2004–05 South Pacific cyclone season

The 2004-05 South Pacific cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It began on November 1, 2004 and ended on April 30, 2005. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the southern Pacific Ocean east of 160°E. Additionally, the regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a tropical cyclone year separately from a tropical cyclone season, and the "tropical cyclone year" runs from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005.

Tropical cyclones between 160°E and 120°W and north of 25°S are monitored by the Fiji Meteorological Service in Nadi. Those that move south of 25°S are monitored by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Wellington, New Zealand.

Storms

Tropical Depression 01F

The first tropical depression of the season formed on October 28, centered northeast of Honiara on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. It drifted westward, passing into the Brisbane AOR. It never developed into a tropical cyclone.

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Depression 01F

Tropical Depression 02F

Tropical Depression 02F developed on December 3, north of Port Vila, Vanuatu. The system remained poorly organized the for the duration of its existence. It continued to move erratically before moving southward between Vanuatu and Fiji and dissipating on December 14.

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Depression 02F

Tropical Depression 03F

Tropical Depression 03F developed on December 5, north-northeast of Fiji. It tracked south towards Fiji, then turned to the east-southeast, dissipating on December 10.

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Depression 03F

Tropical Cyclone Judy

Tropical Storm Judy developed from Tropical Depression 04F on December 24, east-southeast of Tahiti. Judy only attained a maximum sustained winds of . On December 27, the storm became extratropical and merged with a low pressure system about south-southeast of Tahiti.

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Storm Judy

Tropical Cyclone Kerry

Tropical Cyclone Kerry developed from Tropical Depression 05F on January 5, northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Kerry moved to the southwest with winds as it moved over Vanuatu. Once past the island, Kerry moved on a west-southwest course and it began to intensify after turning to the west. The storm reached a peak intensity of before turning towards the south-southeast. The storm began to weaken under vertical shear and was downgraded to a depression on January 13.

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Cyclone Kerry

Tropical Cyclone Lola

Tropical Storm Lola developed from Tropical Depression 06F on January 31, west-southwest of Tongatapu. Lola reached a peak intensity of , but was downgraded to a depression on February 2.

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Storm Lola

Tropical Cyclone Meena

On February 3, the Fiji Meteorological Agency issued an alert for a developing low pressure system south-east of American Samoa. The winds brushed past American Samoa the following day, resulting in the closure of several schools, before heading in a south-easterly direction towards the Cook Islands. On February 6, Meena - now an intense Category 4 system - hit the main island of Rarotonga. Waterfront buildings were destroyed by heavy seas but no casualties were reported. The cyclone continued moving south-east before weakening into a low pressure system south of the Austral Islands on February 8. Tropical cyclone Meena strikes Cook Islands

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Cyclone Meena

Tropical Cyclone Nancy

Tropical Cyclone Nancy was the next tropical cyclone to severely impact the Southern Pacific region. Nancy developed extremely rapidly, becoming a Category 4 tropical cyclone within 24 hours of formation. Nancy weaved about the islands for a few days, causing extensive damage. Later in its lifecycle, it very nearly underwent a Fujiwhara interaction with Tropical Cyclone Olaf.

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Cyclone Nancy

Tropical Cyclone Olaf

The most intense system of the season, Tropical Cyclone Olaf developed rapidly like Nancy. By February 16, Olaf had attained maximum sustained winds of and was thrashing American Samoa. However bad the damage was, it could have been worse as Olaf veered east, its eyewall missing the islands.

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Cyclone Olaf

Tropical Cyclone Percy

Percy quickly formed from an area of low pressure on February 24 and reached Category 1 status north of American Samoa. The cyclone then moved eastward, peaking at Category 5 status before turning southward. Percy then passed through the southwestern Cook Islands causing severe damage before dissipating.

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Cyclone Percy

Tropical Cyclone Rae

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Storm Rae

Tropical Cyclone Sheila

• Tropical Cyclone 2005's tracking chart of Tropical Storm Sheila

Storm names

In the Southern Pacific tropical cyclones are assigned names by the RSMC in Nadi, or the TCWC in Wellington As soon as a tropical depression becomes a tropical cyclone it is named by the warning centre having responsibility for it at that time. If a tropical depression does become a tropical cyclone in TCWC Wellingtons area of responsibility, then TCWC Wellington, in consultation with RSMC Nadi, will name the cyclone by using the next name from the list.

Ana Bina Cody Dovi Eva Fili Gina Hagar Irene Judy Kerry Lola

Meena Nancy Olaf Percy Rae Sheila Tam Urmil Vaianu Wati Xavier Yani

Zita Arthur Becky Cliff Daman Elisa Funa Gene Hettie Innis Joni Ken

Lin Mick Nisha Oli Pat Rene Sarah Tomas Vania Wilma Yasi Zaka

Atu Bune Cyril Daphne Evan Freda Garry Haley Ian June Kofi Lusi

Mike Nute Odile Pam Reuben Solo Tuni Ula Victor Winston Yalo Zena

Amos Bart Colin Donna Ella Frank Gita Hali Iris Jo Kala Leo

Mona Neil Oma Pami Rita Sarai Trina Vicky Wiki Yolande Zazu

Retirement

The names Meena, Nancy, Olaf, Percy were retired after this season

See also

• List of Southern Hemisphere cyclone seasons
• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 2004, 2005
• Pacific hurricane seasons: 2004, 2005
• Pacific typhoon seasons: 2004, 2005
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2004, 2005

References

External links

• Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
• Fiji Meteorological Service (RSMC Nadi)
• Meteorological Service of New Zealand, Ltd. (TCWC Wellington)
• World Meteorological Organization
• RSMC Nadi 2004-05 Tropical Cyclone Season Summary
• RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean 11th Session Report