Despite anticipation that tropical cyclogenesis was unlikely in the short term, deep convection rapidly developed over an increasingly better defined circulation, with an anticyclone aloft aiding in intensification. Late on April 17, the Fiji Meteorological Service classified the system as Tropical Depression 16F, and early the next day the Joint Typhoon Warning Center classified it as Tropical Cyclone 27P.
In spite of expectations that tropical formation was improbable in the short term, deep convection quickly formed over a more clearly defined circulation, with an anticyclone above contributing to strengthening. On April 17 late at night, the Fiji Meteorological Service designated the system as Tropical Depression 16F, and early the following day the Joint Typhoon Warning Center classified it as Tropical Cyclone 27P.