The system subsequently moved north-eastwards, under the influence of Severe Tropical Cyclone Kina and an upper level ridge of high pressure.

During the middle of December 1992, an active phase of the Madden–Julian oscillation took place which helped to reinforce atmospheric convection across Northern Australia and the western Pacific Ocean.

[4][5] Over the next day the system continued to intensify before both the JTWC and the BoM reported that Nina had peaked with winds of 100 km/h (65 mph) during 25 December, which made it a category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale.

[5][2] Severe Tropical Cyclone Nina impacted the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Cape York Peninsula, Niue, Rotuma, Tonga, Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, Wallis and Futuna.

[10][11] The system subsequently moved eastwards and affected sparsely populated and uninhabited areas of the Cape York Peninsula, where torrential rainfall was recorded on 25 December.

[5] The Solomon Islands Government declared parts of Rennell and Bellona, Southern Guadalcanal, Temotu, Makira and Malaita Provinces disaster areas.

[8] The Solomon Islands Red Cross also helped with the relief effort and dispatched 113 tarpaulins to four provinces to shelter the homeless, along with blankets, clothing and various household items.

[5] In conjunction with Kina, Nina affected Wallis and Futuna between 3–4 January, however, there were no tropical cyclone warnings were issued for the French Territory by the FMS.

[5] Ahead of Nina affecting the Samoan Islands, residents living near the sea were warned to move inland, while ships were ordered to remain in port.

[5] After Severe Tropical Cyclone Joni had affected Tuvalu during the previous month, Nina and Kina indirectly impacted the island nation during the opening days of January 1993.

[5][24] As these winds combined with a heavy westerly swell and high seas, where they caused flooding of up to 2 ft (0.61 m) over the islands of Nanumea, Nanumaga, Niutao, Nui and Vaitupu.

[26] An appeal for international assistance was subsequently made by the Government of Tuvalu, as supplies of food and other essentials like petrol and kerosene on the worst affected islands were running low.