1988–89 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 1988 – Apr 30, 1989 · Season ended
The 1988–89 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 33 named storms, 20 at hurricane strength and 10 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 301, 139% of the average.
Named storms
33
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
20
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
10
Including 1 Category 5
Accumulated energy
139% of normal
ACE 301 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
Loading map…
Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1988–89 season at a glance
- Named storms: 33 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 20 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 10, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 300.6, 139% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 184.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Adelinina, October 31, 1988.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Adelinina, November 2, 1988.
- First major storm: Barisaona, November 16, 1988.
- Last storm to dissipate: Ernie, May 13, 1989.
- All systems tracked: 34, including 1 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 1988–89 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelinina | – | C1 | 991 mb | — |
| Barisaona | – | C3 | 954 mb | — |
| Ilona | – | C2 | 960 mb | Karratha, Australia |
| Eseta | – | C1 | 980 mb | Yes |
| Delilah | – | TS | 975 mb | — |
| Fili | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Gina | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Calasanjy | – | C1 | 954 mb | Belo sur Tsiribihina, Madagascar |
| Dona | – | TD | 997 mb | — |
| Edme | – | C4 | 976 mb | — |
| John | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Firinga | – | C2 | 954 mb | — |
| Kirrily | – | C1 | 955 mb | — |
| Harry | – | C4 | 925 mb | Poindimié, New Caledonia |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Hanitra | – | C4 | 954 mb | — |
| Gizela | – | C1 | 976 mb | — |
| Hinano | – | C2 | 970 mb | — |
| Judy | – | C2 | 965 mb | — |
| Ivy | – | C3 | 960 mb | — |
| TD 16S | – | TS | — | Karratha, Australia |
| Iana | – | TS | 984 mb | — |
| Marcia | – | TS | 995 mb | — |
| TD 18S | – | TS | — | — |
| Jinabo | – | C1 | 966 mb | — |
| Ned | – | C3 | 941 mb | Yes |
| Krisy | – | C3 | 941 mb | — |
| Kerry | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Aivu | – | C4 | 935 mb | Ayr, Australia |
| Lezissy | – | TS | 984 mb | — |
| Lili | – | C3 | 955 mb | Mont-Dore, New Caledonia |
| Orson | – | C5 | 905 mb | Karratha, Australia |
| Meena | – | TS | 990 mb | Yes |
| Ernie | – | TS | 997 mb | — |
- Adelinina: Adelinina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 1988 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Barisaona: Barisaona formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1988 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Ilona: Ilona formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1988 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It made landfall near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Eseta: Eseta formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1988 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Delilah: Delilah formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1988 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 10 days.
- Fili: Fili formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1989 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 6 days.
- Gina: Gina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1989 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 4 days.
- Calasanjy: Calasanjy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1989 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It made landfall near Belo sur Tsiribihina, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Dona: Dona formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1989 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 5 days.
- Edme: Edme formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1989 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- John: John formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1989 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.
- Firinga: Firinga formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1989 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Kirrily: Kirrily formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 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 8 days.
- Harry: Harry formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It made landfall near Poindimié, New Caledonia. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 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.
- Hanitra: Hanitra formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Gizela: Gizela formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 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 8 days.
- Hinano: Hinano formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Judy: Judy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Ivy: Ivy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 16S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). It made landfall near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Iana: Iana formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 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 4 days.
- Marcia: Marcia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 18S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1989 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.
- Jinabo: Jinabo formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1989 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 966 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Ned: Ned formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1989 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Krisy: Krisy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1989 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Kerry: Kerry formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Aivu: Aivu formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1989 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 935 mb. It made landfall near Ayr, Australia. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Lezissy: Lezissy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Lili: Lili formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1989 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made landfall near Mont-Dore, New Caledonia. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Orson: Orson formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1989 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 905 mb. It made landfall near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Meena: Meena formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Ernie: Ernie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 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 1988–89
Cyclone Orson was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 905 mb, on April 22, 1989. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
11 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 25 matched it. It produced 6% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1988–89
10 of the season’s 34 systems made landfall, 5 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- December 17, 1988: Ilona near Karratha, Australia, 85 mph (Category 1)
- December 19, 1988: Eseta, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 14, 1989: Calasanjy near Belo sur Tsiribihina, Madagascar, 80 mph (Category 1)
- February 11, 1989: Harry near Poindimié, New Caledonia, 125 mph (Category 3)
- February 24, 1989: TD 16S near Karratha, Australia, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- April 1, 1989: Ned, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- April 4, 1989: Aivu near Ayr, Australia, 90 mph (Category 1)
- April 10, 1989: Lili near Mont-Dore, New Caledonia, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- April 22, 1989: Orson near Karratha, Australia, 130 mph (Category 4)
- May 2, 1989: Meena, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- May 9, 1989: Meena, 30 mph (tropical depression)
How 1988–89 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 5th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 2nd for hurricane strength and 4th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
1988–89 storm names
The 1988–89 season used 31 names: Adelinina, Barisaona, Ilona, Eseta, Delilah, Fili, Gina, Calasanjy, Dona, Edme, John, Firinga, Kirrily, Harry, Hanitra, Gizela, Hinano, Judy, Ivy, Iana, Marcia, Jinabo, Ned, Krisy, Kerry, Aivu, Lezissy, Lili, Orson, Meena, Ernie.
3 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1988–89 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1988–89?
The 1988–89 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 33 named storms, 20 at hurricane strength and 10 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 Adelinina and the last was Ernie.
What was the strongest storm of 1988–89?
Cyclone Orson. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 905 mb on April 22, 1989. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 6% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1988–89 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1988 to April 30, 1989. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1988 to June 1989 under the 1988–89 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Ernie, dissipated on May 13, 1989.