1995–96 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season

Nov 1, 1995 – Apr 30, 1996 · Season ended

The 1995–96 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 28 named storms, 16 at hurricane strength and 8 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 243, 112% of the average.

1994–95 season 1996–97 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 2 Category 5

Accumulated energy

112% of normal

ACE 243 vs 1991–2020 avg 217

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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5

1995–96 season at a glance

Named storms: 28 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 16 (average 13.8).
Major, 96 kt+: 8, including 2 at Category 5 strength (average 7.5).
Accumulated cyclone energy: 242.9, 112% of the 217 average.
Named-storm days: 137.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
First named storm: Agnielle, November 17, 1995.
First storm at hurricane strength: Agnielle, November 18, 1995.
First major storm: Agnielle, November 20, 1995.
Last storm to dissipate: Jenna, May 6, 1996.
All systems tracked: 29, 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 1995–96 season

Storm	Dates	Peak	Min pressure	Landfall
Agnielle	Nov 15 – Nov 27	C5	925 mb	—
Emma	Dec 1 – Dec 16	TS	990 mb	—
Frank	Dec 6 – Dec 14	C4	950 mb	Yes
Gertie	Dec 14 – Dec 24	C1	965 mb	Yes
Unnamed	Dec 28 – Dec 31	TS	995 mb	—
Bonita	Dec 31 – Jan 15	C4	920 mb	Vavatenina, Madagascar
Barry	Jan 2 – Jan 9	C1	950 mb	Yes
Coryna	Jan 6 – Jan 12	C1	955 mb	—
Yasi	Jan 15 – Jan 20	TS	987 mb	—
Celeste	Jan 21 – Jan 31	C1	965 mb	—
Isobel	Jan 25 – Feb 1	TS	995 mb	—
Jacob	Jan 25 – Feb 8	C2	955 mb	Yes
TD 12S	Feb 5 – Feb 10	TS	—	—
Dennis	Feb 10 – Feb 20	TS	990 mb	Yes
Doloresse	Feb 11 – Feb 19	C1	977 mb	Soalala, Madagascar
TD 15S	Feb 14 – Feb 17	TS	—	—
Edwige	Feb 18 – Feb 29	C2	945 mb	Sahavato, Madagascar
Flossy	Feb 25 – Mar 6	C4	945 mb	—
Atu	Mar 4 – Mar 18	TS	987 mb	—
Kirsty	Mar 6 – Mar 14	C3	935 mb	Port Hedland, Australia
Ethel	Mar 7 – Mar 17	TS	980 mb	Yes
Zaka	Mar 9 – Mar 11	TS	995 mb	—
Guylianne	Mar 17 – Mar 25	TS	992 mb	—
Beti	Mar 19 – Apr 2	C3	935 mb	Luganville, Vanuatu
Hansella	Apr 2 – Apr 11	C2	962 mb	—
Olivia	Apr 3 – Apr 12	C4	925 mb	Karratha, Australia
Itelle	Apr 6 – Apr 19	C5	925 mb	—
TD 27S	Apr 12 – Apr 19	TD	—	Yes
Jenna	Apr 30 – May 6	TS	984 mb	—

Agnielle: Agnielle formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1995 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Emma: Emma formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1995 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
Frank: Frank formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1995 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Gertie: Gertie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1995 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1995 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 3 days.
Bonita: Bonita formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1995 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 920 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Vavatenina, Madagascar and last near Quelimane, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 15 days.
Barry: Barry formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1996 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Coryna: Coryna formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1996 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 6 days.
Yasi: Yasi formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1996 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 6 days.
Celeste: Celeste formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1996 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Isobel: Isobel formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Jacob: Jacob formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1996 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. The system was tracked for 14 days.
TD 12S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1996 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 5 days.
Dennis: Dennis formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Doloresse: Doloresse formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1996 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 977 mb. It made landfall near Soalala, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 8 days.
TD 15S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1996 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.
Edwige: Edwige formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1996 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Sahavato, Madagascar and last near Mahanoro, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Flossy: Flossy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1996 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Atu: Atu formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1996 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 14 days.
Kirsty: Kirsty formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1996 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 935 mb. It made landfall near Port Hedland, Australia. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Ethel: Ethel formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Zaka: Zaka formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Guylianne: Guylianne formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1996 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 8 days.
Beti: Beti formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1996 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 935 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Luganville, Vanuatu and last near Bourail, New Caledonia. The system was tracked for 15 days.
Hansella: Hansella formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1996 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 962 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Olivia: Olivia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1996 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It made landfall near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Itelle: Itelle formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1996 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
TD 27S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1996 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). The system was tracked for 8 days.
Jenna: Jenna formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.

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

Strongest storm of 1995–96

Cyclone Agnielle was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 175 mph (280 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 925 mb, on November 21, 1995. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

4 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 2 matched it. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

Landfalls in 1995–96

13 of the season’s 29 systems made landfall, 6 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.

December 13, 1995: Frank, 40 mph (tropical storm)
December 20, 1995: Gertie, 70 mph (tropical storm)
January 5, 1996: Barry, 90 mph (Category 1)
January 11, 1996: Bonita near Vavatenina, Madagascar, 125 mph (Category 3)
January 13, 1996: Bonita near Quelimane, Mozambique, 85 mph (Category 1)
January 28, 1996: Jacob, 60 mph (tropical storm)
February 1, 1996: Jacob, 30 mph (tropical depression)
February 15, 1996: Dennis, 40 mph (tropical storm)
February 19, 1996: Doloresse near Soalala, Madagascar, 45 mph (tropical storm)
February 27, 1996: Edwige near Sahavato, Madagascar, 105 mph (Category 2)
February 28, 1996: Edwige near Mahanoro, Madagascar, 50 mph (tropical storm)
March 9, 1996: Ethel, 50 mph (tropical storm)
March 11, 1996: Kirsty near Port Hedland, Australia, 115 mph (Category 3)
March 11, 1996: Ethel, 50 mph (tropical storm)
March 13, 1996: Ethel, 45 mph (tropical storm)
March 24, 1996: Beti near Luganville, Vanuatu, 65 mph (tropical storm)
March 27, 1996: Beti near Bourail, New Caledonia, 120 mph (Category 3)
April 10, 1996: Olivia near Karratha, Australia, 145 mph (Category 4)
April 19, 1996: TD 27S, 30 mph (tropical depression)

How 1995–96 ranks since 1980

The season ranks 20th 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 10th for accumulated cyclone energy.

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

1995–96 storm names

The 1995–96 season used 25 names: Agnielle, Emma, Frank, Gertie, Bonita, Barry, Coryna, Yasi, Celeste, Isobel, Jacob, Dennis, Doloresse, Edwige, Flossy, Atu, Kirsty, Ethel, Zaka, Guylianne, Beti, Hansella, Olivia, Itelle, Jenna.

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

1995–96 season FAQ

How many named storms were there in 1995–96?

The 1995–96 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 28 named storms, 16 at hurricane strength and 8 major storms, from 29 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 Agnielle and the last was Jenna.

What was the strongest storm of 1995–96?

Cyclone Agnielle. It peaked at 175 mph (280 km/h, 150 kt) with a lowest pressure of 925 mb on November 21, 1995. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 4 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

When did the 1995–96 season end?

Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1995 to April 30, 1996. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1995 to June 1996 under the 1995–96 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Jenna, dissipated on May 6, 1996.