Contents

1977–78 South Pacific cyclone season

Tropical cyclone season

1977–78 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	November 24, 1977
Last system dissipated	April 22, 1978
Strongest storm
Name	Bob and Charles
• Maximum winds	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	945 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions	8
Tropical cyclones	8
Severe tropical cyclones	3
Total fatalities	Unknown
Total damage	Unknown
Related articles
1977–78 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season 1977–78 Australian region cyclone season
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80

The 1977–78 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a near-average season, with eight tropical cyclones forming.

Tessa precursor tropical depression was first noted on December 5, while it was located in the southern Line Islands of Kiribati.^[1][2] Over the next couple of days, the system moved southeastwards and gradually intensified, before it was named Tessa by the FMS during December 7.^[1]

During December 9, the system moved in between Puka Puka and Reao as it continued to weaken and move south-eastwards towards the Gambier Islands.^[1] The system was last noted during December 11, while it was located about 590 km (365 mi) to the northeast of Adams Town in the Pitcarn Islands.^[2] As the system moved through the Tuamotu Islands of French Polynesia, Tessa caused significant precipitation over the islands, with the Puka Puka weather station recording a 24-hour rainfall total of 154.2 mm (6.07 in) during December 8.^[1]

For several days during the week building up to Christmas 1977, a tropical disturbance persisted about 925 km (575 mi) to the northeast of Fiji and to the northwest of Samoa.^[3] A distinct cyclonic circulation subsequently started to develop during December 23, while it was located about 740 km (460 mi) to the northeast of Vanua Levu. Over the next day the system moved south-westwards and passed within 75 km (45 mi) of Futuna, before it was named Anne by the FMS during December 24, as satellite pictures showed that a tropical cyclone was developing. During December 25, the winds were indirectly estimated to be off gale-force, as it passed south-westwards through the Fijian Islands.

During February 15, a tropical depression developed within the South Pacific Convergence Zone, to the west of French Polynesia's Society Islands.^[1][4] Over the next couple of days, the system moved eastwards towards Mopelia while gradually developing further, before it was named Diana by the FMS during February 16.^[1]

During February 17, the FMS started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed, about 560 km (350 mi) to the northwest of Udu Point in Fiji.^[3] During that day, the system deepened as it moved south-eastwards towards Fiji before the FMS named it Ernie.^[3]

• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1977, 1978
• Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1977, 1978
• Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1977, 1978
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1977, 1978

• World Meteorological Organization
• Australian Bureau of Meteorology
• Fiji Meteorological Service
• New Zealand MetService
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center