View source for 1982–83 South Pacific cyclone season

{{Short description|Tropical cyclone season}}
{{Infobox hurricane season
| Basin=SPac
| Year=1983
| Track=1982-1983 South Pacific cyclone season summary.jpg
| First storm formed=October 30, 1982
| Last storm dissipated=May 16, 1983
| Strongest storm name=[[Cyclone Oscar|Oscar]]
| Strongest storm pressure=920
| Strongest storm winds=110
| Average wind speed=10
| Total depressions=16
| Total hurricanes=14
| Total intense=9
| Fatalities=≥18
| Damagespre=>
| Damages=232
| five seasons=[[1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season|1980–81]], [[1981–82 South Pacific cyclone season|1981–82]], '''1982–83''', [[1983–84 South Pacific cyclone season|1983–84]], [[1984–85 South Pacific cyclone season|1984–85]]
| South Indian season=1982–83 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
| South Pacific season=1982–83 Australian region cyclone season
}}

The '''1982–83 South Pacific cyclone season''' was one of the most active and longest [[South Pacific tropical cyclone season]]s on record, with 16&nbsp;[[tropical cyclones]] occurring within the [[Tropical cyclone basin#South Pacific|South Pacific basin]] between [[160th meridian east|160°E]] and [[120th meridian west|120°W]]. During the season tropical cyclones were monitored by the meteorological services of Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia and New Zealand. The United States Armed Forces through the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NPMOC), also monitored the basin and issued unofficial warnings for American interests. The first tropical cyclone of the season developed a day before the season officially began on October 30, while the last tropical cyclone of the season dissipated on May 16. Most of the activity during the season occurred within the central and eastern parts of the basin with French Polynesia affected by several systems.
__TOC__
{{clear}}

== Seasonal summary ==
<div style="text-align: center;">
<timeline>
ImageSize = width:800 height:200
PlotArea = top:10 bottom:80 right:20 left:20
Legend = columns:3 left:30 top:58 columnwidth:270

AlignBars = early
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/10/1982 till:01/06/1983
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
ScaleMinor = grid:black unit:month increment:1 start:01/10/1982
Colors     =
  id:canvas value:gray(0.88)
  id:GP     value:red
  id:TDi    value:rgb(0,0.52,0.84)    legend:Tropical_Disturbance
  id:TD     value:rgb(0.43,0.76,0.92)  legend:Tropical_Depression
  id:C1     value:rgb(0.3,1,1)  legend:Category_1_=_63-87_km/h_(39-54_mph)
  id:C2     value:rgb(0.75,1,0.75)     legend:Category_2_=_88-142_km/h_(55-74_mph)
  id:C3     value:rgb(1,0.85,0.55)    legend:Category_3_=_143-158-km/h_(75-98_mph)
  id:C4     value:rgb(1,0.45,0.54)  legend:Category_4_=_159–204_km/h_(99–127_mph)
  id:C5     value:rgb(0.55,0.46,0.9)  legend:Category_5_=_≥205_km/h_(≥128_mph)

Backgroundcolors = canvas:canvas

BarData =
  barset:Hurricane
  bar:Month

PlotData=
  barset:Hurricane width:11 align:left fontsize:S shift:(4,-4) anchor:till
  from:30/10/1982 till:08/11/1982 color:C2 text:"Joti (C2)"
  from:06/11/1982 till:13/11/1982 color:C1 text:"Kina (C1)"
  from:10/12/1982 till:18/12/1982 color:C2 text:"Lisa (C2)"
  from:18/01/1983 till:01/02/1983 color:C3 text:"Mark (C3)"
  from:21/01/1983 till:29/01/1983 color:C3 text:"Nano (C3)"
  from:20/02/1983 till:28/02/1983 color:C4 text:"Nisha-Orama (C4)"
  from:22/02/1983 till:06/03/1983 color:C4 text:"[[Cyclone Oscar|Oscar (C4)]]"
  barset:break
  from:25/02/1983 till:06/03/1983 color:C1 text:"Prema (C1)"
  from:07/03/1983 till:16/03/1983 color:C4 text:"Rewa (C4)"
  from:20/03/1983 till:25/03/1983 color:C2 text:"Saba (C2)"
  from:22/03/1983 till:04/04/1983 color:C4 text:"Sarah (C4)"
  from:22/03/1983 till:05/04/1983 color:C4 text:"Tomasi (C4)"
  from:07/04/1983 till:14/04/1983 color:C4 text:"Veena (C4)"
  from:15/04/1983 till:23/04/1983 color:C3 text:"William (C3)"
  barset:break
  from:10/05/1983 till:14/05/1983 color:TD text:"TD"
  from:16/05/1983 till:16/05/1983 color:TD text:"TD"

  bar:Month width:5 align:center fontsize:S shift:(0,-20) anchor:middle color:canvas
  from:01/10/1982 till:01/11/1982 text:October
  from:01/11/1982 till:01/12/1982 text:November
  from:01/12/1982 till:01/01/1983 text:December
  from:01/01/1983 till:01/02/1983 text:January
  from:01/02/1983 till:01/03/1983 text:February
  from:01/03/1983 till:01/04/1983 text:March
  from:01/04/1983 till:01/05/1983 text:April
  from:01/05/1983 till:01/06/1983 text:May

TextData =
   pos:(569,23)
   text:"(For further details, please see"
   pos:(713,23)
   text:"[[Tropical_cyclone_scales|scales]])"
</timeline>
</div>

The 1982–83 season was one of the most active and longest [[South Pacific tropical cyclone season]]s on record, with fourteen tropical cyclones and nine severe tropical cyclones occurring within the [[Tropical cyclone basin#South Pacific|South Pacific basin]] between [[160th meridian east|160°E]] and [[120th meridian west|120°W]].<ref name="2015–16 SO">{{cite web|title=2015–16 Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook in the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi&nbsp;– Tropical Cyclone Centre (RSMC Nadi&nbsp;– TCC) Area of Responsibility (AOR) |access-date=October 22, 2015 |date=October 22, 2015 |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Tropical_Cyclone_Guidance_2015_16.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123070214/http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Tropical_Cyclone_Guidance_2015_16.pdf |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the season, tropical cyclones were primarily monitored by the [[Fiji Meteorological Service]], which issued high seas and tropical cyclone warnings for the region between the Equator and 25°S, 160°E and 140°W.<ref name="Forty Years">{{Cite report|url=https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=10986|title=Review for the forty years of the WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme (1980–2020)|date=February 2, 2022|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|isbn=978-92-63-11270-5|access-date=June 27, 2022}}</ref> Tropical cyclones that moved below 25S were monitored by the New Zealand Meteorological Service (NZMS), while those that were located to the west of 160E were monitored by the Australian [[Bureau of Meteorology]] as a part of the Australian region.{{RA V Tropical cyclone operational plan}} During the season, several tropical cyclones formed to the east of the International Dateline and out towards 120°W, which caused significant problems for the FMS, as the eastern edge of its satellite coverage was restricted to around 155°W.<ref name="Forty Years"/> As a result, the FMS were dependent on data from other weather services including the United States [[Joint Typhoon Warning Centre]], the [[JTWC|Naval Western Oceanographic Centre]], [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]] as well as the Tahiti Meteorological Services. The NZMS also had to take over Fiji's regional responsibilities for a few days, while Severe Tropical Cyclone Oscar impacted Fiji and caused a communications outage.<ref name="Forty Years"/>

The season was characterised by a very strong [[1982–83 El Niño event|El Niño event]], which resulted in eleven tropical cyclones occurring to the east of the International Dateline. Five of these tropical cyclones went on to affect the island nation of French Polynesia, which it was thought had not been affected by a tropical cyclone since another very strong El Niño episode in 1905–06.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dailypost.vu/news/developing-el-nino-predicted-stronger-than---dubbed-godzilla/article_fe5cafeb-3ac9-5da5-b17d-9c3f29359515.html|title=Developing el Nino predicted stronger than 1997-98, dubbed "Godzilla"}}</ref>

During the season, ten of the fourteen tropical cyclones observed to the east of 160&nbsp;E were severe tropical cyclones, with 5 of them occurring in the French Polynesia region which represented one more than was experienced in the same area over the previous 13 seasons.<ref name="80's">{{cite book|author1=Thompson, Craig |author3=Zheng, Xiaogu |title=Tropical Cyclones in the Southwest Pacific: November 1979&nbsp;– May 1989 |publisher=New Zealand Meteorological Service |isbn=0-477-07346-8 |year=1992 |author2=Ready, Stephen |url=http://webcat.niwa.co.nz/documents/0477073468.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702103707/http://webcat.niwa.co.nz/documents/0477073468.pdf |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=May 10, 2012 }}</ref> Damage from the storms in French Polynesia was estimated at [[CFP franc|F]]16&nbsp;billion (US$100&nbsp;million).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-339329730/view?sectionId=nla.obj-342336971&partId=nla.obj-339421333#page/n13/mode/1up|title = Vol. 55, No. 2 ( Feb. 1, 1984)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.poundsterlinglive.com/bank-of-england-spot/historical-spot-exchange-rates/usd/USD-to-FRF|title = U.S. Dollar to French Franc Spot Exchange Rates for 1970 to 2021 from the Bank of England}}</ref>


The first tropical disturbance was first by Honolulu on October 30

== Systems ==
=== Tropical Cyclone Joti ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Joti Nov 4 1982 0318Z.png
|Track=Joti 1982 track.png
|Formed=October 30
|Dissipated=November 7
|Pressure=975
|10-min winds=60
|1-min winds=65
}}

The system that was to become Tropical Cyclone Joti was first noted by the [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]] <small>(CPHC)</small> during October 30, while it was located about {{convert|1000|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on|comma=off}} to the north-east of Port Villa in Vanuatu.<ref name="Joti TCR">{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Joti Preliminary Report|date=November 24, 1982|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|author=Browne, M.L.}}</ref><ref name="Joti IBTRACS">{{cite web|title=1982 Tropical Cyclone Joti (1982304S10171)|url={{IBTRACS url|id=1982304S10171}}|access-date=September 22, 2021|publisher=The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship}}</ref> Over the next day, the disturbance gradually developed further, as its outflow increased and atmospheric convection surrounding the system organized.<ref name="Joti TCR"/> The disturbance was subsequently named Joti at 00:00&nbsp;UTC on November 1, by the FMS as it had developed into a tropical cyclone.<ref name="Joti TCR"/> As a result, this made Joti one of the earliest tropical cyclones ever recorded within the basin.<ref name="Joti TCR"/> After it was named, Joti continued to develop as it completed a cyclonic loop, before it started to move south-westwards towards Vanuatu during November 2.<ref name="Joti TCR"/><ref name="Joti IBTRACS"/>

During November 3, the FMS reported that Joti had peaked with 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|110|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, which made it a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale.<ref name="Joti TCR"/><ref name="Joti IBTRACS"/> The JTWC subsequently reported that the system had peaked with 1-minute sustained winds of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, which made it equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the SSHWS.<ref name="Joti IBTRACS"/> During that day the system started to move towards the west-south-west and made landfall on the northern [[Espiritu Santo]].<ref name="Joti TCR"/><ref name="Joti IBTRACS"/> After the system had moved into the [[Coral Sea]], it gradually weakened and turned towards the south-southwest, before it degenerated into a depression during November 7.<ref name="Joti TCR"/><ref name="Joti IBTRACS"/> Within northern Vanuatu, Joti damaged houses, gardens and fruit trees.<ref name="Jodie PIM">{{cite journal|title=Cyclone Jodie visits Vanuatu|journal=Pacific Islands Monthly|date=December 1, 1982|volume=53|issue=12|publisher=Pacific Publications|editor=Smales, Angus|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-340197007}}</ref>
{{clear}}

=== Tropical Cyclone Kina ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Kina Nov 10 1982 1458Z.png
|Track=Kina 1982 track.png
|Formed=November 6
|Dissipated=November 13
|Pressure=990
|10-min winds=40
|1-min winds=40
}}

The system that was to become Tropical Cyclone Kina was first noted on November 6, while it was located just to the east of [[Tuvalu]].<ref name="Kina TCR">{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Kina Preliminary Report|date=November 24, 1982|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|author=Browne, M.L.}}</ref><ref name="Kina IBTRACS">{{cite report|title=1982 Tropical Cyclone Kina (1982311S09181)|publisher=The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship|access-date=August 26, 2020|url={{IBTRACS url|id=1982311S09181}}}}</ref> Over the next few days the system moved south-westwards and gradually developed further, before the JTWC reported that the system had developed into a tropical cyclone, with peak 1-minute sustained winds of {{convert|40|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} during November 10.<ref name="Kina IBTRACS"/> During that day the FMS also reported that the system had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian Scale and named it Kina.<ref name="Kina TCR"/><ref name="Kina IBTRACS"/> The FMS subsequently estimated during the next day that the system had reached its peak intensity, with 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|40|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} during November 11.<ref name="Kina TCR"/><ref name="Kina IBTRACS"/> Later that day the system's upper-level circulation became sheared off from its lower and moved southwards away from it.<ref name="Kina TCR"/> The degenerating system subsequently passed to the west of Fiji during November 13, before it was last noted during November 16, as it passed over the island of Efate in Vanuatu but no damage was reported.<ref name="Kina IBTRACS"/>{{Vanuatu Tropical Cyclones}} The system caused strong winds and rough seas on Viti Levu and in the Yasawas and Mamanutha group of islands.<ref name="Kina TCR"/> Tourists on the Blue Lagoon Cruise in the Yasawas were forced to take shelter from Kina, while 18 people on another boat were temporarily listed as missing as they took shelter.<ref name="Kina TCR"/>

{{clear}}

=== Tropical Cyclone Lisa ===
{{Redirect-distinguish-for|Cyclone Lisa|Cyclone Elisa|other storms of the same name|List of storms named Lisa}}
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Lisa 1982-12-12 0015Z.jpg
|Track=Lisa 1982 track.png
|Formed=December 10
|Dissipated=December 18
|Pressure=975
|10-min winds=60
|1-min winds=55
}}
During December 10, a shallow tropical depression formed to the west of the [[Northern Cook Islands|Northern Cook Island]] of Penrhyn and started to move south-eastwards towards French Polynesia.<ref name="Lisa TCR">{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Lisa Preliminary Report|date=December 29, 1982|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|author=Browne, M.L.}}</ref> Over the next couple of days, the system gradually developed further before the FMS reported that the system had developed into a tropical cyclone and named it Lisa during December 12.<ref name="Lisa TCR"/>
During that day, gale-force winds were observed on Bora Bora before the system caused gas it passed to
<!--
Tropical Cyclone Lisa was first noted as a shallow depression by the FMS during December 10, while it was located.{{TCWC Wellington BT}}<ref name="MWL DEC 82">{{cite report|author=Deangellis, Richard M|title=Hurricane Alley: Tropical Cyclones&nbsp;— December 1982|page=108|year=1983|publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Oceanographic Data Service|OCLC=648466886|ISSN=0025-3367|type=Mariners Weather Log|volume=27|issue=2|editor=Wilson, Elwyn E}}</ref> Over the next 2 days the system, as it moved south-eastwards towards French Polynesia's [[Bora Bora]] island.<ref name="Wellington BT"/> The system was subsequently estimated to have developed gale force winds near its centre and was declared a tropical cyclone during December 12, while it was located {{convert|150|mi|km|order=flip|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northwest of Bora Bora.<ref name="MWL DEC 82"/><ref name="Wellington BT"/>

Lisa brought heavy rain to the French Polynesian [[Marquesas Islands]] and gale force winds to [[Bora Bora]] island.<ref name="Landfalls">{{cite book|author=Hinz, Earl R|title=Landfalls of paradise: cruising guide to the Pacific Islands|year=2006|publisher=University of Hawai'i Press|location=Honolulu|isbn=978-0-8248-3037-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CjIg5FgUUW8C&pg=PA82|edition=5th|author2=Howard, Jim|page=82}}</ref> -->
{{clear}}

=== Severe Tropical Cyclone Mark ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Mark 1983-01-25 0215Z.png
|Track=Mark 1983 track.png
|Formed=January 20
|Dissipated=February 1
|Pressure=955
|10-min winds=80
|1-min winds=80
}}
{{Expand section|date=December 2020}}
Cyclone Mark existed from January 20 to February 1, taking an erratic and unusual track. Mark peaked as a Category 3 cyclone on the Australian Scale.{{clear}}

=== Severe Tropical Cyclone Nano ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Nano 1983-01-25 2145Z.png
|Track=Nano 1983 track.png
|Formed=January 21
|Dissipated=January 29
|Pressure=970
|10-min winds=65
|1-min winds=65
}}
{{Expand section|date=December 2020}}
Nano existed from January 21 to January 29. Nano was relatively harmless, and peaked as a Category 3. Nano formed in a remote area of the South Pacific on January 21 and moved south, and dissipated on January 29 in an even more remote area.
{{clear}}

=== Severe Tropical Cyclone Nisha-Orama ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Nisha 1983-02-23 2345Z.png
|Track=Nisha 1983 track.png
|Formed=February 13
|Dissipated=February 28
|Pressure=925
|10-min winds=100
|1-min winds=100
}}

During February 13, a depression developed just to the north of the Marquesas Islands and started moving south-westwards.<ref name="Nisha TCR">{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Nisha (Orama) Preliminary Report|date=April 8, 1983|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|author=Prasad, Rajendra}}</ref> Over the next four days the system maintained its intensity, before it made a sharp eastwards turn and started to develop further.<ref name="Nisha TCR"/> The system subsequently moved in a counter clockwise loop, which allowed it to develop further and it was declared to be a tropical cyclone and named Nisha by the FMS during February 22.<ref name="Nisha TCR"/> However, by the time Fiji had named it Nisha, the Tahiti Meteorological Service had named it Orama, which was retained in order to save any confusion to the local public.<ref name="Nisha TCR"/> Over the next day, the system started to move south-westwards, while it rapidly intensified, with the FMS estimating 10-minute sustained wind-speeds of {{convert|100|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} during February 24.<ref name="Nisha TCR"/> During that day the system sharply turned south-eastwards and started to gradually weaken, before it was last noted during February 28, as it moved out of the FMS's area of responsibility, while equivalent to a modern-day category 1 tropical cyclone.<ref name="Nisha TCR"/> The Tuamotu Archipelago was the worst hit area with around 30 of its Atolls, either seriously damaged or destroyed with a damage total of around US$1.7 million reported in two villages on Rangiroa.<ref name="Nisha TCR"/>
{{clear}}

=== Severe Tropical Cyclone Oscar ===
{{main|Cyclone Oscar}}
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Oscar 1983-02-28 1845Z.png
|Track=Oscar 1983 track.png
|Formed=February 23
|Dissipated=March 6
|Pressure=920
|10-min winds=100
|1-min winds=100
}}
Oscar existed from February 23 to March 6. The system formed as a shallow depression north of [[Suva]] and developed and intensified as it moved westwards, strengthening on February 27 to a Category 3 Severe Tropical Cyclone, on the modern day [[Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale]]. It then moved south-east towards Fiji, becoming one of the worst tropical cyclones to affect the country. It caused nine deaths and US$130&nbsp;million in damages.<ref name="Fiji costs">{{cite news|publisher=Courier-Mail|title=Fiji prepares for worst as cyclone heads for coast|author=Costello, D|date=December 30, 1986}}</ref> As a result of the impact caused the name Oscar was retired, from the list of tropical cyclone names for the region.
{{clear}}

=== Tropical Cyclone Prema ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Prema Feb 27 1983 0155Z.png
|Track=Prema 1983 track.png
|Formed=February 25
|Dissipated=March 6
|Pressure=987
|10-min winds=45
|1-min winds=41
}}

During February 25, a depression developed within a trough of low pressure, to the south-west of [[Manihiki]] in the Northern [[Cook Islands]].<ref name="Prema TCR">{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Prema Preliminary Report|date=March 30, 1983|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|author=Browne, M.L.}}</ref><ref name="Prema IBTRACS">{{cite web|title=1983 Tropical Cyclone Prema (1983056S11193)|url={{IBTRACS url|id=1983056S11193}}|access-date=November 6, 2019|publisher=The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship}}</ref> The system was named Prema by the FMS during the next day, after it had developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone and peaked, with 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|45|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}}.<ref name="Prema TCR"/><ref name="Prema IBTRACS"/> After it had been named: Prema moved south-eastwards and started to gradually weaken, before it degenerated into a depression during February 27.<ref name="Prema TCR"/><ref name="Prema IBTRACS"/> The remnants of Prema were subsequently monitored over the next few days, as they moved towards and through French Polynesia, before they were last noted during March 6.<ref name="Prema IBTRACS"/> Prema brought strong to gale-force winds and high seas to the Northern Cook Islands of Penrhyn, Manihiki, Rakahanga and Pukapula.<ref name="Prema TCR"/> On the atoll of Manihiki, the high seas reached the settlement, with minor damage to coconut trees reported as a result.<ref name="Prema TCR"/> Gale-force winds caused some serious damage to a wharf, on the atoll of [[Penrhyn (atoll)|Penhryn]].<ref name="Prema TCR"/> Heavy rain and gale-force winds of up to {{convert|100|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}, caused minor damage to French Polynesia's Leeward and Society Islands.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Tahiti's Luck Runs Out|journal=Pacific Magazine|year=1983|pages=157–158|volume=8|publisher=Pacific Magazine Corporation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XrcVAQAAIAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Landfalls of Paradise: Cruising Guide to the Pacific Islands|chapter=Polynesia|pages=69–70|edition=Fourth|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XrcVAQAAIAAJ|author=Hinz, Earl R|year=1983}}</ref>
{{clear}}

=== Severe Tropical Cyclone Rewa ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Rewa 1983-03-10 0045Z.png
|Track=Rewa 1983 track.png
|Formed=March 7
|Dissipated=March 15
|Pressure=925
|10-min winds=100
|1-min winds=90
}}

During March 7, a tropical depression developed about {{convert|650|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of the [[Society Islands]]. During that day, the system started to rapidly develop further as it moved and was named Rewa, as it had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone.
<!-- As a result of Rewa one person died at Kaukure. The American yacht SUMMER SEAS was lost with a crew of three. There was considerable damage throughout the Society Group. Mataiva Village at Anaa was completely destroyed. Tematangi Island and Hereheretue, in the Duke of Gloucester Islands, were severely damaged. -->{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

Rewa exacerbated the destruction caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Nisha/Orama earlier in the season and destroyed more than 200 houses.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}
{{clear}}

=== Tropical Cyclone Saba ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Saba 1983-03-19 2245Z.png
|Track=Saba 1983 track.png
|Formed=March 20
|Dissipated=March 25
|Pressure=985
|10-min winds=55
|1-min winds=60
}}
{{Expand section|date=December 2020}}
Saba existed from March 20 to March 25. It sustained winds of 65&nbsp;mph on the Australian scale, and it affected the Pitcairn Islands.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44279986|jstor = 44279986|title = Tropical Cyclone 'Saba'|last1 = Revell|first1 = C. G.|journal = Weather and Climate|year = 1985|volume = 5|issue = 2|pages = 42–51|doi = 10.2307/44279986}}</ref>
{{clear}}

=== Severe Tropical Cyclone Sarah ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Sarah 1983-03-27 0415Z.png
|Track=Sarah Pacific 1983 track.png
|Formed=March 23
|Dissipated=April 4
|Pressure=940
|10-min winds=90
|1-min winds=90
}}

During March 23, a shallow tropical depression developed within a trough of low pressure, about {{convert|75|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northwest of [[Rotuma]].<ref name="Sarah TCR">{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Sarah Preliminary Report|date=April 11, 1983|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|author=Browne, M.L.}}</ref> The system subsequently gradually deepened as it moved south-eastwards and passed to the west of the island, before it was named Sarah by the FMS during March 24, after it had developed into a tropical cyclone.<ref name="Sarah TCR"/> The JTWC subsequently initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 18P.
{{clear}}

=== Severe Tropical Cyclone Tomasi ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=Tomasi Mar 31 1983 0208Z.png
|Track=Tomasi 1983 track.png
|Formed=March 27
|Dissipated=April 3
|Pressure=925
|10-min winds=100
|1-min winds=100
}}

During March 27, the FMS started to monitor a depression that had developed, within a trough of low pressure about {{convert|235|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of [[Penrhyn (atoll)|Penrhyn]] in the [[Northern Cook Islands]].<ref name="Tomasi TCR">{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Tomasi Preliminary Report|date=May 26, 1983|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|author=Dey, Sarwen K}}</ref><ref name="Tomasi IBTRACS">{{cite web|url={{IBTRACS url|id=1983086S08204}}|title=1983 Tropical Cyclone TOMASI (1983086S08204)|publisher=International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship|access-date=May 25, 2019}}</ref> Over the next couple of days, the system moved south-westwards and passed about {{convert|140|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the southeast of Penhryn, as it gradually developed into a tropical cyclone.<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/><ref name="Tomasi IBTRACS"/> The depression was subsequently named Tomasi by the FMS during March 29, after it had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale.<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/> After the system was named, Tomasi went through a period of rapid intensification, with an eye appearing on visible satellite imagery during that day.<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/> It was also classified as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, before a tropical cyclone alert was issued by the FMS for [[Niue]] at around 23:08&nbsp;UTC (11:08&nbsp;FST, March 30).<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/>

During the next day, Tomasi continued to intensify and move south-westwards, while the alert for Niue was upgraded to a gale warning.<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/> Early on March 31, the NPMOC reported that the cyclone had peaked with 1-minute sustained winds of {{convert|100|kn|km/h mph|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on|round=5}}, which made it equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane on the SSHWS.<ref name="Tomasi IBTRACS"/> Tomasi subsequently turned and started to move southwards, as it passed about {{convert|165|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the east of Niue.<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/><ref name="Tomasi IBTRACS"/> Later that day, the FMS reported that Tomasi had peaked as a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained winds of {{convert|100|kn|km/h mph|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on|round=5}}.<ref name="Tomasi IBTRACS"/> During April 2, the system started to rapidly weaken, with its high clouds being sheared away, before it degenerated into a mid latitude depression.<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/> Tomasi remnants moved towards the south-southeast, before it was last noted during April 5.<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/><ref name="Tomasi IBTRACS"/> Some minor damage to vegetation was reported in Niue, as a result of Tomasi.<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/>
{{clear}}

=== Severe Tropical Cyclone Veena ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Track=Veena 1983 track.png
|Image=Veena Apr 12 1983 0122Z.png
|Formed=April 8
|Dissipated=April 14
|Pressure=925
|10-min winds=100
|1-min winds=100
}}
{{Expand section|date=December 2020}}
Veena existed from April 8 to April 14.
{{clear}}

=== Severe Tropical Cyclone William ===
{{Infobox Hurricane Small
|Basin=SPac
|Image=William Apr 20 1983 1800Z.png
|Track=William 1983 track.png
|Formed=April 15
|Dissipated=April 23
|Pressure=955
|10-min winds=80
|1-min winds=75
}}
{{Expand section|date=December 2020}}
William existed from April 15 to April 23. William was one of the most northeasterly forming cyclones in the basin's history.
{{clear}}
===Other systems===
After the season had ended, meteorologists at the [[University of Hawai{{okina}}i]] identified two tropical depressions, that existed to the east of 130°W on May 11 and May 16, 1983.<ref name="PEU">{{cite report|title=Pacific ENSO Update - Quarter 1, 1998 |url=http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/MET/Enso/peu/update.dir/Update-1stQtr98.html |url-status=live |volume=4 |issue=1 |website=Pacific ENSO Update |publisher=The Pacific ENSO Applications Climate Centre |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061151/http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/MET/Enso/peu/update.dir/Update-1stQtr98.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> Further research into the tropical depression of May 11, by Luis Muñoz Leyton from the [[Universidad de Valparaíso]] and José Vicencio from the [[Chilean Weather Service]] suggests that the system became an unnamed tropical storm.<ref>{{cite report|title=The closest to South-America Tropical Cyclone ever recorded|url=https://josevicenciov.wordpress.com/2022/02/15/the-closest-to-south-america-tropical-cyclone-ever-recorded/ |author=Vicencio, José}}</ref>

== Seasonal effects ==

{{Pacific areas affected (Top)}}
|-
| Joti || {{Sort|821031|October 30&nbsp;– November 7}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|{{convert|60|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|{{convert|975|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || Vanuatu || Minor || None ||<ref name="Jodie PIM"/>
|-
| Kina || {{Sort|821210|November 6&nbsp;– 13}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A1}}|Category 1 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A1}}|{{convert|40|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A1}}|{{convert|990|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || None || None || None ||<ref name="Kina TCR"/>
|-
| Lisa || {{Sort|821210|December 10&nbsp;– 18}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|{{convert|60|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|{{convert|975|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || Cook Islands, French Polynesia || || 2 ||
|-
| Mark || {{Sort|830120|January 20&nbsp;– February 1}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|Category 3 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|{{convert|80|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|{{convert|955|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || Fiji, Tonga || || ||
|-
| Nano || {{Sort|830121|January 21–29}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|Category 3 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|{{convert|65|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|{{convert|970|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || French Polynesia || None || ||
|-
| Nisha-Orama || {{Sort|830213|February 13–28}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|100|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|925|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || French Polynesia || {{ntsp|1700000||$}} || <!-- 6 --> ||<ref name="Nisha TCR"/>
|-
| [[Cyclone Oscar|Oscar]] || {{Sort|830223|February 23&nbsp;– March 6}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|100|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|920|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || Fiji || {{ntsp|130000000||$}} || 9 ||<ref name="Fiji costs"/>
|-
| Prema || {{Sort|830225|February 25–27}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A1}}|Category 1 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A1}}|{{convert|45|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A1}}|{{convert|987|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || Cook Islands, French Polynesia || Minor || None ||<ref name="Prema TCR"/>
|-
| Rewa || {{Sort|830307|March 7–15}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|100|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|925|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || French Polynesia || || 5 ||
|-
| Saba || {{Sort|830320|March 20–25}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|Category 2 tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|{{convert|60|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A2}}|{{convert|975|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || French Polynesia, Pitcairn Island || || ||
|-
| Sarah || {{Sort|830323|March 23&nbsp;– April 4}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|90|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|940|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || Fiji || || None ||<ref name="Sarah TCR"/>
|-
| Tomasi || {{Sort|830328|March 27&nbsp;– April 5}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|100|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|925|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || Cook Islands, Niue || Minor || None ||<ref name="Tomasi TCR"/>
|-
| Veena || {{Sort|830408|April 8–14}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|Category 4 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|100|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A4}}|{{convert|925|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || French Polynesia || || 1 ||
|-
| William || {{Sort|830415|April 15–23}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|Category 3 severe tropical cyclone || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|{{convert|80|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|A3}}|{{convert|955|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}} || French Polynesia || || 1 ||
|-
| TD || {{Sort|830511|May 11}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|999|Not specified}} || None || None || None ||<ref name="PEU" />
|-
| TD || {{Sort|830516|May 16}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|0|Tropical depression}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|000|Not specified}} || bgcolor=#{{storm colour|TD}}|{{Sort|999|Not specified}} || None || None || None ||<ref name="PEU" />
|-
{{TC Areas affected (Bottom)|TC's=15&nbsp;cyclones|dates=October 31&nbsp;– May 16|winds={{convert|100|kn|km/h mph|round=5|order=out|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|pres={{convert|920|hPa|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}|damage=>{{ntsp|131700000||$}}|deaths=18|Refs=}}

== See also ==
* [[1997–98 South Pacific cyclone season]]
* [[2014–15 South Pacific cyclone season]]
* [[List of off-season South Pacific tropical cyclones]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{SPAC EL's}}

{{1982–83 South Pacific cyclone season buttons}}
{{Tropical cyclone season|1982|split-year=y}}
{{TC Decades|Year=1980|basin=South Pacific|type=cyclone|shem=yes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1982-83 South Pacific cyclone season}}
[[Category:1982–83 South Pacific cyclone season| ]]
[[Category:South Pacific cyclone seasons]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 1982|1982 SPAC]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 1983|1982 SPAC]]