Cyclone Paula
Cyclone Paula near peak intensity on March 1 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | February 25, 2001 |
| Dissipated | March 4, 2001 |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
| Highest winds | 175 km/h (110 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 930 hPa (mbar); 27.46 inHg |
| Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 195 km/h (120 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Damage | $1.39 million (2001 USD) |
| Areas affected | Vanuatu, Fiji |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2000–01 South Pacific cyclone season | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Paula was a tropical cyclone which caused extensive damage to areas of Vanuatu. The cyclone was the second cyclone and only severe tropical cyclone of the relatively inactive 2000–01 South Pacific cyclone season. Cyclone Paula developed from an area of disturbed weather embedded within a monsoon trough on February 25, 2001, near Vanuatu. Situated in an area of favorable conditions, Paula steadily intensified as it moved in a general direction towards the southeast. On March 1, Paula reached peak intensity with winds of 175 km/h (109 mph), sustained for ten minutes. However, the cyclone began to accelerate further to the southeast into more unfavorable conditions. As a result, Paula quickly weakened, and thus degenerated into an extratropical cyclone on March 4.