1998–99 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 1998 – Apr 30, 1999 · Season ended
The 1998–99 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 33 named storms, 14 at hurricane strength and 7 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 227, 105% of the average.
Named storms
33
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
14
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
7
Including 1 Category 5
Accumulated energy
105% of normal
ACE 227 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1998–99 season at a glance
- Named storms: 33 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 14 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 7, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 227.4, 105% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 143.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Tropical Storm 1S, July 22, 1998.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Alison, November 9, 1998.
- First major storm: Thelma, December 7, 1998.
- Last storm to dissipate: Cyclone Unnamed, May 27, 1999.
- All systems tracked: 36, including 3 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 1998–99 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1S | – | TS | — | — |
| TD 2S | – | TS | — | — |
| Zelia | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Alison | – | C1 | 955 mb | — |
| Thelma | – | C4 | 920 mb | Port Hedland, Australia |
| Billy | – | C1 | 965 mb | Yes |
| TD 7P | – | TS | — | — |
| Cora | – | C2 | 960 mb | — |
| TD 8P | – | TS | — | — |
| Cathy | – | TS | 991 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Dani | – | C4 | 925 mb | Luganville, Vanuatu |
| Alda | – | C1 | 975 mb | — |
| Olinda | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Birenda | – | C1 | 950 mb | — |
| Pete | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| TD 16P | – | TS | — | — |
| Chikita | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| TD 18S | – | TS | — | — |
| Ella | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Rona | – | TS | 970 mb | Mareeba, Australia |
| TD 21S | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Frank | – | C2 | 955 mb | Poindimié, New Caledonia |
| TD 23S | – | TD | — | — |
| Gita | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Davina | – | C3 | 930 mb | — |
| TD 26S | – | TS | — | — |
| Hali | – | TS | 970 mb | — |
| TD 29S | – | TS | 995 mb | — |
| Vance | – | C4 | 910 mb | Palmerston, Australia |
| Elaine | – | C3 | 945 mb | Geraldton, Australia |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Evrina | – | C5 | 920 mb | — |
| Gwenda | – | C4 | 900 mb | Port Hedland, Australia |
| Hamish | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | C1 | 972 mb | — |
- TD 1S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in July 1998 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 7 days.
- TD 2S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in September 1998 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.
- Zelia: Zelia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in October 1998 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 5 days.
- Alison: Alison formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 1998 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Thelma: Thelma formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1998 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 landfall near Port Hedland, Australia. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Billy: Billy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1998 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 7P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1998 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.
- Cora: Cora formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1998 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 8P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Cathy: Cathy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1999. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Dani: Dani formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1999 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It made landfall near Luganville, Vanuatu. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Alda: Alda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1999 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 5 days.
- Olinda: Olinda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1999 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 7 days.
- Birenda: Birenda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1999 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Pete: Pete formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1999 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 9 days.
- TD 16P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1999 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.
- Chikita: Chikita formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 1999 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 7 days.
- TD 18S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1999 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 10 days.
- Ella: Ella formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1999 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 7 days.
- Rona: Rona formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made landfall near Mareeba, Australia. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 21S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Frank: Frank formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1999 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Poindimié, New Caledonia and last near Bourail, New Caledonia. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 23S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1999 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 5 days.
- Gita: Gita formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 1999 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 6 days.
- Davina: Davina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1999 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- TD 26S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1999 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 8 days.
- Hali: Hali formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 29S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1999 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 9 days.
- Vance: Vance formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1999 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It made landfall near Palmerston, Australia. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Elaine: Elaine formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1999 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 made landfall near Geraldton, Australia. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1999. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Evrina: Evrina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 1999 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Gwenda: Gwenda formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1999 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 900 mb. It made landfall near Port Hedland, Australia. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Hamish: Hamish formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 1999 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 972 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 1998–99
Cyclone Evrina was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 920 mb, on March 31, 1999. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
11 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 25 matched it. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1998–99
8 of the season’s 36 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 6, 1998: Billy, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- December 11, 1998: Thelma, 130 mph (Category 4)
- December 14, 1998: Thelma near Port Hedland, Australia, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 19, 1999: Dani near Luganville, Vanuatu, 105 mph (Category 2)
- February 11, 1999: Rona near Mareeba, Australia, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- February 19, 1999: Frank, 80 mph (Category 1)
- February 20, 1999: Frank near Poindimié, New Caledonia, 110 mph (Category 2)
- February 20, 1999: Frank near Bourail, New Caledonia, 105 mph (Category 2)
- March 16, 1999: Vance near Palmerston, Australia, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- March 20, 1999: Elaine near Geraldton, Australia, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- March 22, 1999: Vance, 120 mph (Category 3)
- April 7, 1999: Gwenda near Port Hedland, Australia, 85 mph (Category 1)
How 1998–99 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 5th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 21st for hurricane strength (tied with 3 other seasons) and 15th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
1998–99 storm names
The 1998–99 season used 23 names: Zelia, Alison, Thelma, Billy, Cora, Cathy, Dani, Alda, Olinda, Birenda, Pete, Chikita, Ella, Rona, Frank, Gita, Davina, Hali, Vance, Elaine, Evrina, Gwenda, Hamish.
13 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1998–99 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1998–99?
The 1998–99 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 33 named storms, 14 at hurricane strength and 7 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 Cyclone Unnamed.
What was the strongest storm of 1998–99?
Cyclone Evrina. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 920 mb on March 31, 1999. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1998–99 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1998 to April 30, 1999. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1998 to June 1999 under the 1998–99 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Cyclone Unnamed, dissipated on May 27, 1999.