were reported. Tropical cyclone Nelson was active from 6-7 February in the Australian region (west of 150°W) tracking east from the Gulf of Carpentaria, with estimated mean speeds reaching 45 knots.

The present characteristics of the El Niño affecting in the Pacific still indicate that at least on average number of tropical cyclones may occur in several parts of the South Pacific near and east of the Date Line for the complete season, with a normal rate of occurrence in Islands west of the Date Line. Future issues of the ICU will provide updates on information relating to further occurrences of tropical cyclones in the region.* Dates in GMT

Tropical Pacific rainfall - January 2007

Territory and station name January 2007 rainfall total (mm) January 2007 percent of average
Australia
Cairns Airport 184.6 47
Townsville Airport 270.6 100
Brisbane Airport 102.2 65
Sydney Airport 45.2 45
Cook Islands
Penrhyn 680.0 262
Rarotonga Airport 161.7 72
Rarotonga EWS 124.6 55
Fiji
Rotuma 192.7 54
Udu Point 129.6 41
Nadi 110.1 32
Nausori 101.7 28
Ono-I-Lau 61.2 34
French Polynesia
Hiva Hoa, Atuona 67.6 43
Bora Bora Motu 411.0 166
Tahiti – Faa’a 665.4 244
Tuamotu, Takaroa 129.8 68
Gambier, Rikitea 120.0 82
Tubuai 357.0 176
Rapa 420.2 176
Niue
Liku 43.0 17
Hanan 68.6 20
New Zealand
Kaitaia 108.5 132
Whangarei Airport 61.6 73
Auckland Airport 59.8 89
New Caledonia
Ile Art, Belep 58.8 25
Koumac 54.8 31
Ouloup 143.6 81
Ouanaham 133.8 68
Poindimie 289.8 77
La Roche 105.2 60
La Tontouta 29.8 25
Noumea 49.2 42
Moue 131.0 70
North Tasman
Lord Howe Island 18.2 16
Norfolk Island 98.8 109
Raoul Island 20.0 15
Samoa
Faleolo 327.4 84
Apia 578.0 125
Tonga
Lupepau’u 70.7 25
Salote Pilolevu 12.6 8
Nuku’alofa 31.7 18
Fua’amotu Airport 19.1 10

Rainfall totalling 200 percent or more is considered well above average. Totals of 40 percent or less are normally well below average. Highlighted values are new records.

Data are published as received and may be subject to change after undergoing quality control checks.