User:Jason Rees/Theodore

Severe Tropical Cyclone Theodore

Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Tropical Cyclone Theodore near its peak intensity
Formed	22 February 1994 (1994-02-22T0z)
Dissipated	28 February 1994 (1994-02-28T0Z)
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 215 km/h (130 mph) 1-minute sustained: 230 km/h (145 mph)
Lowest pressure	920 hPa (mbar); 27.17 inHg
Areas affected	Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea New Caledonia
Part of the 1993–94 Australian region and the South Pacific cyclone seasons

Meteorological history

Track map of Tropical Cyclone Theodore based on data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

During February 1994 as a pulse of the Madden-Julian Oscillation moved eastwards into the Pacific Ocean, atmospheric convection surrounding a circulation that was located in a monsoon trough over the Solomon Islands increased. The circulation was subsquently classified as a tropical low by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology during 22 February, while it was located about 610 km (380 mi) to the northwest of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. During that day, the system started to rapidly intensify and became a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, as it moved slowly southwards under an upper-level ridge of high pressure.

During 23 February the low began to intensify and move in a southerly direction. The low reached cyclone intensity at 1800 UTC 23 February when the central pressure was estimated to be 990 hPa. Theodore continued to move in a southerly direction and deepened rapidly. By 0600 UTC 24 February the central pressure was estimated to have fallen to 945 hPa. At 1200 UTC 24 February Theodore re-curved to the eastsoutheast. This path continued until 0000 UTC 25 February when the cyclone began moving in a more southeasterly direction. The change in course was accompanied by a period of rapid intensification. At 0600 UTC 25 January the central pressure was estimated to have fallen to 910 hPa. The location of Theodore at this time was near latitude 13.53 longitude 156.5°E. The central pressure remained at 910 hPa for the next few hours before slow weakening began. By 0600 UTC 26 January the central pressure had risen to an estimated 935 hPa with the system moving rapidly in a southeasterly direction. Theodore continued to move along this track with the central pressure remaining steady on 935 hPa. The centre eventually passed between New Caledonia and the Loyalty group of Islands. By the time it reached 28°S 173.5°E, the cyclone had lost its tropical cyclone characteristics. After moving just to the south of 30°S the low moved eastwards and continued to weaken over the open seas dissipating near 40°S 165°W.

Preparations and impact

As Theodore developed high rainfall and flooding was reported in both the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, with the islands of Rossel and Sudest in eastern Milne Bay province experiencing damage to homes, schools and some crops. New Caledonia also experienced gale-force winds.

External links

• World Meteorological Organization
• Australian Bureau of Meteorology
• Fiji Meteorological Service
• New Zealand MetService
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center