The 2001-02 South Pacific cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It began on November 1, 2001 and ended on April 30, 2002. 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, 2001 to June 30, 2002.

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 Cyclone Trina

Tropical Storm Trina formed near the Cook Islands on November 30. It peaked with 65 km/h (40 mph) winds and dissipated on December 3. Trina brought heavy flooding to Mangaia.

Tropical Cyclone Vicky

Formed and dissipated on December 24.

Tropical Cyclone Waka

Cyclone Waka formed to the northwest of Samoa on December 29. The storm moved south, peaking with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) before dissipating on January 2. Waka caused over $50 million of damage in Tonga.

Tropical Cyclone Claudia

Formed on February 11, dissipated on February 13.

Tropical Cyclone Des

Formed on March 5, dissipated on March 7.

Storm names

South Pacific tropical cyclones are usually assigned names by the RSMC in Nadi, or Fiji Meteorological Service. 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 becomes a tropical cyclone in the Wellington RSMC area of responsibility, MetService, in consultation with RSMC Nadi, will name the cyclone by using the next name from the list.

Ami Beni Cilla Dovi Eseta Fili Gina Heta Ivy 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 Helene Ian June Koko Lusi

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

Amos Bart Cora Dani Ella Frank Gita Hali Iris Jo Kim Leo

Mona Neil Oma Paula Rita Sose Trina Vicky Waka Yolande Zoe

Note also that Cyclones Claudia and Des entered the region from the Australian region.

See also

• List of Southern Hemisphere cyclone seasons
• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 2001, 2002
• Pacific hurricane seasons: 2001, 2002
• Pacific typhoon seasons: 2001, 2002
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2001, 2002

References

External links

• Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
• Fiji Meteorological Service (RSMC Nadi)
• Meteorological Service of New Zealand, Ltd. (TCWC Wellington)
• World Meteorological Organization