Rare out-of-season Tropical Cyclone “Gina” forms near Vanuatu
A rare out-of-season tropical cyclone formed near Vanuatu, South Pacific Ocean on May 18, 2022, and was named Gina. It is the 6th named storm of the 2021/22 South Pacific cyclone season. The season officially started on November 1, 2021, and ended on April 30, 2022.
At 00:00 UTC on May 19, Gina’s center was located about 80 km (50 miles) E of Pentecost Island, Penama Province, Vanuatu. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) and was moving SW toward Vanuatu.
The cyclone is expected to continue moving SW over the islands in the provinces of Penama and Mnalampa with maximum sustained winds up to 75 km/h (45 mph).
After that, it is expected to reach the Coral Sea and downgrade to a tropical depression.
At 12:00 UTC (23:00 LT), Category 1 Tropical Cyclone “Gina” (on the Australian scale) was located about 15 km (9 miles) NE of Epi and 110 km (68 miles) N of Efate.
The system had maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph), minimum central pressure of 990 hPa, and was moving S at 2 km/h (1.2 mph), according to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department.1
Damaging gale force winds of 60 km/h (37 mph), gusting to 90 km/h (55 mph) are expected to continue to affect the Mnalampa and Shefa tonight and tomorrow (LT).
Heavy rainfalls and flash flooding are expected over low-lying areas and areas close to the river banks including coastal flooding over Central Islands tonight and continuing tomorrow.
Rough to very rough seas with heavy to phenomenal swells over all coastal waters of Vanuatu.
Marine Strong Wind Warning is current for all coastal waters of Vanuatu.
A Severe Weather Warning is current for the central and the southern Islands.
People over the affected areas are advised to listen to Radio Vanuatu and all other Radio Outlets to get the latest update on this system.
References:
1 Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 6 for MALAMPA and SHEFA Provinces – May 19, 2022 – VMGD
Featured image: Tropical Cyclone “Gina” at 03:50 UTC on May 19, 2022. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
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