1991–92 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season

Nov 1, 1991 – Apr 30, 1992 · Season ended

The 1991–92 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 30 named storms, 16 at hurricane strength and 11 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 340, 157% of the average.

1990–91 season 1992–93 season All Southern Hemisphere seasons

Named storms

Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)

Hurricane strength

64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8

Major (Cat 3+)

Including 1 Category 5

Accumulated energy

≈1.6× normal

ACE 340 vs 1991–2020 avg 217

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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5

1991–92 season at a glance

Named storms: 30 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 16 (average 13.8).
Major, 96 kt+: 11, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 7.5).
Accumulated cyclone energy: 339.5, 157% of the 217 average.
Named-storm days: 168.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
First named storm: Tropical Storm 1S, September 11, 1991.
First storm at hurricane strength: Tia, November 16, 1991.
First major storm: Graham, December 5, 1991.
Last storm to dissipate: Innis, May 6, 1992.
All systems tracked: 32, 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 1991–92 season

Storm	Dates	Peak	Min pressure	Landfall
TD 1S	Sep 10 – Sep 13	TS	—	—
TD 2S	Oct 11 – Oct 22	TS	997 mb	—
Unnamed	Oct 16 – Oct 22	TD	997 mb	—
Tia	Nov 12 – Nov 21	C2	960 mb	—
TD 4S	Nov 20 – Nov 29	TS	991 mb	—
Graham	Dec 1 – Dec 12	C4	915 mb	—
Val	Dec 4 – Dec 17	C4	940 mb	Asau, Samoa
Wasa	Dec 5 – Dec 13	C3	940 mb	—
Arthur	Dec 13 – Dec 18	TS	985 mb	—
Alexandra	Dec 17 – Dec 29	C3	972 mb	—
Bryna	Dec 25 – Jan 10	TS	988 mb	Antalaha, Madagascar
Betsy	Jan 4 – Jan 19	C2	940 mb	Yes
Mark	Jan 6 – Jan 11	TS	980 mb	Yes
TD 13P	Jan 16 – Jan 18	TS	—	—
Cliff	Feb 4 – Feb 11	C1	980 mb	—
Celesta	Feb 8 – Feb 14	TS	985 mb	—
TD 16S	Feb 12 – Feb 14	TD	—	—
Daman	Feb 13 – Feb 23	C2	965 mb	—
Davilia	Feb 16 – Feb 25	TS	988 mb	—
TD 18P	Feb 19 – Feb 21	TS	—	Yeppoon, Australia
Elizabetha	Feb 22 – Feb 26	TS	992 mb	Mahajanga, Madagascar
Farida	Feb 23 – Mar 4	C4	941 mb	—
Ian	Feb 23 – Mar 4	C4	930 mb	Yes
Esau	Feb 24 – Mar 9	C4	925 mb	Poindimié, New Caledonia
Harriet	Feb 24 – Mar 8	C4	930 mb	—
Gerda	Feb 26 – Mar 4	TS	992 mb	—
Fran	Mar 4 – Mar 21	C5	920 mb	Tannum Sands, Australia
Gene	Mar 13 – Mar 19	TS	985 mb	—
Hettie	Mar 23 – Mar 29	TS	987 mb	—
Neville	Apr 4 – Apr 15	C4	945 mb	—
Irna	Apr 5 – Apr 20	C4	915 mb	—
Innis	Apr 27 – May 6	C1	985 mb	—

TD 1S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in September 1991 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.
TD 2S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 1991 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 11 days.
Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 1991 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 6 days.
Tia: Tia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1991 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
TD 4S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1991 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Graham: Graham formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1991 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Val: Val formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1991 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It made landfall near Asau, Samoa. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Wasa: Wasa formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1991 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Arthur: Arthur formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1991 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 5 days.
Alexandra: Alexandra formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1991 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 972 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Bryna: Bryna formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1991 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Antalaha, Madagascar and last near Maintirano, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 16 days.
Betsy: Betsy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1992 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. The system was tracked for 14 days.
Mark: Mark formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. The system was tracked for 5 days.
TD 13P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1992 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 2 days.
Cliff: Cliff formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Celesta: Celesta formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
TD 16S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Daman: Daman formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Davilia: Davilia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 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 18P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). It made landfall near Yeppoon, Australia. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Elizabetha: Elizabetha formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It made landfall near Mahajanga, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 4 days.
Farida: Farida formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Ian: Ian formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Esau: Esau formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 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 2 landfalls, first near Poindimié, New Caledonia and last near Hamilton, New Zealand. The system was tracked for 14 days.
Harriet: Harriet formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Gerda: Gerda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Fran: Fran formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1992 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 920 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Tannum Sands, Australia and last near Point Vernon, Australia. The system was tracked for 17 days.
Gene: Gene formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Hettie: Hettie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Neville: Neville formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1992 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Irna: Irna formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1992 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
Innis: Innis formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1992 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.

Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.

Strongest storm of 1991–92

Cyclone Fran was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 920 mb, on March 8, 1992. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

11 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 25 matched it. It produced 11% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

Landfalls in 1991–92

9 of the season’s 32 systems made landfall, 4 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.

December 7, 1991: Val near Asau, Samoa, 140 mph (Category 4)
January 2, 1992: Bryna near Antalaha, Madagascar, 40 mph (tropical storm)
January 4, 1992: Bryna near Maintirano, Madagascar, 30 mph (tropical depression)
January 9, 1992: Betsy, 105 mph (Category 2)
January 10, 1992: Mark, 65 mph (tropical storm)
February 20, 1992: TD 18P near Yeppoon, Australia, 30 mph (tropical depression)
February 24, 1992: Elizabetha near Mahajanga, Madagascar, 40 mph (tropical storm)
March 2, 1992: Ian, 105 mph (Category 2)
March 4, 1992: Esau near Poindimié, New Caledonia, 90 mph (Category 1)
March 8, 1992: Esau near Hamilton, New Zealand, 40 mph (tropical storm)
March 15, 1992: Fran near Tannum Sands, Australia, 50 mph (tropical storm)
March 16, 1992: Fran near Point Vernon, Australia, 50 mph (tropical storm)

How 1991–92 ranks since 1980

The season ranks 13th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 3 other seasons), 7th for hurricane strength (tied with 5 other seasons) and 2nd for accumulated cyclone energy.

The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.

1991–92 storm names

The 1991–92 season used 25 names: Tia, Graham, Val, Wasa, Arthur, Alexandra, Bryna, Betsy, Mark, Cliff, Celesta, Daman, Davilia, Elizabetha, Farida, Ian, Esau, Harriet, Gerda, Fran, Gene, Hettie, Neville, Irna, Innis.

7 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.

1991–92 season FAQ

How many named storms were there in 1991–92?

The 1991–92 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 30 named storms, 16 at hurricane strength and 11 major storms, from 32 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 Innis.

What was the strongest storm of 1991–92?

Cyclone Fran. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 920 mb on March 8, 1992. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 11% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

When did the 1991–92 season end?

Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1991 to April 30, 1992. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1991 to June 1992 under the 1991–92 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Innis, dissipated on May 6, 1992.