User:ChocolateTrain/Cyclone Uesi

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Severe Tropical Cyclone Uesi
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Severe Tropical Cyclone Uesi at peak intensity near New Caledonia on 10 February 2020
Formed4 February 2020
Dissipated15 February 2020
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 130 km/h (80 mph)
1-minute sustained: 150 km/h (90 mph)
Lowest pressure970 hPa (mbar); 28.64 inHg
Fatalities1
DamageMinor
Areas affected
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, South East Queensland, New South Wales, New Zealand
Part of the 2019–20 Australian region and South Pacific cyclone seasons

Severe Tropical Cyclone Uesi was a tropical cyclone of moderate intensity that caused significant impacts in New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island during February 2020.

Meteorological history[edit]

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 February 5, the FMS reported that Tropical Disturbance 06F had developed, about 775 km (480 mi) to the northwest of Port Villa in Vanuatu.[1] At this time the system was poorly organised with deep atmospheric convection displaced, to the northeast of the system's weak and ill-defined low level circulation center.[1][2] The disturbance was also located to the north of a subtropical ridge of high pressure, within a favourable environment for further development, with a low to moderate amount of vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures of 29–30 °C (84–86 °F).[1][2] A tropical cyclone formation alert was subsequently issued by the JTWC early on February 8, as convection improved near the centre of the storm; at the time, 06F was centered 653 km (406 mi) northwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu.[3] Routine advisories were initiated by the FMS the same day while 06F drifted towards the south-southwest. Convection continued to evolve at the disturbance's centre into organised banding.[4] During February 9, the JTWC upgraded the system to a tropical storm, designating it Tropical Cyclone 15P.[5] Later that day, the FMS named the storm Uesi, and upgraded it to a category 2 tropical cyclone.[6]

Based on significant improvements to the storm's structure, the JTWC determined Uesi was undergoing rapid intensification.[7] Associated showers and thunderstorms continued to coalesce within favourable atmospheric and oceanic conditions.[8] However, the presence of dry air slowed Uesi's intensification.[9] Uesi strengthened further into a Category 3 tropical cyclone at 18:00 UTC that day but continued to be affected by the entrainment of dry air.[10][11] The cyclone developed a ragged eye 19 km (12 mi) early on February 11.[12] Guided southward by the nearby influence of a subtropical ridge to its east, Uesi moved southward, passing west of New Caledonia.[13] An increase in vertical wind shear from the northwest on February 12 caused the convective structure of the cyclone to weaken, resulting in the low-level circulation centre becoming exposed from the central dense overcast.[14][15] After passing near to New Caledonia on February 11, Uesi adopted a steady south-southwestwards track towards the Australian cyclone region. At 12:00 UTC on February 12, the FMS passed primary responsibility for Uesi over to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) warning centre in Brisbane,[16] who indicated that the system had weakened to a high-end Category 2 tropical cyclone.[17] The extratropical remnants of Uesi reentered the South Pacific basin on a southeasterly heading towards South Island on February 15.[18]

Vanuatu and the French territory of New Caledonia were threatened by Uesi along its southward trek through the South Pacific basin. Warnings were issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department for Uesi, noting the possibility of stream and coastal flooding.[19] Météo France (MFR) issued thunderstorm and rain warnings for four municipalities in New Caledonia on February 9,[20] and later raised warnings to an orange alert for six the following day.[21] Ferry and bus services in several New Caledonian communes were suspended.[22][23] Flights serviced by Air Calédonie were also delayed.[24] The first accommodation centers in the French territory were opened on February 10.[25] One person was injured while securing their roof in preparation for the storm.[26] Uesi passed between 100–150 km (62–93 mi) west of Belep, New Caledonia, on February 11, bringing heavy rains and strong winds. MFR stations recorded up to 300 mm (12 in) of rainfall in Poum over a 48-hour period;[27] this was roughly equal to two months of average rainfall.[28] Flooding from Uesi's rainfall blocked travel between Poum and Koumac,[29] as well as other bridges throughout the territory.[30] Several routes to Dumbéa were blocked by floodwaters.[30] Gusts of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) impacted New Caledonia's central mountain range.[31] Power outages afflicted at least 3,900 households serviced by EEC and Enercal and over 5,000 overall.[32][26] At least 565 homes lost power in Hienghène and Ponérihouen.[30] All warnings for New Caledonia were lifted by the morning of February 12.[32] Rough surf generated by Uesi forced the closure of beaches in Gold Coast, Queensland beginning that day.[33] The large extratropical stage of Uesi produced 6–8 m (20–26 ft) waves off the northwestern shores of South Island.[34]

Effects[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Tropical Disturbance Summary February 6, 2020 00z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 16 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans February 6, 2020 06z (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 6 February 2020.
  3. ^ Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert February 8, 2020 03z (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 8 February 2020.
  4. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A1 for Tropical Disturbance 06F (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 8 February 2020.
  5. ^ Tropical Cyclone 15P (Fifteen) Warning NR 001 (Tropical Cyclone Warning). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020 – via Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
  6. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A6 for Tropical Cyclone Uesi (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 9 February 2020.
  7. ^ Tropical Cyclone 15P (Fifteen) Warning NR 004 (Tropical Cyclone Warning). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020 – via Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
  8. ^ Tropical Cyclone 15P (Uesi) Warning NR 005 (Tropical Cyclone Warning). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020 – via Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
  9. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A10 for Tropical Cyclone Uesi (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 10 February 2020.
  10. ^ Hurricane Warning 013 for Tropical Cyclone Uesi (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 10 February 2020.
  11. ^ Tropical Disturbance Advisory A12 for Tropical Cyclone Uesi (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 11 February 2020.
  12. ^ Tropical Cyclone 15P (Uesi) Warning NR 009 (Tropical Cyclone Warning). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020 – via Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
  13. ^ Tropical Cyclone 15P (Uesi) Warning NR 011 (Tropical Cyclone Warning). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020 – via Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
  14. ^ Tropical Cyclone 15P (Uesi) Warning NR 013 (Tropical Cyclone Warning). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020 – via Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
  15. ^ Tropical Cyclone 15P (Uesi) Warning NR 014 (Tropical Cyclone Warning). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020 – via Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
  16. ^ Storm Warning 020 for Tropical Cyclone Uesi (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. 12 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Uesi Technical Bulletin #3 (12Z)". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 12 February 2020. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  18. ^ Tropical Cyclone Potential Bulletin, 2249 UTC 14 Feb 2020. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin (Report). Wellington, New Zealand: MetService. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Vanuatu issues warnings for new Tropical Cyclone". Radio New Zealand. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  20. ^ "La dépression tropicale 06F poursuit son évolution" (in French). France TV. NC1ere. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  21. ^ Mestre, Charlotte; Tromeur, Françoise (10 February 2020). "Dépression tropicale forte Uesi : la Calédonie en préalerte à midi" (in French). France TV. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Des bus Raï annulés en raison de l'approche d'Uesi". Les Nouvelles Caledonies. Nouméa, New Caledonia: LNC.nc. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Uesi: les navettes maritimes suspendues jusqu'à nouvel ordre". Les Nouvelles Caledonies. Nouméa, New Caledonia: LNC.nc. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Cyclone Uesi : la livraison des Nouvelles perturbée". Les Nouvelles Caledonies. Nouméa, New Caledonia: LNC.nc. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  25. ^ Tromeur, Françoise (10 February 2020). "Approche de la dépression Uesi, les conséquences" (in French). France TV. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Nouvelle-Calédonie. Le cyclone Uesi s'éloigne en faisant une blessée" (in French). Ouest-France. Agence France-Presse. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  27. ^ "Cyclone Uesi. Des trombes d'eau s'abattent sur la Nouvelle-Calédonie" (in French). Ouest-France. Agence France-Presse. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  28. ^ Crepet, Regis (11 February 2020). "La Nouvelle-Calédonie frappée par le cyclone Uesi" (in French). La Chaîne Météo. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  29. ^ "Uesi est devenu un cyclone, des axes coupés" (in French). France TV. NC1ere. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  30. ^ a b c "[EN DIRECT CYCLONE UESI] Routes coupées, foyers privés d'électricité, consignes de sécurité… Suivez en temps réel l'évolution de la situation". Les Nouvelles Caledonies. Nouméa, New Caledonia: LNC.nc. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  31. ^ "Uesi s'éloigne progressivement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie". Les Nouvelles Caledonies. Nouméa, New Caledonia: LNC.nc. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  32. ^ a b Carboni, Lizzie (11 February 2020). "Cyclone Uesi : après une nuit agitée, le phénomène s'éloigne progressivement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie" (in French). France TV. NC1ere. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  33. ^ St. Clair, Monique (12 February 2020). "Multiple Gold Coast beaches closed, as Cyclone Uesi approaches". Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia: myGC. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  34. ^ Spamer, Courtney (15 February 2020). "Uesi to batter New Zealand with heavy rainfall, strong winds". AccuWeather, Inc. Retrieved 15 February 2020.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cyclone Uesi.


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