High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Severe Tropical Cyclone Beni (RSMC Nadi designation: 06F, JTWC designation: 12P) was an intense tropical cyclone that affected areas of the southern Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Australian territory of Queensland. The system was the fourth cyclone and the third severe tropical cyclone of the 2002-03 South Pacific cyclone season. Cyclone Beni developed from a tropical disturbance on 20 January south of the Solomon Islands. Originally, the storm moved slowly towards the west. On 25 January, the disturbance gained enough strength and organization to be named Beni. The cyclone quickly made a clockwise loop while maintaining its intensity, and later headed towards the south. After fluctuating intensity for a period of time, Beni entered more conductive conditions and began to strengthen, this time heading towards the southeast. Traveling between Vanuatu and New Caledonia, Beni reached its peak intensity as a Category 5 tropical cyclone on 29 January, the highest rating on the Australian and Fiji cyclone scale.