1983–84 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 1983 – Apr 30, 1984 · Season ended
The 1983–84 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 34 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 214, 99% of the average.
Named storms
34
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
99% of normal
ACE 214 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4
1983–84 season at a glance
- Named storms: 34 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 13 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 4 (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 214.4, 99% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 169.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Tropical Storm 1S, July 12, 1983.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Oscar, October 27, 1983.
- First major storm: Andry, December 8, 1983.
- Last storm to dissipate: Kamisy, April 16, 1984.
- All systems tracked: 36, including 2 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 1983–84 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1S | – | TS | — | — |
| Oscar | – | C1 | 968 mb | — |
| Pearl | – | TS | 998 mb | — |
| TD 5S | – | TS | — | — |
| Quenton | – | C1 | 955 mb | Yes |
| Andry | – | C4 | 927 mb | Soalala, Madagascar |
| Fritz | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Esther | – | TS | 990 mb | Viqueque, Timor Leste |
| Bakoly | – | C2 | 927 mb | — |
| Sharon | – | TD | — | — |
| Atu | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Tim | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Caboto | – | TS | 991 mb | Morondava, Madagascar |
| Grace | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| Domoina | – | TS | 976 mb | Vatomandry, Madagascar |
| Edoara | – | TS | 991 mb | — |
| Fanja | – | C1 | 975 mb | — |
| Galy | – | TS | 991 mb | Vohimanitra, Madagascar |
| Beti | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| Willy | – | TS | 960 mb | — |
| Annette | – | C3 | 927 mb | — |
| Harvey | – | TS | 980 mb | Bourail, New Caledonia |
| Haja | – | TS | 976 mb | — |
| Imboa | – | TS | 976 mb | — |
| Bobby | – | C2 | 950 mb | — |
| Ingrid | – | TS | 975 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Chloe | – | C1 | 955 mb | Karratha, Australia |
| Ferdinand | – | TD | 980 mb | Yes |
| Jim | – | TS | 970 mb | Yes |
| Daryl | – | C1 | 955 mb | — |
| Cyril | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Kathy | – | C4 | 920 mb | Yes |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Lance | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Kamisy | – | C3 | 927 mb | Antsiranana, Madagascar |
- TD 1S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in July 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Oscar: Oscar formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 1983 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 968 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Pearl: Pearl formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 5S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1983 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 6 days.
- Quenton: Quenton formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1983 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Andry: Andry formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1983 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 927 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Soalala, Madagascar and last near Farafangana, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Fritz: Fritz formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Esther: Esther formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made landfall near Viqueque, Timor Leste. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Bakoly: Bakoly formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1983 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 927 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Sharon: Sharon formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1983. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Atu: Atu formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Tim: Tim formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Caboto: Caboto formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It made landfall near Morondava, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Grace: Grace formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1984 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 10 days.
- Domoina: Domoina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Vatomandry, Madagascar and last near Morrumbene, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Edoara: Edoara formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1984 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 7 days.
- Fanja: Fanja formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1984 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Galy: Galy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It made landfall near Vohimanitra, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Beti: Beti formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 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 6 days.
- Willy: Willy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Annette: Annette formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 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 20 days.
- Harvey: Harvey formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 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 Bourail, New Caledonia. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Haja: Haja formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Imboa: Imboa formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Bobby: Bobby formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Ingrid: Ingrid formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Chloe: Chloe formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1984 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made landfall near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Ferdinand: Ferdinand formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1984. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Jim: Jim formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Daryl: Daryl formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1984 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Cyril: Cyril formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Kathy: Kathy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1984 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 920 mb. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Lance: Lance formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Kamisy: Kamisy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1984 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Antsiranana, Madagascar and last near Mahajanga, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1983–84
Cyclone Andry was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 150 mph (240 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 927 mb, on December 10, 1983. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
55 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 22 matched it. It produced 12% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1983–84
12 of the season’s 36 systems made landfall, 6 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- November 29, 1983: Quenton, 80 mph (Category 1)
- December 12, 1983: Andry near Soalala, Madagascar, 95 mph (Category 2)
- December 16, 1983: Andry near Farafangana, Madagascar, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 21, 1983: Esther near Viqueque, Timor Leste, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 6, 1984: Caboto near Morondava, Madagascar, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- January 22, 1984: Domoina near Vatomandry, Madagascar, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 28, 1984: Domoina near Morrumbene, Mozambique, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- February 2, 1984: Galy near Vohimanitra, Madagascar, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- February 10, 1984: Harvey near Bourail, New Caledonia, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- February 29, 1984: Chloe near Karratha, Australia, 85 mph (Category 1)
- March 4, 1984: Ferdinand, 80 mph (Category 1)
- March 8, 1984: Jim, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- March 9, 1984: Jim, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- March 9, 1984: Jim, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- March 19, 1984: Kathy, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- March 22, 1984: Kathy, 135 mph (Category 4)
- April 9, 1984: Kamisy near Antsiranana, Madagascar, 110 mph (Category 2)
- April 12, 1984: Kamisy near Mahajanga, Madagascar, 80 mph (Category 1)
How 1983–84 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 4th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms, 25th for hurricane strength (tied with 8 other seasons) and 21st for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
1983–84 storm names
The 1983–84 season used 32 names: Oscar, Pearl, Quenton, Andry, Fritz, Esther, Bakoly, Sharon, Atu, Tim, Caboto, Grace, Domoina, Edoara, Fanja, Galy, Beti, Willy, Annette, Harvey, Haja, Imboa, Bobby, Ingrid, Chloe, Ferdinand, Jim, Daryl, Cyril, Kathy, Lance, Kamisy.
4 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1983–84 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1983–84?
The 1983–84 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 34 named storms, 13 at hurricane strength and 4 major storms, from 36 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 Tropical Storm 1S and the last was Lance.
What was the strongest storm of 1983–84?
Cyclone Andry. It peaked at 150 mph (240 km/h, 130 kt) with a lowest pressure of 927 mb on December 10, 1983. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 55 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 12% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1983–84 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1983 to April 30, 1984. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1983 to June 1984 under the 1983–84 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Kamisy, dissipated on April 16, 1984.