# 1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season

The 1980–81 South Pacific cyclone season was an above-average season.

## Seasonal summary

This season marked the first time the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued warnings and performed best track analysis on significant tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere.

## Systems
### Tropical Cyclone Diola

Diola existed from November 27 to November 30.

### Severe Tropical Cyclone Arthur

Arthur existed from January 11 to January 17.

### Tropical Cyclone Betsy

Betsy existed from January 30 to February 4.

### Severe Tropical Cyclone Cliff

Cliff developed on February 9, near Vanua Lava, Vanuatu. The cyclone reached peak intensity on February 12, with an estimated central pressure of 975 hPa. It passed over New Caledonia at near peak intensity, with sustained winds 92 km/h (57 mph). After crossing into the Australian region, Cliff struck Queensland on February 14, making landfall near Bundaberg. The cyclone caused some crop and structural damages in South East Queensland, and beach erosion occurred on the Gold and Sunshine coasts. One man was drowned off the Gold Coast.

### Tropical Cyclone SP198006

This cyclone existed from February 16 to February 21.

### Tropical Cyclone Daman

Daman existed from February 20 to February 24.

### Tropical Cyclone SP198008

This cyclone existed from February 22 to March 7.

### Tropical Cyclone Esau

Esau existed from March 1 to March 5.

### Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda

Freda existed from February 24 to March 9.

### Severe Tropical Cyclone Tahmar

Tahmar existed from March 8 to March 13.

### Tropical Cyclone Fran

Fran existed from March 17 to March 24.

### Other systems

The JTWC initiated warnings on Tropical Cyclone 12P during January 26, which had moved into the basin from the Australian region during the previous day. The system subsequently passed in between Vanuatu and New Caledonia before it was last noted during January 27.

## Season effects

| Name | Dates | Peak intensity | Peak intensity | Peak intensity | Areas affected | Damage (USD) | Deaths | Refs |
| Name | Dates | Category | Wind speed | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage (USD) | Deaths | Refs |
| Diola | November 27 – 30 | Category 1 tropical cyclone | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | | | | |
| Arthur | January 11 – 17 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 130 km/h (80 mph) | 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) | | | | |
| Betsy | January 30 – February 4 | Category 1 tropical cyclone | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | | | | |
| Cliff | February 8 – 13 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | | | | |
| Unnamed | February 16 – 21 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 95 km/h (60 mph) | 985 hPa (29.09 inHg) | | | | |
| Daman | February 20 – 24 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | | | | |
| Unnamed | February 22 – March 7 | Category 1 tropical cyclone | 75 km/h (45 mph) | 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) | | | | |
| Esau | March 1 – 5 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | | | | |
| Freda | March 4 – 9 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | | | | |
| Tahmar | March 8 – 13 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) | French Polynesia | | | |
| Fran | March 17 – 24 | Category 2 tropical cyclone | 100 km/h (65 mph) | 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) | | | | |
| Season aggregates |||||||||
| 11 systems | November 27, 1980– March 24, 1981 | | 150 km/h (90 mph) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | | | | |