1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season

Seasonal summary

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

Tropical Cyclone Diola

Diola existed from November 27 to November 30.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Arthur

Arthur existed from January 11 to January 17.

Tropical Cyclone Betsy

Betsy existed from January 30 to February 4.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Cliff

After ravaging the South Pacific islands, Cyclone Cliff struck Queensland on February 14. The effects of the cyclone was felt from Noosa to Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. One person died in the storm.

Tropical Cyclone SP198006

This cyclone existed from February 16 to February 21.

Tropical Cyclone Daman

Daman existed from February 20 to February 24.

Tropical Cyclone SP198008

This cyclone existed from February 22 to March 7.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda

Freda existed from February 24 to March 9.

Tropical Cyclone Esau

Esau existed from March 1 to March 5.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tahmar

Tahmar existed from March 8 to March 13.

Tropical Cyclone Fran

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.