2016–17 South Pacific cyclone season#Tropical Depression 09F

Ahead of the cyclone season, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), New Zealand's MetService and National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and various other Pacific Meteorological services, all contributed towards the Island Climate Update tropical cyclone outlook that was released during October 2016. The outlook took into account the ENSO neutral conditions that had been observed across the Pacific and analogue seasons that had ENSO neutral and weak La Niña conditions occurring during the season. The outlook called for a near average number of tropical cyclones for the 2016–17 season, with eight to ten named tropical cyclones, to occur between 135°E and 120°W compared to an average of 10.4. At least five of the tropical cyclones were expected to become Category 3 severe tropical cyclones, while four could become Category 4 severe tropical cyclones; they also noted that a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone was unlikely to occur. In addition to contributing towards the Island Climate Update outlook, the FMS and the BoM issued their own seasonal forecasts for the South Pacific region.

The BoM issued two seasonal forecasts for the Southern Pacific Ocean, for their self-defined eastern and western regions of the South Pacific Ocean. They predicted that the Western region between 142.5°E and 165°E, had a 65% chance of seeing activity above its average of 7 tropical cyclones. The BoM also predicted that the Eastern Region between 165°E and 120°W, had a 52% chance of seeing activity above its average of 10 tropical cyclones. Within their outlook the FMS predicted that between five and six tropical cyclones, would occur within the basin compared to an average of around 7.3 cyclones. At least three of the tropical cyclones were expected to become Category 3 severe tropical cyclones, while one or two were predicted to peak as a Category 4 or 5 severe tropical cyclone. They also reported that the tropical cyclone genesis trough was expected to be located, within the Coral Sea to the west of the International Date Line. This was based on the expected and predicted ENSO conditions, and the existence of the Pacific warm pool of sub-surface temperature anomalies in this region.

Both the Island Climate Update and the FMS tropical cyclone outlooks assessed the risk of a tropical cyclone affecting a certain island or territory. As the tropical cyclone genesis trough of low pressure was expected to be located to the west of the International Date Line, normal or slightly above normal activity was expected for areas near the dateline. The Island Climate Update Outlook predicted that Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, the Solomon and Cook Islands had a normal risk of being impacted by a tropical cyclone or ex tropical cyclone. They also predicted that Tonga, Papua New Guinea and Niue had an elevated chance of being impacted, while it was thought unlikely that French Polynesia, Kiribati and the Pitcairn Islands would be affected by a tropical cyclone. The FMS's outlook predicted that Fiji and Tonga had an elevated risk, while Tuvalu, French Polynesia and Kiribati, were thought to have a low to reduced chance of being affected by a tropical cyclone. The outlook also predicted that New Caledonia, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna were thought to have a normal chance of being affected by a tropical cyclone. It was thought that there was an elevated risk of the Solomon Islands being impacted by at least one severe tropical cyclone, while other areas such as Fiji, New Caledonia, Niue, Samoa, French Polynesia and Tuvalu, had a normal to reduced chance of being impacted by a severe tropical cyclone.

An updated tropical cyclone outlook was issued by the Island Climate Update during February 2017, as the predicted La Niña conditions had not materialised and the season had produced no tropical cyclones. The outlook reported that around six tropical cyclones were now expected to occur, within the South Pacific between February and the end of the season in April. As a result, the season overall was now expected to below average, however, many islands were still expected to have a near normal risk of a tropical cyclone impacting them.

{{clear}}

After a near average but destructive tropical cyclone season during the previous year, the first tropical disturbance of the season developed to the north-northeast of Niue during November 12. However, over the next few months, no named tropical cyclones developed. This was attributed to a number of factors, including a poorly organised South Pacific convergence zone and a predicted La Niña episode not developing. Four months after the beginning of the season, the first named storm, Bart, developed on February 21, making it one of the latest forming named tropical cyclones within the basin. No more cyclones were named for nearly two months after this, until the system that became Severe Tropical Cyclone Cook formed. The most active period of the season in terms of cyclone formation actually occurred outside the official bounds of the season, with both Severe Tropical Cyclone Donna and Tropical Cyclone Ella being named in May.

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=04F 2016-12-18 0140Z.jpg

|Track=04F 2016 track.png

|Formed=December 12

|Dissipated=December 21

|10-min winds=25

|Pressure=998

}}

During December 12, the FMS reported that Tropical Disturbance 04F had developed about {{convert|105|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of Rotuma, Fiji.{{cite report|url-status=dead|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary December 12, 2016 21z|date=December 12, 2016|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522160257/https://www.webcitation.org/6mkVF7vTY?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201612122200.htm|archive-date=2024-05-22|access-date=July 25, 2018}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=05F 2016-12-22 0025Z.jpg

|Track=05F 2016 track.png

|Formed=December 21

|Dissipated=December 26

|10-min winds=

|Pressure=1005

|Type=spdepression

}}

{{citation needed span|A tropical disturbance formed east of island Fiji.It had developed into the tropical depression during 22 December. It moved westwards and dissipated 26 December.|date=January 2017}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=09F 2017-02-10 2120Z.jpg

|Track=09F 2017 track.png

|Formed=February 4

|Dissipated=February 11

|Pressure=999

|Type=spdepression

}}

During February 5, the FMS reported that Tropical Disturbance 09F had developed within a trough of low pressure, about {{convert|210|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the south-southwest of the Fiji's capital city: Suva.{{cite report|url-status=dead|date=February 5, 2017|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary February 5, 2017 09z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522160332/https://www.webcitation.org/6o4Q3Pu5F?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201702050900.htm|archivedate=May 22, 2024|accessdate=December 20, 2018|df=mdy-all}}{{cite report |author=Climate Services Division |title=Fiji Islands Climate Summary February 2017 Volume 38 Issue 2 |url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Summary.pdf |date=March 7, 2017 |accessdate=April 30, 2017 |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207164708/http://www.met.gov.fj/Summary1.pdf |archivedate=February 7, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} During that day the system moved south-eastwards away from Fiji, before it moved back towards the island nation and passed over the southern Fijian islands between February 6–9.

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=10F 2017-02-08 0255Z.jpg

|Track=10F 2017 track.png

|Formed=February 7

|Dissipated=February 11

|Pressure=993

|Type=spdepression

}}

{{citation needed span|A tropical depression developed east of Vanuatu on February 7. It strengthened and reached peak intensity over the early hours of February 8. At the time, the depression made landfall on the islands over the territory of New Caledonia. It rapidly weakened until it degenerated to a remnant low on the late hours of December 9. The FMS will continue monitor it until the early hours of February 11, when it completely succumbed with the remnants of Tropical Depression 11F.|date=December 2018}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=11F 2017-02-10 0240Z.jpg

|Track=11F 2017 track.png

|Formed=February 9

|Dissipated=February 12

|Pressure=1002

|Type=spdepression

}}

{{citation needed span|A tropical depression developed over the Coral Sea on February 9. It rapidly intensified until it had peak intensity on the early hours of February 10. It rapidly weakened and FMS discontinued advisories on the system on the early hours of February 11, and the system moved slowly southwest until it dissipated on February 12.|date=December 2018}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=13F 2017-02-16 2330Z.jpg

|Track=13F 2017 track.png

|Formed=February 15

|Dissipated=February 18

|Pressure=998

|Type=spdepression

}}

{{citation needed span|A tropical depression developed over French Polynesia on February 15. It intensified until it reached peak intensity over the south Pacific on February 16. It later underwent extratropical transition, a process that would be completed in the late hours of February 18.|date=December 2018}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=14F 2017-02-22 0100Z.jpg

|Track=14F 2017 track.png

|Formed=February 16

|Dissipated=February 22

|Pressure=997

|10-min winds=30

|1-min winds=45

}}

{{citation needed span|A tropical depression developed between Vanuatu to the east and Fiji to the west on February 16.|date=December 2018}} The initially disorganized system intensified until it reached its initial peak intensity of 45 knots while accelerating north.{{cite web|title=Best Track Data for Tropical Cyclone 08P|url=http://ftp.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/wd20vxt/hwrf-init/decks/bsh082017.dat|accessdate=December 12, 2018|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center}} {{citation needed span|Immediately after, however, strong shear weakened the system, causing it to become disorganized again.|date=December 2018}} On February 20, the system began to organize again, and the JTWC upgraded the system to Tropical Cyclone 08P as it neared landfall on Fiji before crossing the International Date Line. The cyclone later reached its secondary peak intensity of 40 knots before it underwent extratropical transition, a process that completed during the early hours of February 23.

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=Bart 2017-02-21 2105Z.jpg

|Track=Bart 2017 track.png

|Formed=February 19

|Dissipated=February 22

|1-min winds=40

|10-min winds=40

|Pressure=994

}}

During February 19, the FMS reported that Tropical Disturbance 15F had developed, about {{convert|300|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the southwest of Apia, Samoa.{{cite report|url-status=dead|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary February 19, 2017 21z|date=February 19, 2017|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522160453/https://www.webcitation.org/6oRt0GIgn?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201702192100.htm|archivedate=2024-05-22|accessdate=July 22, 2018}} Over the next couple of days, the system gradually developed further and became a tropical depression, as it moved south-eastwards within an area of low vertical wind shear.{{cite report|url-status=dead|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary February 20, 2017 21z|date=February 20, 2017|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522160414/https://www.webcitation.org/6oRsz9mvi?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201702202100.htm|archivedate=2024-05-22|accessdate=July 22, 2018}} During February 21, the JTWC initiated advisories and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 07P, after an ASCAT satellite image had revealed the presence of {{convert|65|-|75|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} winds, within its partially exposed circulation.{{cite report|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|url-status=live|url=https://science.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf/docs/warnings/2017/sh072017.17022018.wrn|title=Tropical Cyclone 07P (Seven) Warning 001 February 21, 2017 03z|date=February 21, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522160614/https://www.webcitation.org/6oRyKOpj3?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS32-PGTW_201702210300.htm|archive-date=2024-05-22|access-date=July 22, 2018}} The FMS subsequently named the system Bart as it had become a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, with peak 10-minute sustained wind speeds of {{convert|75|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}.{{cite report|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|url-status=dead|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory February 21, 2017 21z|date=February 21, 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522160533/https://www.webcitation.org/6oRx85Lh2?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS11-NFFN_201702211200.htm|archivedate=2024-05-22|accessdate=July 22, 2018}}{{cite conference|author=MetService|year=2018|url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/Documents/RAV_TCC-17_DOC4.1.2_TCWC-Wellington.pdf|title=Review of the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 Cyclone Seasons by TCWC Wellington|conference=RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean Seventeenth Session|conference-url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/RAV_TCC-17.html|publisher=World Meteorological Organisation|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723004007/http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/Documents/RAV_TCC-17_DOC4.1.2_TCWC-Wellington.pdf|archive-date=2018-07-23|access-date=July 22, 2018|page=2|url-status=live}} After it had been named, Bart continued to move south-eastwards and passed to the west of the Southern Cook Islands, before it entered MetService's area of responsibility early on February 22. During that day, the system gradually transitioned and was reclassified as an extratropical cyclone, before it continued to weaken and dissipated over open seas. Gale-force winds, rain and thunderstorms were observed over the Southern Cook Islands, but there was no significant impact reported.{{cite conference|url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/Documents/RAV_TCC-17_DOC4.1.1_RSMC-Nadi.pdf|title=Review of the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 Cyclone Seasons by RSMC Nadi|author=Fiji Meteorological Service|year=2018|conference=RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean Seventeenth Session|conference-url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/RAV_TCC-17.html|publisher=World Meteorological Organisation|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003837/http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/Documents/RAV_TCC-17_DOC4.1.1_RSMC-Nadi.pdf|archive-date=2018-07-23|url-status=live|access-date=July 22, 2018|page=2}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=19F 2017-04-06 0110Z.jpg

|Track=19F 2017 track.png

|Formed=April 1

|Dissipated=April 19

|1-min winds=35

|Pressure=988

|Type1=spdepression

}}

Tropical Disturbance 19F was first noted on April 1, while it was located about {{convert|240|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of Pago-Pago, in American Samoa.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary April 1, 2017 09z|date=April 1, 2017|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service }} The system was poorly organised at this stage and lied within an upper-level monsoonal trough of low pressure in a moderate area of vertical wind shear. It existed for a very long period of time as it moved slowly, and ties Typhoon Noru for the longest lasting storm in 2017.

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=Cook 2017-04-10 0254Z.jpg

|Track=Cook 2017 track.png

|Formed=April 5

|Dissipated=April 12

|10-min winds=85

|1-min winds=90

|Pressure=961

}}

{{Main|Cyclone Cook}}

Tropical Disturbance 20F was first noted during April 5, while it was located about {{convert|200|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northwest of the Fijian dependency of Rotuma.{{cite report|url-status=dead|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary April 5, 2017 21z|date=April 5, 2017|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240521234243/https://www.webcitation.org/6pWVr5UkD?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201704052100.htm|archivedate=2024-05-21|accessdate=July 27, 2018}} Over the next couple of days, the disturbance moved south-westwards and gradually developed further, before it was classified as a tropical depression by the FMS during April 7. The system subsequently continued to move south-westwards and passed near to or over the islands of Maewo, Ambae and Malakula in northern Vanuatu. As the system impacted Vanuatu, the JTWC and the FMS reported that the system had developed into a tropical cyclone, with the latter naming it as Cook.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone 16P Warning 001 April 8, 2017 03z|url=http://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/|url-status=dead|date=April 7, 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240521234325/https://www.webcitation.org/6pZgb5hAs?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS31-PGTW_201704080300.htm|archivedate=2024-05-21|accessdate=July 27, 2018|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center}} After Cook was named, the cyclone steadily intensified further and developed a {{convert|30|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} eye, as it moved south-westwards towards New Caledonia.{{cite report|url-status=dead|title=Tropical Cyclone 16P Warning 005 April 10, 2017 03z|url=http://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/|date=April 10, 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240521234044/https://www.webcitation.org/6pcbpiqFy?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS31-PGTW_201704100300.htm|archivedate=2024-05-21|accessdate=July 27, 2018|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center}} The FMS subsequently reported during April 9, that the system had become a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, with peak 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|155|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory April 9, 2017 18z|url-status=dead|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|archivedate=2024-05-21|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=April 9, 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240521234005/https://www.webcitation.org/6pcax228k?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS11-NFFN_201704091800.htm|accessdate=July 27, 2018}} The JTWC subsequently reported that the cyclone had peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of {{convert|165|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, which made it equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane. Cook subsequently passed over New Caledonia during April 10, before it started to move southwards towards New Zealand and transition into an extratropical cyclone as it moved southwards towards New Zealand. The system was subsequently declared extratropical by both MetService and the JTWC during April 11, before it made landfall on New Zealand's North Island during April 13.{{Cite web |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS11-NFFN_201704101200.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-04-11 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240521234203/https://www.webcitation.org/6peUI8Ea6?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS11-NFFN_201704101200.htm |archive-date=2024-05-21 |url-status=dead }} After making landfall, the system moved south-southwest and moved to the east of the South Island during the following day before they were last noted during April 17.

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=Donna 2017-05-08 0230Z.jpg

|Track=Donna 2017 track.png

|Formed=May 1

|Dissipated=May 10

|10-min winds=110

|1-min winds=125

|Pressure=935

}}

{{Main|Cyclone Donna}}

Cyclone Donna was the strongest off-season South Pacific tropical cyclone on record during the month of May.{{cite news|title=Cyclone Donna strongest May cyclone to hit Southern Hemisphere|newspaper=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2017/05/cyclone-donna-strongest-may-cyclone-to-hit-southern-hemisphere.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511195856/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2017/05/cyclone-donna-strongest-may-cyclone-to-hit-southern-hemisphere.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 11, 2017 |date=9 May 2017}} {{citation needed span|Donna formed from an area of disturbed weather that was first monitored west-northwest of Fiji on 1 May 2017. The disturbance drifted eastward amid an increasingly favorable environment, and it was designated Tropical Depression 21F late on 2 May. Twelve hours later, it intensified into a Category 1 on the Australian tropical cyclone scale and was designated Tropical Cyclone Donna as the storm's motion shifted west and then south. After reaching its initial peak as a Category 4 cyclone early on 6 May, the effects of wind shear and upwelling caused the storm to weaken. However, it reintensified into a Category 5 cyclone on 8 May. Soon after, Donna entered a region of strong westerly flow and began to rapidly weaken. Continuing to accelerate in a southerly direction, Donna eventually weakened into a tropical low on 10 May. By 16 May, Donna's remnants had fully dissipated.|date=April 2018}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox tropical cyclone small

|Basin=SPac

|Image=Ella 2017-05-12 0115Z.jpg

|Track=Ella 2017 track.png

|Formed=May 7

|Dissipated=May 14

|10-min winds=60

|1-min winds=75

|Pressure=977

}}

During May 7, the FMS started to monitor Tropical Disturbance 22F that had developed within a trough of low pressure about {{convert|470|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of Suva, Fiji. Amid generally favorable environmental conditions, Tropical Depression 22F developed southwest of American Samoa on 9 May.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number B1 issued from RSMC Nadi May 090235 UTC |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS12-NFFN_201705090000.htm |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522160813/https://www.webcitation.org/6qKqyrL2L?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS12-NFFN_201705090000.htm |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=9 May 2017 |archivedate=22 May 2024 |accessdate=11 May 2017 |url-status=dead }} Just three hours later, the system intensified into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, and was named Ella by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS).{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory Number B2 issued from RSMC Nadi May 090447 UTC |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS12-NFFN_201705090300.htm |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522160737/https://www.webcitation.org/6qKqyRcMM?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPS12-NFFN_201705090300.htm |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=9 May 2017 |archivedate=22 May 2024 |accessdate=11 May 2017 |url-status=dead }}

{{clear}}

During November 12, the first tropical disturbance, Tropical Disturbance 01F, of the season developed, about {{convert|300|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of the island nation, Niue.{{cite report|url-status=dead|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary November 13, 2016 00z|date=November 13, 2016|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522160050/https://www.webcitation.org/6m01jgeYx?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201611130000.htm|archivedate=2024-05-22|accessdate=July 25, 2018}} 01F was poorly organised and over the next day atmospheric convection surrounding the system significantly decreased as it moved south-eastwards, within an area of moderate to high vertical wind shear.{{cite report|url-status=dead|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary November 13, 2016 23z|date=November 13, 2016|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522160130/https://www.webcitation.org/6m01rEDcl?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201611132300.htm|archivedate=2024-05-22|accessdate=July 25, 2018}} As a result, 01F was subsequently last noted during November 13, as it was not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone. Tropical Disturbance 02F subsequently developed during November 23, around {{convert|300|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of Pago Pago in American Samoa.{{cite report|url-status=dead|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary November 23, 2016 18z|date=November 23, 2016|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240522160214/https://www.webcitation.org/6mI5K56u6?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201611231800.htm|archivedate=2024-05-22|accessdate=July 26, 2018}} Over the next few days, the system remained poorly organised as it slowly moved south-eastwards, before the FMS reported that 02F was not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone and issued its last advisory on the system.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary November 27, 2016 21z|date=November 27, 2016|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service }} During November 26, the third tropical disturbance of the season moved into the basin from the Australian region, while it was located about {{convert|820|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northwest of Nouméa, New Caledonia.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary November 29, 2016 06z |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240521213100/https://www.webcitation.org/6mQlJmYYf?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201611290600.htm |date=November 29, 2016 |url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|accessdate=July 25, 2018 |archivedate=May 21, 2024 |url-status=dead }} Over the next couple of days, 03F moved eastwards towards Vanuatu and remained poorly organised, before the FMS issued its last advisory on the system during November 30.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary November 30, 2016 21z|date=November 30, 2016|accessdate=July 25, 2018|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240521213141/https://www.webcitation.org/6mRJq0CSv?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201611302100.htm|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/20036.txt|archivedate=2024-05-21|url-status=dead}}

{{citation needed span|During the first half of January 2017, Tropical Disturbances 06F, 07F and 08F developed in quick succession. Tropical Disturbance 06F developed over the Solomon Islands on 2 January, and dissipated four days later. Tropical Disturbances 07F and 08F both formed on 10 January. The former meandered around French Polynesia before it dissipated on 20 January, while the latter degenerated within 24 hours near Fiji. Tropical Disturbance 12F developed over Fiji on February 15, and moved around the archipelago erratically for the next nine days before dissipating. On February 23, Tropical Disturbance 16F formed well to the east of Vanuatu, and stalled there for the next few days before dissipating on February 26.|date=May 2017}}

{{citation needed span|On March 4, Tropical Disturbance 17F developed in roughly the same region as its predecessor 16F. However, it dissipated just one day later.|date=May 2017}} Tropical Disturbance 18F developed along a pre-frontal trough of low pressure during March 18, about {{convert|455|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the north of Suva, Fiji.{{cite report|author=Climate Services Division |title=Fiji Islands Climate Summary March 2017 Volume 34 Issue 1 |url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Summary.pdf |date=January 10, 2017 |accessdate=April 30, 2017 |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207164708/http://www.met.gov.fj/Summary1.pdf |archivedate=February 7, 2017 |url-status=dead }} Over the next couple of days, the system and associated trough of low pressure, moved south-eastwards towards Tonga, before the disturbance was last noted during March 21.[https://archive.today/20240522160654/https://www.webcitation.org/6p9ecKO1r?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPS21-NFFN_201703210900.htm WebCite query result] Cloud bands associated with the trough brought heavy rain and flooding to the Northern Division.

{{see also|Tropical cyclone naming}}

Within the Southern Pacific a tropical depression is judged to have reached tropical cyclone intensity should it reach winds of {{convert|65|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} and it is evident that gales are occurring at least halfway around the center. Tropical depressions that intensify into a tropical cyclone between the Equator and 25°S and between 160°E and 120°W are named by the FMS. However, should a tropical depression intensify to the south of 25°S between 160°E and 120°W it will be named by MetService in conjunction with the FMS. If a tropical cyclone moves out of the basin and into the Australian region, it will retain its original name. The names Cook and Donna would be used for the first and only time this year, after replacing the names Cora and Dani after the 1998-99 season. The names that were used for the 2016–17 season are listed below:{{RA V Tropical cyclone operational plan}}

After the season, the names Cook and Donna were both retired, and replaced with Crystal and Dean respectively. {{RA V Tropical cyclone operational plan}}

This table lists all the storms that developed in the South Pacific to the east of longitude 160°E during the 2016–17 season. It includes their intensity on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale, duration, name, where they affected, deaths and damages (in 2016 USD).

{{Pacific areas affected (Top)}}

|-

| {{Sort|01|01F}} || {{Sort|161112|November 12–13}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|1008|{{convert|1008|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|02|02F}} || {{Sort|161123|November 23–27}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|1006|{{convert|1006|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|03|03F}} || {{Sort|161129|November 29–30}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|1000|{{convert|1000|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|04|04F}} || {{Sort|161212|December 12–23}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|045|{{convert|45|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|0998|{{convert|998|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Fiji || {{ntsp|4700000||$}} || None ||{{cite report |author=Climate Services Division |title=Fiji Islands Climate Summary December 2016 Volume 33 Issue 12 |url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Summary.pdf |date=January 10, 2017 |accessdate=January 17, 2017 |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207164708/http://www.met.gov.fj/Summary1.pdf |archivedate=2017-02-07 |url-status=dead }}

|-

| {{Sort|05|05F}} || {{Sort|161221|December 21–26}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1005|{{convert|1005|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|06|06F}} || {{Sort|170102|January 2–6}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|1002|{{convert|1002|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|07|07F}} || {{Sort|170110|January 10–20}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|998|{{convert|998|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|08|08F}} || {{Sort|170110|January 10–11}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|1009|{{convert|1009|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|09|09F}} || {{Sort|170205|February 5–11}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|999|{{convert|999|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Fiji || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|10|10F}} || {{Sort|170207|February 7–11}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|993|{{convert|993|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Vanuatu, Fiji || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|11|11F}} || {{Sort|170207|February 9–12}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1002|{{convert|1002|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Vanuatu, Fiji || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|12|12F}} || {{Sort|170215|February 15–24}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|1002|{{convert|1002|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Fiji || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|13|13F}} || {{Sort|170215|February 15–18}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|998|{{convert|998|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|14|14F}} || {{Sort|170216|February 16–22}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|055|{{convert|55|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|0997|{{convert|997|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Fiji || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|15|Bart}} || {{Sort|170219|February 19–22}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A1}}|{{Sort|2|Category 1 tropical cyclone}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A1}}|{{Sort|075|{{convert|75|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A1}}|{{Sort|994|{{convert|994|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Southern Cook Islands || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|16|16F}} || {{Sort|170223|February 23–26}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|1005|{{convert|1005|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|17|17F}} || {{Sort|170304|March 4–5}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|1006|{{convert|1006|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|18|18F}} || {{Sort|170320|March 19–21}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical disturbance}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|DI}}|{{Sort|1007|{{convert|1007|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || None || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|19|19F}} || {{Sort|170401|April 1–20}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|1|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|0988|{{convert|988|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Samoa, Niue || None || None ||

|-

| {{Sort|20|Cook}} || {{Sort|170406|April 6–11}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|{{Sort|4|Category 3 severe tropical cyclone}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|{{Sort|155|{{convert|155|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|{{Sort|0961|{{convert|961|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand || {{ntsp|33000000||$}} || {{nts|1}} ||{{cite web|title=Cyclone "Cook" hits New Caledonia, leaving 1 dead, 20 000 without power|url=https://watchers.news/2017/04/10/cyclone-cook-hits-new-caledonia-leaving-20-000-without-power/|date=April 10, 2017|publisher=The Watchers}}

|-

| {{Sort|21|Donna}} || {{Sort|170501|May 1–10}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A5}}|{{Sort|6|Category 5 severe tropical cyclone}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A5}}|{{Sort|205|{{convert|205|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A5}}|{{Sort|0935|{{convert|935|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji
New Caledonia, New Zealand || {{ntsp|10000000||$}} || 2 ||{{cite news|title=Damages reported in Temotu |url=http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12838-damages-reported-in-temotu |work=Solomon Star |date=May 15, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521093921/http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12838-damages-reported-in-temotu |archivedate=May 21, 2017 |url-status=dead }}

|-

| {{Sort|22|Ella}} || {{Sort|170507|May 7–14}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|{{Sort|3|Category 2 tropical cyclone}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|{{Sort|110|{{convert|110|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|{{Sort|0977|{{convert|977|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}}} || Samoan Islands, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna || None || None ||

|-

{{TC Areas affected (Bottom)|TC's=22 systems|dates=November 12, 2016 –
May 14, 2017|winds={{convert|205|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}|pres={{convert|935|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}|damage={{ntsp|47700000||$}}|deaths={{nts|3}}|Refs=}}

{{portal|Tropical cyclones}}

• Weather of 2016 and 2017
• Tropical cyclones in 2016 and 2017
• List of South Pacific cyclone seasons
• List of off-season South Pacific tropical cyclones
• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 2016, 2017
• Pacific hurricane seasons: 2016, 2017
• Pacific typhoon seasons: 2016, 2017
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2016, 2017
• 2016–17 Australian region cyclone season
• 2016–17 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
• South Atlantic tropical cyclone

{{reflist|30em}}

{{SPAC EL's}}

{{2016–17 South Pacific cyclone season buttons}}

{{Tropical cyclone season|2016|split-year=y}}

{{TC Decades|Year=2010|basin=South Pacific|type=cyclone|shem=yes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2016-17 South Pacific cyclone season}}

Category:South Pacific cyclone seasons

2016 SPac

2017 SPac