Summary
Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda was a South Pacific cyclone that affected Solomon Is and New Caledonia that briefly moved into Australia's region of responsibility.
A tropical low was initially analysed over the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of Honiara, on 26 December. The system initially tracked to the southwest over the first couple of days after development while moving over the Makira-Ulawa Province of the Solomon Islands under the influence of an upper high situated to the southeast of the system. Freda formed into a tropical cyclone near Rennel Island early on 29 December before entering the Australian area of responsibility (90°E) for a short period that day. Freda then intensified rapidly during 29 December before re-entering the Fiji area of responsibility as a strong category 2 tropical cyclone later that day.
Freda went on to develop into a category 4 severe tropical cyclone on 30 December while moving in a general southward direction towards New Caledonia. Freda weakened below tropical cyclone strength northwest of New Caledonia early on 2 January after being impacted by increased wind shear associated with an upper trough moving across the Coral Sea.
There were significant impacts on the Solomon Islands especially Rennel Island but no casualties. New Caledonia reported damaging winds and heavy rainfall and one man drowned in high seas, while another went missing after attempting to cross a swollen river.
Track and Intensity (Time in UTC (AEST-10h))
