1997–98 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season

Nov 1, 1997 – Apr 30, 1998 · Season ended

The 1997–98 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 35 named storms, 18 at hurricane strength and 6 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 273, 126% of the average.

1996–97 season 1998–99 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

126% of normal

ACE 273 vs 1991–2020 avg 217

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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5

1997–98 season at a glance

Named storms: 35 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 18 (average 13.8).
Major, 96 kt+: 6, including 2 at Category 5 strength (average 7.5).
Accumulated cyclone energy: 272.8, 126% of the 217 average.
Named-storm days: 184.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
First named storm: Tropical Storm 1S, July 19, 1997.
First storm at hurricane strength: Martin, November 1, 1997.
First major storm: Martin, November 3, 1997.
Last storm to dissipate: Bart, May 3, 1998.
All systems tracked: 36, 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 1997–98 season

Storm	Dates	Peak	Min pressure	Landfall
TD 1S	Jul 18 – Jul 25	TS	995 mb	—
Lusi	Oct 4 – Oct 13	TS	980 mb	—
TD 3P	Oct 24 – Oct 28	TS	—	—
Martin	Oct 28 – Nov 8	C3	945 mb	—
Nute	Nov 15 – Nov 21	C1	975 mb	—
Osea	Nov 21 – Nov 28	C2	950 mb	—
Pam	Dec 2 – Dec 14	C1	974 mb	—
Susan	Dec 20 – Jan 10	C5	900 mb	—
Sid	Dec 24 – Dec 29	TS	985 mb	Darwin, Australia
Selwyn	Dec 25 – Jan 3	C1	960 mb	—
Ron	Jan 1 – Jan 9	C5	900 mb	—
Katrina	Jan 1 – Feb 2	C2	940 mb	—
TD 13S	Jan 15 – Jan 23	TS	995 mb	Mozambique, Mozambique
Les	Jan 21 – Feb 2	TS	976 mb	Yes
Tiffany	Jan 22 – Feb 2	C4	940 mb	Yes
Tui	Jan 24 – Jan 27	TS	990 mb	—
Ursula	Jan 29 – Feb 5	C1	975 mb	—
Veli	Jan 30 – Feb 4	C1	980 mb	—
Wes	Jan 31 – Feb 5	TS	985 mb	—
Beltane	Feb 1 – Feb 20	TS	992 mb	—
Cindy	Feb 4 – Feb 18	C2	970 mb	—
Anacelle	Feb 5 – Feb 14	C4	950 mb	—
TD 24S	Feb 15 – Feb 19	TS	997 mb	—
May	Feb 24 – Feb 28	TS	990 mb	Yes
Donaline	Mar 4 – Mar 12	TS	988 mb	—
Elsie	Mar 4 – Mar 20	C2	975 mb	—
Fiona	Mar 13 – Mar 21	TS	995 mb	—
Yali	Mar 17 – Mar 31	C2	944 mb	—
Nathan	Mar 19 – Mar 31	C1	990 mb	—
Zuman	Mar 28 – Apr 10	C3	955 mb	Luganville, Vanuatu
Gemma	Apr 6 – Apr 16	C1	985 mb	—
TD 33S	Apr 6 – Apr 7	TD	—	—
TD 35P	Apr 16 – Apr 19	TS	—	Yes
TD 34S	Apr 17 – Apr 22	TS	—	—
Alan	Apr 18 – Apr 26	TS	995 mb	—
Bart	Apr 29 – May 3	TS	987 mb	—

TD 1S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in July 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 7 days.
Lusi: Lusi formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 1997 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
TD 3P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 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.
Martin: Martin formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 1997 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Nute: Nute formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Osea: Osea formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Pam: Pam formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 974 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Susan: Susan formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1997 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 900 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 21 days.
Sid: Sid formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1997 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made landfall near Darwin, Australia. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Selwyn: Selwyn formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Ron: Ron formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1998 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 900 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Katrina: Katrina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1998 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 32 days.
TD 13S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Mozambique, Mozambique and last near Beira, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Les: Les formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Tiffany: Tiffany formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1998 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Tui: Tui formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1998 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 3 days.
Ursula: Ursula formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1998 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Veli: Veli formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1998 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Wes: Wes formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1998 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 5 days.
Beltane: Beltane formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 20 days.
Cindy: Cindy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1998 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 14 days.
Anacelle: Anacelle formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1998 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
TD 24S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
May: May formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. The system was tracked for 4 days.
Donaline: Donaline formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Elsie: Elsie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1998 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
Fiona: Fiona formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1998 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 8 days.
Yali: Yali formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1998 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 944 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
Nathan: Nathan formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1998 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Zuman: Zuman formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1998 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made landfall near Luganville, Vanuatu. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Gemma: Gemma formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1998 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
TD 33S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1998 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 1 day.
TD 35P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). The system was tracked for 4 days.
TD 34S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1998 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 6 days.
Alan: Alan formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1998 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 9 days.
Bart: Bart formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.

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

Strongest storm of 1997–98

Cyclone Ron was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 165 mph (270 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 900 mb, on January 5, 1998. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

7 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 3 matched it. It produced 11% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

Landfalls in 1997–98

7 of the season’s 36 systems made landfall, 1 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.

December 25, 1997: Sid near Darwin, Australia, 30 mph (tropical depression)
December 27, 1997: Sid, 45 mph (tropical storm)
December 28, 1997: Sid, 35 mph (tropical depression)
January 17, 1998: TD 13S near Mozambique, Mozambique, 35 mph (tropical depression)
January 19, 1998: TD 13S near Beira, Mozambique, 35 mph (tropical depression)
January 24, 1998: Tiffany, 30 mph (tropical depression)
January 24, 1998: Les, 50 mph (tropical storm)
January 25, 1998: Les, 60 mph (tropical storm)
January 29, 1998: Les, 45 mph (tropical storm)
January 30, 1998: Les, 45 mph (tropical storm)
January 31, 1998: Les, 50 mph (tropical storm)
February 26, 1998: May, 40 mph (tropical storm)
March 31, 1998: Zuman near Luganville, Vanuatu, 115 mph (Category 3)
April 19, 1998: TD 35P, 45 mph (tropical storm)

How 1997–98 ranks since 1980

The season ranks 3rd of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms, 3rd for hurricane strength (tied with 1 other season) and 8th for accumulated cyclone energy.

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

1997–98 storm names

The 1997–98 season used 29 names: Lusi, Martin, Nute, Osea, Pam, Susan, Sid, Selwyn, Ron, Katrina, Les, Tiffany, Tui, Ursula, Veli, Wes, Beltane, Cindy, Anacelle, May, Donaline, Elsie, Fiona, Yali, Nathan, Zuman, Gemma, Alan, Bart.

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

1997–98 season FAQ

How many named storms were there in 1997–98?

The 1997–98 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 35 named storms, 18 at hurricane strength and 6 major storms, from 36 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 Bart.

What was the strongest storm of 1997–98?

Cyclone Ron. It peaked at 165 mph (270 km/h, 145 kt) with a lowest pressure of 900 mb on January 5, 1998. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 7 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 11% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

When did the 1997–98 season end?

Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1997 to April 30, 1998. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1997 to June 1998 under the 1997–98 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Bart, dissipated on May 3, 1998.