Cyclone Zoe

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Cyclone Zoe

Category 5 cyclone (SSHS)
Cyclone Zoe strengthening with 145 mph (233 km/h) winds.
Formed	December 23, 2002
Dissipated	January 1, 2003
Highest winds	240 km/h (150 mph) (10-minute sustained) 285 km/h (180 mph) (1-minute sustained)
Lowest pressure	890 hPa (mbar)
Fatalities	None recorded
Damage	Unknown
Areas affected	Solomon Islands
Part of the 2002-03 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season

Cyclone Zoe is the most intense tropical cyclone ever observed in the Southern Hemisphere. Only Cyclone Monica equaled its winds. Winds peaked at 240 km/h (150 mph 10-min sustained),^[1] or 290 km/h (180 mph 1-min sustained).^[2] Its minimum pressure was 890 hPa (mbar).^[3]

Contents 1 Storm history 2 Impact 3 References 4 See also 5 External links

[edit] Storm history

An area of disturbed weather was first observed on December 23, 2002, and upgraded to Tropical Depression 04F about 360 nmi (670 km) to the east of Funafuti in Tuvalu early on December 25.^[4] It began slowly drifting west-southwestward whilst gradually building up strength. The depression was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Zoe later on that day.^[5] On December 26, Zoe began to intensify at very rapid pace, and by late December 26, equivalent-hurricane intensity was attained. Zoe continued to rapidly intensify, and by early December 28 had reached its peak winds of 130kts (240 km/h).^[6] At that time, the storm was estimated to have a minimum central pressure of 890 hPa^[7]. However, the minimum central pressure was unofficially estimated to be as low as 879 hPa, which would put Zoe amongst the ten most intense storms in the world, and the strongest ever outside of the north western Pacific. As is the case in many tropical cyclones, direct measurements from storm's center are not available and this number is an estimate from estimated maximum surface winds using Atkinson/Holiday wind pressure relationship.^[8]

Between December 28 and December 29, Zoe moved very little, executing a small clockwise loop whilst maintaining its general intensity. During that time it passed over several small islands in the Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands. December 29 saw Zoe moving again, this time to the southeast.^[9] At this time, it encountered an unfavourable environment of increasing wind shear and colder waters, and began to weaken.^[10] Zoe was downgraded to a tropical depression early at the start of the new year, January 1, 2003, when it was located about 210 nautical miles (390 km) to the southwest of Nadi.^[11] Warnings were discontinued that day, as Zoe became extratropical.

[edit] Impact

Although Zoe never met large land masses, it did affect several inhabited islands which had total population of around 1700. Worst damage was suffered by island Tikopia which was hit by Zoe's eyewall at its peak intensity. A storm surge of 5-10m was reported by residents. At least 70 houses were revealed to have been destroyed by initial surveys. Reports described devastation as 'total', with almost all vegetation and man-made structures shredded or blown away, and at least two villages being completely washed away by storm surge and waves. Amazingly, no direct fatalities were reported. Inhabitants of the islands took refuge from storm in higher, rocky areas and rode out the storm. On Anuta 90% of houses remained intact, and 70% of crops undamaged. Communication was lost with the island for a week. Vanuatu was inundated with seawater with villagers collecting fish from their village greens. No damage was reported on Fiji with a maximum sustained wind of 33 kn (61 km/h) at Yasawa, and a gust of 40 kn (74 km/h) at Nadi.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• List of tropical cyclones

[edit] External links

• RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean - Tenth Session report
• Geoff Mackley's report on Zoe

The most powerful tropical cyclones by area of development or impact
Arabian Sea	Australia	Bay of Bengal	Central Pacific	East Pacific	North Atlantic	South Pacific	SW Indian Ocean	West Pacific
Cyclone Gonu 920 hPa (2007)	Cyclone Inigo 900 hPa (2003)	Orissa cyclone 912 hPa (1999)	Hurricane Ioke 915 hPa (2006)	Hurricane Linda 902 hPa (1997)	Hurricane Wilma 882 hPa (2005)	Cyclone Zoe 890 hPa (2002)	Cyclone Gafilo 895 hPa (2004)	Typhoon Tip 870 hPa (1979)