1962–63 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
October 9 – October 16 |
| Peak intensity |
65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min) |
| Tropical cyclone (MFR) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
December 1 – December 6 |
| Peak intensity |
130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min) |
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
December 24 – December 28 |
| Peak intensity |
100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) 992 hPa (mbar) |
| Tropical cyclone (MFR) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 12 – January 20 |
| Peak intensity |
155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min) |
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 29 – February 9 |
| Peak intensity |
100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) 997 hPa (mbar) |
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 9 – February 19 |
| Peak intensity |
110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min) |
| Tropical cyclone (MFR) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 12 – February 22 |
| Peak intensity |
140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min) |
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
February 27 – March 2 |
| Peak intensity |
85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min) |
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
March 3 – March 5 |
| Peak intensity |
85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min) |
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.
Toward the beginning of October, an area of low pressure persisted near Diego Garcia, while a strong anticyclone stretched from Madagascar to Île Amsterdam. On October 9, Diego Garcia reported westerly winds and falling pressure, indicating that a tropical cyclone developed that day. This marked the first October tropical storm formation in the basin since 1911. Given the name Amy, the storm moved to the west-southwest, tracked by Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS). Gradual intensification occurred, aided by the anticyclone to the south, and Amy reached peak winds of around 75 km/h (45 mph) on October 10. Passing north of Rodrigues island, the storm's track shifted more westerly as the anticyclone to the south strengthened. Amy later weakened as it approached the east coast of Madagascar, dissipating on October 17.
Amy produced hailstones on Rodrigues while passing nearby, and brushed St. Brandon with gusty winds. The storm also dropped heavy rainfall and produced moderate waves on Réunion.
At the end of November, an area of low pressure persisted near Diego Garcia, associated with the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). A circulation developed southwest of the island on November 29, which moved generally to the southwest due to an anticyclone to the south. On December 1, the low pressure area was confirmed to have developed into Tropical Storm Bertha while near the Mascarene Islands. While in the vicinity, the storm produced winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) in Rodrigues. The storm turned to the south, after a polar low weakened the ridge to the south. Bertha passed between Rodrigues and Réunion on December 3, producing only above normal seas. At its peak, the storm reached tropical cyclone status, or peak winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). Bertha passed 200 km (125 mi) east of Mauritius on December 4 while continuing generally southward. The storm became extratropical the next day, and was last noted on December 6.
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Wikipedia
