1996–97 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
| 1996–97 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season |
Season summary map
|
| Seasonal boundaries |
| First system formed |
August 16, 1996 |
| Last system dissipated |
July 25, 1997 |
| Strongest storm |
|
| Name |
Daniella and Helinda |
| • Maximum winds |
155 km/h (100 mph)
(10-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure |
915 hPa (mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics |
| Total disturbances |
21 |
| Total depressions |
14 |
| Total storms |
12 (5 unofficial) |
| Tropical cyclones |
5 |
| Intense tropical cyclones |
3 |
| Total fatalities |
311 |
| Total damage |
$50 million (1997 USD) |
| Related articles |
|
|
South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone seasons
1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99
|
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
October 17 (entered basin) – October 21 |
| Peak intensity |
115 km/h (75 mph) (10-min) 965 hPa (mbar) |
| Intense tropical cyclone (MFR) |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
November 1 (entered basin) – November 11 |
| Peak intensity |
175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min) 925 hPa (mbar) |
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
November 24 (entered region) – November 30 |
| Peak intensity |
95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min) 980 hPa (mbar) |
| Intense tropical cyclone (MFR) |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
December 2 – December 10 |
| Peak intensity |
185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min) 915 hPa (mbar) |
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
December 9 (entered basin) – December 16 |
| Peak intensity |
85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min) 985 hPa (mbar) |
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 2 – January 9 |
| Peak intensity |
100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) 985 hPa (mbar) |
| Tropical cyclone (MFR) |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 19 – January 31 |
| Peak intensity |
140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min) 950 hPa (mbar) |
| Intense tropical cyclone (MFR) |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 23 (briefly entered basin)
January 31 (reentered basin) – February 7 |
| Peak intensity |
185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min) 915 hPa (mbar) |
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) |
|
|
| Duration |
January 24 – January 30 |
| Peak intensity |
100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) 975 hPa (mbar) |
The 1996–97 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was the longest on record, with both an unusually early start and unusually late ending. Most activity was from November through February. According to the Météo-France office (MFR) at Réunion, there were 21 tropical disturbances, 14 of which intensified into tropical depressions. There were 12 named storms, beginning with Antoinette and proceeding sequentially until Lisette. In addition, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center also warned on storms in the region, which identified five other tropical storms. Five of the storms attained tropical cyclone status, or with 10–minute maximum sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph); of these, three strengthened further into intense tropical cyclones, with Daniella and Helinda tied for strongest storm of the season.
In August, a tropical depression developed in the south-west Indian Ocean for the first time 27 years, and a month later, a rare September tropical disturbance formed. The first named storm, Antoinette, was the first of several to originate in the neighboring Australian basin, or east of 90° E; the subsequent two named storms also formed in the Australian region. In early December, Cyclone Daniella likely developed out of the remnants of previous Tropical Storm Chantelle. After reaching peak 10–minute winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), Daniella weakened and passed just southwest of Mauritius; there, the storm left heavy crop damage and indirectly caused three deaths. In early January, Tropical Storm Fabriola was the first in a succession of three storms to move over Madagascar. The next – Cyclone Gretelle – killed 152 people when it struck southeastern Madagascar. Between January and February, Cyclone Pancho-Helinda lasted about 20 days between both the Australian and south-west Indian basins. Also in February, Tropical Storm Josie killed 36 people in western Madagascar after causing severe flooding. The final named storm was Tropical Storm Lisette, which dissipated on March 3 after striking Mozambique, killing three people. Despite the early end to the named storms, there were two additional disturbances, one of which became the first July tropical depression in 25 years.
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Wikipedia
