Cyclone Meena

Severe Tropical Cyclone Meena was the first of four tropical cyclones to impact the Cook Islands during February 2005. The system was first identified within a trough of low pressure, about 620 km (385 mi) to the northwest of Pago Pago in American Samoa.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Meena
Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Meena near its peak intensity
FormedFebruary 1, 2005 (2005-02)
DissipatedFebruary 11, 2005 (2005-02-12)
(Extratropical after February 8, 2005)
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 215 km/h (130 mph)
1-minute sustained: 230 km/h (145 mph)
Lowest pressure915 hPa (mbar); 27.02 inHg
FatalitiesNone
Areas affectedAmerican Samoa, Cook Islands
Part of the 2004–05 South Pacific cyclone season

Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

During February 1, an area of low pressure was identified within a trough of low pressure, about 620 km (385 mi) to the northwest of Pago Pago in American Samoa.[1][2] During that day, the system moved south-westwards and started to consolidate, before the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) classified the system as Tropical Depression 07F.[3] At this stage, the depression was poorly organised with atmospheric convection displaced to the north of the systems low level circulation center, while it was located to the south of a ridge of high pressure in an area of moderate vertical wind shear.[3][4] Over the next day, the system's organisation significantly improved with the development of a small central dense overcast, while its outflow was enhanced by a cross-equatorial wind flow.[4][5] During February 3, the systems low level circulation center gradually slipped underneath the central dense overcast, before the FMS reported that the system had become a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale and named it Meena.[4] At this stage, the system was located about 160 km (100 mi) to the east of Pago Pago, American Samoa.[4]

Effects

Meena was the first of four severe tropical cyclones to impact the Cook Islands during the 2004–05 season.[4]

Samoan Islands

Meena passed within 160 km (100 mi) of American Samoa's Manu'a group of islands, where wind gusts of up to 90 km/h (55 mph) were experienced.[6][7][8] Authorities in the territory closed public schools and advised residents to prepare for heavy showers and possible flooding due to the cyclone. Flights to Manu'a islands were cancelled while delays occurred on flights between Samoa and American Samoa. Meena subsequently generated swells of between 5–7 feet (1.5–2.1 m) which produced surf heights of 10–14 feet (3.0–4.3 m) along Tutuila and Manu'a.[9]

Cook Islands

During February 2, the FMS issued strong wind warnings and a tropical cyclone alert for both the Northern and the Southern Cook Islands, as it was thought that the system could produce gale-force winds over the islands within 24 - 48 hours.[10][11] As a result of the alert being issued, the emergency operations centre was opened, while people were urged to move off the beach to higher ground.[12] During the following day, gale warnings were issued for Suwarrow in the Northern Cooks and for Palmerston in the Southern Cooks.[13][14]

See also

References
  1. "The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season 2004 – 05 (PDF) (Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  2. "2005 Tropical Cyclone Meena (2005032S14195)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  3. Tropical Disturbance Summary February 2, 2005 00z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. February 2, 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  4. Tropical Cyclone Summary 2004 – 2005 Season (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  5. Tropical Disturbance Advisory February 2, 2005 21z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. February 2, 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  6. "Schools shut as skirts American Samoa". Agence France Presse. February 3, 2005.
  7. "Cyclone sweeps past American Samoa". ABC Premium News. Agence France Presse. February 3, 2005.
  8. "Cyclone Meena east of American Samoa expected to move towards Cooks". RNZ. February 4, 2005.
  9. "Storm Events Database – Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncdc.noaa.gov.
  10. Special Weather Bulletin Number One for the Northern Cook Islands on Tropical Depression 01F: February 2, 2005 21z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. February 2, 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  11. Special Weather Bulletin Number One for the Southern Cook Islands on Tropical Depression 01F: February 2, 2005 21z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. February 2, 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  12. "Cyclone alert for the Cooks". Cook Islands News. February 3, 2005. Archived from the original on February 19, 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  13. Special Weather Bulletin Number Six for the Northern Cook Islands on Tropical Cyclone Meena: February 3, 2005 21z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. February 3, 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  14. Special Weather Bulletin Number Six for the Southern Cook Islands on Tropical Cyclone Meena: February 4, 2005 00z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. February 4, 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
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