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Cyclone Tino

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Severe Tropical Cyclone Tino is a currently active, slightly strong tropical cyclone which is currently threatening the island nation of Tonga. The system however had originally brought heavy rainfall, large storm surge, and flooding to Fiji and Tuvalu. Originating from a weak tropical low which had formed embedded within the monsoon trough on January 11, the system gradually intensified as it moved southeast, becoming a Category 1 cyclone by January 16 after the center had became defined. It quickly intensified into a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone by the time it had passed near Eastern Fiji, bringing lots of heavy rainfall.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tino
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Tino near peak intensity just southeast of Vanua Levu on January 17
FormedJanuary 11, 2019 (January 11, 2019)
DissipatedPresent
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 120 km/h (75 mph)
1-minute sustained: 130 km/h (80 mph)
Lowest pressure970 hPa (mbar); 28.64 inHg
Fatalities2 missing
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedTuvalu, Fiji, Tonga
Part of the 2019–20 South Pacific cyclone season

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

During January 11, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) reported that Tropical Disturbance 04F, had developed about 410 km (255 mi) to the southwest of Honiara in the Solomon Islands.[1] At this time the system was poorly organised with deep atmospheric convection, displaced to the south of the system's low level circulation center.[1] The disturbance was also located to the north of an upper ridge of high pressure, with a moderate amount of vertical windshear and warm sea surface temperatures of 31 °C (88 °F).[1] Over the next couple of days, the system moved


11.6S 163.0E 13.0S 163.9E 14.2S 161.9E


Deep convection continued to accompany the developing wind circulation over the following days as conditions grew more favourable, though the wind field remained broad and disorganised.[2][3] The FMS began issuing advisories on 04F on January 14 following improvements in the disturbance's organisation.[4] A subtropical ridge to the northeast caused 04F to track towards the east and southeast.[5] Throughout the early part of the storm's development, a strong band of convection persisted north of the centre of circulation. The FMS upgraded 04F to a tropical depression on January 15.[6] Further intensification occurred as additional convection wrapped around the storm's centre; on January 16 it strengthened into a Category 1 tropical cyclone, gaining the name Tino.[7]

Effects

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Warnings for heavy rain were issued for all of the Solomon Islands and four Vanuatuan provinces by their respective National Meteorological and Hydrological Services on January 14.[8]

Tuvalu

Funafuti

Tuvalu’s main atoll, Funafuti, was heavily impacted during the storm’s passage on January 16. Over 200 people had been evacuated on the island preceding the storm.[9]

As the storm made its passage, a 8 metre storm surge combined with a king tide swept through the atoll’s low-lying land, causing catastrophic flooding. The floodwaters churned debris and closed roads across the atoll, effectively locking people inside of their houses. Portions of the atoll’s coastline and islets were eroded by meters. Windy conditions were also experienced, with roofs being blown off of houses and trees being uprooted.[9]

Due to the atoll’s low-lying geography, lots of crops such as banana trees were uprooted and swept away by the storm. Damage is currently being assessed by the island’s government.[9]

Nukulaelae

During the storm, Tuvalu’s Nukulaelae atoll received a near direct hit from Tino when it was in its earlier stages, delivering a high storm surge which swept through the entire atoll, causing flooding. Additionally, torrential rainfall generated by the storm on the atoll added to the flooding. Tino’s winds knocked down trees and destroyed several homes, but the atoll’s homes remained with power and water.[10]

Wallis und Futuna

Tino prompted the issuance of a pre-cyclone alert and later a level 1 cyclone alert for the French overseas department of Wallis and Futuna.[11][12] Flights between the two principal islands were cancelled by Aircalin.[13]

Fidschi

Rotuma

A Heavy Rain Alert was issued by the FMS on January 14 for western parts of Fiji.[14] A Tropical Cyclone Warning was subsequently issued for Rotuma on January 15, as well as a Tropical Cyclone Alert for the rest of the Fijian islands.[15] Fijians were advised by the Water Authority of Fiji to boil and store drinking water in anticipation of the approaching tropical cyclone.[16] Cruises in the area began to be cancelled on January 14.[17] Evacuation centres were opened on January 16 in Fiji's Northern Division, as well as the division's Emergency Operations Centre;[18][19] a total of 17 shelters were active in the division.[20]

Tino brought showers and gusty winds throughout Fiji.[21] Rough seas damaged the wharf in Oinafa.[22]

Vanua Levu

In preparation of the storm, villagers in the Udu Point region of Vanua Levu were urged to move inland due to rough forecast seas.[23] Tourists evacuated from coastal resorts to Suva as residents sought refuge in shelters.[11] Local police and the Fiji Red Cross Society aided in evacuations.[24] Fiji Airways cancelled all regional flights.[11] The Fiji National University campus in Labasa and other businesses in the town closed on January 17,[25][21] as did all schools in the Northern and Eastern divisions.[26] Most shops in Savusavu closed.[27] South Sea Cruises suspended operations to the Yasawa Islands under directive from the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji.[28]

As Tino passed close to Vanua Levu, the second cyclone to pass near the nation within three weeks following Sarai, Fijian government officals called for urgent action on the 'climate crisis' in the South Pacific region, with Fijian Ambassador to the United Nations Satyendra Prasad tweeting 'Fiji is counting mode to its 2nd cyclone in [2019-20] today. It and other ocean states look to the UN in its superyear for nature to finally shift the needle on warming oceans.'[29] Additionally, a father and daughter were left missing after being swept away from a flooding creek due to heavy rainfall generated by the system in Eastern Fiji. [30]

Tonga

Niue

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Tropical Disturbance Summary for January 11, 2020 23z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 11, 2020.
  2. ^ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans January 12, 2020 21z (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 12, 2020.
  3. ^ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans January 14, 2020 06z (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 14, 2020.
  4. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A1 for Tropical Disturbance TD04F (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 14, 2020.
  5. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A2 for Tropical Disturbance TD04F (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 14, 2020.
  6. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A5 for Tropical Depression 04F (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 15, 2020.
  7. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A10 for Tropical Cyclone Tino (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 16, 2020.
  8. ^ Kaukuki, Ian M. (January 13, 2020). "Cyclone Emerging". Solomon Star. Honiara, Solomon Islands: Solomon Star News. Solomon Star. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c "'It swept right over': Tuvalu inundated by waves whipped up by Cyclone Tino". RNZ. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Huge waves crash onto small island nation of Tuvalu as Tropical Cyclone Tino lashes region". Television New Zealand. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ a b c Tromeur, Françoise (January 17, 2020). "La pluie et le vent générés par Tino s'abattent sur la région de Fidji" (in French). Agence France-Presse. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  12. ^ "Dépression tropicale - maintien de l'alerte 1 à Futuna et à Wallis". Les services de l'État et du Territoire à Wallis et Futuna. Government of France. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  13. ^ Defives, Antoine (January 17, 2020). "Premiers effets de Tino ressentis à Wallis-et-Futuna" (in French). France TV. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  14. ^ Heavy Rain Alert Now in Force for Parts of the Fiji Group (PDF) (Media Release). Nadi, Fiji: Fiji Meteorological Service. December 28, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  15. ^ Special Weather Bulletin Number FIVE FOR FIJI AND ROTUMA ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION TD04F (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 15, 2020.
  16. ^ Kate, Talebula (January 15, 2020). "WAF: Boil and store drinking water". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 14, 2020. (subscription required)
  17. ^ Rizzo, Cailey (January 14, 2020). "Cruises Canceled as Fiji Prepares for a Tropical Cyclone (Video)". Travel+Leisure. Meredith Corporation. Travel+Leisure. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  18. ^ "Evacuation centres opened as Cyclone Tino aims for Fiji, Tonga". Radio New Zealand. January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  19. ^ Silaitoga, Serafina (January 16, 2020). "TD04F: Northerners prepare for approaching storm". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 16, 2020. (subscription required)
  20. ^ Silaitoga, Serafina (January 17, 2020). "TC Tino: Evacuees applaud prompt action by authorities". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Text "urlhttps://www.fijitimes.com/tc-tino-evacuees-applaud-prompt-action-by-authorities/" ignored (help) (subscription required)
  21. ^ a b Silaitoga, Serafina (January 17, 2020). "TC Tino: Banks and businesses close up north". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 17, 2020. (subscription required)
  22. ^ Kate, Talebula (January 17, 2020). "TC Tino: Rotuma's Oinafa wharf partly damaged". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 17, 2020. (subscription required)
  23. ^ Silaitoga, Serafina (January 16, 2020). "TD04F: Udu villagers advised to move inland". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 16, 2020. (subscription required)
  24. ^ Silaitoga, Serafina (January 17, 2020). "TC Tino: Tabwewa villagers evacuate". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 17, 2020. (subscription required)
  25. ^ Vula, Timoci (January 16, 2020). "TD04F: FNU advises northern staff and students to stay home". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 16, 2020. (subscription required)
  26. ^ "Evacuation centres opened as Cyclone Tino slams Fiji". Radio New Zealand International. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via ReliefWeb.
  27. ^ Silaitoga, Serafina (January 17, 2020). "TC Tino: Savusavu closes shop; Residents store up on food and water". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 17, 2020. (subscription required)
  28. ^ Nasiko, Repeka (January 17, 2020). "TC Tino: South Sea Cruises suspend Yasawa operations". The Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji: Fiji Times Limited. The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 17, 2020. (subscription required)
  29. ^ Lyons, Kate (January 17, 2020). "Fiji calls for urgent action on climate crisis as second cyclone hits in three weeks". The Guardian. Retrieved January 17, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ "Cyclone Tino: 2 missing as cyclone gains strength over Fiji". Stuff. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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