Tropical Cyclone Early Warning System Vanuatu Meteorology GeoHazards

Tropical Cyclone Early Warning System Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-Hazards Department

Activation of Tropical cyclone Warning Center • By Manager WFSD • Informed Director VMGD/NDMO & DG (usually by phone)

OPERATION DURING TC PAM • A Press Release concerning Tropical Low on 9 th of March 2013, 600 km Northeast of TORBA. th Press Release • TL was named TC PAM at 6 pm on the 9 of March 2013 on Tropical Low • 1 ST information issued by VMGD on TC Pam was at 11 am on the 10 th of March 2015, when Pam was 600 kilometers northeast of the Banks group and outside the Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Tracking Map and outside Vanuatu’s Area (12 S to 23 S and 160 E to 175 E). TC Information TC Advisory • The first Advisory issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department on Pam was issued at 6: 00 pm on the 10 th of March when Pam was 560 km northeast of the Banks Group.

• At 9 am, on the 11 th of March 2015, the first warning on the Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam was issued for the Northern provinces as the system was 425 KM NE of Gaua which at that time, TC Pam had TC Warning moved into the Vanuatu’s Tropical Cyclone Tracking Map. • Pam intensified further into a CAT 4 system at 11 am, on the 12 th of March 2015, as it moved closer to the northern islands of Vanuatu. The system took a southwest direction, moving very close to Intensification Vanuatu. It became a CAT 5 system at 11 am, on the 13 th of March, as it took a southwest path, to the east of PENAMA province. of TC PAM

• • • 1 Tropical Cyclone forecaster (Issued all TC Information) 1 marine & Aviation forecaster (updating website & preparing SMS for dissemination (TVL & DIGICEL) 1 Public forecaster Forecasters on TC Shift • 4 person per shift to answer phones and update on the TC Phone Answering Shift • • TC Forecaster , Director & Manager WFSD do media briefing (TV, Radio) Media Briefing Additional • • Warnings were issued hourly on midday 13 th of March 2013 and was maintained till TC Pam left Vanuatu Area Media Briefing after every warnings. Increase number of Forecasters to 6

Type of Warning GALE WARNING STORM WARNING HURRICANE WARNING Average Winds* Expected 63 km/h (34 knots) to 87 km/h (47 knots) 88 km/h (48 knots) to 117 km/h (63 knots) Over 117 km/h (63 knots) Beaufort Force 8, 9 Typical Effects Very rough to high seas. Normally minor damage on land, mainly to branches and loose materials. Occasional heavy rain and flooding. 10, 11 High to very high seas. Damage to trees, crops, overhead wires, temporary shelters and weaker structures. Often accompanied by heavy rain and flooding. 12 Phenomenal seas, heavy surf and abnormally high storm tides. Severe damage to trees, crops, Overhead wires, and many buildings. Accompanied by torrential rain and flooding. * Winds averaged over a 10 -minute period. Momentary gusts will be much higher, at least 10 knots or over.

Analysis Track of TC PAM with radius of Gale, Storm and Hurricane force winds

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