Cyclone Sina developed into a category on March 11 1980. The cyclone subsequently moved south-eastwards  into the South Pacific basin, where it continued to intensify and move south-eastwards. During March 13, the system peaked as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained wind speeds estimated at 120 km/h, as it passed about 200 km to the southwest of New Caledonia. After the cyclone had peaked, it accelerated south-eastwards while gradually weakened and transitioning into an extratropical cyclone.  

​

Ex-TC Sina impacted Upper North Island on 15 March with central pressure of 982 hPa over Great Barrier Island. The cylcone continued to deeped reaching 975 hPa over the Gisborne ranges on the 16 March. Brief periods of gales and heavy rain affected Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Gulf Islands, Coromandel Peninsula and the Waikato with moderate impacts. 

​