1982–83 South Pacific cyclone season

The 1982–83 season was one of the most active and longest South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons on record, with 14 tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific basin between 160°E and 120°W. The season was characterised by a very strong El Niño Event, which resulted in eleven tropical cyclones occurring to the east of the International Dateline. Five of these tropical cyclones went on to affect the island nation of French Polynesia, which it was thought had not been affected by a tropical cyclone since another very strong El Nino episode in 1905-06.

During the season, ten of the fourteen tropical cyclones observed to the east of 160 E were severe tropical cyclones, with 5 of them occurring in the French Polynesia region which represented one more than was experienced in the same area over the previous 13 seasons.

Tropical Cyclone Joti

On October 30, the meteorological office in Honolulu, Hawaii issued a statement, about a potential tropical cyclone with estimated winds of 25 knots, that had developed about 1,000 km (620 mi) to the north-east of Port Villa in Vanuatu. Over the next day the system gradually developed further, before the FMS declared that it had developed into a tropical cyclone and named it Joti early on November 1.

When Joti crossed Vanautu's Efate Island, no damage was reported to have occurred.

Tropical Cyclone Kina

The system that was to become Tropical Cyclone Kina was first noted on November 6, while it was located just to the east of Tuvalu. Over the next few days the system moved south-westwards and gradually developed further, before the FMS reported that the system had developed into a tropical cyclone during November 10 and named it Kina. The FMS subsequently estimated that the system had reached its peak intensity with 10-minute sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) during November 11. Later that day the system's upper level circulation became sheared off from its lower and moved southwards away from it. The degenerating system subsequently passed to the west of Fiji during November 13, before it was last noted during November 14, as it gradually dissipated. The system caused strong winds and rough seas on Viti Levu and in the Yasawas and Mamanutha group of islands. Tourists on the Blue Lagoon Cruise in the Yasawas were forced to take shelter from Kina and 18 people on another boat were temporarily listed as missing as they took shelter.

Tropical Cyclone Lisa

During December 10, a shallow tropical depression formed to the west of the Northern Cook Island: Penrhyn and started to move south-eastwards towards French Polynesia. Over the next couple of days, the system gradually developed further before the FMS reported that the system had developed into a tropical cyclone and named it Lisa during December 12. During that day, gale force winds were observed on Bora Bora before the system caused gas it passed to

Severe Tropical Cyclone Mark

Mark existed from January 20 to February 1.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Nano

Nano existed from January 21 to January 29.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Nisha-Orama

During February 13, a depression developed just to the north of the Marquesas Islands and started moving south-westwards. Over the next four days the system maintained its intensity, before it made a sharp eastwards turn and started to develop further. The system subsequently moved in a counter clockwise loop, which allowed it to develop further and it was declared to be a tropical cyclone and named Nisha by the FMS during February 22. However, by the time Fiji had named it Nisha, the Tahiti Meteorological Service had named it Orama, which was retained in order to save any confusion to the local public. Over the next day, the system started to move south-westwards, while it rapidly intensified, with the FMS estimating 10-minute sustained wind-speeds of 185 km/h (115 mph) during February 24. During that day the system sharply turned south-eastwards and started to gradually weaken, before it was last noted during February 28, as it moved out of the FMS's area of responsibility, while equivalent to a modern day category 1 tropical cyclone. The Tuamotu Archipelago was the worst hit area with around 30 of its Atolls, either seriously damaged or destroyed with a damage total of around US$1.7 million reported in two villages on Rangiroa.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Oscar

Oscar existed from February 23 to March 6.

Tropical Cyclone Prema

Prema existed from February 25 to March 6.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Rewa

During March 7, a tropical depression developed about 650 km (405 mi) to the northeast of the Society Islands. During that day, the system started to rapidly develop further as it moved and was named Rewa, as it had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone.

Rewa exacerbated the destruction caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Nisha/Orama earlier in the season and destroyed more than 200 houses.

Tropical Cyclone Saba

Saba existed from March 20 to March 25.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Sarah

Sarah existed from March 22 to April 4.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tomasi

Tomasi existed from March 28 to April 5.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Veena

Veena existed from April 8 to April 14.

Severe Tropical Cyclone William

William existed from April 15 to April 23.