What was the first storm to develop in the 1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season?
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season was the first on record in which two storms – Leon–Eline and Hudah – struck Mozambique at tropical cyclone intensity, or with maximum sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). The most notable storm of the season was Eline, which was the longest-lasting storm on record in the basin. It lasted for 29 days while traversing the southern Indian Ocean, making the strongest landfall in decades along eastern Madagascar in late February. The storm was the first in a series of three storms that struck the country in early 2000, along with Gloria in March and Hudah in April. Collectively, the three storms killed at least 316 people. The season started on November 1, 1999, and ended for most of the basin on April 30, 2000; for Mauritius and the Seychelles, the season continued until May 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the basin;
1993–94 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On April 4, Odille began redeveloping convection and re-intensified into a moderate tropical storm, after entering an area of more favorable conditions. Around that time, it began moving to the southwest due to a break between the ridge. On April 10, Odille intensified into a tropical cyclone while moving slowly around a ridge. The next day, it intensified into an intense tropical cyclone while passing near St. Brandon and turning to the southeast due to an approaching trough. Odille developed a well-defined eye in diameter, and MFR estimated peak winds of 175 km/h (110 mph), while the JTWC estimated winds of 195 km/h (120 mph). On April 12, the cyclone passed about 150 km (95 mi) west of Rodrigues, where wind gusts reached at Port Mathurin. Steady weakening occurred as Odille accelerated and experienced increasing shear, weakening below tropical cyclone status on April 13. The next day, the storm became extratropical, which lasted three more days until it was absorbed by the cold front.
This table lists all the cyclones that developed in the Indian Ocean, during the 1993–94 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. It includes their intensity, duration, name, landfalls, deaths, and damages.
2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The same westerly wind burst that spawned a cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea also produced Cyclone Beni. On November 7, an area of sprawling convection developed northeast of Diego Garcia. This system consolidated and organized, aided by decreasing wind shear, warm waters, and good outflow. On November 9, the MFR classified the system as a tropical disturbance, and the JTWC designated it as Tropical Cyclone 02S. Two days later, the MFR upgraded it to Moderate Tropical Storm Beni. Moving around a ridge, the storm trekked southwestward before turning to the southeast on November 12, steered by an approaching trough. That day, Beni intensified into the first tropical cyclone of the year. Its outflow was enhanced by the trough, and a well-defined eye became established within the convection. On November 13, the MFR upgraded Beni to an intense tropical cyclone, estimating peak 10 minute winds of 175 km/h (110 mph); at the time, it was the third earliest in the season that a storm reached that intensity. The JTWC estimated slightly higher 1 minute winds of 185 km/h (115 mph).
2000–01 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The storm was the only one on record to form in the Mozambique Channel in June. In addition, it was the strongest storm to form so late in the season.
2002 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2002 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below active season in terms of tropical cyclone formation. The season had no official bounds, but most storms formed in either May or after October. No depressions or storms formed during the monsoon season from July to September, the first such instance on record. There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean – the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent – and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) releases unofficial advisories. An average of four to six storms form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November. Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.
2000–01 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Ando rapidly intensified after forming and attained tropical cyclone status early on January 4, developing an eye in the center of the thunderstorms and outflow to the east. A tropical low over the southern Mozambique Channel weakened the ridge, causing Ando to turn more to the southwest. Late on January 4, the storm intensified further into an intense tropical cyclone, and early the next day passed about 120 km (75 mi) northeast of Tromelin Island. According to the JTWC, however, Ando attained peak 1 minute winds of 220 km/h (140 mph) late on January 5. In contrast, the MFR assessed Ando as weakening due to the becoming larger and less defined, while still maintaining a small cloud diameter of about 400 km (250 mi). However, the eye re-organized, and Ando attained peak 10 minute winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) on January 6, with a 60 km (35 mi) eye at the time. Continuing around the ridge, the cyclone passed about 205 km (125 mi) west of Réunion that day before starting to weaken due to increased wind shear. On January 8, Ando weakened below tropical cyclone status, and the convection increasingly separated from the circulation while turning to the southeast. On January 10, the storm became extratropical, although the remnants turned back to the northwest due to the ridge, dissipating on January 13.
2000–01 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
During the season, the Météo-France office (MFR) on Réunion island issued warnings in tropical cyclones within the basin. The agency estimated intensity through the Dvorak technique, and warned on tropical cyclones in the region from the coast of Africa to 90° E, south of the equator to 30° S. At the time, the cyclone year was from August 1 to July 31 of the subsequent year. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), which is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force, also issued tropical cyclone warnings for the southwestern Indian Ocean in an unofficial capacity.
List of South-West Indian Ocean cyclones before 1963
On January 11, 1848, the first tropical cyclone on record was observed in the basin.
1993–94 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first storm of the season formed from a low pressure area with associated convection that persisted east of the Chagos Archipelago on November 7. It formed in tandem with two tropical depressions in the North Indian Ocean. The JTWC began tracking the system that day, although MFR did not follow suit until two days later. On November 10, the depression intensified into Moderate Tropical Storm Alexina, having developed a central dense overcast. A narrow eastward-moving trough caused the storm to move generally southward for its entire duration, the only such storm of the season to maintain a largely north-south track. On November 11, MFR estimated that Alexina attained peak winds of 85 km/h (55 mph), while JTWC estimated peak winds of 110 km/h (70 mph). Increased wind shear disrupted the convection, while a building ridge to the south caused its movement to slow. By late on November 12, Alexina weakened to tropical depression status, which subsequently drifted to the west until dissipating on November 16.
1985–86 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 1985–86 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was the first in which the Météo-France office (MFR) on Réunion tracked cyclones as far east as 90° E in Indian Ocean, south of the equator. Previously, the agency's area of responsibility was limited to 80° E. It was an active season with twelve named storms, of which five strengthened into tropical cyclone with 10 minute sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). The first named storm was Tropical Storm Alifredy, which originated in the Mozambique Channel in late December and moved across Madagascar. However, the unofficial Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) tracked a short-lived storm in September.
1991–92 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The final storm of the season formed in the Australian basin, and like Harriet-Heather also originated out of the monsoon trough. On April 7, a tropical low developed northeast of the Cocos Islands, and gradually intensified while moving southward, becoming Tropical Cyclone Jane the next day. The JTWC classified it as Tropical Cyclone 29S. A ridge to the south turned the storm to the west on April 11. The cyclone intensified further, developing an eye, and crossed into the south-west Indian Ocean on April 13. At that time, the MFR renamed Jane as Tropical Cyclone Irna. Late on April 13, the agency estimated peak 10‑minute sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). The next day, the JTWC estimated Irna reached peak 1‑minute winds of 220 km/h (140 mph). Subsequently, an approaching trough turned the cyclone to the south and increased wind shear, which caused weakening. The eye dissipated, and Irna soon weakened below tropical cyclone status. On February 17, Irna weakened into a tropical depression. The next day, the JTWC discontinued advisories, and on April 19, Irna crossed back into the Australian region, dissipating on April 20.
2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
For several days in mid-December, tropical cyclone forecast models anticipated a storm to form to the southwest of Diego Garcia, which was proven true when an area of convection formed in that area, becoming a tropical disturbance on December 21, the fourth of the season. On December 23, MFR upgraded the disturbance to a tropical depression, and later that day to Tropical Storm Crystal. The storm moved southwestward toward Mauritius due to a ridge to the southeast. Strengthening was gradual, and the JTWC upgraded Crystal to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane late on December 24. The next day, an eye developed, although dry air initially prevented much further intensification. MFR upgraded Crystal to tropical cyclone status on December 26, and that day the cyclone passed just east of St. Brandon. Subsequently, Crystal intensified quickly after the eye became clearer, reaching peak winds of 150 km/h (90 mph) on December 27. Around that time, the storm passed east of Mauritius as it turned to the south while rounding the ridge. After maintaining peak winds for about 18 hours, Crystal weakened, gradually undergoing extratropical transition. The convection diminished over the center, and Crystal weakened to tropical storm status on December 28. The next day, the JTWC and MFR discontinued advisories, labeling the storm as extratropical. The remnants continued to the southeast, dissipating on January 3 after crossing into the Australian region.
2015–16 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Uriah entered the South-West Indian Ocean basin as a moderate tropical storm from the Australian region on February 14, where it was previously monitored by the Bureau of Meteorology's office in Perth. The storm tracked generally southwest, maintaining intensity. Early on February 16, Uriah began to intensify steadily, turning to the west as a subtropical ridge built in to the south of the system. Uriah also began to develop an eye, which became evident later that day. On February 17, Uriah attained hurricane-force (74 mph or 118 km/h) winds, becoming the first tropical cyclone of the season. Continuing to rapidly intensify, Uriah became an intense tropical cyclone twelve hours later. As the ridge previously located to the south of Uriah rebuilt to its east, the intense tropical cyclone began to turn to the south. As northwesterly wind shear began to affect the system, its appearance began to deteriorate and its convection lessened. Uriah rapidly weakened to a severe tropical storm by February 19, and it transitioned to a post-tropical depression shortly thereafter. Uriah's remnants meandered, nearly stationary in the southern Indian Ocean, until it became an extratropical depression and raced to the southeast.
2002 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first storm of the season, ARB 01, developed on May 6 out of an area of low pressure over the Arabian Sea. It peaked winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) before making landfall near Salalah, Oman on May 10. The storm dissipated shortly thereafter. A deep depression, classified as BOB 02, developed in the Andaman Sea on May 10. The deep depression remained disorganized and made landfall near Yangon, Burma before dissipating on May 12. Later that month, a tropical depression, recognized only by the Thailand Meteorological Department, developed in the Bay of Bengal and also made landfall in Burma. Activity in the North Indian Ocean then went dormant for over five months, a direct result of the monsoon season in the region. Tropical cyclogenesis resumed with the development of Tropical Depression BOB 03 forming near Andhra Pradesh on October 22.
2001 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first storm of the season originated from a tropical disturbance that formed east of Somalia on May 18. Over the following few days, the system gradually organized, becoming a depression on May 21. It moved eastward toward the coastline of southwestern India and rapidly intensified on May 22, strengthening from a deep depression to a very severe cyclonic storm within 24 hours. After approaching the coastline, the storm turned to the north and northwest away from land due to a ridge. Based on the well-defined eye and the storm's satellite presentation, the IMD estimated peak winds of 215 km/h (135 mph) on May 24, and the JTWC estimated 1 minute winds of 205 km/h (125 mph). It became the strongest storm on record in the Arabian Sea, only to be surpassed by Cyclone Gonu in 2007. Soon after reaching peak intensity, the cyclone rapidly weakened as it turned northward. By May 28, it had deteriorated into a deep depression, and the IMD downgraded the storm to a remnant low before the circulation reached the Gujarat coast.
2001–02 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
While at peak intensity, Jery began turning to the south, due to reaching the western edge of a ridge. An approaching trough increased wind shear over the storm, causing the convection to diminish and expose the center. Late on April 10 it weakened below tropical cyclone status, and the next day Jery became extratropical. Shortly thereafter the remnants crossed into the Australian region, dissipating on April 13.
Cyclone Kesiny was the final named storm of the season, forming near the equator on May 2, within a trough enhanced by a pulse of the Madden–Julian oscillation that sparked three other storms. Kesiny initially moved to the southeast, but later turned to the southwest due to a strengthening ridge. On May 6, it intensified into a tropical cyclone, but later weakened and was not expected to re-strengthen. However, Kesiny developed an eye and re-intensified into a tropical cyclone on May 9, reaching peak winds of before striking Madagascar about southeast of Antsiranana. This made it the first recorded tropical cyclone to make landfall in the month of May in the basin. It weakened while crossing the country, and after turning to the south it struck the country again before dissipating on May 11.
2013–14 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2013–14 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an above average event in tropical cyclone formation. The season officially began on July 1, 2013, though the first tropical system designated by Météo-France was a short-lived tropical disturbance that developed on July 8. However, the first named storm was Cyclone Amara in December. Bruce was the first very intense tropical cyclone since Edzani in 2010, which originated from the Australian region. The strongest system of the cyclone season was Hellen, also one of the most intense tropical cyclones over the Mozambique Channel. The season officially ended on June 30, 2014
1999 Pacific hurricane season
The 1999 Pacific hurricane season was one of the least active Pacific hurricane seasons on record. The season officially began on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the Central Pacific; in both basins, it ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period during which most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The first tropical cyclone of the season, Hurricane Adrian, developed on June 18, while the final storm of the season, Tropical Storm Irwin, dissipated on October 11. No storms developed in the Central Pacific during the season. However, two storms from the Eastern Pacific, Dora and Eugene, entered the basin, with the former entering as a hurricane.
1962–63 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 1962–63 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an average cyclone season, although it began early with the first October storm since 1911. Two storms formed in December, both of them passing near the Mascarene Islands.
1998 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first cyclone in the region developed as a tropical disturbance on May 13 over the southern Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka. With little development, the disturbance initially traveled towards the north-northeast before turning west. On May 16, the system slowed down near the southeastern coast of India and began to turn towards the northeast once more. At 0700 UTC on May 17, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA). Shortly after, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared that the disturbance developed into Depression BOB 01. A second TCFA was issued later that day as a new circulation associated with the system developed further towards the northeast. At 0600 UTC on May 18, the first advisory on Tropical Cyclone 01B was issued by the JTWC. At the time of the advisory, winds were estimated at 55 km/h (35 mph). The IMD also upgraded BOB 01 to a deep depression at this time.
1987–88 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
In addition to the storms classified by the MFR, the JTWC tracked two storms in November. The first, classified as Tropical Cyclone 01S, formed on November 1, about halfway between Diego Garcia and Sumatra. It formed as a cyclone pair, along with a tropical storm in the northern Indian Ocean that struck India. The storm moved west-southwestward, passing near Diego Garcia on November 3. The JTWC assessed peak 1 minute winds of 105 km/h (65 mph) on November 7, although the storm subsequently weakened and dissipated on November 9. The other unofficial storm developed on November 24 near the eastern coast of Mozambique, classified as Tropical Cyclone 02S. Moving to the southwest, it quickly intensified to reach winds of 75 km/h (45 mph). Early on November 25, the storm moved ashore near Quirimbas National Park in the northeastern portion of Mozambique, and it dissipated a day later.
1998–99 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Activity began late, with the first tropical storm – Alda – forming on January 16, the third latest ever recorded at the time. Alda formed in the Mozambique Channel, which was one of few favorable areas for tropical cyclogenesis in the season. It brought rainfall to southwestern Madagascar that alleviated previously dry conditions. The next five tropical storms either originated or crossed into the adjacent Australian basin, where storms were monitored by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). Both Tropical Storm Chikita and Tropical Cyclone Davina brought beneficial rainfall to the Mascarene Islands. The latter storm caused two drowning deaths on Réunion and caused some crop damage. The strongest storm – Evrina – peaked as a strong cyclone in the Australian but weakened upon crossing 90°E, with 10-minute maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph) in the basin. The final storm was unnamed, crossing from the Australian basin on April 21 as a minimal tropical storm before quickly dissipating. There were also several tropical disturbances or depressions, many short-lived. The first of these formed on September 3 in the northeastern portion of the basin, and there was a tropical depression in February in the Mozambique Channel that approached tropical storm status.
1901 Atlantic hurricane season
Tropical cyclogenesis began with the development of the first tropical storm on June 11 in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. July featured two tropical storms, one of which strengthened into a hurricane. By July 5, the season had three tropical storms. In comparison, the average date of development of the first tropical storm between 1944 and 1996 was July 11. August was the most active month of the season. There were four tropical storms, three of which intensified into hurricanes. The fourth system was the most intense tropical cyclone of the season, peaking as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) with a minimum barometric pressure of . Although the seventh cyclone was a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h), a lower minimum barometric pressure was not recorded. In September, three additional system formed, one of which became a hurricane. October featured the same amount of activity, but also had a short-lived tropical depression. The season's final system developed on October 30 and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on November 5.
1999–2000 South Pacific cyclone season
The 1999–2000 South Pacific tropical cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation and ran from November 1, 1999, to April 30, 2000, in the South Pacific.
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
This was the last season to feature all-female names in the basin.
1999 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
On January 30, an area of disturbed weather began to develop. Convection began to form around the center and a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert was issued the next day by the JTWC. Development of the storm stalled and the alert was cancelled. The next day, another TCFA was issued but was once more cancelled. Finally, on February 2, after the third TCFA was issued, the low pressure area developed into a tropical storm at 0900Z 370 nm west of Phuket, Thailand. The storm slowly intensified and reached its peak of 45 mph (1-min) on February 3. Shortly after peaking in intensity, vertical wind shear weakened the storm and the low became exposed by 1800Z the same day. The storm later dissipated on February 5 without making landfall.
An area of disturbed weather in the Arabian Sea was monitored in early May for possible development. Over the next two weeks, strong convection would develop before sunrise but dissipate by sunset. By May 16, the convection had become constant and a TCFA was issued at 0100Z. The low became a tropical storm by 0900Z. Tropical Storm 02A intensified as it moved to the northwest and reached cyclone status on May 17 at 0600Z. At that time, a mid-latitude trough weakened the subtropical ridge, allowing 02A to curve into Pakistan. 02A continued to intensify and by May 19, it had reached its peak of 125 mph (205 km/h), just below Category four status on the SSHS. 02A made landfall on May 20 near Karachi, Pakistan at peak intensity. The storm began to dissipate as it continued inland over the Indus River Valley on May 21 and completely dissipated the next day.
1998–99 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
After a subtropical depression exited the Mozambique Channel, another area of convection formed in the region on January 8, which fluctuated in intensity for several days. A passing cold front increased convection further on January 12, which split off a cutoff low-pressure area. Two days later, a subtropical disturbance formed offshore Beira, Mozambique, classified due to the extratropical origins and lack of centralized convection. The system remained nearly stationary, with the convection extending well to the east. On January 16, the MFR reclassified the system as a tropical depression after the thunderstorms increased near the center, the increasing organization due to moderate but decreasing wind shear. By that time, the depression had begun an eastward movement, but soon turned to the south in the weakness between two high-pressure areas. Late on January 16, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Alda after the convection organized into a central dense overcast. Also that day, the JTWC began tracking the system as Tropical Cyclone 12S. This marked an unusually late start for the first named storm, at the time the third-latest on record.
1990–91 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On February 26, a tropical disturbance formed in the northeastern portion of the basin, well to the east-southeast of Diego Garcia. It originated from the monsoon trough, and moved generally to the south-southeast while quickly intensifying. Late on February 26, the MFR upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Elma, around the same time the JTWC began tracking it as Tropical Cyclone 17S. On February 27, the JTWC estimated Elma attained peak 1‑minute winds of 110 km/h (70 mph), before assessing the storm as weakening. In contrast, the MFR estimated Emla continued to slowly intensify to a 10‑minute peak strength of 105 km/h (65 mph) on March 1. Shortly thereafter, the storm crossed 90° E into the Australian region, where the Bureau of Meteorology estimated that Elma entered at tropical cyclone status. Steady weakening commenced due to the influence of a trough and cooler waters. Elma weakened to the equivalent of tropical depression status by March 3 before turning back to the west. On March 5, the system recrossed 90° E into the south-west Indian Ocean, dissipating shortly thereafter.
1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season
The following weak tropical disturbances were also monitored by RSMC Nadi, however all of these systems were either short lived or did not develop significantly. The first, Tropical Disturbance 01F, developed about 540 km (340 mi) to the northwest of Apia in American Samoa, however the system remained weak and was last noted later that day. On December 25, Tropical Disturbance 04F developed over the Coral Sea within an area of strong vertical windshear in the Australian region. During that day 04F moved towards the southeast and entered the South Pacific basin, before dissipating during December 26. Tropical Depression 05F then developed on January 1 to the north of the Southern Cook Islands, while showing some baroclinic characteristics, before developing a fair amount of convection around the centre. Convection surrounding the system decreased during January 3, before the system had become unclassifiable by January 5. Tropical Disturbance 06F formed on January 3, to the southwest of French Polynesia, in an area of strong vertical windshear. Over the next couple of days the disturbance moved towards the southwest and never showed any signs of organising significantly. Tropical Low/Disturbance 08F developed on January 16, within an active convergence zone, that was located to the east of Fiji. Over the next couple of days convection around the centre increased slightly but vertical windshear restrained 08F from developing significantly, before on January 19 it moved into much cooler waters and stronger vertical windshear which ultimately led its demise. Along with Cyclone Dani, 08F extended a trough of low pressure on to Fiji which caused significant flooding, 6 deaths and about 4 million (1999 FJD) worth of damage.
2014–15 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
An area of low pressure developed close to Diego Garcia on November 14. It slowly organized as it made a northwest-south-southeast loop over the next two days. By the evening of November 16, the center of the storm became more well defined with convective rainbands wrapped tightly into it. Around that time, RSMC La Réunion started tracking the system as a tropical disturbance, and subsequently upgraded it to a Tropical Depression. Later that day, the JTWC issued a tropical cyclone formation alert on the system. The depression strengthened further and became the first named tropical storm of the year, on the same day. Mauritius Meteorological Service, which usually names storms in the region, named the system "Adjali". The JTWC also initiated advisories on Adjali. On November 17, MFR upgraded it to a Severe Tropical Storm. 
During November 25, RSMC La Reunion reported that Tropical Disturbance 2, had developed within a marginal environment for further development to the northeast of the Mascarene islands.
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Despite the destructive nature of the season, it began later than usual. Cyclone Astride originated toward the end of December, bringing rainfall and gusty winds to northern Madagascar while in the region. In January, cyclones Babiola and Connie both formed east of Madagascar and took southerly tracks. Connie passed near Réunion island, producing of rainfall in the mountainous peaks and killing two people. Eline, the longest lasting storm of the season, struck Mozambique while the country was experiencing its worst flooding in 50 years, collectively causing around 700 deaths and about $500 million in damage. The storm also killed 12 people in Zimbabwe and 21 in South Africa. Just two weeks after Eline struck Madagascar, Tropical Storm Gloria affected the same general region, bringing additional deaths and damage. Cyclone Hudah in April was the strongest storm of the season, reaching peak 10‑minute winds of 220 km/h (140 mph). It caused three deaths in Mozambique, although its effects were worse in Madagascar, where there were 111 deaths. The final storm of the season was Tropical Storm Innocente, which dissipated on April 24. In addition to the named storms, there were four unnamed tropical disturbances or storms, as well as one subtropical cyclone that formed in the southern Mozambique Channel.
Cyclone Kalunde
Intense Tropical Cyclone Kalunde was the strongest storm of the 2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. The eleventh named storm and sixth cyclone of the season, Kalunde formed on March 4 from an area of disturbed weather east-southeast of Diego Garcia. The storm steadily strengthened and attained severe tropical storm intensity on March 6. After starting a phase of rapid deepening, Kalunde attained cyclone intensity the next day. Kalunde attained its peak intensity on March 8, as an intense tropical cyclone. It maintained its peak strength for a day; shortly thereafter, the system began to weaken. After undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle, the storm brushed Rodrigues. Shortly after doing so, Kalunde weakened into a tropical cyclone and later a severe tropical storm. Two days later, on March 16, the cyclone transitioned into an extratropical cyclone and dissipated the next day.
1997–98 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The season had the latest start in 30 years, with the first depression forming in January. The first storm, Anacelle, was not named until February 8, which retains the record for the latest date of the first named storm. For the early portion of the season, there were unusually quiet conditions across much of the basin, along with higher than normal pressure. The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) associated with the monsoon only became active in February, allowing tropical cyclogenesis to occur more frequently. There were six tropical storms during the season, of which only one attained tropical cyclone status; these are below the averages of 9 and 4, respectively. No storms attained intense tropical cyclone status. The season's low activity contrasted that of the previous season, which was much more active. There were 18 days in which a storm was active, the lowest since 1982–83. An ongoing El Niño was evident during the season.
2009–10 South Pacific cyclone season
Tropical Cyclone Mick was the first tropical disturbance to grace the waters of the South Pacific Ocean during the season. Tropical Cyclone Mick originally developed as a Tropical Disturbance on December 3, and gradually developed before it was named Tropical Cyclone Mick late on December 12. During the next couple of days the disturbance, the system accelerated towards the southeast while gradually intensifying further before peaking on December 14, with 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 110 km/h, (65 mph) and 1-minute winds of 130 km/h, (80 mph). Later that day, Mick made landfall on Viti Levu to the northeast of Nadi and as a result of land interaction, Mick rapidly weakened and became an extratropical depression early the next day. On December 6, Tropical Disturbance 02F developed about 1000 km (620 mi) to the north of Suva, Fiji.
1989–90 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first named storm of the season, Alibera formed on December 16, well to the northeast of Madagascar. For several days, it meandered southwestward while gradually intensifying. On December 20, Alibera intensified to tropical cyclone status with 10‑minute winds of , or the equivalent of a minimal hurricane. That day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), an unofficial warning agency for the region, estimated peak 1‑minute winds of , while the Météo-France office in Réunion (MFR) estimated 10‑minute winds of only . After drifting erratically for several days, the storm began a steady southwest motion on December 29 as a greatly weakened system. On January 1, Alibera struck southeastern Madagascar near Mananjary, having re-intensified to just below tropical cyclone status. It weakened over land but again restrengthened upon reaching open waters on January 3. The storm shifted directions while moving generally southward, dissipating on January 5. It was the second longest-lasting tropical cyclone in the basin since the start of satellite imagery, with a duration of 22 days. Only Cyclone Georgette in 1968 lasted longer at 24 days.
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Toward the beginning of January, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) remained active across much of the basin, with low pressure and widespread thunderstorms. One such area persisted southeast of Diego Garcia and organized sufficiently to be classified as a tropical disturbance on January 3. That day, the JTWC issued the first of three tropical cyclone formation alerts, noting the increase in convection. The system moved to the northeast along the southeastern edge of a ridge near the equator, but turned back to the southwest on January 5. That day, convection increased over the center, after having previously been dislocated due to wind shear. Late on January 5, the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 02S, and on the next day, the MFR upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Babiola. The storm accelerated to the southwest and continued to intensity. An irregular eye formed on January 8, prompting the MFR to upgrade Babiola to tropical cyclone status. The outflow and the eye became more pronounced after further strengthening, and the cyclone attained peak 10‑minute winds of 155 km/h (100 mph) on January 9. The JTWC, by contrast, estimated peak 1‑minute winds of 165 km/h (105 mph).
1992–93 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
At the time, the season officially went from November 15, 1991, to April 30, 1992, although this season began in September with the formation of Tropical Storm Aviona in the northeastern portion of the basin. A month later, Tropical Storm Babie also formed in the northeastern portion of the basin before the season's official start. After several depressions formed in December and early January, Cyclone Colina formed and struck Réunion, which damaged houses and killed 2 people and left 12 missing there. Three storms were active at the same time in the middle of January, including Colina – Tropical Storm Dessilia moved across Madagascar with gusty winds, and Cyclone Edwina was the longest-lasting and strongest storm of the season. Edwina brushed the Mascarene Islands with gusty winds and light rainfall. In mid-February, Tropical Storm Finella brought locally heavy rainfall to Réunion, reaching along the island's east coast and causing minimal rainfall along the southern coast. The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) became active toward the end of February, spawning tropical storms Gracia and Ionia as well as Tropical Depression Hutelle. Ionia, the last of five system to cross Madagascar during the season, killed eight people in the country. The season ended with Cyclone Jourdanne, which was the second-strongest storm of the season in April, and Cyclone Konita in May.
2000–01 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
By January 22, Charly developed a 37 km (23 mi) wide eye, surrounded by deep convection. Based on the increased organization, the storm became an intense tropical cyclone, reaching peak 10 minute winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), according to the MFR. In contrast, the JTWC estimated peak 1 minute winds of 195 km/h (120 mph). Late on January 22, the wind shear and dry air increased while waters became cooler, all of which became detrimental to the storm's structure. The eye rapidly dissipated as the convection dwindled, and within 24 hours of peak intensity, Charly was downgraded to tropical storm status. On January 24, the storm passed about 320 km (200 mi) southeast of Rodrigues. By that time, the circulation was exposed from the thunderstorms, and Charly weakened to tropical depression status on January 25. Caught in the weak low-level flow, the circulation moved erratically, first to the west, then drifting before turning to the southeast. It continued to produce some convection during this time, which spread rainfall over Mauritius and Réunion. A cold front swept Charly to the southeast, absorbing it on January 31.
Cyclone Hary
Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Hary was the strongest tropical cyclone in the 2001–02 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season and the strongest storm worldwide in 2002. Developing on March 5 from the monsoon trough, the storm initially moved generally to the west and gradually intensified. With favorable conditions, Hary quickly intensified on March 7, developing an eye and well-defined outflow. After reaching an initial peak, the cyclone briefly weakened due to an eyewall replacement cycle, by which time the storm turned southwestward toward Madagascar. Hary re-intensified and attained peak winds of 220 km/h (140 mph) on March 10 just offshore eastern Madagascar, which made it the first very intense tropical cyclone since 2000.
2008–09 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On March 6, the JTWC began monitoring a newly formed area of disturbed weather in the central Indian Ocean, and two days later, they issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the disturbance and upgraded it to Zone of Disturbed Weather 10. On March 9, the disturbance was upgraded to a depression and was reclassified as Tropical Cyclone 19S. Wind shear strongly affected the system and caused it to dissipate in the early morning of March 10. The depression did not intensify to a tropical storm, it was the first to do so since the first disturbance of the season formed on October 6.
1997–98 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Although Tropical Storm Gemma was the final named storm, there were four subsequent tropical disturbances. The first formed toward the end of April after Gemma dissipated in the same general region. Named Tropical Cyclone 34S by the JTWC, it moved westward throughout its duration but failed to intensify due to wind shear. On April 22, the system dissipated, never having developed beyond tropical disturbance status. The last disturbance of the year formed on July 20 about 1480 km (920 mi) east of Diego Garcia. The system moved generally southwestward, dissipating on July 23 due to wind shear. At the time, the tropical cyclone year for the basin lasted from August 1 to July 31 of the following year, although the JTWC considers the start of the tropical cyclone year to begin on July 1. As a result, the MFR considered the system Tropical Disturbance H4 while the JTWC classified it as Tropical Cyclone 01S.
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
A tropical disturbance is named when it reaches moderate tropical storm strength. If a tropical disturbance reaches moderate tropical storm status west of 55°E, then the Sub-regional Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centre in Madagascar assigns the appropriate name to the storm. If a tropical disturbance reaches moderate tropical storm status between 55°E and 90°E, then the Sub-regional Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centre in Mauritius assigns the appropriate name to the storm. A new annual list is used every year so no names are retired.
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On December 23, a circulation with accompanying convection became evident about 400 km (250 mi) southeast of Diego Garcia, becoming a tropical disturbance. While moving to the south, the thunderstorms organized more, aided by low wind shear, good outflow, warm waters, and its position beneath an anticyclone. Curving west-southwestward due to a ridge to the south, the system intensified into a tropical depression and later Tropical Storm Astride on December 25. That day, the JTWC classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 03S. The storm developed a large area of convection, prompting the MFR to upgrade it to a severe tropical storm on December 26, estimating 10‑minute winds of 95 km/h (60 mph). On December 27, the JTWC upgraded Astride to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane due to the appearance of an eye feature, estimating 1‑minute winds of 120 km/h (75 mph). Later that day, the storm weakened unexpectedly, perhaps related to wind shear from a trough to the south. The convection deteriorated markedly, and the weakening storm turned more to the west-northwest on December 29 due to a weaker ridge. Convection reorganized slightly, although it was dislocated from the center. Early on December 30, the storm passed about 70 km (45 mi) northeast of Tromelin Island. Curving back to the west, Astride struck northeastern Madagascar between Vohemar and Antsiranana on December 31 as a minimal tropical storm. It emerged into the Mozambique Channel as a tropical depression, and despite forecasts to the contrary, it reintensified into a tropical storm before passing near Mayotte on January 2. Early the next day, Astride weakened back to tropical depression status before moving ashore eastern Mozambique near Pemba, dissipating soon after.
2007–08 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
An area of disturbed weather formed over the south-central Indian Ocean in the fourth week of January. It slowly developed and Meteo-France began monitoring it as a disturbed area of weather on January 26. It was upgraded to a tropical depression later that day and was named as moderate tropical storm Gula on January 27 by the Mauritius Meteorological Service. Intensification continued and it was upgraded to a severe tropical storm on January 28. The intensification trend became more rapid early on January 29 as a clear eye developed and the storm became a tropical cyclone. After weakening and oscillating between severe and moderate tropical storm status, Météo-France declared it an extratropical depression, and then issued its last advisory on February 2.
The third tropical cyclone and first intense tropical cyclone of the season, Hondo developed out of a tropical disturbance in early February about east-southeast of Diego Garcia. The disturbance quickly strengthened, becoming a moderate tropical storm on February 4 and a severe tropical storm the following day. After a brief period of slower intensification, Hondo rapidly intensified into an intense tropical cyclone and reached its peak intensity with winds of 215 km/h (130 mph ) on February 7. Around the same time that Météo-France assessed Hondo to have peaked, the JTWC reported that the storm had attained winds of 240 km/h (150 mph ), equivalent to a strong Category 4 hurricane.
1994–95 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The final storm of the season formed on March 29 from the ITCZ to the east of Diego Garcia. The large area of convection quickly became more organized, intensifying into Tropical Storm Marlene on March 30. On that date, the JTWC classified it as Tropical Cyclone 19S. Marlene continued to strengthen as it moved west-southwestward, aided by a surge in the monsoon. An eye formed on March 31, and on the next day the storm became a tropical cyclone. The eye reached a diameter of 25 km (15 mi), embedded within a well-defined central dense overcast. Later on April 1, Marlene became an intense tropical cyclone, just three days after its genesis. That day, it turned to the south due to a passing trough. Less favorable conditions caused Marlene to weaken on April 2, although it re-intensified the next day. The MFR estimated peak winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), and the JTWC estimated winds of 230 km/h (145 mph). The trough that turned it to the south later caused the cyclone to weaken and for the eye to dissipate. On April 5, Marlene was downgraded into a severe tropical storm and subsequently drifted to the northwest, influenced by a ridge behind the trough. Two days later, the storm turned to the southeast and later to the east, gradually weakening into a tropical depression. On April 11, a passing trough absorbed Marlene in the eastern periphery of the basin.
2015–16 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Moderate Tropical Storm "Emeraude" developed near the eastern periphery of the basin on March 15. With favorable environmental conditions and a good poleward outflow channel, the storm rapidly intensified into a tropical cyclone the next day. The small cyclone tracked slowly toward the west-northwest, continuing to strengthen rapidly. It became an intense tropical cyclone early on March 17, reaching peak sustained wind speeds of 205 km/h (125 mph). Under the influence of a strengthening near equatorial ridge located to its northeast, Emeraude's motion began to slow and turn to the east. The cyclone was quickly affected by increasing wind shear and decreased oceanic heat content induced by its slow movement, resulting in significant weakening. Unable to reach favorable conditions, Emeraude weakened below tropical cyclone intensity by 0600 UTC on March 18, 24 hours after reaching peak intensity. The system briefly weakened into a moderate tropical storm before restrengthening early the next day once it reached warmer waters. Emeraude turned to the south and approached tropical cyclone strength on March 19, but remained a severe tropical storm. Conditions became unfavorable yet again and wind shear increased, pushing convection away from the system's center, allowing for weakening to occur once again. Emeraude ceased to produce gale-force winds and became a tropical depression on March 21. Its remnant low dissipated on March 23 just south of the waters where it had reached peak intensity five days prior.
1997–98 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 1997–98 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was fairly quiet and had the latest start in 30 years. The first tropical disturbance originated on January 16, although the first named storm, Anacelle, was not upgraded until February 8, a record late start. The last storm to dissipate was an unusually late tropical depression in late July. Many of the storms suffered from the effects of wind shear, which contributed to there being only one tropical cyclone – equivalent to a minimal hurricane. The season also occurred during a powerful El Niño.
1999 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
02A was the strongest storm to ever form in the Arabian Sea until 2001, when cyclone 01A became the strongest storm to form in the Arabian Sea. It was itself surpassed in 2007 when Cyclone Gonu became the first category five to form in the Arabian Sea.
1998–99 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
After an extended period with no activity across much of the Indian Ocean, the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) rebuilt toward the end of February, and spawned an area of convection on March 1 in the extreme eastern portion of the basin. The next day, a circulation was noted on satellite imagery to the northeast of the convection, which indicated that a tropical disturbance had developed. The influence of the monsoon trough steered the disturbance to the southeast into the Australian basin, where moderate wind shear prevented quick development. A building ridge to the south turned the system to the southwest, bringing it back into the south-west Indian on March 3 as a tropical depression. With decreasing wind shear, the depression slowly intensified as convection increased, becoming Tropical Storm Davina on March 4. An eye developed the next day, signaling Davina had intensified into a tropical cyclone, or reaching 10-minute winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). On March 7, Davina became an intense tropical cyclone, with sustained 10-minute winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). At around the same time, the JTWC estimated peak 1-minute winds of 205 km/h (125 mph).
2004–05 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Toward the end of October, low pressure areas developed on both sides of the equator in the west-central Indian Ocean. The system in the North Indian Ocean failed to develop, but the southern hemisphere system became Tropical Disturbance 02 on October 25. Moving westward, the disturbance had an organized area of thunderstorms near the center, with favorable conditions provided by the subtropical ridge. The MFR upgraded the disturbance to a depression on October 26, and briefly downgraded the system after the circulation became exposed, only to upgrade it again to a depression the next day. The JTWC initiated warnings on the system as Tropical Cyclone 02S on October 27, estimating 1 minute winds of 65 km/h (40 mph). That day, the system passed about 370 km (230 mi) north of Madagascar. Wind shear in the region caused the storm to weaken again. On October 29, the weak disturbance moved ashore in eastern Tanzania near Dar es Salaam, dropping heavy rainfall.
1989–90 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Operationally, the MFR considered the tropical cyclone year to begin on August 1 and continue to July 31 of the following year. However, the JTWC began the year on July 1 and it lasted through June 30 of the following year. The latter agency tracked two short-lived tropical cyclones in July 1989, labeling them Tropical Cyclone 01S and 02S, but they are not considered part of MFR's season. After these early storms, another tropical depression formed east of Diego Garcia on September 21, classified as Tropical Cyclone 03S. Forming from the near-equatorial trough, the system moved generally to the southwest, dissipating on September 27 as it approached Mauritius. In the next month, Tropical Cyclone 04S formed closer to Diego Garcia on October 11. The JTWC classified it as a tropical depression on October 13 but dropped advisories the next day. The system initially drifted to the south but later turned to the northwest, dissipating on October 17. The final of a series of early tropical systems was a tropical depression that formed east of Diego Garcia on October 28. It moved southeastward, classified by the JTWC as Tropical Cyclone 05S on October 31. The agency briefly estimated peak winds of , making it a tropical storm, before the storm looped back to the west and dissipated on November 2. Later, the precursor to Australian Tropical Cyclone Bessi was tracked in the eastern portion of the south-west Indian Ocean basin in the middle of April. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) classified the system as a minimal tropical storm while still west of 90° E, although the MFR did not classify the system before it entered the Australian basin on April 15.
2015–16 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2015–16 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a slightly below average event in tropical cyclone formation. The annual cyclone season began on November 15, 2015, with the first storm, Annabelle, forming four days following. The final and strongest storm, Fantala, dissipated on April 23, 2016, a week before the season ended on April 30 for most of the region. In Mauritius and the Seychelles, the cyclone season ended half a month later, on May 15. The season's activity was influenced by an ongoing El Niño, and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole.
2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
A strong area of winds near the equator developed an area of convection on November 14 to the east-northeast of Diego Garcia. It quickly developed outflow and a distinct circulation, becoming a tropical depression late on November 14. Early on November 15, MFR upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Boura, and later that day the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 03S. With a ridge to the southeast, the storm moved quickly southwestward. Easterly wind shear prevented significant intensification until the circulation became established beneath the convection. On November 17, Boura intensified to reach 10-minute winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), making it a tropical cyclone. The JTWC upgraded Boura to the same intensity that day but in 1-minute winds, or the equivalent of a minimal hurricane. The cyclone intensified slightly further to peak winds of 130 km/h (80 mph).
1998–99 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
A long-lived system developed on February 28 in the Australian region south of February 28, and moved westward. On March 7, the JTWC initiated advisories on the system as Tropical Cyclone 26S, briefly estimating peak 1-minute winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) the next day. Soon after, the system weakened into a tropical depression, crossing into the south-west Indian Ocean late on March 8. At that time, it was designated Tropical Disturbance E2. Continuing westward along the northern edge of a strong ridge, the disturbance failed to intensify due to easterly wind shear. Although the MFR ceased issuing advisories, they noted that a distinct circulation persisted, reaching a location to the north of Mauritius by March 16. That day, it turned back to the east with a sporadic area of convection, influenced by the larger Tropical Depression E3. Two days later, the system organized enough for the MFR to reclassify it as a tropical disturbance. The system failed to reorganize much, and dissipated on March 20. Another tropical disturbance, named E3, formed on March 11 in the eastern portion of the basin. It initially failed to develop more, but after an increase in convection, the system intensified into a tropical depression on March 14 while moving generally west-northwestward. On the next day, the system began drifting to the southwest due to weak steering currents. On March 16, the JTWC initiated advisories on the system as Tropical Cyclone 28S, briefly upgrading it to tropical storm status on the next day. On March 18, the depression began weakening, dissipating three days later.
1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season
The 1998–99 South Pacific cyclone season was a near average South Pacific tropical cyclone season, with 8 tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean basin between 160°E and 120°W. Despite the season starting on November 1, the first tropical system of the season did not form until December 1, while the final disturbance of the season dissipated on May 27, 1999. During the season the most intense tropical cyclone was Severe Tropical Cyclone Cora, which had a minimum pressure of . After the season had ended the names Cora and Dani were retired from the naming lists, after they had caused significant impacts to South Pacific islands.
1998–99 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 1998–99 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a quiet season that had the fourth-lowest number of days with tropical storm or tropical cyclone activity. Most of the storms formed either in the Mozambique Channel or in the far eastern portion of the basin, with five storms crossing from the adjacent Australian basin east of 90° E. As a result, few storms impacted Madagascar, and none made landfall on the African continent. Throughout most of the season, there was below-normal sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. In February, typically the peak in activity, Réunion island recorded its highest average monthly pressure since 1953. Due to generally unfavorable conditions, there were only six tropical storms tracked by the Météo-France office (MFR) on Réunion. There were only two tropical cyclones – a storm with winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph).
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The final storm of the year had its origins in the Australian basin. An area of convection persisted on April 8 to the southwest of Indonesia, developing a distinct center two days later while moving to the west. However, the thunderstorms were unable to organize due to wind shear. On April 11, the MFR estimated that the system became a tropical disturbance, although since it was east of 90° E the agency did not issue advisories at that time. On the next day, the system crossed into the basin and was classified as Tropical Disturbance 14. Over the next few days, the convection waxed and waned, with the strongest winds in the northern periphery. On April 14, the JTWC began tracking the system as Tropical Cyclone 26S. The disturbance maintained a general west-southwest trajectory, influenced by a ridge to the south. After slowing down and encountering a more favorable environment, the system intensified into Moderate Tropical Storm Innocente on April 17, reaching peak 10‑minute winds of 70 km/h (45 mph). Operationally, the MFR upgraded Innocente to storm status a day earlier, only to downgrade and re-upgrade; it was maintained as a depression during this time. The return of wind shear again caused weakening, beginning on April 18. A weak circulation persisted for several days, turning to the northwest with brief increases in thunderstorms. On April 24, Innocente dissipated, although the circulation drew moisture from the south to produce heavy rainfall on Mauritius, peaking at around 400 mm (8 in).
2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
During the season, MFR issued advisories on 16 systems, of which 13 intensified to reach tropical storm force winds, meaning conditions were generally favorable for tropical cyclogenesis. The 13 systems with tropical storm force winds is only one short of the most such storms since the beginning of satellite-tracking in the 1967–68 season, set in the 1993–94 season. This is four more than the average of nine named storms. In this season, there were 24 days on which tropical cyclones were active, slightly above normal, but only one storm – Kalunde – remained at that intensity for more than three days. By contrast, there were 68 days in which a tropical storm was active in the basin, which is 15 days above normal. The season began early and ended late; only four seasons began earlier and four ended later than this season since the start of satellite-coverage in the basin.
Tropical Storm Bavi (2015)
During the opening days of March 2015, a major westerly wind burst occurred, which subsequently contributed to the development of the 2014-16 El Nino event and the development of twin tropical cyclones in the Pacific Ocean on both sides of the equator. The first tropical cyclone became Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam within the South Pacific Ocean and directly affected the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand. The second tropical cyclone was first noted by the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center as a tropical disturbance during March 8, while it was located about to the southeast of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The disturbance consisted of a large area of atmospheric convection, which was starting to wrap into the system's developing low level circulation centre. The disturbance was also thought to be in a favourable environment for further development at this time, with low vertical wind shear and a good outflow towards the equator. Over the next couple of days the system moved north-westwards through the Marshall Islands and into a marginal environment for further development, with moderate vertical wind shear being partially offset by the system's outflow. During March 10, the Japan Meteorological Agency subsequently started monitoring the disturbance as a tropical depression, while it was located about to the northeast of Bairiki in Kiribati.
2000–01 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On August 1, in the middle of the southern hemisphere's winter, an area of convection persisted in the northeastern portion of the basin about 740 km (460 mi) northeast of Diego Garcia. At that time, an associated circulation was exposed to the east of the thunderstorms. At 06:00 UTC that day, the MFR initiated advisories on Tropical Disturbance 1. After the system organized further, the JTWC also began tracking the system as Tropical Cyclone 01S, estimating winds of 65 km/h (40 mph). With a ridge to the south, the system tracked generally westward, briefly becoming a tropical depression on August 1. An approaching trough weakened the ridge, allowing the depression to turn southwestward. Located in an area of moderate wind shear, the system failed to intensify further, and it dissipated on August 3.
2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first intense tropical cyclone was Beni, which reached that intensity on November 13, the third-earliest on record. In December, Tropical Cyclone Cela moved across Madagascar, and Severe Tropical Storm Darius dropped heavy rainfall in the Mascarene Islands. In January, Cyclone Elita crossed Madagascar three times, which caused widespread flooding and 33 deaths. Also in that month was Intense Tropical Cyclone Frank, which developed quickly but remained away from land. On March 7, Cyclone Gafilo struck near Antalaha in northeast Madagascar and largely destroyed the town. Across the country, the storm destroyed over 20,000 homes, leaving 304,000 people homeless. Nationwide, the storm killed 363 people and left $250 million in damage (2004 USD). Later in March, two storms – Nicky and Oscar – crossed 90° E from the Australian basin and were renamed Helma and Itseng, respectively. Tropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion.
2001 India cyclone
The 2001 India cyclone was the second strongest tropical cyclone, in terms of barometric pressure, to form in the Arabian Sea on record; only Cyclone Gonu in 2007 was stronger. The storm originated from a tropical disturbance that formed east of Somalia on May 18. Over the following few days, the system gradually organized into a tropical depression. Tracking eastward, towards the coastline of southwestern India, the storm slowly intensified. Shortly before reaching shore, the system turned north and later west, away from land. After taking this turn, the storm intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, attaining its peak intensity on May 24 with winds of 215 km/h (130 mph ) and a barometric pressure of 932 mbar (hPa). At the time, this ranked the cyclone as the strongest known storm in the Arabian Sea.
1998–99 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
During an extended period of quiet conditions across much of the basin, an area of low pressure persisted along the eastern coast of Mozambique. Convection fluctuated daily but became more persistent on February 11. That day, the thunderstorms organized into a circulation that had formed less than southeast of Beira, Mozambique, becoming Tropical Disturbance D1. After forming, the system moved southward, developing a central dense overcast with northeasterly outflow. Based on the organization, the disturbance intensified into a tropical depression on February 13. Although there were gale-force winds in the southwest periphery, the circulation was located on the northern edge of the convection. The depression neared tropical storm intensity, but an increase in wind shear from a nearby trough prevented further intensification. The JTWC estimated peak 1-minute winds of 85 km/h (50 mph), making the system a tropical storm by their assessment. A building ridge to the south turned the depression to the northeast, bringing the system near Europa Island. A station on the island recorded sustained winds of with gusts to about three hours before and after the closest approach; the observations suggested that the depression could have become a tropical storm. Soon thereafter, the associated convection dissipated and the circulation turned westward. After crossing over its former path, the depression dissipated on February 17 very close to where it developed.
1989–90 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
A tropical depression developed within the monsoon trough on February 2 to the southwest of Diego Garcia, about east of Cezura. The JTWC had been tracking the system for several days previously, classifying it as Tropical Cyclone 16S also on February 2. With an anticyclone – a high pressure area over the system – providing favorable conditions, the depression quickly intensified while moving generally south-southwestward. It became Moderate Tropical Storm Dety on February 3 and a tropical cyclone the next day. The MFR estimated peak 10‑minute winds of , while the JTWC assessed stronger 1‑minute winds of 175 km/h (110 mph). Around that time, Dety began a Fujiwhara interaction with Tropical Storm Cezura to the west, causing the former storm to turn to the east-southeast. Increased wind shear weakened the cyclone, although it maintained much of its intensity through February 7 as a severe tropical storm. However, Dety quickly fell to tropical disturbance status the next day while undergoing a counterclockwise loop. After turning back to the southeast, Dety remained a weak system for several days, dissipating on February 11.
1986–87 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
During the season, the Météo-France office (MFR) on Réunion island issued warnings in tropical cyclones within the basin. Using satellite imagery from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the agency estimated intensity through the Dvorak technique, and warned on tropical cyclones in the region from the coast of Africa to 90° E, south of the equator. The World Meteorological Organization would later label the MFR as a Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in 1993. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), which is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force, also issued tropical cyclone warnings for the southwestern Indian Ocean. The season's five named storms and one tropical cyclone – a storm attaining maximum sustained winds of at least - were both below the average of nine and five, respectively. The MFR considered the tropical cyclone year to begin on August 1 and continue to July 31 of the following year. There was an ongoing El Niño by December, and by January, the monsoon was weaker than normal across the region. This caused below normal thunderstorm activity in February.
In addition to the storms classified by the MFR, the JTWC tracked four additional storms. The first, classified as Tropical Cyclone 01S, formed on August 1 in the northeastern portion of the basin, an infrequent event for the time of year. The storm moved westward with peak 1 minute winds of 85 km/h (50 mph). It gradually weakened, dissipating on August 3 near Diego Garcia. The JTWC also tracked a short-lived storm in January that they classified as Tropical Cyclone 06S. The storm formed on January 7 in the eastern portion of the basin near Diego Garcia, and reached winds of 85 km/h (50 mph) while moving southeastward. After stalling on January 9, the system dissipated three days later. Later, the agency monitored Tropical Cyclone 26S beginning on April 24. The storm formed south of Diego Garcia and moved in a counterclockwise direction, first to the southeast and later to the north. After reaching peak 1 minute winds of 85 km/h (50 mph), the storm dissipated on April 26. The final storm tracked by the agency originated on June 25 in the far northeastern portion of the basin between Diego Garcia and the Cocos Islands. It moved slowly to the southwest, failing to intensify beyond winds of 65 km/h (40 mph). Turning to the southeast, the system dissipated on June 27.
1981–82 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first storm was Tropical Cyclone Alex, which was named by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). this was due to the boundary of the basin at the time, which incorporated the Indian Ocean south of the equator and extended from the east coast of Africa to 80° E; the eastern extent was later moved to 90° E. Two other storms – Armelle and Damia – also originated in the Australian basin. The latter was the strongest cyclone on record in the basin at the time by barometric pressure, estimated at . The first storm to affect Madagascar was Benedicte in December, and was followed by tropical storms Frida and Electre in February and Justine in March. The final storm of the season was Cyclone Karla, which remained in the eastern periphery of the basin while reaching winds of 170 km/h (105 mph).
1996–97 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
A tropical disturbance developed in late November, and two disturbances formed in the first few weeks of January. In the duration between when Iletta developed on January 23 and when Tropical Cyclone Josie formed on February 9, another two tropical disturbances formed, and the final two developed after Lisette originated in late February. The first, Tropical Disturbance M1, formed on May 11 in the northeastern portion of the basin, and later crossed into the Australian region to intensify into Tropical Cyclone Rhonda. The final disturbance of the season originated from a persistent area of convection near the equator on July 19, northeast of Diego Garcia. With warm enough water temperatures, the system developed further, becoming Tropical Depression M2 on July 20, the first July depression since 1971. That day, the JTWC classified the storm as Tropical Cyclone 01S. As the JTWC considers the tropical cyclone year to begin on July 1, and the MFR considered it beginning on August 1 at the time, the storm was in different cyclone years in different agencies. Estimates from the Dvorak technique suggested that the system approached tropical storm status on July 21 after a central dense overcast formed, although the MFR only estimated peak 10–minute winds of 55 km/h (35 mph). Moving southwestward and later to the west, the depression began weakening due to wind shear on July 23, and dissipated two days later. At the time, July was within the annual tropical cyclone year, although a change in policy shifted the end of the tropical cyclone year to June 30, beginning in 2002.
2000 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2000 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was fairly quiet compared to its predecessor, with all of the activity originating in the Bay of Bengal. The basin comprises the Indian Ocean north of the equator, with warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in New Delhi. There were six depressions throughout the year, of which five intensified into cyclonic storms – tropical cyclones with winds of 65 mph (40 km/h) sustained over 3 minutes. Two of the storms strengthened into a very severe cyclonic storm, which has winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph), equivalent to a minimal hurricane. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also tracked storms in the basin on an unofficial basis, estimating winds sustained over 1 minute.
2001–02 South Pacific cyclone season
The first tropical cyclone of the season, Trina formed upper-level low pressure system on November 29 near the island of Rarotonga. Remaining nearly stationary, the storm meandered in the same general area for over a week. Due to unfavorable conditions for tropical cyclogenesis, the storm struggled to develop significant convection, preventing it from intensifying beyond 65 km/h (40 mph). After finally succumbing to wind shear on December 2, the system weakened to a tropical depression near Mangaia and dissipated several days later.
1998–99 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On April 17, an area of convection persisted near the border of the south-west Indian and the Australian regions. The system moved eastward into the Australian basin, becoming a tropical disturbance on April 19. Turning to the southeast, the system gradually organized as the convection persisted. On April 20, the disturbance intensified into a tropical storm and was named Hamish. Shortly thereafter, the ridge to the south turned the storm to the southwest. After the BoM estimated peak winds of 100 km/h (65 mph), Hamish began quickly weakening due to increasing wind shear. On April 21, the storm crossed into the south-west Indian basin, still maintaining 10-minute winds of 65 km/h (40 mph). Although the Mauritius Meteorological Services should have classified the system as Tropical Storm Francine, the storm remained unnamed, referred as Tropical Storm F1. However, the system weakened to tropical depression status within six hours of entering the basin, and dissipating on April 24. 
At the time, the MFR's cyclone season began on August 1, although the JTWC's cyclone season for the southern hemisphere began on July 1. The latter agency tracked a short-lived tropical storm toward the end of July, classifying it as Tropical Cyclone 01S. The MFR named it Tropical Depression H4, estimating peak 10-minute winds of 55 km/h (35 km/h).
1995–96 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
After about a month in which there were no named storms in the basin, a tropical disturbance formed within the ITCZ to the southwest of Seychelles on February 12. It moved slowly to the southwest with a well-defined center and a broad area of convection. For several days, the system remained weak until reaching more favorable conditions on February 16, and the next day it intensified into Tropical Storm Doloresse. The storm slowed while reaching the western extent of a ridge, drifting for nearly 24 hours about north-northwest of Grande Comore. On February 17, an approaching trough turned Doloresse to the south-southeast, bringing the storm about 55 km (35 mi) southwest of Grande Comore; this made it the first cyclone to directly affect the nation since Cyclone Elinah 13 years prior. On February 17, the JTWC estimated peak 1‑minute winds of 140 km/h (85 mph), and on the next day, the MFR estimated peak 10‑minute winds of 95 km/h (60 mph). Increasing shear caused Doloresse to rapidly weaken to tropical depression status on February 19. Although the JTWC assessed the storm as continuing to the southeast and striking northwestern Madagascar, the MFR estimated the system turned to a southwest drift and dissipated on February 20.
1989–90 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On January 31, a tropical disturbance formed just east of Agaléga. Moving southeastward, it intensified into Moderate Tropical Storm Cezera on February 1, the same day that the JTWC began tracking it as Tropical Cyclone 14S. Cezera quickly intensified, and the JTWC upgraded it to the equivalence of a minimal hurricane on February 3 with 1‑minute peak winds of . By contrast, the MFR only estimated peak 10‑minute winds of . By February 4, Cezera began a Fujiwhara interaction with Tropical Cyclone Dety, which was located to the east; this caused the former storm to turn back to the northwest while gradually weakening. On February 6, the storm turned to the south and later southeast, weakening to tropical depression status that day. Cezera briefly re-intensified into a moderate tropical storm on February 7, but weakened again on the next day while passing just north of St. Brandon. After turning more to the east-northeast, the system turned sharply southward on February 10, and dissipated the next day.
2001–02 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first storm of the season originated from an area of convection east of Diego Garcia in early October 2001. Moving southwestward, it slowly organized, with convection developing around a weak circulation. Late on October 3, MFR classified the system as a zone of disturbed weather. On October 5, the agency re-classified it as a tropical disturbance and later as Tropical Depression 1. The circulation was partially exposed due to wind shear, although it had good outflow. The JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 01S at 0600 UTC on October 6, estimating winds of about 65 km/h (40 mph). Due to the shear, the convection gradually diminished, prompting the MFR to downgrade it to a tropical disturbance on October 7. The next day, the JTWC issued its last advisory, noting that the system was dissipating.
2000–01 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Aside from a tropical disturbance in August, the season began later than usual, the fourth consecutive season to do so. At the time it had the 4th latest start on record for the first named storm. Only about 20% of seasons have their first storm form after the middle of December, and the first named storm of this season, Ando, did not become a tropical storm until early January. However, January was active with three tropical cyclones, two of which became intense tropical cyclones, due to the active phase of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). February returned to a period of inactivity, and generally there was minimal convection across the basin due to unusually dry air. This was spread by a powerful and persistent ridge that extended eastward from Madagascar, as well as an inactive phase of the MJO. Drought conditions occurred on Réunion due to the lack of rainfall. After three weeks of no tropical cyclones developing worldwide, an event unseen since 1995, the tropics became active again in early April.
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On March 1, Tropical Disturbance 10 formed within the same system that spawned the previous depression, only farther to the west. It also encountered wind shear, preventing much intensification. The system remained nearly stationary and failed to organize more. The MFR issued its last advisory on March 3. The MFR also issued bulletins on Norman as Tropical Disturbance 11, which briefly entered the basin on March 10 before dissipating.
1999 Pacific typhoon season
On April 22, a tropical disturbance which had developed in the Philippine Sea moved over Mindanao and intensified into a tropical depression whilst it was still overland. The depression soon moved overwater again as it tracked north to the east of the Philippines, becoming Tropical Storm Kate the next day. The JTWC initially forecast that the storm would only intensify slightly, as they predicted it to move north-northeast into an unfavorable environment. However, Kate instead moved on a more northerly route and entered an area with minimal wind shear. On April 26 Kate became a typhoon, the first of the season, and reached its peak strength with 140 km/h (85 mph) soon after. Later that day, the typhoon's motion acclerated to the northeast and it passed to the north of Iwo Jima. Kate then began to lose its convection and became an extratropical on April 28 to the northeast of Iwo Jima.
1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
Overall, there was a total of 12 depressions, of which 7 became cyclonic storms, and 1 further strengthened to a very severe cyclonic storm. These totals were slightly above the long-term average of 5.4 cyclonic storms for the basin. In contrast to this, the JTWC reported record-breaking activity with 13 tropical cyclones, 11 of which became tropical storms. This included record activity in the months of October and November, each having three storms, while July saw its first system on record. The first storm of the year was Cyclonic Storm BOB 01 which formed on May 16 while the last was Deep Depression ARB 04 which dissipated over Somalia on December 24. The most intense was Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Forrest, which attained peak three-minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). Severe Cyclonic Storm BOB 07 proved to be the deadliest and most destructive of the year, claiming 263–423 lives across southern India and leaving $69 million in damage. Collectively, the season's storms killed at least 400 people and left another 549 missing.
2001–02 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Although the previous season was tame, the 2001–02 season was very active and featured several intense tropical cyclones. During the season, eleven systems were named, which was slightly above the average of nine. However, nine of the systems attained cyclone intensity, the second highest total in 30 years. In terms of both the number of systems and number of "cyclone days", the season was considered comparable by MFR to the 1993–94 season. In this season, there were 73 days on which tropical cyclones were active, which was more than twice as much as the previous season and 19 days above the average. A system of cyclone intensity was active on 35 days, which was 15 days above the mean. Additionally, five of the systems attained "intense tropical cyclone" status, including one – Hary – that attained the "very intense tropical cyclone" stage. Activity was relatively distributed throughout the season and had the earliest start since 1992. Like most seasons within the basin, activity reached a climax in late January. Several systems during the season developed in the eastern portion of the basin, similar to 1993–94; unlike that season, many storms in 2001–02 stayed at sea throughout their lifetime, thus reducing casualties and damage.
2019 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2019 North Indian Ocean cyclone season is an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. The North Indian Ocean cyclone season has no official bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with the two peaks in May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean. The season's first named storm, Pabuk, entered the basin on January 4, becoming the earliest-forming cyclonic storm of the North Indian Ocean on record.
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The storm turned toward the east on April 11 away from land. Convection organized thereafter into an eye feature, but was weaker than thunderstorms in typical tropical cyclones, resulting in its subtropical classification. The MFR estimated peak 10‑minute winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) on April 12, noting that the system should have been named, but also that its "structure has had no recent analogue in [the basin]." Meanwhile, the JTWC issued three tropical cyclone formation alerts, but never issued advisories. An increase in wind shear deteriorated the eye feature and the convection, promptly causing weakening. On April 15, the circulation dissipated off the southwest coast of Madagascar.
2000 Pacific typhoon season
The 2000 Pacific typhoon season marked the first year using names contributed by the World Meteorological Organization. It was a rather below-average season, producing a total of 23 tropical storms, 13 typhoons and 4 intense typhoons. The season ran throughout 2000, though typically most tropical cyclones develop between May and October. The season's first named storm, Damrey, developed on May 7, while the season's last named storm, Soulik, dissipated on January 4 of the next year.
1996–97 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The season was active, about 50% above normal, and was the fourth consecutive above-normal season. There was a total of 100 days on which disturbances, depressions, storms, or cyclones were active, compared to the average of 68. There were 12 named storms, above the normal of 9. Five intensified into tropical cyclones, also above the normal of 4. The season was the longest on record, with the first depression in August 1996 and the final depression in July 1997. Despite the long season, there was minimal activity from March to May, which usually represents about 25% of total activity. In addition, February was relatively quiet despite being the climatological peak. Majority of the storms developed in the northeast portion of the basin, and the storms took a variety of tracks during their durations.
Cyclone Hondo
Intense Tropical Cyclone Hondo (JTWC designation: 16S) was the strongest and longest lived tropical cyclone to develop during the 2007–08 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. The third tropical cyclone and first intense tropical cyclone of the season, Hondo developed out of a tropical disturbance in early February about 1,020 km (635 mi) east-southeast of Diego Garcia. The disturbance quickly strengthened, becoming a moderate tropical storm on February 4 and a severe tropical storm the following day. After a brief period of slower intensification, Hondo rapidly intensified into an intense tropical cyclone and reached its peak intensity with winds of 215 km/h (130 mph ) on February 7. The cyclone gradually weakened over the next several days due to an increase in forward speed and a decrease in sea surface temperatures. On February 12, Hondo rapidly degenerated into a remnant-low pressure area. Over the following week, the remnant low traveled in a general west-northwest direction with no development. On February 20, about 2,780 km (1,725 mi) northeast of where the final advisories were issued, the storm began to regenerate. The next day, advisories were issued on Tropical Disturbance Ex-Hondo, which briefly strengthened into a tropical depression. However, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Hondo continued to strengthen and attained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph ) before passing directly over Réunion. Interaction with the island caused the storm to weaken and degenerate into a remnant low once more. The storm dissipated on February 29 after executing a counterclockwise loop.
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
While Eline was making landfall on Madagascar, another area of convection formed to its east on February 17 within the ITCZ. Its structure was similar to a monsoon depression, due to a large circulation with weak winds near the center. However, it was organized enough to be classified as a tropical disturbance on February 18 to the southeast of Diego Garcia. It moved southeastward with increasing convection, prompting the Mauritius Meteorological Service to name it Felicia while still as a tropical depression on February 20. The convection however remained disorganized, and there were several small circulations within the broad gyre. After turning to the southwest due to a nearby trough, Felicia's circulation became more compact, as evidenced by a QuikSCAT pass. Outflow increased as wind shear decreased, and Felicia became a moderate tropical storm on February 21. On the same day, the JTWC initiated advisories on the storm as Tropical Cyclone 12S.
Cyclone Bijli
Cyclone Bijli (JTWC designation: 01B, also known as Cyclonic Storm Bijli), was the first tropical cyclone to form during the 2009 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. Bijli formed from an area of Low Pressure on April 14. Later that evening, RSMC New Delhi upgraded the low pressure area to a Depression and designated it as BOB 01. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) then issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert for the system and soon after designated it as Tropical Depression 01B. On the evening of April 15, both RSMC New Delhi and the JTWC reported that the system had intensified into a tropical storm, with the former naming it Bilji. Soon after, Bilji reached its peak intensity as it approached the coast of Bangladesh. However, on the morning of April 17, Bijli weakened to a deep depression due to land interaction, before making landfall just south of Chittagong. The remnants of Bilji continued to weaken as they tracked across northern Myanmar, before RSMC New Delhi issued their last advisory on April 18. The word Bijli refers to lightning in Hindi.
2004–05 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2004–05 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a near average season, despite beginning unusually early on August 30 with the formation of an early-season tropical depression. Météo-France's meteorological office in Réunion (MFR) ultimately monitored 18 tropical disturbances during the season, of which 15 became tropical depressions. Two storms – Arola and Bento – formed in November, and the latter became the most intense November cyclone on record. Bento attained its peak intensity at a low latitude, and weakened before threatening land. Tropical Cyclone Chambo was the only named storm in December. In January, Severe Tropical Storm Daren and Cyclone Ernest existed simultaneously. The latter storm struck southern Madagascar, and five days later, Moderate Tropical Storm Felapi affected the same area; the two storms killed 78 people and left over 32,000 people homeless. At the end of January, Severe Tropical Storm Gerard existed as an unnamed tropical storm for 18 hours due to discrepancies between warning centers.
1999–2000 South Pacific cyclone season
As Leo was developing, a new disturbance formed south of Apia in Western Samoa. The first gale warning was issued on 7 March as it moved closer to northern Tonga. Wind warnings were issued for some islands in Tonga including Vavau, Haapai and Tongatapu. The storm rapidly developed on 8 March at 0600 UTC, and was named Tropical Cyclone Mona six hours later, while located 75 km (45 mi) west of Haapai and moving slowly southward. A storm warning was put for the whole Tongatapu Group on the 8th. An eye developed on 9 March, and Mona was upgraded to hurricane intensity at 0600 UTC, located 55 km (35 mi) west of Tongatapu. Mona moved south-southeastward and accelerated. It reached an intensity of on 10 March, 370 km (230 mi) southeast of Tongatapu. NPMOC's 1-min winds were estimated at . Minimum pressure of Mona was 965 mbar. It began to weaken rapidly, as it sped off southwards, and became extratropical on 11 March at 1200 UTC.
2000–01 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
An area of convection formed on November 9 to the east of Diego Garcia, possibly the result of the MJO. A circulation was evident by November 11, and the following day it developed into Tropical Disturbance 2 about 830 km (515 mi) southeast of Diego Garcia. Also on November 12, the JTWC classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 02S. It moved to the southwest, but looped back to the east on November 13, during which time the MFR upgraded it to tropical depression status. Later that day, the agency ceased issuing advisories, but the system reorganized on November 14. On November 17, it turned back to the southwest, but the MFR discontinued advisories on the next day.
1993–94 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
In late February, low pressure area developed near the Cocos Islands, associated with the monsoon trough. After initially moving eastward, a ridge turned it to the west, and on March 7, the system crossed 90° E into the south-west Indian Ocean as a developing tropical depression. The next day, MFR upgraded it to Tropical Storm Litanne. For much of its track, Litanne moved generally to the west-southwest, to the north of a large ridge. The storm quickly intensified, developing an eye feature within its central dense overcast by late on March 8. Late on March 9, MFR upgraded Litanne to a tropical cyclone, after the storm developed a small, well-defined eye in diameter. With warm sea surface temperatures, Litanne intensified into an intense tropical cyclone by late on March 10, although it subsequently weakened slightly. The cyclone turned to the southwest due to a trough from the remnants of Kelvina. Around 2000 UTC on March 12, Litanne passed near St. Brandon, and the next day the cyclone passed about north of Réunion island. At the time, the storm's eye was wide, and the wind radius was about wide. The islands reported high surf but little effects. Subsequently, the storm turned more to the west, and Litanne restrengthened into an intense tropical cyclone while approaching the eastern coastline of Madagascar. MFR estimated peak winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) on March 14.
Timeline of the 2009–10 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
This timeline documents all of the events of the 2009-10 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season which is the period that tropical cyclones formed in the Indian Ocean. Within the Indian Ocean most tropical cyclones form within the cyclone season which began on November 1 and will end on April 30. The scope of this article is limited to tropical cyclones that form in the Indian Ocean 30°E and 90°E to the south of the equator. When a zone of disturbed weather form or moves into the South-West Indian Ocean it is assigned a number and monitored by Météo-France who run the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) on Réunion Island. Should a tropical disturbance intensify and become a moderate tropical storm the two sub-regional tropical cyclone Advisory Centres in Maurtius and Madagascar in conjunction with RSMC La Réunion. The United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also issue warnings on tropical cyclones in this region assigning a number with an "S" suffix. When monitoring a tropical cyclone the Joint Typhoon Warning Center will assess the cyclones intensity on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale whilst RSMC La Réunion, Maurtius and Madagascar use the Southwest Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale to assess a tropical cyclones intensity.
2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On September 28, the first tropical disturbance of the season originated as a circulation within the near-equatorial trough, west of the Chagos Archipelago. Despite moderate wind shear and minimal convection at first, the system developed an organized area of thunderstorms over the center. The swirl was influenced by the trade winds, moving westward at first before turning to the east. The MFR upgraded the system to a tropical depression on September 29, and on the same day, the JTWC initiated advisories on the storm as Tropical Cyclone 01S. The circulation became exposed from the convection before developing another plume of thunderstorms on October 1. That day, the MFR upgraded the depression to Moderate Tropical Storm Abaimba, estimating peak winds of 80 km/h (50 mph), similar to the JTWC estimate. At the low latitude of 4.4º S, Abaimba became the first named storm in the basin north of 5º S. Wind shear increased late on October 1, leaving the center exposed again. On the next day, Abaimba weakened into a tropical depression. The trajectory shifted to the south and west as it moved in a broad loop, until stalling on October 4. That day, it was no longer classifiable as a tropical disturbance, and the circulation dissipated on October 6.
2000–01 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
On January 2, an area of convection persisted in the eastern portion of the ITCZ in the Australian basin, located northwest of Cocos Island, or about 1165 km (625 mi) southwest of Sumatra. With a ridge to the south, the system moved generally westward. A nearby ship confirmed that a circulation formed, and on January 3, it crossed 90°E into the south-west Indian Ocean as a tropical disturbance. With easterly wind shear, the system initially remained weak, but convection increased and organized on January 5. On the next day, the disturbance intensified into a tropical depression, although the circulation was still exposed from the thunderstorms at that time. After turning to the southwest, wind shear decreased, and the depression became Moderate Tropical Storm Bindu on January 7. On the same day, the JTWC also initiated advisories as Tropical Cyclone 05S. Moving around the ridge to the south, Bindu slowly intensified, developing outflow and improved rainbands. Early on January 9, the MFR upgraded the storm to tropical cyclone status as an eye 19 km (12 mi) in diameter formed. The next day, Bindu weakened due to increased wind shear, causing the circulation to be exposed from the convection and for the cyclone to be downgraded into a severe tropical storm.
Cyclone Raquel
During June 2015, a near record strength pulse in the Madden–Julian oscillation lead to a period of significant weather across the Western Pacific. This significant weather included a major westerly wind burst during late June, which caused a set of twin tropical cyclones to develop. The first tropical cyclone developed in the Northern Hemisphere during June 29, before it later developed into Typhoon Chan-hom. The second tropical cyclone was first noted by the Fiji Meteorological Service and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as Tropical Disturbance 17F and Tropical Low 24U during June 28, while it was located about to the northeast of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. This system had a well-defined low level circulation centre which was located within an environment, that was marginally favourable for further development with low-moderate vertical wind shear offset by a poleward outflow. The system subsequently moved south-westwards towards the Solomon Islands under the influence of a ridge of high pressure and gradually developed further and was classified as Tropical Depression 17F during the next day.
1990–91 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 1990–91 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was fairly quiet, although activity began early and the final named storm formed at a record late date. There were seven named storms classified by the Météo-France office (MFR) on Réunion, as well as three depressions; an additional depression was classified by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), an unofficial warning agency. The JTWC tracked storms in both September and October, although neither affected land. In late November, another short-lived depression formed in the northeastern portion of the basin. Activity remained minimal until January, when Tropical Storm Alison formed in the eastern portion of the basin. Later in the month, Cyclone Bella became the strongest storm of the season, reaching 10‑minute maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h (100 mph). It passed near the island of Rodrigues, becoming the worst cyclone there in 20 years and killing half of the population of one endangered species. Bella also likely caused a cargo ship to go missing with 36 people on board.
2000 Pacific typhoon season
The first storm of the season started out as a tropical low near Palau on May 3, when the JTWC first gave the system a poor chance of formation. However within the next few hours the low quickly organized, and the next day the JMA recognized the low as a depression. Operationally it wasn't until May 5 that the JTWC issued its first warning for the newly formed depression. Drifting northwest the depression gradually organized into a tropical storm on May 6. It was given the name Asiang on May 6 by PAGASA and Damrey on May 7 by the JMA, respectively. At this time a weakening sub-tropical ridge was moving northward causing Damrey to move in a northeasterly direction. Damrey became a typhoon early on May 8 and soon thereafter satellite images began to show an eye forming at the center. During the next 24 hours Damrey quite steadily intensified, reaching winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) by May 9. The system became very symmetrical and small, allowing the typhoon to reach a peak intensity of 180 mph (290 km/h) and gusts as high as 220 mph late on May 9. Due to the compact structure of the typhoon it would only take twenty-four hours of high vertical wind shear, from a nearby high pressure, to reduce Damrey to a tropical storm. The convection continue to decrease around the LLCC and the system picked up in forward momentum under deteriorating environment. By May 12 Damrey became fully extra-tropical and eventually dissipated on May 16.
2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season featured the most intense tropical cyclone in the South-West Indian Ocean, Cyclone Gafilo, as well as nine other named storms. Tropical activity began on September 28 when Moderate Tropical Storm Abaimba formed at a low latitude. Activity continued until late May, following Severe Tropical Storm Juba, which marked the third year in a row that a storm formed in May. The final disturbance, one of sixteen, dissipated on May 24. Activity was near average, and the season was one of the longest on record.
1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The season began later than usual, the third consecutive one to do so. There were no indications of tropical cyclogenesis before the middle of December, putting the season among the latest 20% since 1967 in terms of seasons' first storms. On December 26, the MFR utilized the QuikSCAT satellite for the first time in the basin to assess a storm's intensity. During the season, 14 tropical disturbances formed, which is near average, and they tended to last longer than normal. Eleven of these disturbances became tropical depressions, of which nine attained gale force winds and were named. In addition, four storms reached tropical cyclone intensity, or 10‑minute sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph). The 9 named storms and 4 tropical cyclones is also the basin average for each category in a given year. There were 61 days in which a storm was active, greater than the median of 48 and more than double than the previous season. In general, storms formed south of 10° S, with the exception of the first storm Astride, and most storms generally tracked east to west due to a strong ridge east of Madagascar.
2000 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
Similar to the previous storm, the active monsoon trough spawned a low pressure area over the Andaman Sea on October 24. There was a weak center that had good outflow. On October 25, the IMD classified the system as a depression about 925 km (575 mi) southeast of Kolkata. The system moved to the northwest and developed more convection close to the center, although the thunderstorms were intermittent. Turning more to the north, the depression intensified into a deep depression and later cyclonic storm on October 27, reaching peak winds of 65 km/h (40 mph); the JTWC also classified it as Tropical Cyclone 02B. That day, the wind shear increased, although the convection was able to increase over the center and organize into a comma-shaped rainband. Early on October 28, the storm made landfall in southern Bangladesh near Mongla, by which time the wind shear had displaced much of the convection to the northeast. It rapidly weakened over land, degenerating into a remnant low over northern Bangladesh early on October 29.
South Atlantic tropical cyclone
During 2004, the large-scale conditions over the South Atlantic were more conducive than usual for subtropical or tropical systems, with 4 systems noted. The first possible tropical cyclone developed within a trough of low pressure, to the southeast of Salvador, Brazil on January 18. The system subsequently displayed a small central dense overcast (CDO) and was suspected to be at the peak of its development as either a tropical depression or a tropical storm during the next day. The system was subsequently affected by some strong shear, before it moved inland and weakened along the coast of Brazil before it was last noted during January 21. Within Brazil the system caused heavy rain and flooding with a state of emergency declared in Aracaju, after the river overflowed and burst its banks which flooded homes, destroyed crops and caused parts of the highway to collapse. However, it was noted that not all of the heavy rain and impacts were attributable to the system, as a large monsoon low covered much of Brazil at the time. The second system was a possible hybrid cyclone that developed near south-eastern Brazil between March 15–16. Hurricane Catarina was the third system, while the fourth system had a well-defined eye like structure, and formed off the coast of Brazil on March 15, 2004.
On February 22, 2006, a baroclinic cyclone intensified quickly and was estimated to have peaked with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 65 mph (100 km/h), after radar data showed that the system had developed an eye and banding. However, there were questions about how tropical the system was, as it did not separate from the westerlies or the baroclinic zone it was in. Between March 11–17, 2006, a system with a warm core developed and moved southward along the South Atlantic Zone.
2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
An active pulse in the MJO and a Rossby wave spawned Cyclone Fay and what would become Cyclone Oscar–Itseng in the Australian region. The origins of the latter storm were from a low pressure area that developed southwest of Christmas Island on March 20. The BoM classified it as a tropical low on the next day. The system moved southward at first before beginning a westward trajectory. On March 23, the BoM upgraded the system to Tropical Cyclone Oscar south of the Cocos Islands, and the JTWC classified the storm as Tropical Cyclone 20S. An eye became established in the center of the convection, and the JTWC upgraded Oscar to the equivalent of hurricane status on March 25. On the next day, the agency estimated peak 1 minute winds of 215 km/h (135 mph), while the BoM estimated peak 10 minute winds of 165 km/h (105 mph).
2012–13 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The first tropical disturbance of the season developed on October 12 and gradually intensified to become the earliest known intense tropical cyclone on record on October 14.