Cyclone Ron

{{storm path|Ron 1998 track.png}}

Towards the end of December 1997, an area of low pressure developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone to the northwest of the Cook Islands.{{cite magazine|date=1998|title=Saison des perturbations tropicales Pacifique sud 1997-1998, une activité importante|issue=185|pages=31–35|language=fr|journal=Météorologie Maritime|issn=2107-0830|url=http://bibliotheque.meteo.fr/exl-php/docs/ILS_DOC/2271/enm00002270__PDF.txt}} Over the next few days, the system gradually developed further, before it was classified as a tropical depression by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) during January 1, 1998.{{cite report|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |title=RSMC Nadi Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Summary 1997-98 |date=August 29, 2007 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |url=http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/TC_Seasonal_Summary_97-98.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326164931/http://www.met.gov.fj/documents/TC_Seasonal_Summary_97-981190690538.pdf |author=RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre |archive-date=March 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} The system subsequently moved south-westwards under the influence of an area of high pressure and gradually developed further as its organisation and outflow improved.{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert January 1, 1998 21z |date=January 1, 1998 |archive-date=January 5, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2015 |url-status=dead |author=Naval Pacific Meteorological and Oceanographic Center |url=http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf_web/docs/tcfas/1998/sh911998.98010118.tcf |publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105180347/https://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf_web/docs/tcfas/1998/sh911998.98010118.tcf |df=mdy }}{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone 10P (Ron) Warning 1 January 2, 1998 00z |date=January 2, 1998 |archive-date=January 5, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=July 31, 2015 |author=Naval Pacific Meteorological and Oceanographic Center |url=https://science.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf/docs/warnings/1998/sh101998.98010200.wrn |publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105180307/https://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf_web/docs/warnings/1998/sh101998.98010200.wrn |df=mdy }} During the next day the FMS reported that the system had developed into a Category 1 Tropical Cyclone, on the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale and named it Ron. At around the same time the Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center initiated advisories on the system, and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 10P with 1-minute wind speeds of {{convert|65|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}. During that day the system continued to move south-westwards and gradually organized further and became a Category 3 Severe Tropical Cyclone during January 3, as it passed about {{convert|20|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the north of Swains Island.{{cite web|url={{IBTRACS url|id=1998001S09195}}|access-date=April 2, 2019|title=1998 Tropical Cyclone RON (1998001S09195)|publisher=International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship}}{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone 10P (Ron) Warning 4 January 3, 1998 15z |date=January 3, 1998 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=August 3, 2015 |url-status=live |author=Naval Pacific Meteorological and Oceanographic Center |url=https://science.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf/docs/warnings/1998/sh101998.98010312.wrn |publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522074048/https://www.webcitation.org/6aVvnBOxt?url=http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf_web/docs/warnings/2015/wp142015.1508020.wrn |df=mdy }}

File:Cyclones Ron and Susan.png

After passing to the north of Swains Island, Ron continued to intensify and developed an eye as it moved south-westwards, before RSMC Nadi reported that it had become a Category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone at 00:00 UTC on January 5.{{cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone 10P (Ron) Warning 5 January 4, 1998 15z |date=January 4, 1998 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=August 3, 2015 |url-status=live |author=Naval Pacific Meteorological and Oceanographic Center |url=https://science.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf/docs/warnings/1998/sh101998.98010412.wrn |publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522074123/https://www.webcitation.org/6aW3SDzk2?url=http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf_web/docs/warnings/1998/sh101998.98010412.wrn |df=mdy }} RSMC Nadi subsequently reported six hours later that the system had peaked with estimated 10-minute sustained wind-speeds of 145 mph (225 km/h) and an estimated minimum pressure of {{convert|900|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}. At this time the system was located to the northeast of Wallis Island and was thought to be the strongest tropical cyclone in the South Pacific Basin since Severe Tropical Cyclone Hina of the 1984-85 season.{{cite journal|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |title=The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1997–98 |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/jshess/docs/2000/chappel.pdf|access-date=July 23, 2013 |author2=Bate, Peter W |author=Chappel Lori-Carmen |volume=49 |pages=121–138 |date=June 2, 2000 |journal=Australian Meteorological Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605113928/http://www.bom.gov.au/amm/docs/2000/chappel.pdf |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |url-status=live }} The NPMOC subsequently reported that the system had peaked as a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and an estimated minimum pressure of {{convert|892|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}.{{cite report|publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1998atcr.pdf|pages=127–138|title=Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1998|year=1999|author2=Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=August 3, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042626/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1998atcr.pdf|url-status=dead}}

As the system peaked in intensity during January 5, the system recurved towards the southeast and passed about {{convert|55|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the east of Wallis Island. During the next day Ron remained at it peak intensity before it passed, about {{convert|30|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the east of the Tongan island of Niuafo'ou. During January 7, the system started to weaken as it accelerated southeastwards, and passed in between the main Tongan islands and Niue. The system subsequently moved below 25S and left the tropics during the next day, before Ron was last noted being absorbed by Severe Tropical Cyclone Susan during January 9. After absorbing Ron, Susan transitioned into an extra-tropical cyclone, before it was last noted during January 10, bringing an unseasonable cold snap to New Zealand.{{cite news|date=January 10, 1998|location=New Zealand|newspaper=The Southland Times|publisher=The Southland Times Co. Ltd.|page=1|title=Blame Cyclone Susan for cold snap}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}}

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ron caused no deaths and various levels of damage, as it affected Swains Island, Wallis and Futuna and Tonga, while the name Ron was retired from the Lists of tropical cyclone names for the region due to the impact of this system.{{RA V Tropical cyclone operational plan}} Between January 2–3, Swains Island became the first island to be affected by Ron, with severe impacts to structures reported on the island from winds of up to {{Convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on|order=flip|round=5}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/JB_DM213_1998_SLB_TC_relief.pdf |access-date=July 29, 2015 |title=Tropical Storm Ron ravish Swains Islands |newspaper=Solomon Star |date=January 9, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063244/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/JB_DM213_1998_SLB_TC_relief.pdf |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |page=15 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} There were no deaths or damages reported on the island, after the 49 residents took shelter in a concrete structure.{{cite web|title=WEEKLY OCEAN NEWS; 2-6 January 2012|author2=DataStreme Ocean Central Staff|url=http://www.aos.wisc.edu/~hopkins/oceans/fall_11/DSOf11news17.html|author=Hopkins, Edward|date=January 16, 2012|access-date=July 28, 2015|pages=1–11, 21}}{{cite web|title=Pacific ENSO Update — Special Bulletin|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|url=http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/MET/Enso/peu/update.dir/Update-Jan98.html|type=Newsletter issued 4th Quarter 1997, Vol.3, No.4|date=January 26, 1998|access-date=July 28, 2015|pages=1–11, 21}}

The system became the fourth and final tropical cyclone to affect the French territory of Wallis and Futuna during 1997 and 1998, after cyclones Gavin, Hina and Keli had affected the islands.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Gavin: March 2 — 11, 1997|author2=RSMC Nadi — Tropical Cyclone Centre|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|url=http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/TC_GAVIN.pdf|type=Tropical Cyclone Report 96/7|author=Kersemakers, Mark|date=April 4, 1998|access-date=November 16, 2013|pages=1–11, 21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012021517/http://www.pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/original/TC_GAVIN.pdf|archive-date=October 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.meteo.nc/wallis-et-futuna-cyclone/cyclones-passes-wf |title=Wallis and Futuna Cyclone Passes De 1880 à nos jours |publisher=Meteo France New Caledonia |access-date=November 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701170259/http://meteo.nc/wallis-et-futuna-cyclone/cyclones-passes-wf |archive-date=July 1, 2014 }} Ahead of the system affecting the islands between January 4–6, residents were put on maximum alert for the system by the local disaster management centre.{{cite news|title=Cyclone Ron causes widespread damage, heads for Noumea|agency=AAP Newsfeed|date=January 6, 1998}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}}{{cite web|url=http://archives.pireport.org/archive/1998/january/01-08-up.html |title=Three Cyclones threaten Pacific; Wallis and Futuna hit |author=Pacific Islands Report |date=January 7, 1998 |access-date=August 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612055849/http://pidp.org/pireport/1998/January/01-07-UP.html |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |publisher=Pacific Islands Development Program/Center for Pacific Islands Studies |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} As a result, residents were urged to stock up with food and water, while a crisis centre was set up in the capital Mata-Utu and Air Calédonie cancelled flights to the islands.{{cite news|title=Pacific islands brace for cyclone|agency=Agence France Presse|date=January 4, 1998}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}}{{cite news|title=Cyclone Ron Whips Up 9-Metre Tidal Waves|agency=AAP Newsfeed|date=January 6, 1998}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}} On the island of Wallis winds of up to {{convert|130|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}, and a rainfall total of {{convert|109|mm|in|abbr=on}} were recorded in the Hihifo District on January 6. Widespread damage to roofs, trees, coastal roads, fales and food crops were recorded while water, electricity supplies and communication network were also disrupted. Residents of the island of Futuna evacuated inland and sought higher ground as tidal waves of between {{convert|7-9|m|ft}} affected the island.{{cite news|title=Cyclone Ron hits islands|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|page=25|date=January 7, 1998}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}}

Ron was the first tropical cyclone to prompt the FMS to issue a gale warning for Niue, since Cyclone Ofa impacted the island in February 1990.{{cite conference|title=Final Report of the Seventh Session: Appendix VI-6: Niue|conference=RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and the South-East Indian Ocean Seventh Session|date=September 1998|publisher=World Meteorological Organization}} The system passed about {{convert|325|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the west of Niue at around 19:00 UTC (07:00 Niue Time) on January 7, where intermittent showers, average winds of {{convert|35|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}, a minimum pressure of {{convert|1005|hPa|inHg|sigfig=4|abbr=on|comma=off}} were recorded.

After affecting both Wallis and Futuna and Swains Island, the system became the strongest tropical cyclone on record in Tonga, as it passed near Niuafo'ou at peak intensity.{{cite press release|url=http://www.met.gov.to/index_files/elninowatch1.pdf |author=Meteorology Division of the Ministry of Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Disaster Management, Meteorology, Information and Communications |publisher=Government of Tonga |access-date=July 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192806/http://www.met.gov.to/index_files/elninowatch1.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |date=August 8, 2014 |title=El Nino Advisory No.1 for Tonga — An El Niño Watch is now in force for Tonga |url-status=live |df=mdy }} The system was the third tropical cyclone to affect the island nation in 10 months, after cyclones Hina and Keli affected the islands in March and June 1997, respectively.{{cite report|url=http://www.met.gov.to/index_files/tc_history.pdf|title=A report on the list of the tropical cyclones that has affected at least a part of Tonga from 1960 to Present|publisher=Tonga Meteorological Service|access-date=August 4, 2015}} Ahead of the system affecting the islands tropical cyclone alerts and warnings were issued for the whole nation by the Tonga Meteorological Department.{{cite news|agency=Island Snapshot|title=Cyclone Ron smashes Niuafo'ou lesser damage reported from Niuatoputapu|url=http://www.nomoa.com/tongatapu.net.to/tonga/news/briefs/ss980108.htm|date=January 8, 1998|access-date=August 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092131/http://www.nomoa.com/tongatapu.net.to/tonga/news/briefs/ss980108.htm|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} The worst affected Tongan island was Niuafo'ou where considerable damage occurred, while some damage was reported on other islands including Niuatoputapu, Tafahi, and Vava'u.

On the island of Niuafo'ou sustained winds of {{Convert|110|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} were reported, while it was estimated that winds on the island had peaked at between {{Convert|125|-|145|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}. During the system's aftermath, a survey team was sent to Niuafoou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi to assess the damage and the impact of the cyclone on the inhabitants.{{cite report|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/tonga/tonga-cyclone-ron-situation-report-no-1|title=Tonga Cyclone Ron Situation Report No. 1|publisher=United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs|access-date=August 9, 2015|date=January 27, 1998|website=ReliefWeb}} According to the report made by them, the cyclone left 99 families without home and 43 ones in need of tarpaulins to repair damages, most of them in the Niuafo'ou island. Also, Ron's winds caused extensive damage to agriculture and vegetation of the islands, in which includes total loss of fruit and breadfruit trees and severe damage to cassava and banana crops.

Ron's destructive winds caused severe damage in Tonga's sanitation systems, increasing the danger of an outbreak of infectious diseases. Approximately 30% of the water tanks and 95% of the catchment covers had been damaged, leading to a water shortage.{{cite press release|publisher=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Government of Tonga |url=http://www.met.gov.to/index_files/elninowatch1.pdf |title=El Nino Advisory No.1 for Tonga — An El Niño Watch is now in force for Tonga |author=Meteorology Division of the Ministry of Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Disaster Management, Meteorology, Information and Communications |access-date=July 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192806/http://www.met.gov.to/index_files/elninowatch1.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} Also, according to Tonga's National Disaster Relief Committee, the great loss of plantations and vegetation led to a six-month food shortage.{{cite web|publisher=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/tonga/tonga-says-two-islands-dire-needs-food-relief|title=Tonga says two islands in dire needs of food relief|author=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=December 12, 2012|year=1998}} Replanting programmes took up to 6–8 months to restore all the lost vegetation.

Several governments and organizations assisted the people affected by Ron. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs as allocated an Emergency Cash Grant of US$20,000 of relief items and coverage of transportation costs. The Government of New Zealand has provided temporary shelters and assistance with repairs to Government and public health buildings, as well as assistance with replanting with a total value of NZ$36,500 (approximately US$21,340). The United Kingdom provided supplies for the repair of water and sanitary systems of a total value of approximately £15,000 (US$25,000). The South Pacific Forum Secretariat in Fiji also helped Tonga, releasing US$10,000 from a special disaster fund.{{cite web|publisher=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/tonga/south-pacific-forum-releases-funds-fiji-cyclone-recovery|title=South Pacific forum releases funds for Fiji cyclone recovery|author=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=December 12, 2012|year=1998}}

{{portal|Tropical cyclones}}

• Cyclone Susan
• List of the most intense tropical cyclones

{{Reflist|2}}

{{SPAC EL's}}

{{Retired South Pacific cyclones}}

{{1997–98 South Pacific cyclone season buttons}}

{{Category 5 South Pacific severe tropical cyclones}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ron (1998)}}

Category:Tropical cyclones in Tonga

Category:Tropical cyclones in Wallis and Futuna

Category:Category 5 South Pacific cyclones

Category:1997–98 South Pacific cyclone season

Category:Retired South Pacific cyclones

Category:1998 in Tonga

Category:1998 in Wallis and Futuna

Category:Tropical cyclones in Tokelau

Category:Tropical cyclones in Samoa