2000–01 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season

Nov 1, 2000 – Apr 30, 2001 · Season ended

The 2000–01 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 24 named storms, 11 at hurricane strength and 5 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 142, 65% of the average.

1999–00 season 2001–02 season All Southern Hemisphere seasons

Named storms

Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)

Hurricane strength

64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8

Major (Cat 3+)

Avg 7.5 per season

Accumulated energy

65% of normal

ACE 142 vs 1991–2020 avg 217

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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4

2000–01 season at a glance

Named storms: 24 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 11 (average 13.8).
Major, 96 kt+: 5 (average 7.5).
Accumulated cyclone energy: 141.8, 65% of the 217 average.
Named-storm days: 94.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
First named storm: Tropical Storm 1S, August 1, 2000.
First storm at hurricane strength: Sam, December 7, 2000.
First major storm: Sam, December 7, 2000.
Last storm to dissipate: Cyclone 21S, June 24, 2001.
All systems tracked: 25, 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 2000–01 season

Storm	Dates	Peak	Min pressure	Landfall
TD 1S	Aug 1 – Aug 3	TS	—	—
TD 2S	Nov 10 – Nov 20	TS	—	—
Sam	Nov 28 – Dec 14	C3	935 mb	Yes
Unnamed	Dec 14 – Dec 14	TD	—	—
Ando	Dec 31 – Jan 13	C4	925 mb	—
Bindu	Jan 3 – Jan 22	C3	955 mb	—
Unnamed	Jan 5 – Jan 10	TS	996 mb	Yes
Charly	Jan 17 – Feb 1	C3	930 mb	—
Terri	Jan 27 – Jan 31	TS	975 mb	Port Hedland, Australia
Unnamed	Jan 30 – Feb 6	TS	985 mb	—
Vincent	Feb 7 – Feb 15	TS	980 mb	Yes
Winsome	Feb 8 – Feb 14	TS	981 mb	Yes
Wylva	Feb 14 – Feb 22	TS	988 mb	—
TD 10P	Feb 16 – Feb 19	TS	997 mb	—
Oma	Feb 18 – Feb 24	TS	980 mb	—
Abigail	Feb 23 – Mar 8	TS	970 mb	Mareeba, Australia
Paula	Feb 25 – Mar 8	C3	930 mb	—
Rita	Feb 28 – Mar 6	TS	986 mb	—
Dera	Mar 4 – Mar 13	C2	955 mb	Sadjoavato, Madagascar
Walter	Apr 1 – Apr 8	C2	940 mb	—
TD 16S	Apr 1 – Apr 7	TS	998 mb	—
Evariste	Apr 2 – Apr 8	C1	973 mb	—
Sose	Apr 3 – Apr 12	C1	975 mb	—
Alistair	Apr 15 – Apr 24	C1	975 mb	—
TD 21S	Jun 19 – Jun 24	C1	991 mb	—

TD 1S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in August 2000 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.
TD 2S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2000 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 10 days.
Sam: Sam formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2000 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 935 mb. The system was tracked for 16 days.
Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2000. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
Ando: Ando formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2000 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.
Bindu: Bindu formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2001 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 19 days.
Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2001 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Charly: Charly formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2001 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
Terri: Terri formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2001 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made landfall near Port Hedland, Australia. The system was tracked for 4 days.
Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2001 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Vincent: Vincent formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2001 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Winsome: Winsome formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2001 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 981 mb. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Wylva: Wylva formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2001 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
TD 10P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2001 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
Oma: Oma formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2001 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 6 days.
Abigail: Abigail formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2001 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made landfall near Mareeba, Australia. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Paula: Paula formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2001 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Rita: Rita formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2001 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 986 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Dera: Dera formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2001 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 Sadjoavato, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Walter: Walter formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2001 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 7 days.
TD 16S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2001 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 6 days.
Evariste: Evariste formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2001 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 973 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Sose: Sose formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2001 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 9 days.
Alistair: Alistair formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2001 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 9 days.
TD 21S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in June 2001 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.

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

Strongest storm of 2000–01

Cyclone Ando was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 140 mph (220 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 925 mb, on January 5, 2001. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

117 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 33 matched it. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

Landfalls in 2000–01

7 of the season’s 25 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 4, 2000: Sam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
December 8, 2000: Sam, 115 mph (Category 3)
January 8, 2001: Unnamed, 40 mph (tropical storm)
January 9, 2001: Unnamed, 50 mph (tropical storm)
January 31, 2001: Terri near Port Hedland, Australia, 55 mph (tropical storm)
February 10, 2001: Winsome, 40 mph (tropical depression)
February 11, 2001: Winsome, 45 mph (tropical storm)
February 15, 2001: Vincent, 35 mph (tropical depression)
February 24, 2001: Abigail near Mareeba, Australia, 35 mph (tropical depression)
February 26, 2001: Abigail, 70 mph (tropical storm)
March 6, 2001: Dera near Sadjoavato, Madagascar, 35 mph (tropical depression)

How 2000–01 ranks since 1980

The season ranks 35th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 4 other seasons), 36th for hurricane strength (tied with 3 other seasons) and 44th for accumulated cyclone energy.

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

2000–01 storm names

The 2000–01 season used 17 names: Sam, Ando, Bindu, Charly, Terri, Vincent, Winsome, Wylva, Oma, Abigail, Paula, Rita, Dera, Walter, Evariste, Sose, Alistair.

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

2000–01 season FAQ

How many named storms were there in 2000–01?

The 2000–01 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 24 named storms, 11 at hurricane strength and 5 major storms, from 25 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 21S.

What was the strongest storm of 2000–01?

Cyclone Ando. It peaked at 140 mph (220 km/h, 120 kt) with a lowest pressure of 925 mb on January 5, 2001. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 117 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

When did the 2000–01 season end?

Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 2000 to April 30, 2001. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 2000 to June 2001 under the 2000–01 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Cyclone 21S, dissipated on June 24, 2001.