1981–82 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 1981 – Apr 30, 1982 · Season ended
The 1981–82 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 27 named storms, 13 at hurricane strength and 4 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 171, 79% of the average.
Named storms
27
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
13
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
4
Avg 7.5 per season
Accumulated energy
79% of normal
ACE 171 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4
1981–82 season at a glance
- Named storms: 27 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 13 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 4 (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 170.7, 79% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 134.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Alex, October 21, 1981.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Alex, October 23, 1981.
- First major storm: Gyan, December 22, 1981.
- Last storm to dissipate: Claudia, May 18, 1982.
- All systems tracked: 31, including 4 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 1981–82 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1S | – | TD | — | — |
| Alex | – | C2 | — | — |
| Armelle | – | C1 | 976 mb | — |
| Amelia | – | TS | 996 mb | Yes |
| Benedicte | – | C1 | 954 mb | — |
| Gyan | – | C4 | 925 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 988 mb | Palmerston, Australia |
| Clarissee | – | TS | 997 mb | — |
| Chris | – | C4 | 898 mb | — |
| Daphne | – | TS | 986 mb | Yes |
| Bruno | – | TS | 980 mb | East Fremantle, Australia |
| Errol | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Abigail | – | C1 | 965 mb | — |
| Hettie | – | C1 | 965 mb | — |
| Graham | – | TS | 980 mb | Port Hedland, Australia |
| Electre | – | TS | 984 mb | Didy, Madagascar |
| Frida | – | TS | 991 mb | — |
| Coral | – | TD | 996 mb | Yes |
| Gabrielle | – | TS | 984 mb | — |
| Heberte | – | TD | 997 mb | — |
| Harriet | – | TS | 988 mb | — |
| TD 20S | – | TS | — | — |
| Ian | – | C1 | 964 mb | Yes |
| Isabeau | – | TD | 997 mb | — |
| Isaac | – | C3 | 930 mb | — |
| TD 23S | – | TS | — | — |
| Justine | – | C1 | 941 mb | Sambava, Madagascar |
| Bernie | – | C2 | 945 mb | — |
| Dominic | – | C1 | 950 mb | Yes |
| Karla | – | C3 | 927 mb | — |
| Claudia | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
- TD 1S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in July 1981 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Alex: Alex formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 1981 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Armelle: Armelle formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1981 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 19 days.
- Amelia: Amelia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Benedicte: Benedicte formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1981 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Gyan: Gyan formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1981 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It made landfall near Palmerston, Australia. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Clarissee: Clarissee formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Chris: Chris formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1982 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 898 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Daphne: Daphne formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 986 mb. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Bruno: Bruno formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near East Fremantle, Australia. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Errol: Errol formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Abigail: Abigail formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1982 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Hettie: Hettie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1982 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Graham: Graham formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Port Hedland, Australia. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Electre: Electre formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Didy, Madagascar and last near Maganja, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Frida: Frida formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Coral: Coral formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1982. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Gabrielle: Gabrielle formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Heberte: Heberte formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1982 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Harriet: Harriet formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 20S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Ian: Ian formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1982 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 964 mb. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Isabeau: Isabeau formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1982 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Isaac: Isaac formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1982 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- TD 23S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Justine: Justine formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1982 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Sambava, Madagascar and last near Itampolo, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Bernie: Bernie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1982 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Dominic: Dominic formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1982 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Karla: Karla formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1982 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 927 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Claudia: Claudia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 1982 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 7 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1981–82
Cyclone Chris was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 140 mph (220 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 898 mb, on January 12, 1982. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
117 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 33 matched it. It produced 19% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1981–82
10 of the season’s 31 systems made landfall, 2 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- December 1, 1981: Amelia, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- December 3, 1981: Amelia, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- December 21, 1981: Unnamed near Palmerston, Australia, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- January 14, 1982: Bruno, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- January 16, 1982: Bruno, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 19, 1982: Bruno, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- January 19, 1982: Bruno, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 20, 1982: Bruno, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- January 21, 1982: Daphne, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- January 22, 1982: Bruno near East Fremantle, Australia, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- January 28, 1982: Graham, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- January 28, 1982: Graham, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- February 1, 1982: Graham near Port Hedland, Australia, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- February 3, 1982: Electre near Didy, Madagascar, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- February 5, 1982: Coral, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- February 5, 1982: Electre near Maganja, Mozambique, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- March 6, 1982: Ian, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- March 6, 1982: Ian, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 18, 1982: Justine near Sambava, Madagascar, 75 mph (Category 1)
- March 25, 1982: Justine near Itampolo, Madagascar, 75 mph (Category 1)
- April 7, 1982: Dominic, 75 mph (Category 1)
- April 14, 1982: Dominic, 30 mph (tropical depression)
How 1981–82 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 24th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 25th for hurricane strength (tied with 8 other seasons) and 35th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
1981–82 storm names
The 1981–82 season used 27 names: Alex, Armelle, Amelia, Benedicte, Gyan, Clarissee, Chris, Daphne, Bruno, Errol, Abigail, Hettie, Graham, Electre, Frida, Coral, Gabrielle, Heberte, Harriet, Ian, Isabeau, Isaac, Justine, Bernie, Dominic, Karla, Claudia.
4 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1981–82 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1981–82?
The 1981–82 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 27 named storms, 13 at hurricane strength and 4 major storms, from 31 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 Alex and the last was Claudia.
What was the strongest storm of 1981–82?
Cyclone Chris. It peaked at 140 mph (220 km/h, 120 kt) with a lowest pressure of 898 mb on January 12, 1982. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 117 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 19% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1981–82 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1981 to April 30, 1982. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1981 to June 1982 under the 1981–82 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Claudia, dissipated on May 18, 1982.