Tonga. At 0600 UTC January 28, Cilla reached its peak intensity, with 10–minute sustained winds of per RMSC Nadi. At this time, the tropical cyclone was located about south-southeast of Pago Pago. Rapidly moving, Cilla showed baroclinic characteristics, hinting that the system was a hybrid low, sustaining characteristics of both tropical and nontropical cyclones. According to RMSC Nadi, Cilla weakened slightly as the storm lost organization due to increased wind shear. On January 29, thunderstorm activity once again increased in converge around the center, though at first, the convection was sheared at times. On 0000 UTC, Dvorak satellite intensity estimates yielded a 3.0, suggesting a tropical cyclone with 10–minute winds of , Cilla's secondary peak intensity. Satellite images indicated a banding pattern associated with the cyclone. The JTWC briefly watched this system for regeneration, noting it had a "fair" chance. However, continued wind shear began to weaken Cilla, and by 1200 UTC on January 29, Cilla was reduced to a tropical depression just before the system turned south-southeast. With the center exposed from the deep convection, Tropical Depression Cilla transitioned into an extratropical cyclone at 1100 UTC the next day, on January 30. The extratropical cyclone completely dissipated two days later. Impact and aftermath As a tropical depression, Cilla passed over Vanua Levu. Even though the region had been severely affected by Cyclone Ami two weeks earlier, flood waters that resulted from rains associated with the cyclone quickly receded due to the storm's rapid motion. When Cilla first posed a threat to Tonga, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) issued a tropical cyclone alert for the entire island chain. Damage in Tonga was mostly limited to vegetation and coconut and banana trees; damage to infrastructure was minor. Peak winds of and peak gusts of were recorded in Ha'apai. Power was lost on Lifuka for about three hours during the night of January 27. Communications services were also affected but restored on January 28. Cilla also affected the American Samoa, providing moderate rainfall over the area, peaking at in Asasfou. The name Cilla was retired by the World Meteorological Organization after the season, and was replaced by Cody. See also Cyclone Cliff Cyclone Tam (2006) Cyclone Ami References External links Retired South Pacific cyclones Tropical cyclones in Fiji Tropical cyclones in Tonga Tropical cyclones in American Samoa 2002–03 South Pacific cyclone season Category 1 South Pacific cyclones Cilla