1979–80 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 1979 – Apr 30, 1980 · Season ended
The 1979–80 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 25 named storms, 13 at hurricane strength and 7 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 192, 89% of the average.
1979–80 season at a glance
- Named storms: 25 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 13 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 7 (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 191.8, 89% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 138.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Peni, January 2, 1980.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Peni, January 4, 1980.
- First major storm: Amy, January 9, 1980.
- Last storm to dissipate: Wally, April 8, 1980.
- All systems tracked: 28, including 3 that stayed below tropical-storm strength.
Counts use 1-minute best-track winds: named storms reached 34 kt (39 mph), the next column 64 kt (74 mph) and major storms 96 kt (111 mph). Regional agencies here use 10-minute winds (3-minute in India), so their official counts can differ.
Every storm of the 1979–80 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peni | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| Paul | – | TS | 985 mb | Yes |
| Amy | – | C4 | 915 mb | Yes |
| Eglantine | – | TD | 1005 mb | — |
| Flore | – | TD | 1005 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Hyacinthe | – | C1 | — | — |
| Brian | – | C2 | 930 mb | — |
| Clara | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| Ivanne | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Dean | – | C3 | 930 mb | — |
| Jacinthe | – | C3 | — | — |
| Rae | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Ruth | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Enid | – | C4 | 930 mb | Yes |
| Fred | – | C2 | 930 mb | — |
| Simon | – | C3 | 950 mb | Taupo, New Zealand |
| Kolia | – | TS | — | — |
| Laure | – | C3 | — | — |
| Sina | – | C1 | 970 mb | Kerikeri, New Zealand |
| Doris | – | C3 | 955 mb | Yes |
| TD 22S | – | TS | — | Antalaha, Madagascar |
| Tia | – | TS | 980 mb | Savusavu, Fiji |
| Val | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| TD 25S | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 27P | – | TS | 995 mb | — |
| Wally | – | TS | 995 mb | Nadi, Fiji |
- Peni: Peni formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Paul: Paul formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Amy: Amy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Eglantine: Eglantine formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1005 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Flore: Flore formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1005 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Hyacinthe: Hyacinthe formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Brian: Brian formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Clara: Clara formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Ivanne: Ivanne formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Dean: Dean formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1980 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Jacinthe: Jacinthe formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1980 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Rae: Rae formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Ruth: Ruth formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Enid: Enid formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1980 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Fred: Fred formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1980 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Simon: Simon formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1980 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made landfall near Taupo, New Zealand. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Kolia: Kolia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 20 days.
- Laure: Laure formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1980 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Sina: Sina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1980 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made landfall near Kerikeri, New Zealand. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Doris: Doris formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1980 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- TD 22S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). It made landfall near Antalaha, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Tia: Tia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Savusavu, Fiji. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Val: Val formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 25S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1980. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- TD 27P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Wally: Wally formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1980 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It made landfall near Nadi, Fiji. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1979–80
Cyclone Enid was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 145 mph (230 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 930 mb, on February 17, 1980. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
80 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 33 matched it. It produced 4% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1979–80
9 of the season’s 28 systems made landfall, 1 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- January 4, 1980: Paul, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- January 10, 1980: Amy, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- February 14, 1980: Enid, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- February 17, 1980: Enid, 125 mph (Category 3)
- March 2, 1980: Simon near Taupo, New Zealand, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- March 15, 1980: Sina near Kerikeri, New Zealand, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- March 17, 1980: Doris, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 18, 1980: Doris, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- March 20, 1980: TD 22S near Antalaha, Madagascar, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 24, 1980: Tia near Savusavu, Fiji, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- April 5, 1980: Wally near Nadi, Fiji, 60 mph (tropical storm)
How 1979–80 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 28th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 6 other seasons), 25th for hurricane strength (tied with 8 other seasons) and 32nd for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
1979–80 storm names
The 1979–80 season used 23 names: Peni, Paul, Amy, Eglantine, Flore, Hyacinthe, Brian, Clara, Ivanne, Dean, Jacinthe, Rae, Ruth, Enid, Fred, Simon, Kolia, Laure, Sina, Doris, Tia, Val, Wally.
5 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1979–80 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1979–80?
The 1979–80 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 25 named storms, 13 at hurricane strength and 7 major storms, from 28 systems tracked in all. The 1991–2020 average is 26.7 named storms, 13.8 at 64 kt or more and 7.5 major per season. The first to form was Peni and the last was Wally.
What was the strongest storm of 1979–80?
Cyclone Enid. It peaked at 145 mph (230 km/h, 125 kt) with a lowest pressure of 930 mb on February 17, 1980. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 80 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 4% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1979–80 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1979 to April 30, 1980. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1979 to June 1980 under the 1979–80 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Wally, dissipated on April 8, 1980.