The hot or wet season in Vanuatu, which is from November to April, is also known as the cyclone season. The geographical location of the archipelago in the southwest Pacific is on a route occasionally traversed by cyclones, which by definition are associated with winds of at least 34 knots (62 km/hr) or over.
The area of Vanuatu (land and sea) receives about 2-3 cyclones in a cyclone season, and the greatest frequency is in January and February. On average, Vanuatu and its marginal seas is a common route to some 20 to 30 cyclones per decade, with 3 to 5 causing severe damage.
Cyclones are very erratic in their movement therefore often hard to predict, but they generally maintain their southerly movement until about 21 °S to 25 °S when they do a parabolic curve mostly to the east, and dissipate. The archipelago of Vanuatu being small islands grouped together in a north to south distribution are effected by almost every cyclone passing through.
Tropical cyclones affecting any islands of Vanuatu can result in heavy rainfall, flooding of low lying areas, coastal flooding, storm surge, land slide, very rough seas and strong to damaging winds inland. These events can cause a great deal of damage to property and live.
In the event that a tropical cyclone is expected to affect Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Meteorological Service will give out information regarding the system to Radio Vanuatu (to other FM stations as well if it affects Shefa and Sanma province) as well as the internet (www.meteo.gov.vu). A track map will be also provided on VMS's website.
The Vanuatu Meteorological Service encourages all individuals living in Vanuatu, particularly those in rural areas and those who do not have access to internet to always listen to Radio Vanuatu for information on tropical cyclones. TC Warnings are also disseminated to Radio New Zealand and Radio Australia for broadcasting. The Frequency are as follows:
BROADCAST FREQUENCIES
Radio Vanuatu
Times (local) Frequency (kHz) Target Day
& Power (KW)
All times 1125 All Vanuatu Daily
All times 7260 Short Wave All Vanuatu Daily
All times 100 FM Efate Daily
0600-1800 98 FM Port Vila Daily
All times 98.1 Hallo FM Luganville Daily
Capitol FM 107
Times (local) Frequency (kHz) Target Day
All times 107 FM Port Vila Daily
RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL
Time (UTC) Frequency (kHz) Target Azimuth Day
& Power (kW)
0400-0759 15720 19 All Pacific 0˚ Daily
0800-1059 9885 31 All Pacific 0˚ Daily
1300-1650 9870 31 All Pacific 0˚ Daily
1851-2235 15720 19 All Pacific 0˚ Daily
2236-0359 17675 16 All Pacific 0˚ Daily
As Vanuatu is frequently visited by tropical cyclones every cyclone season, the Vanuatu Meteorological Service has in place a very effective Warning System to enure life and property of individuals in Vanuatu is well protected. VMS gives information on a tropical depression or tropical cyclone in three phases, namely Information, Advisory and Warning. VMS also provide the "Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Tracking Map" position, in both numbers and letters. This is a very effective and simple tool for locals, particularly those in rural areas as it helps to locate the centre of the system.
VMS will also use the Category System (based on Australian Standards) to indicate the strength of Tropical Cyclones. The Category System which will be used by the Vanuatu Meteorological Service is shown below:
CATEGORY 1 (Tropical cyclone) Negligible house damage. Damage to some garden crops, trees and local old thatch house. A Category 1 cyclone's strongest winds are GALES with typical gusts over open flat land of 90 - 125 km/h.
CATEGORY 2 (Tropical cyclone) Minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and local thatch houses. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure. A Category 2 cyclone's strongest winds are DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 125 - 164 km/h.
CATEGORY 3 (Severe tropical cyclone) Some roof and structural damage. Some local thatch houses destroyed. Power failures likely. A Category 3 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 165 - 224 km/h.
CATEGORY 4 (Severe tropical cyclone) Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many thatch houses destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures. A Category 4 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 225 - 279 km/h.
CATEGORY 5 (Severe tropical cyclone) Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction. A Category 5 cyclone's strongest winds are VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with typical gusts over open flat land of more than 280 km/h.
For information on what to do before a Tropical Cyclone season, before a Tropical Cyclone event, during a Tropical Cyclone event and after a Tropical Cyclone event please visit our "Precautionary Advice" Link.
For Information on the Tropical Cyclone Warning System used by the Vanuatu Meteorological Service, please visit our "Warning System" Link.
For explanation on terms used in the warnings, visit the "Glossary" Link.