View source for Cyclone Cliff

{{Short description|Category 2 South Pacific cyclone in 2007}}
{{About|the 2007 South Pacific storm}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Tropical Cyclone Cliff
| image = Cliff 2007-04-05 0145Z.jpg
| caption = Tropical Cyclone Cliff at peak
| formed = {{start date|2007|04|1}}
| dissipated = {{end date|2007|04|6}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/FMS
| winds = 55
| pressure = 980
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 55
| pressure = 982
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 2007
| damages = 4000000
| deaths = 1 direct, 3 indirect
| affected = [[Fiji]] and [[Tonga]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[2006–07 South Pacific cyclone season]]
}}

'''Tropical Cyclone Cliff''' was first noted as a weak tropical disturbance on April 1, 2007, within a trough of low pressure about {{convert|210|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the southwest of [[Rotuma]]. Over the next couple of days the system drifted towards the southeast and [[Fiji]], in an area of strong wind shear. During April 3, the system slightly accelerated, as it moved towards the south-southeast before the westerly wind shear around the system relaxed sufficiently to allow the depression to consolidate while it was located near Vanua Levu.

Early on April 4, the depression moved around the northeastern tip of Vanua Levu as bands of atmospheric convection rapidly developed and wrapped into the low level circulation center.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> At 0300&nbsp;UTC while the system was located about {{Convert|60|mi|km|order=flip|round=5|abbr=on}} to the south-southeast of Labasa, RSMC Nadi named the depression, Cliff after the system had developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone on the [[Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale]].<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> This was despite gale force winds not being present near the systems center, as required by the tropical cyclone operational plan for the region.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/><ref name="TCOP-SHEM"/> After Cliff had been named gale-force winds rapidly developed near the center, as it continued to intensify and accelerate towards the south-southeast through the [[Lau Islands|Lau group of islands]].<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> At around 0900&nbsp;UTC on April 4, the United States [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] <small>(JTWC)</small> initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 23P as it became a tropical storm.<ref name="JTWC 1"/> Over the next 24 hours Cliff continued to intensify, before the JTWC and RSMC Nadi reported during the next day, that Cliff had reached its peak intensity with sustained wind-speeds of 100&nbsp;km/h (65&nbsp;mph).<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/><ref name="23P BT">{{cite web |author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |access-date=February 19, 2014 |publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2007/2007s-bsh/bsh232007.txt |title=Tropical Cyclone 23P (Cliff) best track analysis |archive-date=March 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304055808/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2007/2007s-bsh/bsh232007.txt}}</ref> After peaking in intensity, the system subsequently accelerated further towards the southeast and into an area of cooler seas and higher wind shear.<ref name="GP"/><ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> This subsequently caused Cliff to become an extratropical cyclone during February 6, before the system was last noted later that day as it merged with a mid-latitude frontal boundary.<ref name="GP"/><ref name="06-07 ATCR"/>

Cyclone Cliff was responsible for one death. In the wake of the storm, an outbreak of [[typhoid]] and [[leptospirosis]] infected 99 people and killed three across Fiji.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/three-dead-in-fiji-disease-outbreak/MBS7X6SKDXXOJD3ZYSQJZA64DY/ |title=Three dead in Fiji disease outbreak |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=April 19, 2007}}</ref>

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Cliff 2007 track.png}}

On April 1, 2007, the [[Fiji Meteorological Service]]'s [[Regional Specialized Meteorological Center]] in [[Nadi, Fiji]] <small>(RSMC Nadi)</small> reported that a weak tropical disturbance had developed, along a slow moving trough of low pressure about {{convert|210|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the southwest of [[Rotuma]].<ref name="06-07 ATCR">{{cite report |title=Tropical Cyclone Season Summary 2006–07 |author=RSMC Nadi&nbsp;- Tropical Cyclone Center |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |access-date=February 18, 2014 |url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/Best%20Tracks/documents/TCSeasonalSummary06-07.doc}}</ref><ref name="APR 2007">{{cite report |title=Fiji Islands Climate Summary April 2007 Volume 28 Issue 4 |url=http://www.wamis.org/countries/fiji/fiji200704.pdf |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=May 16, 2007 |author=Climate Services Division |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813160855/http://www.wamis.org/countries/fiji/fiji200704.pdf |access-date=February 18, 2014 |archive-date=August 13, 2010}}</ref> Over the next couple of days the system drifted towards the southeast and [[Fiji]], in an area of strong westerly wind shear to the south of a ridge axis.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> Early on April 3, RSMC Nadi initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Depression 14F, while it was located about {{Convert|110|mi|km|order=flip|round=5|abbr=on}} to the north of [[Labasa]], on [[Vanua Levu]].<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/><ref name="GP">{{cite report |title=Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary: April 2007 |author=Padgett, Gary |url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2007/summ0704.htm |access-date=February 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315122412/http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2007/summ0704.htm |url-status=live |archive-date=March 15, 2012 |year=2007}}</ref> During that day the system slightly accelerated, as it moved towards the south-southeast.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> Later that day RSMC Nadi reported that the system's low-level circulation was exposed to the northwest of the deep convection, which was moving over northeastern [[Vanua Levu]], [[Cikobia]] and other smaller islands.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> The westerly wind shear around the system subsequently relaxed sufficiently, which allowed the depression to consolidate and the low-level circulation center to move closer to the area of deep convection.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/>

Early on April 4, the depression moved around the northeastern tip of Vanua Levu as bands of atmospheric convection rapidly developed and wrapped into the low-level circulation center.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> At 0300&nbsp;UTC while the system was located about {{Convert|60|mi|km|order=flip|round=5|abbr=on}} to the south-southeast of Labasa, RSMC Nadi named the depression, Cliff after the system had developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone on the [[Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale]].<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> This was despite gale-force winds not being present near the system's center, as required by the tropical cyclone operational plan for the region.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/><ref name="TCOP-SHEM">{{cite web |year=2006 |title=Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean |access-date=February 19, 2014 |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/TCP-24-OP-PLN-2006-edition-english.pdf |author=RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee |page=21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717060314/http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/TCP-24-OP-PLN-2006-edition-english.pdf |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After Cliff had been named gale-force winds rapidly developed near the center, as it continued to intensify and accelerate towards the south-southeast through the [[Lau Islands|Lau group of islands]].<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/> At around 0900&nbsp;UTC on April 4, the United States [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] <small>(JTWC)</small> initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 23P as it became a tropical storm.<ref name="JTWC 1">{{cite web |publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force |url-status=live |author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |title=Tropical Cyclone 23P (Cliff) Warning 1 April 4, 2007 09z |archive-date=February 19, 2014 |access-date=February 19, 2014 |url=https://science.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf/docs/warnings/2007/sh232007.07040406.wrn |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140219031737/http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf_web/docs/warnings/2007/sh232007.07040406.wrn}}</ref> Over the next 24 hours Cliff continued to intensify, before the JTWC and RSMC Nadi reported during the next day that Cliff had reached its peak intensity with sustained wind-speeds of 100&nbsp;km/h (65&nbsp;mph).<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/><ref name="23P BT"/> After peaking in intensity, the system subsequently accelerated further towards the southeast and into an area of cooler seas and higher wind shear.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/><ref name="GP"/> This subsequently caused Cliff to become an extratropical cyclone during February 6, before the system was last noted later that day as it merged with a mid-latitude frontal boundary.<ref name="06-07 ATCR"/><ref name="GP"/>

==Preparations and impact==

===Fiji===
Early on April 4, after the system had been named Cliff and started to impact Fiji, RSMC Nadi issued [[Tropical cyclone warnings and watches#Australia and the South Pacific|gale warnings]] for Eastern [[Vanua Levu]], [[Taveuni]], [[Naitaba]], [[Fiji|Yacata]], [[Kanacea]], [[Vanua Balavu]] as well as [[Vatu Vara]].<ref name="Special Weather Bulletins">{{cite web |title=Tropical Cyclone Advisories on 04-04-07 |publisher=RSMC Nadi |url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2007/04/04/text/Severe/Severe_04.txt |access-date=2008-10-11}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Cyclone Cliff's main impact on Fiji was to bring further flooding to the northern parts of Fiji which had already been flooded three times during the cyclone season.<ref name="Padgett April 07">{{cite web |title=Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary April 2007 |publisher=Gary Padgett |url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2007/summ0704.htm |access-date=2008-10-10}}</ref> Cyclone Cliff was also responsible for a landslide which crashed into a Primary School near [[Fiji|Udu Point]] in the eastern part of [[Vanua Levu]].<ref name="The Age"/> However the 30 Students inside the school at the time all escaped any serious injuries as they fled to safety.<ref name="The Age">{{cite web |title=Cyclone Cliff hits Fiji |publisher=The Age |date=2007-04-05 |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Cyclone-Cliff-hits-Fiji/2007/04/05/1175366373316.html |access-date=2008-10-11}}</ref>

Cyclone Cliff was also responsible for flooded roads, minor damage to buildings as well as cut water supplies in eastern parts of Vanua Levu as well as on Taveuni Island.<ref name="Padgett April 07"/> The people of Taveuni reported the loss of unaccountable acres of crops as the developing cyclone passed close to the island.<ref name="Padgett April 07"/> Extensive damage was also reported in other parts of the Fijian archipelago including damaged crops & Trees as well as roofs being damaged.<ref name="The Age"/> Cyclone Cliff was also indirectly responsible for one death in Fiji when a woman was swept from a flooded bridge.<ref name="The Age"/> It is not known how much damage Cyclone Cliff caused.<ref name="Padgett April 07"/>

===Tonga===
Late on April 4, RSMC Nadi in conjunction with the Tonga Meteorological Service <small>(TMS)</small> issued a tropical cyclone alert for the islands of [[Tongatapu]] and [[Eu'a]] and a strong wind warning for central [[Tonga]].<ref name="Special Weather Bulletins"/> A gale warning was subsequently issued during the next day for Tongatapu and Eu'a but were cancelled later that day after the system had started moving away from Tonga.<ref name="Special Weather Bulletins 2">{{cite web |title=Tropical Cyclone Advisories on 05-04-07 |publisher=RSMC Nadi |url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2007/04/05/text/Severe/Severe_05.txt |access-date=2008-10-11}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

There was no damage reported in Southern Tonga.<ref name="Padgett April 07"/> However the Tonga's [[Meteorological Service]] based in [[Tonga|Fua’amotu]] experienced a power failure on April 4 at 2200 UTC.<ref name="WMO RAV Tonga"/> The standby power could not be restored so therefore operations were shifted to the National Emergency Operations Centre in [[Nukuʻalofa]] which is the back up for the Met Service.<ref name="WMO RAV Tonga">{{cite web |title=Review of the 2006-07 & 2007-08 Tropical Cyclone Seasons (Tonga) |publisher=[[World Meteorological Organization]] |year=2008 |url=http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/tcp/Meetings/RA%20V%20TCC-12/documents/Doc_05-4.doc |access-date=2008-10-06}}</ref> The National Emergency Operations Centre continued to issue cyclone warnings until the threat posed by Cliff had passed. This was despite the met service being able to continue to operate on a mobile generator.<ref name="WMO RAV Tonga"/>

===Retirement===
The name Cliff was later retired by the [[World Meteorological Organization]]s, [[RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee]] and replaced by Chip.{{SPAC TCOP}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
*[[List of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons]]
*[[2006–07 South Pacific cyclone season]]

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

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

{{Retired South Pacific cyclones}}
{{2006–07 South Pacific cyclone season buttons}}
{{Category 2 South Pacific tropical cyclones}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cliff (2007)}}
[[Category:2006–07 South Pacific cyclone season]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in Fiji]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in Tonga]]
[[Category:2007 in Fiji]]
[[Category:2007 in Tonga]]
[[Category:Retired South Pacific cyclones]]
[[Category:Category 2 South Pacific cyclones]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 2007|Cliff]]