[1][2] Enhanced convection associated with the wind burst gradually became more organized and by late on January 5, a tropical depression had developed within the monsoon trough to the west of Tuvalu.

[4][7] Betsy subsequently changed its course and started to move towards the south-southwest, as it interacted with the upper level easterlies and a ridge of high pressure built to the south-east of the system.

[4][5] During February 8, the system became a category 3 severe tropical cyclone before it crossed central parts of Vanuatu early the next day, with the eye passing over, or very close to the islands of Ambrym and Malakula between 0000 and 0500 UTC.

[4][8] During January 7, the system passed about 95 km (60 mi) to the east of Anuta, where wind speeds of 85–100 km/h (55–60 mph) were recorded by the automatic weather station on the island.

The planes completed their operations early on January 12 and returned to their countries, before a donor aid meeting involving the Australian, French, New Zealand and British high commissions was held later that day.