1996–97 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 1996 – Apr 30, 1997 · Season ended
The 1996–97 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 37 named storms, 21 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 364, 168% of the average.
Named storms
37
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
21
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
8
Avg 7.5 per season
Accumulated energy
≈1.7× normal
ACE 364 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTSC1C2C3C4
1996–97 season at a glance
- Named storms: 37 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 21 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 8 (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 364.2, 168% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 247.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Lindsay, July 10, 1996.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Antoinette, October 18, 1996.
- First major storm: Bellamine, November 4, 1996.
- Last storm to dissipate: Keli, June 17, 1997.
- 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 1996–97 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsay | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| TD 2S | – | TS | 995 mb | — |
| TD 3S | – | TS | — | — |
| Antoinette | – | C1 | 965 mb | — |
| Bellamine | – | C4 | 925 mb | — |
| Cyril | – | TS | 987 mb | Yes |
| Chantelle | – | C4 | 915 mb | — |
| Elvina | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Nicholas | – | TS | 985 mb | Yes |
| Ophelia | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Fergus | – | C2 | 955 mb | Gisborne, New Zealand |
| Phil | – | C2 | 975 mb | Yes |
| Fabriola | – | TS | 985 mb | Maroantsetra, Madagascar |
| Rachel | – | C1 | 965 mb | Port Hedland, Australia |
| Drena | – | C4 | 935 mb | — |
| TD 18S | – | TS | 991 mb | — |
| Evan | – | C1 | 965 mb | — |
| Helinda | – | C4 | 915 mb | — |
| Iletta | – | C1 | 975 mb | — |
| Gretelle | – | C4 | 950 mb | Farafangana, Madagascar |
| Freda | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| Josie | – | C2 | 950 mb | Ambilobe, Madagascar |
| Gillian | – | TS | 995 mb | — |
| Karlette | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| Harold | – | TS | 975 mb | — |
| TD 27S | – | TS | — | — |
| Ita | – | TS | 994 mb | Ayr, Australia |
| TD 29P | – | TS | 975 mb | — |
| Lisette | – | C1 | 980 mb | Dondo, Mozambique |
| Gavin | – | C4 | 925 mb | — |
| Justin | – | C2 | 955 mb | Redlynch, Australia |
| Hina | – | C1 | 965 mb | — |
| Ian | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| June | – | C1 | 985 mb | — |
| Rhonda | – | C3 | 935 mb | — |
| TD 37P | – | TS | — | — |
| Keli | – | C4 | 955 mb | — |
- Lindsay: Lindsay formed in the Southern Hemisphere in July 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 2S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in August 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.
- TD 3S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in September 1996 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 7 days.
- Antoinette: Antoinette formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 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 9 days.
- Bellamine: Bellamine formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Cyril: Cyril formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Chantelle: Chantelle formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1996 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 21 days.
- Elvina: Elvina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1996 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 13 days.
- Nicholas: Nicholas formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Ophelia: Ophelia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1996 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 14 days.
- Fergus: Fergus formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 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. It made landfall near Gisborne, New Zealand. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Phil: Phil formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1996 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. The system was tracked for 25 days.
- Fabriola: Fabriola formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Maroantsetra, Madagascar and last near Morombe, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Rachel: Rachel formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1996 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made landfall near Port Hedland, Australia. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Drena: Drena formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1997 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- TD 18S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1997 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 6 days.
- Evan: Evan formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Helinda: Helinda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1997 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 32 days.
- Iletta: Iletta formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Gretelle: Gretelle formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1997 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made landfall near Farafangana, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Freda: Freda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Josie: Josie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1997 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made landfall near Ambilobe, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Gillian: Gillian formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1997 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 5 days.
- Karlette: Karlette formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Harold: Harold formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1997 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 27S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1997 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 10 days.
- Ita: Ita formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1997 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It made landfall near Ayr, Australia. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- TD 29P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1997 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Lisette: Lisette formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Dondo, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Gavin: Gavin formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1997 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Justin: Justin formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1997 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made landfall near Redlynch, Australia. The system was tracked for 26 days.
- Hina: Hina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Ian: Ian formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1997 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 5 days.
- June: June formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1997 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 13 days.
- Rhonda: Rhonda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 1997 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- TD 37P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 1997 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.
- Keli: Keli formed in the Southern Hemisphere in June 1997 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1996–97
Cyclone Helinda was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 145 mph (230 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 915 mb, on January 22, 1997. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
80 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 33 matched it. It produced 12% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1996–97
11 of the season’s 37 systems made landfall, 3 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- November 22, 1996: Cyril, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 14, 1996: Nicholas, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- December 15, 1996: Nicholas, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- December 26, 1996: Phil, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- December 27, 1996: Phil, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- December 30, 1996: Fergus near Gisborne, New Zealand, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- January 1, 1997: Rachel, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- January 4, 1997: Fabriola near Maroantsetra, Madagascar, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- January 5, 1997: Fabriola near Mahajanga, Madagascar, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 7, 1997: Rachel near Port Hedland, Australia, 80 mph (Category 1)
- January 7, 1997: Fabriola near Morombe, Madagascar, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- January 24, 1997: Gretelle near Farafangana, Madagascar, 130 mph (Category 4)
- February 9, 1997: Josie near Ambilobe, Madagascar, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- February 24, 1997: Ita near Ayr, Australia, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 2, 1997: Lisette near Dondo, Mozambique, 80 mph (Category 1)
- March 22, 1997: Justin near Redlynch, Australia, 60 mph (tropical storm)
How 1996–97 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 1st of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 1 other season), 1st for hurricane strength and 1st for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
1996–97 storm names
The 1996–97 season used 31 names: Lindsay, Antoinette, Bellamine, Cyril, Chantelle, Elvina, Nicholas, Ophelia, Fergus, Phil, Fabriola, Rachel, Drena, Evan, Helinda, Iletta, Gretelle, Freda, Josie, Gillian, Karlette, Harold, Ita, Lisette, Gavin, Justin, Hina, Ian, June, Rhonda, Keli.
6 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1996–97 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1996–97?
The 1996–97 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 37 named storms, 21 at hurricane strength and 8 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 Lindsay and the last was Keli.
What was the strongest storm of 1996–97?
Cyclone Helinda. It peaked at 145 mph (230 km/h, 125 kt) with a lowest pressure of 915 mb on January 22, 1997. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 80 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 12% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1996–97 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1996 to April 30, 1997. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1996 to June 1997 under the 1996–97 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Keli, dissipated on June 17, 1997.