1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season

The 1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season was an above-average season.

1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	November 27, 1980
Last system dissipated	March 21, 1981
Strongest storm
Name	Freda
• Maximum winds	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	955 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions	12
Tropical cyclones	11
Severe tropical cyclones	4
Total fatalities	Unknown
Total damage	Unknown
Related articles
1980–81 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season 1980–81 Australian region cyclone season
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83

Seasonal summary

This season marked the first time the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued warnings and performed best track analysis on significant tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere.^[1]

Systems

Tropical Cyclone Diola

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	November 27 – November 30
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 990 hPa (mbar)

Diola existed from November 27 to November 30.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Arthur

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	January 11 – January 17
Peak intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min); 965 hPa (mbar)

Arthur existed from January 11 to January 17.

Tropical Cyclone Betsy

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	January 30 – February 4
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 995 hPa (mbar)

Betsy existed from January 30 to February 4.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Cliff

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	February 9 – February 13 (Crossed 160°E)
Peak intensity	120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min); 975 hPa (mbar)

Cliff developed on February 9, near Vanua Lava, Vanuatu. The cyclone reached peak intensity on February 12, with an estimated central pressure of 975 hPa. It passed over New Caledonia at near peak intensity, with sustained winds 92 km/h (57 mph). After crossing into the Australian region, Cliff struck Queensland on February 14, making landfall near Bundaberg. The cyclone caused some crop and structural damages in South East Queensland, and beach erosion occurred on the Gold and Sunshine coasts. One man was drowned off the Gold Coast.^[2]

Tropical Cyclone SP198006

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Duration	February 16 – February 21
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 985 hPa (mbar)

This cyclone existed from February 16 to February 21.

Tropical Cyclone Daman

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 20 – February 24
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min); 980 hPa (mbar)

Daman existed from February 20 to February 24.

Tropical Cyclone SP198008

Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 22 – March 7
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min); 990 hPa (mbar)

This cyclone existed from February 22 to March 7.

Tropical Cyclone Esau

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	March 1 – March 5
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min); 980 hPa (mbar)

Esau existed from March 1 to March 5.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	March 4 (Crossed 160°E) – March 9
Peak intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min); 955 hPa (mbar)

Freda existed from February 24 to March 9.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tahmar

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	March 8 – March 13
Peak intensity	120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min); 970 hPa (mbar)

Tahmar existed from March 8 to March 13.

Tropical Cyclone Fran

Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	March 17 – March 24
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 985 hPa (mbar)

Fran existed from March 17 to March 24.

Other systems

The JTWC initiated warnings on Tropical Cyclone 12P during January 26, which had moved into the basin from the Australian region during the previous day. The system subsequently passed in between Vanuatu and New Caledonia before it was last noted during January 27.

Season effects

Name	Dates	Peak intensity			Areas affected	Damage (USD)	Deaths	Refs
		Category	Wind speed	Pressure
Diola	November 27 – 30	Category 1 tropical cyclone	75 km/h (45 mph)	990 hPa (29.23 inHg)
Arthur	January 11 – 17	Category 3 severe tropical cyclone	130 km/h (80 mph)	965 hPa (28.50 inHg)				[3]
Betsy	January 30 – February 4	Category 1 tropical cyclone	75 km/h (45 mph)	990 hPa (29.23 inHg)
Cliff	February 8 – 13	Category 3 severe tropical cyclone	120 km/h (75 mph)	970 hPa (28.64 inHg)				[4]
Unnamed	February 16 – 21	Category 2 tropical cyclone	95 km/h (60 mph)	985 hPa (29.09 inHg)
Daman	February 20 – 24	Category 2 tropical cyclone	100 km/h (65 mph)	980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Unnamed	February 22 – March 7	Category 1 tropical cyclone	75 km/h (45 mph)	990 hPa (29.23 inHg)
Esau	March 1 – 5	Category 2 tropical cyclone	100 km/h (65 mph)	980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Freda	March 4 – 9	Category 3 severe tropical cyclone	150 km/h (90 mph)	955 hPa (28.20 inHg)				[5]
Tahmar	March 8 – 13	Category 3 severe tropical cyclone	120 km/h (75 mph)	970 hPa (28.64 inHg)	French Polynesia			[6]
Fran	March 17 – 24	Category 2 tropical cyclone	100 km/h (65 mph)	980 hPa (28.94 inHg)
Season aggregates
11 systems	November 27, 1980– March 24, 1981		150 km/h (90 mph)	955 hPa (28.20 inHg)

See also

• Tropical cyclones portal

• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1980, 1981
• Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1980, 1981
• Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1980, 1981
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1980, 1981