1999–00 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 1999 – Apr 30, 2000 · Season ended
The 1999–00 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 29 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 239, 110% of the average.
Named storms
29
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
16
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
8
Avg 7.5 per season
Accumulated energy
110% of normal
ACE 239 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4
1999–00 season at a glance
- Named storms: 29 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 16 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 8 (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 238.7, 110% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 149.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Ilsa, December 11, 1999.
- First storm at hurricane strength: John, December 12, 1999.
- First major storm: John, December 13, 1999.
- Last storm to dissipate: Innocente, April 24, 2000.
- All systems tracked: 30, 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 1999–00 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilsa | – | TS | 980 mb | Yes |
| John | – | C4 | 915 mb | Karratha, Australia |
| Astride | – | C1 | 985 mb | Sadjoavato, Madagascar |
| Babiola | – | C2 | 950 mb | — |
| Iris | – | C1 | 964 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 998 mb | — |
| TD 6S | – | TD | — | — |
| Jo | – | C1 | 972 mb | — |
| Kirrily | – | C2 | 975 mb | — |
| Connie | – | C4 | 930 mb | — |
| Damienne | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Eline | – | C4 | 930 mb | Mahanoro, Madagascar |
| Marcia | – | TS | 995 mb | — |
| Felicia | – | C1 | 975 mb | — |
| Kim | – | C3 | 935 mb | — |
| Steve | – | C1 | 975 mb | Redlynch, Australia |
| Gloria | – | TS | 985 mb | Sambava, Madagascar |
| Norman | – | C4 | 930 mb | — |
| TD 17S | – | TS | 998 mb | — |
| Leo | – | TS | 974 mb | — |
| Mona | – | C1 | 960 mb | — |
| Olga | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Hudah | – | C4 | 905 mb | Andapa, Madagascar |
| Vaughan | – | TS | 975 mb | — |
| Tessi | – | TS | 980 mb | Townsville, Australia |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Paul | – | C4 | 915 mb | — |
| Innocente | – | TS | 993 mb | — |
| Neil | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Rosita | – | C4 | 930 mb | Broome, Australia |
- Ilsa: Ilsa formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- John: John formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1999 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It made landfall near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Astride: Astride formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 1999 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Sadjoavato, Madagascar and last near Namapa-erati, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Babiola: Babiola formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2000 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 11 days.
- Iris: Iris formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2000 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 964 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2000 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 6S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2000 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.
- Jo: Jo formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2000 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 11 days.
- Kirrily: Kirrily formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2000 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Connie: Connie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2000 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 9 days.
- Damienne: Damienne formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2000 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Eline: Eline formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2000 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Mahanoro, Madagascar and last near Búzi, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 28 days.
- Marcia: Marcia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2000 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 4 days.
- Felicia: Felicia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2000 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 8 days.
- Kim: Kim formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2000 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 9 days.
- Steve: Steve formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2000 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Redlynch, Australia and last near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Gloria: Gloria formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2000 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Sambava, Madagascar and last near Inhambane, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Norman: Norman formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2000 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 10 days.
- TD 17S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2000 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Leo: Leo formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2000 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 974 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Mona: Mona formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2000 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Olga: Olga formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2000 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Hudah: Hudah formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2000 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 905 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Andapa, Madagascar and last near Pebane, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Vaughan: Vaughan formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2000 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 9 days.
- Tessi: Tessi formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2000 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Townsville, Australia. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2000 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Paul: Paul formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2000 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Innocente: Innocente formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2000 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Neil: Neil formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2000 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 7 days.
- Rosita: Rosita formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2000 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It made landfall near Broome, Australia. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1999–00
Cyclone John was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 150 mph (240 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 915 mb, on December 14, 1999. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
55 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 22 matched it. It produced 6% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1999–00
9 of the season’s 30 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 15, 1999: John near Karratha, Australia, 150 mph (Category 4)
- December 17, 1999: Ilsa, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- December 31, 1999: Astride near Sadjoavato, Madagascar, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- January 3, 2000: Astride near Namapa-erati, Mozambique, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- February 17, 2000: Eline near Mahanoro, Madagascar, 85 mph (Category 1)
- February 22, 2000: Eline near Búzi, Mozambique, 120 mph (Category 3)
- February 27, 2000: Steve near Redlynch, Australia, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- March 1, 2000: Steve, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 1, 2000: Gloria near Sambava, Madagascar, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- March 6, 2000: Steve near Karratha, Australia, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- March 9, 2000: Gloria near Inhambane, Mozambique, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- March 9, 2000: Steve, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- April 2, 2000: Hudah near Andapa, Madagascar, 125 mph (Category 3)
- April 2, 2000: Tessi near Townsville, Australia, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- April 8, 2000: Hudah near Pebane, Mozambique, 90 mph (Category 1)
- April 19, 2000: Rosita near Broome, Australia, 140 mph (Category 4)
How 1999–00 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 17th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 7th for hurricane strength (tied with 5 other seasons) and 11th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
1999–00 storm names
The 1999–00 season used 26 names: Ilsa, John, Astride, Babiola, Iris, Jo, Kirrily, Connie, Damienne, Eline, Marcia, Felicia, Kim, Steve, Gloria, Norman, Leo, Mona, Olga, Hudah, Vaughan, Tessi, Paul, Innocente, Neil, Rosita.
4 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1999–00 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1999–00?
The 1999–00 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 29 named storms, 16 at hurricane strength and 8 major storms, from 30 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 Ilsa and the last was Rosita.
What was the strongest storm of 1999–00?
Cyclone John. It peaked at 150 mph (240 km/h, 130 kt) with a lowest pressure of 915 mb on December 14, 1999. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 55 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 6% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1999–00 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 1999 to April 30, 2000. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 1999 to June 2000 under the 1999–00 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Innocente, dissipated on April 24, 2000.