Met Office warns about possible cyclones

By Vatapuia Maiava 17 November 2016, 12:00AM

With the Festive season fast approaching, it’s wise to keep in mind that the nation is also entering the Cyclone Season.

 So necessary preparations should make its way onto your to-do lists.

Assistant Chief Executive Officer Meteorology Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Mulipola Ausetalia Titimaea, said they are expecting at least one or two cyclones passing within 500km vicinity of Samoa.

It is a normal risk which is predicted in accordance to historical tropical cyclone data. 

The issued information also reads for El Niño Southern Oscillation (E.N.S.O.), at least 1-2 cyclones to reach Category 3 strength (mean wind speeds of at least 118km/h or 73 miles/h) or Category 4 cyclone (mean wind speeds of at least 159km/h or 98 miles/h) or even a rare Category 5 event.

The outlook is based on statistical analysis of historical tropical cyclone events that have occurred in similar E.N.S.O-Neutral conditions. Six analogue seasons used are identical to the current E.N.S.O. conditions.

Data of Samoa’s history with the natural disaster shows that a total of 52 tropical cyclones have passed within the vicinity of Apia; this represents an average of 10 cyclones per decade.

By Vatapuia Maiava 17 November 2016, 12:00AM
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