1997–98 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
| 1997–98 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | January 2, 1998 (Unofficially) January 16, 1998 (Officially) |
| Last system dissipated | April 22, 1998 (Officially) July 23, 1998 (Unofficially) |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Anacelle |
| • Maximum winds | 140 km/h (85 mph) (10-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 950 hPa (mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total disturbances | 16 |
| Total depressions | 11 |
| Total storms | 5 official, 5 unofficial |
| Tropical cyclones | 1 |
| Total fatalities | 88–144 |
| Total damage | Unknown |
| Related articles | |
| Tropical depression (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | January 16 – January 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 km/h (35 mph) (10-min) 995 hPa (mbar) |
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | February 3 – February 20 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min) 992 hPa (mbar) |
| Tropical cyclone (MFR) | |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | February 6 – February 13 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min) 950 hPa (mbar) |
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | March 4 – March 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min) 988 hPa (mbar) |
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | March 9 (entered the basin) – March 18 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min) 975 hPa (mbar) |
| Tropical depression (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | March 15 – March 20 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min) 995 hPa (mbar) |
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | April 7 – April 14 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min) 985 hPa (mbar) |
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.
Tropical Depression A1, the first of the season, moved throughout most of Mozambique in January, causing landslides and flooding. One landslide affected Milange District, where many houses were swept into a river. Landslides killed between 87 and 143 people in the country. In February, Cyclone Anacelle buffeted several islands with gusty winds after becoming the strongest storm of the season, reaching maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). Although Anacelle was the first named storm of the season, another tropical depression preceded it that crossed Madagascar several times. The depression eventually became Tropical Storm Beltane, and lasted 17 days. Beltane caused flooding across Madagascar due to heavy rainfall, which killed one person and left locally heavy crop damage. There were several other disturbances in February, including Cindy which dissipated 50 days after it originated, as well as a disturbance that brought heavy rainfall to Réunion and Mauritius. The rest of the season was fairly quiet, mostly with short-lived tropical disturbances or storms.
During the year, the Météo-France office on Réunion (MFR) issued warnings for tropical systems in the region as the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre. In the year, MFR tracked tropical cyclones south of the equator from the coast of Africa to 90° E. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center also issued warnings in an unofficial capacity.
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