List of Category 2 South Pacific tropical cyclones

Category 2 the fourth-highest classification on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale is used to classify tropical cyclones, that have 10-minute sustained winds of 48–63 knots (89–117 km/h; 55–72 mph). As of 2020 71 tropical cyclones have peaked as a category 2 tropical cyclone in the South Pacific tropical cyclone basin, which is denoted as the part of the Pacific Ocean to the south of the equator and to the east of 160°E. This list does not include any tropical cyclones that went on to peak as a Category 3, 4 or 5 severe tropical cyclones, while in the Southern Pacific tropical cyclone basin.

Cyclone Ruby

Background

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The South Pacific tropical cyclone basin is located to the south of the Equator between 160°E and 120°W.[1] The basin is officially monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service and the New Zealand MetService, while other meteorological services such as the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Météo-France as well as the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center also monitor the basin.[1] Within the basin a Category 2 tropical cyclone is a tropical cyclone that has 10-minute mean maximum sustained wind speeds of 48–63 knots (89–117 km/h; 55–72 mph) on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale.[1][2] A named storm could also be classified as a Category 2 tropical cyclone if it is estimated, to have 1-minute mean maximum sustained wind speeds of between 83–95 knots (154–176 km/h; 96–109 mph) on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.[1][3] This scale is only officially used in American Samoa, however, various agencies including NASA also use it to compare tropical cyclones.[1] A Category 2 tropical cyclone is expected to cause catastrophic devastation, if it significantly impacts land at or near its peak intensity.[2][3]

Systems

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1970s

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Name Duration Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD)
Deaths Refs
Wind speed Pressure
Dawn February 10 – 19, 1970 100 km/h (65 mph) 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) New Caledonia, Northern Queensland $5 Million 6 [4]
Rosie December 30, 1970 – January 4, 1971 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand Minor None [5]
Elenore January 31 – February 7, 1973 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Fiji, Tonga [6]
Juliette April 2 – 6, 1973 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Fiji, Tonga [7]
Vera January 20 – 22, 1974 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Queensland, New Caledonia [8]
Zoe March 14 – March 20, 1974 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) [9]
Alice March 23 – 30, 1974 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) [10]
Tina April 23 – 28, 1974 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Fiji, Tonga Minor None [11]
Flora January 14 – 17, 1975 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) [12]
Gloria January 19 – 20, 1975 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) [13]
Elsa January 21 – 26, 1976 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) New Caledonia, Vanuatu None None
Kim December 9 – 13, 1976 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) [14]
Laurie December 11 – 12, 1976 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) [15]
Marion January 12 – 21, 1977 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Vanuatu Unknown None [16]
Norman March 9 – 24, 1977 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) [17]
Pat March 17 – 18, 1977 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) [18]
Steve November 24 – December 4, 1977 110 km/h (70 mph) 965 hPa (28.50 inHg)
Anne December 23 – 31, 1977 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Diana February 15 – 22, 1978 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Ernie February 17 – 23, 1978 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Fay December 27 – 31, 1978 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Fiji Moderate None
Henry January 29 – February 5, 1979 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Kerry February 13 – 15, 1979 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Leslie February 21 – 23, 1979 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)

1980s

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Name Duration Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD)
Deaths Refs
Wind speed Pressure
Ofa 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Tia March 22 – 27, 1980 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Val March 25 – 29, 1980 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Daman 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Esau 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Fran 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Unnamed 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Joti October 31 –
November 7, 1982
110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Vanuatu Minor None [19][20][21]
Lisa December 10 – 18, 1982 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Cook Islands Unknown None
Saba 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Harvey February 7 – 8, 1984 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) New Caledonia
Monica 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Gavin March 2 – 8, 1985 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Vanuatu, Fiji
June 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Osea 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Patsy 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Unnamed 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Zuman 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Dovi 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Eseta December 15 – 28 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Vanuatu, New Caledonia
Fiji, New Zealand
[22]
Delilah January 1 – 4 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) New Caledonia, New Zealand [23]
Fili January 1 – 8 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg)
Kerry March 29 – April 4 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Fiji

1990s

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Name Duration Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD)
Deaths Refs
Wind speed Pressure
Nancy January 31 – February 1 110 km/h (70 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Eastern Australia [24][25]
Hilda March 7 – 9, 1990 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Tuvalu, Vanuatu, New Caledonia
Rae March 16 – 25, 1990 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Tuvalu, Fiji Minor 3 [26]
Lisa May 11 – 13, 1991 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Solomon Islands, Vanuatu None None [27][28]
Cliff February 5 – 9, 1992 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) French Polynesia [29]
Gene March 15 – 19, 1992 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Cook Islands
Innis April 27 – May 6, 1992 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Tokelau, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu None None [30]
Nisha February 9 – 16, 1993 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Cook Islands None None [31]
Roger March 20 – 27, 1993 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Solomon Islands, Australia, New Caledonia
Usha March 22 – April 4 95 km/h (60 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Vania November 10 – 18, 1994 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Solomon Islands, Vanuatu Minimal None
William December 30, 1994 – January 3, 1995 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Cook Islands, French Polynesia $2.5 million None
Freda January 26 – February 2, 1997 110 km/h (70 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) None None None
Harold February 19 – 24, 1997 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Melanesia, Australia, New Zealand $27 million 7
29P February 24 –26, 1997 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) None None None
June May 2 – 11, 1997 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Fiji $60 million
Lusi October 8 – 12, 1997 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Vanuatu, Fiji None None
Nute November 18 – 19, 1997 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) None None None [32]
Pam December 6 – 10, 1997 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Cook Islands Minor None
Ursula January 29 – February 2, 1998 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) French Polynesia Minor None
Veli January 30 – February 3 100 km/h (65 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) French Polynesia Minor None
Wes January 31 – February 5 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Cook Islands, French Polynesia None 10

2000s

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Name Duration Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD)
Deaths Refs
Wind speed Pressure
Olinda January 20 – 23 100 km/h (65 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) None
Pete January 21 – 26 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) None
Leo March 4 – 8 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) French Polynesia Minimal None
Oma February 20 – 22 100 km/h (65 mph) 984 hPa (29.06 inHg) Cook Islands Minor None
Sose April 5 – 11 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Australia
Des March 5 – 7 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) New Caledonia None 0
Fili April 27 – 29 95 km/h (60 mph) 987 hPa (29.15 inHg) Tonga None None
Grace March 21 – 23 95 km/h (60 mph) 0,985 hPa (29.09 inHg)
Urmil January 18 – 25, 2006 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) French Polynesia
Zita January 18 – 25, 2007 100 km/h (65 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) French Polynesia
Arthur January 21 – 27, 2007 100 km/h (65 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Samoan Islands, French Polynesia
Becky March 25 – 29, 2007 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
New Caledonia
Cliff April 1 – 6, 2007 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Fiji
Elisa January 7 – 11, 2008 95 km/h (60 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Joni March 10 – 14, 2009 95 km/h (60 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Cook Islands
Ken March 16 – 19, 2009 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg)
Jasper March 24 – 30, 2009 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) New Caledonia
Lin March 31 – April 7, 2009 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Fiji, Tonga [33]
Mick December 13 – 14, 2009 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Fiji [34]

2010s

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Name Duration Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD)
Deaths Refs
Wind speed Pressure
Vania January 13 – 14, 2011 100 km/h (65 mph) 973 hPa (28.73 inHg) Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand [35]
Zaka February 5 – 7, 2011 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) None None None [36]
Cyril February 5 – 8, 2012 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Fiji, Tonga [37]
Daphne March 31 – April 3 100 km/h (65 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Vanuatu, Fiji 5
Edna February 5, 2014 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) New Caledonia, New Zealand [38]
Kofi March 3, 2014 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Fiji, Tonga [39]
Niko January 22 – 23, 2015 100 km/h (65 mph) 982 hPa (29.00 inHg) French Polynesia [40]
Solo April 9 – 12, 2015 100 km/h (65 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Solomon Islands, New Caledonia [41]
Tatiana February 12 – 13, 2016 95 km/h (60 mph) 983 hPa (29.03 inHg) None [42]
Ella May 9–14, 2017 110 km/h (70 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Samoan Islands, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna [43]
Mona December 31, 2018 – January 7, 2019 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Solomon Islands, Fiji
Sarai December 27 – December 30, 2019 110 km/h (70 mph) 972 hPa (28.70 inHg) Tuvalu, Fiji, Tonga, Niue, Southern Cook Islands [44][45]

2020s

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Name Duration Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD)
Deaths Refs
Wind speed Pressure
Wasi February 20 – 23, 2020 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Wallis and Futuna, Samoan Islands Unknown Unknown [46][citation needed]
Gretel March 14 – 17, 2020 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, New Zealand Unknown Unknown [47][48][citation needed]
Zazu December 11 – 16, 2020 95 km/h (60 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) Samoan Islands, Tonga, Niue Minimal Unknown [citation needed]
Lucas February 1 – 4, 2020 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Vanuatu, New Caledonia Unknown 2 [49][citation needed]
09F February 7 – 11, 2021 95 km/h (60 mph) 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) Fiji Unknown Unknown [citation needed]
Ruby December 10 – 15, 2021 110 km/h (70 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) New Caledonia Unknown Unknown [50][citation needed]
Fili April 7 – 9, 2022 110 km/h (70 mph) 977 hPa (28.85 inHg) New Caledonia Unknown Unknown [citation needed]
Irene January 13 - 20, 2023 100 km/h (65 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) Vanuatu, New Caledonia None None [51]

Other systems

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In addition to the tropical cyclones listed above, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology considers Tropical Cyclone Nancy 1990 to have been a Category 2 tropical cyclone while in the basin.[52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee (2024). Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South-East Indian Ocean and the Southern Pacific Ocean 2024 (PDF) (Report). World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  2. ^ a b 2017/2018 Tropical Cyclone Season Summary of Alerts and Warnings Procedures for Fiji (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. October 23, 2017. pp. 3 & 11. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 13, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Schott, Timothy; Landsea, Christopher; Hafele, Gene; Lorens, Jeffrey; Taylor, Arthur; Thrum, Harvey; Ward, Bill; Willis, Mark; Zaleski, Walt (January 2, 2019). The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (PDF) (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  4. ^ 1970 Tropical Cyclone Dawn (1970041S14139) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  5. ^ 1970 Tropical Cyclone Rosie (1970364S15165) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  6. ^ 1973 Tropical Cyclone Elenore (1973031S12184) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  7. ^ 1973 Tropical Cyclone Juliette (1973092S13168) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  8. ^ 1974 Tropical Cyclone Vera (1974018S20149) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  9. ^ 1974 Tropical Cyclone Zoe (1974064S19151) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  10. ^ 1974 Tropical Cyclone Alice (1974080S22153) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  11. ^ 1974 Tropical Cyclone Tina (1974114S13164) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  12. ^ 1975 Tropical Cyclone Flora (1975013S14160) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  13. ^ 1975 Tropical Cyclone Gloria (1975015S13147) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  14. ^ 1976 Tropical Cyclone Kim (1976345S13179) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  15. ^ 1976 Tropical Cyclone Laurie (1976346S11182) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  16. ^ 1977 Tropical Cyclone Marion (1977011S12167) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  17. ^ 1977 Tropical Cyclone Norman (1977068S11168) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  18. ^ 1977 Tropical Cyclone Pat (1977074S19184) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  19. ^ "1983 Joti (1982304S10171)". The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS). Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  20. ^ Browne, M.L. (November 24, 1982). Tropical Cyclone Joti Preliminary Report (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service.
  21. ^ Smales, Angus, ed. (December 1, 1982). "Cyclone Jodie visits Vanuatu". Pacific Islands Monthly. 53 (12). Pacific Publications.
  22. ^ 1988 Tropical Cyclone Eseta (1988352S14166) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  23. ^ 1988 Tropical Cyclone Delilah (1988364S17148) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  24. ^ Koop, Neville L (May 3, 1990). Tropical Cyclone Nancy, 27 January - 4 February (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  25. ^ "1990 Tropical Cyclone Nancy (1990027S18156)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  26. ^ "1990 Tropical Cyclone Rae (1990076S12165)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  27. ^ 1991 Tropical Cyclone Lisa (1991124S08154) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  28. ^ Pandaram, Sudha (July 3, 1992). Tropical Cyclone Lisa, May 7 - 13, 1991 (PDF) (Tropical Cyclone Report 91/1). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 2, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  29. ^ 1992 Tropical Cyclone Cliff (1992036S11212) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  30. ^ 1992 Tropical Cyclone Innis (1992118S11179) (Report). International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  31. ^ "1993 Tropical Cyclone Nisha (1993043S11193)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  32. ^ "1997 Tropical Cyclone Nute (1997319S09180)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  33. ^ "2009 Tropical Cyclone Mick (2009346S10172)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  34. ^ "2009 Tropical Cyclone Mick (2009346S10172)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  35. ^ "2011 Tropical Cyclone Vania (2011010S17169)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  36. ^ "2011 Tropical Cyclone Zaka (2011034S19199)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  37. ^ "2012 Tropical Cyclone Cyril (2012037S17176)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  38. ^ "2014 Tropical Cyclone Edna (2014032S18152)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  39. ^ "2014 Tropical Cyclone Kofi (2014056S18175)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  40. ^ "2015 Tropical Cyclone Niko (2015020S12208)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  41. ^ "2015 Tropical Cyclone Solo (2015099S13163)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  42. ^ "2016 Tropical Cyclone Tatiana (2016040S16155)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  43. ^ "2017 Tropical Cyclone Ella (2017127S18184)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  44. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A10 December 27, 2019 06z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. December 27, 2019.
  45. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A23 December 30, 2019 12z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. December 30, 2019.
  46. ^ "2020 Tropical Cyclone Wasi (2020052S11181)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  47. ^ "2020 Tropical Cyclone Gretel (2020074S17153)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  48. ^ Tropical Cyclone Gretel (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  49. ^ Tropical Cyclone Lucas (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  50. ^ Tropical Cyclone Ruby (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  51. ^ Waibuta, Sakeasi R (August 2023). Tropical Cyclone Irene (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  52. ^ "1990 Tropical Cyclone Nancy (1990027S18156)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
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