Cyclones on the Solomon Islands
Cyclones only occur occasionally on the Solomon Islands. On average, they happen about 2 times a year. The hardest hit regions are Makira, Western Province and Guadalcanal.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.
The Solomon Islands have 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 on the Solomon Islands:
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Current satellite image of the southwest Pacific Ocean
06.02.2023 © CIMSS University of Wisconsin-Madison
Most violent cyclones on the Solomon Islands since 2018
Gina: May 18-22, 2022
Wind speed:
max. 65 km/h
Diameter:
max. 278 km
Air pressure:
below 1002 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On May 18th, 2022 at 11:00 pm it had the shortest distance at about 599 km southwest of Lata in Temotu.
Ruby: December 11-15, 2021
Region:
Eastern Australia
Wind speed:
max. 130 km/h
Diameter:
max. 185 km
Air pressure:
below 980 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 1
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On December 12th, 2021 at 5:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 501 km southeast of Honiara in Guadalcanal.
Lucas: January 31 to February 4, 2021
Region:
Eastern Australia
Wind speed:
max. 119 km/h
Diameter:
max. 222 km
Air pressure:
below 980 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On February 1st, 2021 at 5:00 pm it had the shortest distance at about 496 km south of Kirakira in Makira.
Harold: April 1-11, 2020
Region:
Eastern Australia
Wind speed:
max. 278 km/h
on land:
max. 102 km/h
Diameter:
max. 3741 km
Eye:
max. 56 km
Air pressure:
below 903 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 5
Affected regions
Western Province
Guadalcanal
Makira
Western Province
Guadalcanal
Makira
Uesi: February 6-17, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 143 km/h
on land:
max. 78 km/h
Diameter:
max. 3741 km
Air pressure:
below 969 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 1
Affected regions
Makira
Temotu
Makira
Temotu
Tino: January 15-20, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 157 km/h
Diameter:
max. 278 km
Air pressure:
below 956 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 2
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On January 15th, 2020 at 11:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 463 km west of Lata in Temotu.
Rita: November 22-29, 2019
Wind speed:
max. 130 km/h
Diameter:
max. 630 km
Eye:
max. 56 km
Air pressure:
below 980 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 1
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On November 23rd, 2019 at 8:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 271 km north of Lata in Temotu.
Ann: May 10-18, 2019
Region:
Eastern Australia
Wind speed:
max. 111 km/h
Diameter:
max. 204 km
Air pressure:
below 989 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On May 10th, 2019 at 11:00 pm it had the shortest distance at about 518 km southeast of Kirakira in Makira.
Oma: February 11-28, 2019
Wind speed:
max. 139 km/h
Diameter:
max. 3741 km
Eye:
max. 93 km
Air pressure:
below 968 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 1
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On February 12th, 2019 at 8:00 pm it had the shortest distance at about 354 km south of Lata in Temotu.
Mona: December 31, 2018 to January 9, 2019
Wind speed:
max. 93 km/h
on land:
max. 37 km/h
Diameter:
max. 222 km
Air pressure:
below 985 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
Affected regions
Makira
Makira
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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