2002–03 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 2002 – Apr 30, 2003 · Season ended
The 2002–03 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 31 named storms, 18 at hurricane strength and 11 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 26.7, 13.8 and 7.5. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 281, 130% of the average.
Named storms
31
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
18
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
11
Including 3 Category 5
Accumulated energy
130% of normal
ACE 281 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
2002–03 season at a glance
- Named storms: 31 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 18 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 11, including 3 at Category 5 strength (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 280.9, 130% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 151.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Abaimba, September 6, 2002.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Boura, November 17, 2002.
- First major storm: Zoe, December 27, 2002.
- Last storm to dissipate: Gina, June 9, 2003.
- All systems tracked: 33, including 2 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 2002–03 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abaimba | – | TS | 997 mb | — |
| Atang | – | TS | 991 mb | Lindi, Tanzania |
| Boura | – | C1 | 967 mb | — |
| Yolande | – | TS | 988 mb | — |
| Crystal | – | C2 | 954 mb | — |
| Zoe | – | C5 | 879 mb | — |
| TD 7S | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Delfina | – | TS | 984 mb | Angoche, Mozambique |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 988 mb | Port Hedland, Australia |
| Ebula | – | C1 | 976 mb | — |
| Ami | – | C3 | 944 mb | — |
| Beni | – | C4 | 916 mb | — |
| Fari | – | TS | 984 mb | Nosy Varika, Madagascar |
| Cilla | – | TS | 997 mb | Labasa, Fiji |
| Fiona | – | C3 | 933 mb | — |
| Isha | – | TS | 991 mb | — |
| Dovi | – | C4 | 910 mb | — |
| Gerry | – | C3 | 938 mb | — |
| Hape | – | C2 | 954 mb | — |
| Graham | – | TS | 994 mb | Yes |
| Japhet | – | C4 | 927 mb | Inhassoro, Mozambique |
| Harriet | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Erica | – | C4 | 910 mb | Païta, New Caledonia |
| Kalunde | – | C5 | 898 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Craig | – | TS | 997 mb | Yes |
| Eseta | – | C3 | 952 mb | — |
| Inigo | – | C5 | 898 mb | Aileu, Timor Leste |
| Luma | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| Fili | – | TS | 997 mb | — |
| Manou | – | C1 | 967 mb | — |
| Gina | – | C2 | 954 mb | — |
| Epi | – | TS | 993 mb | — |
- Abaimba: Abaimba formed in the Southern Hemisphere in September 2002 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 5 days.
- Atang: Atang formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It made landfall near Lindi, Tanzania. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Boura: Boura formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2002 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 967 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Yolande: Yolande formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Crystal: Crystal formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2002 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Zoe: Zoe formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2002 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 879 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- TD 7S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2002 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Delfina: Delfina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It made landfall near Angoche, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2003 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It made landfall near Port Hedland, Australia. The system was tracked for 22 days.
- Ebula: Ebula formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2003 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Ami: Ami formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2003 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 944 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Beni: Beni formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2003 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 916 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Fari: Fari formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2003 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It made landfall near Nosy Varika, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Cilla: Cilla formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2003 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It made landfall near Labasa, Fiji. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Fiona: Fiona formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2003 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 933 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Isha: Isha formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2003 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 12 days.
- Dovi: Dovi formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2003 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Gerry: Gerry formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2003 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 938 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Hape: Hape formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2003 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Graham: Graham formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2003 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Japhet: Japhet formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2003 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 927 mb. It made landfall near Inhassoro, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Harriet: Harriet formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2003 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Erica: Erica formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2003 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It made landfall near Païta, New Caledonia. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Kalunde: Kalunde formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2003 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 898 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2003. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Craig: Craig formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2003 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Eseta: Eseta formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2003 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 952 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Inigo: Inigo formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2003 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 898 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Aileu, Timor Leste and last near Karratha, Australia. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Luma: Luma formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2003 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Fili: Fili formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2003 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 3 days.
- Manou: Manou formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 2003 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 967 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Gina: Gina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in June 2003 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Epi: Epi formed in the Southern Hemisphere in June 2003 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 1 day.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2002–03
Cyclone Zoe was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 180 mph (285 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 879 mb, on December 27, 2002. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
No Southern Hemisphere storm since 1980 has peaked higher; 3 others matched it. It produced 10% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2002–03
10 of the season’s 33 systems made landfall, 2 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- November 12, 2002: Atang near Lindi, Tanzania, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 31, 2002: Delfina near Angoche, Mozambique, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- January 5, 2003: Unnamed, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- January 25, 2003: Unnamed near Port Hedland, Australia, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- January 26, 2003: Cilla near Labasa, Fiji, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- January 29, 2003: Fari near Nosy Varika, Madagascar, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- February 28, 2003: Graham, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 2, 2003: Japhet near Inhassoro, Mozambique, 100 mph (Category 2)
- March 10, 2003: Craig, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 11, 2003: Craig, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 12, 2003: Craig, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- March 14, 2003: Erica near Païta, New Caledonia, 115 mph (Category 3)
- March 30, 2003: Inigo near Aileu, Timor Leste, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- April 1, 2003: Inigo near Waingapu, Indonesia, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- April 8, 2003: Inigo near Karratha, Australia, 45 mph (tropical storm)
How 2002–03 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 10th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 3rd for hurricane strength (tied with 1 other season) and 6th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
2002–03 storm names
The 2002–03 season used 30 names: Abaimba, Atang, Boura, Yolande, Crystal, Zoe, Delfina, Ebula, Ami, Beni, Fari, Cilla, Fiona, Isha, Dovi, Gerry, Hape, Graham, Japhet, Harriet, Erica, Kalunde, Craig, Eseta, Inigo, Luma, Fili, Manou, Gina, Epi.
3 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2002–03 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2002–03?
The 2002–03 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 31 named storms, 18 at hurricane strength and 11 major storms, from 33 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 Abaimba and the last was Gina.
What was the strongest storm of 2002–03?
Cyclone Zoe. It peaked at 180 mph (285 km/h, 155 kt) with a lowest pressure of 879 mb on December 27, 2002. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. No Southern Hemisphere storm since 1980 has peaked higher. It produced 10% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2002–03 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 2002 to April 30, 2003. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 2002 to June 2003 under the 2002–03 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Gina, dissipated on June 9, 2003.