Cyclone Prema
South Pacific cyclone in 1993
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Severe Tropical Cyclone Prema was the twenty-third storm of the season, Prema formed early on 26 March 1993 as a weak tropical depression.
Cyclone Prema west of Vanuatu at peak intensity on 29 March | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 26 March 1993 |
| Dissipated | 6 April 1993 |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
| Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 940 hPa (mbar); 27.76 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 230 km/h (145 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 916 hPa (mbar); 27.05 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 3 |
| Damage | $5 million (1993 USD) |
| Areas affected | Vanuatu, New Caledonia |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1992–93 South Pacific cyclone season | |
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionOn 25 March, a tropical depression had developed within an otherwise inactive monsoon trough, about 200 km (125 mi) to the west of the Fijian dependency of Rotuma. A passing high-pressure area assisted the tropical depression's genesis under an upper-level ridge near Vanuatu.[1] On 26 March, the system initially moved north-westwards, before it turned and moved south-westwards as it organised and developed further.[2] The depression moved towards the northwest before it turned and started to move southwest as it gradually developed further. On 27 March, both the Nadi TCWC and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center reported that the depression had developed into a tropical cyclone and the Nadi TCWC named it Prema.[3]
Effects
In Vanuatu, Cyclone Prema affected 20,000 people and caused an estimated US$60 million in damages.[4] A gauge in Port Vila was damaged and inoperable for over 18 months.[5]
Due to the impact of this system, the name Prema was retired by the World Meteorological Organization's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee.[6]