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

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.

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.