Cyclone Nat Sweeps Past Samoa and French Polynesia With 95 km/h Winds
Tropical Cyclone Nat was a South Pacific system that developed east of Samoa in early February 2024 and moved across waters near the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. According to regional monitoring data from RSMC Nadi operated by the Fiji Meteorological Service and international cyclone archives, Nat reached its strongest phase on 6 February with peak winds near 95 km/h, approximately 60 mph, and an estimated minimum central pressure near 985 hPa. The cyclone brought periods of heavy rain, strong winds, and hazardous seas to parts of Samoa, American Samoa, the Southern Cook Islands, and French Polynesia. Nat later weakened over the open Pacific and was reclassified as a subtropical system on 9 February.
From Disturbance to Cyclone: Nat Takes Shape East of Samoa
Tropical Cyclone Nat began as a subtropical disturbance on 3 February 2024 near 16.2°S, 172.3°W, east of Samoa. The system gradually developed a closed circulation while moving through a favorable tropical environment, becoming a tropical depression on 4 February. Regional forecasters at RSMC Nadi monitored the developing system as convection increased and the circulation strengthened across the South Pacific.
Nat passed through an area where island communities across Samoa, American Samoa, and the Southern Cook Islands remained on alert for deteriorating weather, including increasing rainfall, stronger winds, and hazardous marine conditions. The cyclone's early movement brought changing weather patterns to surrounding waters, while authorities and meteorological services issued updates for affected areas.
By 5 February, Nat had strengthened into a tropical cyclone as maximum sustained winds increased. The system continued moving generally eastward and southeastward, remaining over ocean waters while approaching the broader French Polynesia region. The storm's track kept the strongest core offshore, but outer rain bands and rough seas affected nearby islands.
RSMC Nadi coordinated official cyclone tracking and warnings throughout Nat's development, providing position forecasts, intensity estimates, and hazard information for South Pacific nations. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center also monitored Nat as part of its operational analysis of tropical systems across the region.
Category 2 Peak: Nat Intensifies South of the Cook Islands
Nat reached its maximum intensity on 6 February 2024 while located near 16.5°S, 157.6°W. At peak strength, the cyclone was assessed as a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the regional South Pacific classification scale, with peak winds near 95 km/h, approximately 60 mph, and an estimated central pressure near 985 hPa according to RSMC Nadi data. The storm represented a compact but organized tropical system as it tracked south of the Cook Islands.
The strongest phase occurred while Nat was moving through waters between the Southern Cook Islands and French Polynesia. The cyclone generated damaging wind gusts, periods of intense rainfall, and dangerous ocean conditions. Coastal communities prepared for localized flooding risks and disruptions from heavy weather, particularly in exposed island locations.
French Polynesia experienced the later effects of Nat as the cyclone moved farther east. Weather services monitored rainfall and wind conditions across the affected islands, with warnings focused on maintaining public safety during periods of unstable weather. The system's impacts were primarily associated with rain squalls, rough seas, and temporary wind-related hazards rather than a major land strike.
After reaching peak intensity, Nat began losing strength as it moved away from the most favorable tropical conditions. Wind speeds decreased after 6 February, although the circulation maintained enough organization to remain a tracked tropical cyclone for several more days. The system continued eastward across the South Pacific while its convection weakened.
Weakening and Exit: Nat Dissipates Over Open Pacific
Nat weakened steadily after leaving the main island areas of the South Pacific. By 7 February, the cyclone's winds had declined as the circulation became less organized, with intensity fluctuations occurring while the system traveled over open waters.
On 8 February, Nat continued moving eastward with decreasing tropical characteristics. The cyclone's remaining circulation persisted south of the central Pacific islands before entering a stage of transition. Meteorological agencies continued tracking the system as it moved away from populated island regions.
On 9 February 2024, Nat was located near 21.2°S, 140.6°W and was reclassified as a subtropical system. At that stage, the storm's remaining circulation had winds of approximately 83 km/h and a central pressure near 997 hPa. The transition marked the end of Nat's tropical cyclone lifecycle after six days of monitored development from formation on 3 February.
Nat's final track remained within the South Pacific basin, with its main affected areas including Samoa, American Samoa, the Southern Cook Islands, and French Polynesia. The cyclone did not approach Australia, Madagascar, or India, which are located in separate tropical cyclone basins outside Nat's operational region.