Tropical Cyclone Warning System  

The Vanuatu Meteorological Service’s (VMS’s) Tropical Cyclone Warning System is categorized into four levels. VMS uses these levels to disseminate Tropical Depression and Tropical Cyclone Information to the public of Vanuatu if and when a Tropical Cyclone is approaching or is within the vicinity of any islands of Vanuatu.  

Information – An information Bulletin contains information on a tropical depression or a tropical cyclone some distance away but there is significant chance that it may move closer to Vanuatu and winds may reach gale on any islands of Vanuatu within the next 48 hours. These bulletins are issued twice a day.  

Advisory – Advisories are bulletins issued at least 36 hours before the likely onset of gales or stronger winds to any islands of Vanuatu. The Bulletins will be maintained until such time as specific warnings become necessary, or the threat to Vanuatu subsides. This bulletin is issued every six hours.  

Cyclone Warning – Warning bulletins are issued when Gale, Storm or Hurricane winds are expected to affect any islands of Vanuatu within 24 hours. The warning bulletin is issued every 3 hours.  

Flash Warning - If available information indicates a sudden and substantial change in the situation of a TC System, and invalidating the current warning, then a Flash Warning bulletin will be issued as soon as possible to inform users of the sudden change in the situation.  

The Information contained in the TC Information, Advisory and Warning Bulletin will contain the time of issuance, the name of the system if it is named, the position of the system in latitude and longitude as well as the letter and number within the Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Tracking Map. The bulletins will also contain the direction of movement and the intensity of the system. Warning bulletins will also give out a 48 hour forecast position.  

In the event that the system becomes a tropical cyclone and warnings are issued, a Track Map will be made available. The map will contain the previous position of the system as well as the forecast position for the next 48 hours.  

The Tropical Cyclone Category System will also be stated in the information, advisory and warning bulletins. This is to simplify the intensity of winds mentioned in the bulletins.  

Tropical Cyclone Category System  

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.  

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