Early on April 4, the depression moved around the northeastern tip of Vanua Levu as bands of atmospheric convection rapidly developed and wrapped into the low level circulation center.

[1][2] After Cliff had been named gale-force winds rapidly developed near the center, as it continued to intensify and accelerate towards the south-southeast through the Lau group of islands.

[1][7] Over the next couple of days the system drifted towards the southeast and Fiji, in an area of strong westerly wind shear to the south of a ridge axis.

[1] Early on April 3, RSMC Nadi initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Depression 14F, while it was located about 175 km (110 mi) to the north of Labasa, on Vanua Levu.

[1] Later that day RSMC Nadi reported that the system's low-level circulation was exposed to the northwest of the deep convection, which was moving over northeastern Vanua Levu, Cikobia and other smaller islands.

[1] The westerly wind shear around the system subsequently relaxed sufficiently, which allowed the depression to consolidate and the low-level circulation center to move closer to the area of deep convection.

[1] Early on April 4, the depression moved around the northeastern tip of Vanua Levu as bands of atmospheric convection rapidly developed and wrapped into the low-level circulation center.

[1][2] After Cliff had been named gale-force winds rapidly developed near the center, as it continued to intensify and accelerate towards the south-southeast through the Lau group of islands.

[10] Cyclone Cliff was also responsible for flooded roads, minor damage to buildings as well as cut water supplies in eastern parts of Vanua Levu as well as on Taveuni Island.