Cyclones in Tonga
Cyclones only occur occasionally in Tonga. On average, they happen about 2 times a year. The hardest hit regions are Vava‘u and Tongatapu.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.
Tonga 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 Tonga:
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Current satellite image of the south-east Pacific
08.02.2023 © CIMSS University of Wisconsin-Madison
Most violent cyclones in Tonga since 2018
Zazu: December 13-16, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 100 km/h
on land:
max. 94 km/h
Diameter:
max. 296 km
Air pressure:
below 985 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
Affected regions
Vava‘u
Vava‘u
Wasi: February 20-23, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 111 km/h
Diameter:
max. 185 km
Air pressure:
below 975 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On February 23rd, 2020 at 7:00 am it had the shortest distance at about 217 km northwest of Hihifo in Niuas.
Vicky: February 20-24, 2020
Wind speed:
max. 78 km/h
Diameter:
max. 296 km
Air pressure:
below 990 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On February 20th, 2020 at 7:00 pm it had the shortest distance at about 292 km north of Hihifo in Niuas.
Pola: February 25 to March 3, 2019
Wind speed:
max. 180 km/h
Diameter:
max. 204 km
Eye:
max. 37 km
Air pressure:
below 950 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
category 3
The cyclone did not make direct landfall. On February 26th, 2019 at 4:00 pm it had the shortest distance at about 213 km east of Hihifo in Niuas.
Neil: February 9-10, 2019
Wind speed:
max. 69 km/h
Diameter:
max. 370 km
Air pressure:
below 994 mbar
Saffir-Simpson scale:
tropical storm
Affected regions
Tongatapu
Eua
Tongatapu
Eua
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.