 Cyclone Peni on February 15, 1990 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | February 12, 1990 (UTC) |
| Extratropical | February 17, 1990 |
| Dissipated | February 18, 1990 (UTC) |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
| Highest winds | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 970 hPa (mbar); 28.64 inHg |
| Category 1-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Damage | $1 million (1990 USD) |
| Areas affected | Cook Islands |
Part of the 1989–90 South Pacific cyclone season | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Peni was the first and only tropical cyclone to impact and cause significant damage to the Cook Islands in the 1990 South Pacific cyclone season. A shallow area of low-pressure began to develop near Rakahanga, an island in the Cook Island chain. The storm had also formed on the South Pacific convergence zone. The storm was first recognized on February 12, and had received tropical cyclone characteristics on the 13th. At 21:00 UTC, the storm was recognized as Tropical Cyclone Peni. The storm then took a path southwest towards the Cook Islands, Peni made a narrow turn and passed close to Aitutaki. Peni had gained hurricane status on the 15th, at 06:00 UTC. Peni had been able to keep hurricane characteristics until February 17, when it was downgraded to a storm, and soon, was declared extratropical. The name Peni was retired from the naming list.