First system formed December 27, 1978 Name Meli Severe tropical cyclones 2 | Last system dissipated April 17, 1979 Tropical cyclones 11 | |
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Total depressions 10 official 2 unofficial | ||
The 1978–79 South Pacific cyclone season ran year-round from July 1 to June 30. Tropical cyclone activity in the Southern Hemisphere reaches its peak from mid-February to early March.
Contents
Tropical Cyclone Fay
Unknown why but name was retired.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Gordon
Gordon developed on January 3 and left the basin on January 9.
Tropical Cyclone Henry
Henry existed from January 29 to February 5.
Tropical Storm 11P
This storm moved in the circular path, entering the basin on February 3 and returning to the Australian region on February 6.
Tropical Depression Rosa
Rosa developed on February 12, shortly before exiting the basin.
Tropical Cyclone Kerry
Tropical Cyclone Kerry has the distinction of being the longest lived cyclone in the Australian region. It formed on February 13, 1979, and caused severe damage in the Solomon Islands. It then tracked across the Coral Sea making landfall near Mackay, Queensland on March 1 and dissipated on March 6. Its lowest pressure was 955hPa.
Tropical Cyclone Leslie
Leslie existed from February 21 to February 23.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Meli
Cyclone Meli struck eastern Fiji on March 25. The island of Nayau suffered a direct hit and passed close to the islands of Lakeba and Cicia. Fiji suffered tremendous crop losses as a result of the storm.
On March 27, 1979, Cyclone Meli brushed Fiji at peak intensity, causing substantial damage to the island. At least 50 people were killed by the storm. Cyclone Meli had previously passed through Tuvalu damaging Funafuti atoll.
Tropical Storm 23P
This storm existed from March 30 to April 3.