1985–86 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 1985 – Apr 30, 1986 · Season ended
The 1985–86 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 32 named storms, 16 at hurricane strength and 5 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 223, 103% of the average.
Named storms
32
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
16
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
5
Avg 7.5 per season
Accumulated energy
103% of normal
ACE 223 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4
1985–86 season at a glance
- Named storms: 32 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 16 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 5 (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 223.1, 103% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 173.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Tropical Storm 1S, September 22, 1985.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Nicholas, December 3, 1985.
- First major storm: Delifina, January 13, 1986.
- Last storm to dissipate: Namu, May 23, 1986.
- All systems tracked: 34, 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 1985–86 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1S | – | TS | — | — |
| Nicholas | – | C1 | 945 mb | — |
| TD 3P | – | TD | — | — |
| Alifredy | – | TS | 997 mb | Morombe, Madagascar |
| Berobia | – | TS | 984 mb | Inhaminga, Mozambique |
| Delifina | – | C3 | 976 mb | — |
| Ophelia | – | TS | 986 mb | — |
| Costa | – | C1 | 976 mb | — |
| TD 8S | – | TS | — | — |
| Hector | – | TS | 982 mb | Yes |
| Pancho | – | C1 | 976 mb | — |
| Vernon | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Winifred | – | C2 | 957 mb | Atherton, Australia |
| Erinesta | – | C4 | 927 mb | — |
| Ima | – | C1 | 940 mb | — |
| June | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Filomena | – | TS | 991 mb | — |
| Keli | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Rhonda | – | TS | 968 mb | — |
| Gista | – | C2 | 976 mb | — |
| Selwyn | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Tiffany | – | TS | 984 mb | — |
| Lusi | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Victor | – | C3 | 930 mb | — |
| Alfred | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Honorinina | – | C3 | 941 mb | Toamasina, Madagascar |
| Iarima | – | TS | 991 mb | — |
| Jefotra | – | C3 | 954 mb | — |
| Alison | – | C1 | 974 mb | — |
| Martin | – | C1 | 970 mb | Labasa, Fiji |
| TD 30P | – | TD | — | — |
| Manu | – | C1 | 970 mb | Yes |
| Billy | – | C2 | 950 mb | — |
| Namu | – | C1 | 955 mb | Malango, Solomon Islands |
- TD 1S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in September 1985 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 8 days.
- Nicholas: Nicholas formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- TD 3P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1985 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 5 days.
- Alifredy: Alifredy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It made landfall near Morombe, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Berobia: Berobia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 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 Inhaminga, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Delifina: Delifina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Ophelia: Ophelia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 986 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Costa: Costa formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- TD 8S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 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.
- Hector: Hector formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mb. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Pancho: Pancho formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 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 4 days.
- Vernon: Vernon formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 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 4 days.
- Winifred: Winifred formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 957 mb. It made landfall near Atherton, Australia. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Erinesta: Erinesta formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1986 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 927 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Ima: Ima formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1986 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- June: June formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1986 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 5 days.
- Filomena: Filomena formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1986 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Keli: Keli formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1986 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 7 days.
- Rhonda: Rhonda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1986 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 968 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Gista: Gista formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1986 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Selwyn: Selwyn formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1986 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 5 days.
- Tiffany: Tiffany formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1986 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Lusi: Lusi formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1986 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 10 days.
- Victor: Victor formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1986 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Alfred: Alfred formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1986 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.
- Honorinina: Honorinina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1986 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 made landfall near Toamasina, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Iarima: Iarima formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1986 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.
- Jefotra: Jefotra formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1986 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Alison: Alison formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1986 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 974 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Martin: Martin formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1986 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made landfall near Labasa, Fiji. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 30P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1986 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 2 days.
- Manu: Manu formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1986 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Billy: Billy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 1986 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Namu: Namu formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 1986 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 made landfall near Malango, Solomon Islands. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1985–86
Cyclone Erinesta was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 130 mph (215 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 927 mb, on February 4, 1986. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
152 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 52 matched it. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1985–86
8 of the season’s 34 systems made landfall, 3 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- December 24, 1985: Alifredy near Morombe, Madagascar, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- January 9, 1986: Berobia near Inhaminga, Mozambique, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- January 19, 1986: Hector, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 22, 1986: Hector, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- February 1, 1986: Winifred near Atherton, Australia, 100 mph (Category 2)
- March 15, 1986: Honorinina near Toamasina, Madagascar, 85 mph (Category 1)
- April 12, 1986: Martin near Labasa, Fiji, 85 mph (Category 1)
- April 26, 1986: Manu, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- May 18, 1986: Namu near Malango, Solomon Islands, 65 mph (tropical storm)
How 1985–86 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 8th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 1 other season), 7th for hurricane strength (tied with 5 other seasons) and 17th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
1985–86 storm names
The 1985–86 season used 30 names: Nicholas, Alifredy, Berobia, Delifina, Ophelia, Costa, Hector, Pancho, Vernon, Winifred, Erinesta, Ima, June, Filomena, Keli, Rhonda, Gista, Selwyn, Tiffany, Lusi, Victor, Alfred, Honorinina, Iarima, Jefotra, Alison, Martin, Manu, Billy, Namu.
4 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1985–86 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1985–86?
The 1985–86 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 32 named storms, 16 at hurricane strength and 5 major storms, from 34 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 Namu.
What was the strongest storm of 1985–86?
Cyclone Erinesta. It peaked at 130 mph (215 km/h, 115 kt) with a lowest pressure of 927 mb on February 4, 1986. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 152 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1985–86 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1985 to April 30, 1986. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1985 to June 1986 under the 1985–86 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Namu, dissipated on May 23, 1986.