1984–85 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 1984 – Apr 30, 1985 · Season ended
The 1984–85 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 37 named storms, 15 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 224, 103% of the average.
Named storms
37
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
15
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
7
Avg 7.5 per season
Accumulated energy
103% of normal
ACE 224 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTSC1C3C4
1984–85 season at a glance
- Named storms: 37 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 15 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 7 (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 223.7, 103% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 186.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Tropical Storm 1S, November 10, 1984.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Frank, December 24, 1984.
- First major storm: Eric, January 17, 1985.
- Last storm to dissipate: Margot, April 25, 1985.
- All systems tracked: 37, every one of which reached 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 1984–85 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1S | – | TS | — | — |
| Anety | – | TS | 1003 mb | Ambodivoara, Madagascar |
| Bobalahy | – | TS | 984 mb | — |
| Emma | – | TS | 967 mb | Karratha, Australia |
| TD 4S | – | TS | — | Yes |
| Frank | – | C1 | 950 mb | Port Hedland, Australia |
| Monica | – | C1 | 982 mb | — |
| TD 7P | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| TD 8P | – | TS | — | — |
| Drena | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Celestina | – | C1 | 976 mb | — |
| Eric | – | C3 | 955 mb | Luganville, Vanuatu |
| TD 12S | – | TS | — | — |
| Nigel | – | C3 | 955 mb | — |
| Odette | – | C3 | 930 mb | — |
| Freda | – | C1 | 955 mb | — |
| Ditra | – | C1 | 966 mb | — |
| Gertie | – | TS | 973 mb | Broome, Australia |
| TD 18P | – | TS | — | Yes |
| Esitera | – | TS | 984 mb | Toamasina, Madagascar |
| Hubert | – | TS | 954 mb | Yes |
| Isobel | – | TS | 960 mb | — |
| Gerimena | – | C1 | 984 mb | — |
| Feliksa | – | TS | 976 mb | Hell-Ville, Madagascar |
| Jacob | – | C1 | 950 mb | — |
| Pierre | – | TS | 986 mb | Yeppoon, Australia |
| TD 25S | – | TS | — | — |
| Rebecca | – | TS | 994 mb | Yes |
| Kirsty | – | C4 | 920 mb | — |
| Gavin | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Lindsay | – | TS | 950 mb | Broome, Australia |
| Hina | – | C4 | 910 mb | — |
| Sandy | – | C4 | 953 mb | Yes |
| Tanya | – | TS | 982 mb | Yes |
| Helisaonina | – | C3 | 941 mb | — |
| Margot | – | C1 | 942 mb | — |
| Gretel | – | TS | 984 mb | Darwin, Australia |
- TD 1S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1984 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 8 days.
- Anety: Anety formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1003 mb. It made landfall near Ambodivoara, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Bobalahy: Bobalahy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Emma: Emma formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 967 mb. It made landfall near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 4S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Frank: Frank formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1984 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made landfall near Port Hedland, Australia. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Monica: Monica formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1984 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 7P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- TD 8P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1984 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 4 days.
- Drena: Drena formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1985 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 7 days.
- Celestina: Celestina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Eric: Eric formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1985 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Luganville, Vanuatu and last near Lami, Fiji. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 12S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1985 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 6 days.
- Nigel: Nigel formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1985 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Odette: Odette formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1985 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 5 days.
- Freda: Freda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Ditra: Ditra formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 966 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Gertie: Gertie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 973 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Broome, Australia and last near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 18P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Esitera: Esitera formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It made landfall near Toamasina, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Hubert: Hubert formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Isobel: Isobel formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Gerimena: Gerimena formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 21 days.
- Feliksa: Feliksa formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It made landfall near Hell-Ville, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Jacob: Jacob formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Pierre: Pierre formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 986 mb. It made landfall near Yeppoon, Australia. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 25S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 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 3 days.
- Rebecca: Rebecca formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Kirsty: Kirsty formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1985 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 920 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Gavin: Gavin formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Lindsay: Lindsay formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made landfall near Broome, Australia. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Hina: Hina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1985 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Sandy: Sandy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1985 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 953 mb. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Tanya: Tanya formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mb. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Helisaonina: Helisaonina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1985 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Margot: Margot formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 942 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Gretel: Gretel formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1985 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 landfall near Darwin, Australia. The system was tracked for 3 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1984–85
Cyclone Hina was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 155 mph (250 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 910 mb, on March 16, 1985. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
39 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 13 matched it. It produced 9% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1984–85
16 of the season’s 37 systems made landfall, 2 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- November 20, 1984: Anety near Ambodivoara, Madagascar, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 9, 1984: TD 4S, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- December 10, 1984: TD 4S, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 10, 1984: TD 4S, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 10, 1984: TD 4S, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 12, 1984: Emma near Karratha, Australia, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- December 22, 1984: Frank, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- December 27, 1984: Frank near Port Hedland, Australia, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- January 15, 1985: Eric near Luganville, Vanuatu, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- January 17, 1985: Eric near Lami, Fiji, 115 mph (Category 3)
- January 28, 1985: Gertie near Broome, Australia, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- January 31, 1985: Gertie near Karratha, Australia, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- February 6, 1985: TD 18P, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- February 10, 1985: Esitera near Toamasina, Madagascar, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- February 11, 1985: Hubert, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- February 18, 1985: Feliksa near Hell-Ville, Madagascar, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- February 21, 1985: Pierre near Yeppoon, Australia, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- February 22, 1985: Rebecca, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 9, 1985: Lindsay near Broome, Australia, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- March 24, 1985: Sandy, 75 mph (Category 1)
- April 1, 1985: Tanya, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- April 4, 1985: Tanya, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- April 12, 1985: Gretel, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- April 13, 1985: Gretel near Darwin, Australia, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- April 13, 1985: Gretel, 45 mph (tropical storm)
How 1984–85 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 1st of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 1 other season), 13th for hurricane strength (tied with 7 other seasons) and 16th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
1984–85 storm names
The 1984–85 season used 30 names: Anety, Bobalahy, Emma, Frank, Monica, Drena, Celestina, Eric, Nigel, Odette, Freda, Ditra, Gertie, Esitera, Hubert, Isobel, Gerimena, Feliksa, Jacob, Pierre, Rebecca, Kirsty, Gavin, Lindsay, Hina, Sandy, Tanya, Helisaonina, Margot, Gretel.
7 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1984–85 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1984–85?
The 1984–85 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 37 named storms, 15 at hurricane strength and 7 major storms, from 37 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 Gretel.
What was the strongest storm of 1984–85?
Cyclone Hina. It peaked at 155 mph (250 km/h, 135 kt) with a lowest pressure of 910 mb on March 16, 1985. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 39 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 9% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1984–85 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1984 to April 30, 1985. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1984 to June 1985 under the 1984–85 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Margot, dissipated on April 25, 1985.