 Cyclone Freda near peak intensity on 30 December | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 26 December 2012 |
| Dissipated | 4 January 2013 |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
| Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 940 hPa (mbar); 27.76 inHg |
| Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 205 km/h (125 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 941 hPa (mbar); 27.79 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 total |
| Areas affected | Solomon Islands, New Caledonia |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2012–13 South Pacific and Australian region cyclone seasons | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda was an intense tropical cyclone that developed during the 2012–13 South Pacific cyclone season and affected New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands as a weak tropical cyclone. The system that was to become Cyclone Freda was first classified on 26 December 2012, as a tropical disturbance. It gradually developed and was classified as a tropical cyclone and named Freda as it passed through the Solomon Islands on 28 December.
Within the Solomon Islands, no casualties and a moderate amount of damage were reported. In New Caledonia however, severe damage was reported after Freda had affected the territory around the new year of 2012–13. At least one person died and another went missing in New Caledonia during Freda's onslaught.[1] As Freda passed near New Caledonia, it started to rapidly weaken and became a tropical depression by 1 January, before eventually dissipating three days later.