Cyclones in American Samoa
Cyclones occur rarely in American Samoa. On average, they happen about once per year. The hardest hit regions are Western District and Manu'a.The typical cyclone season depends on the summer monsoon. In the months before (May to June) and after (October to November), the most severe storms occur.
American Samoa has certainly been affected by the foothills of several cyclones, but during the past 12 months no cyclone reached the inhabited areas on land.
Other natural hazards in American Samoa:
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Back to overview: American Samoa
Current satellite image of the south-east Pacific
07.06.2023 © CIMSS University of Wisconsin-Madison
Most violent cyclones in American Samoa since 2018
Zazu: December 13-16, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 100 km/h
Diameter:
max. 296 km
Air pressure:
below 985 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
The cyclone did not make direct landfall in American Samoa. On December 13th, 2020 at 1:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 258 km southeast of Vailoatai in Western District.
Instead, the first landfall occurred near Hihifo in Tonga on December 13th at 1:00 am.
Instead, the first landfall occurred near Hihifo in Tonga on December 13th at 1:00 am.
Zazu: December 12-16, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 102 km/h
on land:
max. 65 km/h
Diameter:
max. 704 km
Air pressure:
below 980 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
Affected regions
Manu'a
Western District
Manu'a
Western District
Wasi: February 20-23, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 111 km/h
on land:
max. 56 km/h
Diameter:
max. 537 km
Air pressure:
below 975 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
Affected regions
Western District
Western District
Vicky: February 20-24, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 78 km/h
on land:
max. 74 km/h
Diameter:
max. 759 km
Air pressure:
below 990 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
Affected regions
Western District
Western District
Pola: February 25 to March 3, 2019
Wind speed:
max. 180 km/h
Diameter:
max. 204 km
Air pressure:
below 950 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 3
The cyclone did not make direct landfall in American Samoa. On February 25th, 2019 at 10:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 453 km east of Leone in Western District.
Instead, the first landfall occurred near Mata-Utu in Wallis and Futuna on February 25th at 4:00 am.
Instead, the first landfall occurred near Mata-Utu in Wallis and Futuna on February 25th at 4:00 am.
These evaluations are based on data from the National Centers for Environmental Information of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Individual data have been summarized or translated.
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