10 Nov 2003

Higher risk of cyclones in the South Pacific

8:13 am on 10 November 2003

The chances of tropical cyclone activity in some South Pacific countries are slightly higher than normal, for the period through to April.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research's Climate Scientist, Dr Jim Salinger, say Fiji, Tonga and Niue can expect up to nine cyclones in that time.

He says the last few tropical cyclone seasons have been relatively quiet , although there were ten last year.

Dr Salinger says tropical cyclones develop in the Pacific region over the wet season, with the peak season during January, February and March.