This article is about the South Pacific cyclone of 2011. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Wilma.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Wilma
Wilma prior to peak strength on January 26
Meteorological history
Formed
19 January 2011
Extratropical
29 January 2011
Dissipated
30 January 2011
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained (FMS)
Highest winds
185 km/h (115 mph)
Lowest pressure
939 hPa (mbar); 27.73 inHg
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds
215 km/h (130 mph)
Lowest pressure
937 hPa (mbar); 27.67 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities
3 direct
Damage
$22 million (2011 USD)
Areas affected
Samoan Islands, Tonga, New Zealand
IBTrACS
Part of the 2010–11 South Pacific cyclone season
Severe Tropical Cyclone Wilma was a powerful tropical cyclone that affected the Samoan Islands, Tonga and New Zealand. Forming out of a trough of low pressure on 19 January 2011 to the northwest of Fiji, Cyclone Wilma initially tracked eastward towards the Samoan Islands. On 22 January, the system took a sharp southward turn, bringing its centre directly over American Samoa the following day. After turning towards the southwest and accelerating, Wilma steadily intensified into a severe tropical cyclone before striking Tonga. The storm reached its peak intensity on 26 January as a Category 4 cyclone with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and a barometric pressure of 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg). Gradually re-curving towards the southeast, Wilma weakened quickly as it moved over cooler sea surface temperatures; by 28 January, it was downgraded to a tropical cyclone. Later that day, the storm brushed the North Island of New Zealand before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone.
Throughout Wilma's path, three countries were affected, with New Zealand experiencing the most severe damage. At least three fatalities in American Samoa have been blamed on the storm, two from flooding and one from high seas. In Tonga, "major damage" was reported across the Ha'apai Islands. In New Zealand, several homes were destroyed by the storm and hundreds of people were evacuated. However, there were no reports of fatalities. Torrential rain in the country, exceeding 280 mm (11 in) in some places, triggered 50-year flood events and isolated towns.
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