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Tropical Pacific rainfall

Tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclone Becky occurred from 26–29 March, the first named tropical cyclone since Arthur (24–26 January), and the fifth named tropical cyclone this season. Tropical cyclone Becky developed in the Coral Sea south of the Solomon Islands, and tracked southeast toward Vanuatu, and later toward the region southeast of New Caledonia (with estimated maximum sustained wind speeds over the sea being 130 km/h with gusts to 160 km/h). Near-gale force winds were recorded at Lamap in Vanuatu on the 27th, however wind speeds eased on the cyclone’s approach to New Caledonia, the maximum gust in New Caledonia being 90 km/h. Another tropical cyclone, name Cliff (and sixth this season), formed near northern Fiji, tracking southeast on 4 April.

There are still a couple of months left for the tropical cyclone season, however the risk is now beginning to decline. On average, about two tropical cyclones can normally be expected in the Southwest Pacific during the April-May period.

Tropical Pacific rainfall - March 2007

Territory and station name March 2007 rainfall
total (mm)
March 2007 percent
of average
Australia
Cairns Airport 218.8 49
Townsville Airport 78.2 37
Brisbane Airport 25.2 18
Sydney Airport 70.4 55
Cook Islands
Penrhyn 84.0 27
Rarotonga Airport 470.1 277
Rarotonga EWS 435.6 256
Fiji
Rotuma 523.2 142
Udu Point 292.1 91
Nadi 670.3 197
Nausori 570.3 149
Ono-I-Lau 188.1 74
French Polynesia
Hiva Hoa, Atuona 136.2 70
Tahiti – Faa’a 193.8 108
Tuamotu, Takaroa 89.6 64
Gambier, Rikitea 117.6 70
Tubuai 262.6 156
Rapa 245.4 91
Kiribati*
Tarawa 255.3 128
Niue
Hanan 731.8 350
Liku 1024.3 449
Tonga
Nuku’alofa 261.2 127
Lupepau’u 727.6 243
Salote Airport 461.9 203
Fua’amotu Airport 180.3 97
New Zealand
Kaitaia 108.5 143
Whangarei Airport 310.2 244
Auckland Airport 132.6 162
New Caledonia
Ile Art, Belep 204.0 87
Koumac 73.0 48
Ouloup 182.6 91
Ouanaham 249.8 105
Poindimie 463.0 116
La Roche 415.4 176
La Tontouta 140.4 106
Noumea 235.4 158
Moue 137.4 62
North Tasman
Lord Howe Island 114.8 93
Norfolk Island 96.8 88
Raoul Island 42.0 26
Tuvalu
Nui Is 132.7 37
Funafuti 415.6 111
Vanuatu
Sola 458.7 112
Pekoa 293.0 86
Lamap 384.3 138
Bauerfield 330.3 105
Port Vila 406.5 125
Aneityum 446.0 132

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. * denotes synoptic values.