Tropical Cyclone Info

The hot or wet season in Vanuatu, which starts on November to April of the following year, is also known as the tropical cyclone season. The geographical location of the archipelago in the southwest Pacific, occasionally it is where tropical cyclones traversed by, which by general definition are associated with wind speeds of at least 34 knots (62 km/hr).
The area of Vanuatu (land and sea) receives about 2-3 cyclones in a cyclone season, and the greatest frequency is in January and February. On average, Vanuatu and its marginal seas is a common route to some 20 to 30 cyclones per decade, with 3 to 5 causing severe damage.

Cyclones are very erratic in their movement therefore often complex and difficult to predict, but they generally maintain their southerly movement until about 21°S to 25°S when they take south east path and dissipate. The archipelago of Vanuatu consists of small islands grouped together stretching in a north to south distribution thus are effected by almost every cyclone passing through.

Tropical cyclones affecting any islands of Vanuatu can result in heavy rainfall, flash flooding, flooding of low lying areas, coastal flooding, riverine flooding, storm surge, land slide, very rough seas and strong to damaging winds inland. These events can cause a great deal of damage to property and live.

In the event that a tropical cyclone is expected to affect Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards Department will give out information regarding the system to all Radio Outlets in Vanuatu, the internet (www.vmgd.gov.vu) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/vmgd.gov.vu). A track map and text product will be also provided on VMGDs website whether it is and information, advisory and warning.

The Vanuatu Meteorological Service encourages all individuals living in Vanuatu, particularly those in rural areas and those who do not have access to internet to always listen to all Radio stations and other media outlets for information on tropical cyclones.

Broadcast Frequencies

Times (Local)Frequency (kHz) & Power (KW) TargetDay
All Times1125 AMAll VanuatuDaily
All Times7260 SWAll VanuatuDaily
All Times100 FMEfateDaily
0600 – 180098 FMPort VilaDaily
All Times98.1 Hallo FMLuganville (Santo)Daily
All Times107 FMPort VilaDaily

As Vanuatu is frequently visited by tropical cyclones every cyclone season, the VMGD has in place a very effective Warning System to enure that the risk of losing life and property is minimal. VMGD gives information on a tropical depression or tropical cyclone in three phases, namely Information, Advisory and Warning. VMGD also provides an impact based mapping tool the “Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Tracking Map” so that individuals can follow the position of the tropical cyclone using the information VMGD provides, using letters and numbers substituting longitude and latitude respectively. This is a very effective and simple tool for locals in aiding their understanding on the impact and the position, particularly those in rural areas.

Tropical Cyclone Names – South West Pacific Ocean

RSMC Nadi is solely responsible to name Tropical Cyclones that occur within Vanuatu’s Area. List A, B, C and D are used in sequence. List E is a standby list; when a cyclones name is retired from lists A, B, C and D, the name from List E is used to replace the retired name.

List A
List B
List C
List D
 List E (standby)
Ana
Bina
Cody
Dovi
Eva
Fili
Gina
Hagar
Irene
Judy
Kevin
Lola
Mal
Nat
Osai
Pita
Rae
Sheila
Tam
Urmil
Vaianu
Wati
Xavier
Yani
Zita
Arthur
Becky
Chip
Denia
Elisa
Fotu
Glen
Hettie
Innis
Juliei
Ken
Lin
Maciu
Nisha
Orea
Pearl
Rene
Sarah
Tomas
Uinita
Vanessa
Wano Yvonne
Zaka
Alvin
Bune
Cyril
Daphne
Eden
Florin
Garry
Haley
Isa
June
Kofi
Louise
Mike
Niko
Opeti
Perry
Reuben
Solo
Tuni
Usa
Victor
Wanita Yates
Zidane
Amos
Bart
Cook
Donna
Ella
Fehi
Gita
Hola
Iris
Jo
Kala
Liua
Mona
Neil
Oma
Pola
Rita
Sarai
Tino
Uili
Vicky
Wiki Yolanda
Zazu
Aru
Bela
Cama
Dean
Emosi
Fanny
Garth
Hart
Ili
Josie
Keni
Lute
Mata
Neta
Olivia
Pana
Rex
Seru
Tasi
Uesi
Velma
Wasa Yasa
Zanna

For information on what to do before a Tropical Cyclone season, before a Tropical Cyclone event, during a Tropical Cyclone event and after a Tropical Cyclone event please visit our “Precautionary Advice”Link.

For Information on the Tropical Cyclone Warning System used by the Vanuatu Meteorological Service, please visit our “Warning System” Link.

For Educational Materials on Tropical Cyclones, please visit our “Tropical Cyclone General Information” Link.

For explanation on terms used in the warnings, visit the “Glossary” Link.

For Seasonal Tropical Cyclone Forecast, visit the Seasonal Forecast Outlook for the coming TC Season.

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