2007–08 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season

Nov 1, 2007 – Apr 30, 2008 · Season ended

The 2007–08 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 28 named storms, 14 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 206, 95% of the average.

2006–07 season 2008–09 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

95% of normal

ACE 206 vs 1991–2020 avg 217

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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4

2007–08 season at a glance

Named storms: 28 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 14 (average 13.8).
Major, 96 kt+: 8 (average 7.5).
Accumulated cyclone energy: 205.6, 95% of the 217 average.
Named-storm days: 136.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
First named storm: Tropical Storm 1S, July 29, 2007.
First storm at hurricane strength: Guba, November 16, 2007.
First major storm: Daman, December 6, 2007.
Last storm to dissipate: Durga, April 26, 2008.
All systems tracked: 29, 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 2007–08 season

Storm	Dates	Peak	Min pressure	Landfall
TD 1S	Jul 26 – Aug 1	TS	993 mb	—
Ariel	Nov 11 – Nov 28	TS	978 mb	—
Guba	Nov 13 – Nov 19	C1	967 mb	—
Bongwe	Nov 17 – Nov 28	C1	974 mb	—
Daman	Dec 3 – Dec 10	C3	941 mb	—
Celina	Dec 11 – Dec 23	TS	993 mb	—
Dama	Dec 17 – Dec 24	TS	985 mb	—
Melanie	Dec 26 – Jan 2	TS	978 mb	—
Elnus	Dec 29 – Jan 5	TS	993 mb	—
Helen	Dec 30 – Jan 7	TS	985 mb	Darwin, Australia
Elisa	Jan 7 – Jan 11	TS	985 mb	—
Funa	Jan 15 – Jan 21	C3	944 mb	Luganville, Vanuatu
Fame	Jan 22 – Feb 1	C2	959 mb	Besalampy, Madagascar
Gula	Jan 25 – Feb 3	C2	956 mb	—
Gene	Jan 26 – Feb 9	C3	948 mb	Labasa, Fiji
Hondo	Feb 2 – Feb 29	C4	926 mb	Le Tampon, Reunion
TD 17S	Feb 3 – Feb 11	TS	993 mb	—
Ivan	Feb 5 – Feb 27	C4	929 mb	Ambodimanga II, Madagascar
Nicholas	Feb 10 – Feb 20	C1	963 mb	Yes
Ophelia	Feb 26 – Mar 7	C1	974 mb	Yes
TD 20P	Feb 28 – Mar 1	TS	996 mb	—
Jokwe	Mar 2 – Mar 16	C3	941 mb	Antsiranana, Madagascar
Kamba	Mar 5 – Mar 14	C4	937 mb	—
Lola	Mar 18 – Mar 31	TS	996 mb	—
TD 24P	Mar 20 – Mar 26	TS	996 mb	—
Pancho	Mar 23 – Mar 30	C3	948 mb	—
TD 27P	Apr 17 – Apr 19	TD	1000 mb	—
Durga	Apr 20 – Apr 26	TS	993 mb	—
Rosie	Apr 20 – Apr 24	TS	985 mb	—

TD 1S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in July 2007 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Ariel: Ariel formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2007 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 978 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 17 days.
Guba: Guba formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2007 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 7 days.
Bongwe: Bongwe formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2007 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 11 days.
Daman: Daman formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2007 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Celina: Celina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2007 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Dama: Dama formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2007 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 7 days.
Melanie: Melanie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2007 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 978 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Elnus: Elnus formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2007 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Helen: Helen formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2007 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 landfall near Darwin, Australia. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Elisa: Elisa formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2008 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 4 days.
Funa: Funa formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2008 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 944 mb. It made landfall near Luganville, Vanuatu. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Fame: Fame formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2008 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 959 mb. It made landfall near Besalampy, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Gula: Gula formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2008 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 956 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Gene: Gene formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2008 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 948 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Labasa, Fiji and last near Vaileka, Fiji. The system was tracked for 14 days.
Hondo: Hondo formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2008 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 926 mb. It made landfall near Le Tampon, Reunion. The system was tracked for 27 days.
TD 17S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Ivan: Ivan formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2008 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 929 mb. It made landfall near Ambodimanga II, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 22 days.
Nicholas: Nicholas formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2008 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 963 mb. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Ophelia: Ophelia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2008 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 974 mb. The system was tracked for 10 days.
TD 20P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Jokwe: Jokwe formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2008 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Antsiranana, Madagascar and last near Angoche, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 14 days.
Kamba: Kamba formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2008 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 937 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Lola: Lola formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
TD 24P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Pancho: Pancho formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2008 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 948 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
TD 27P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2008 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 2 days.
Durga: Durga formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Rosie: Rosie formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2008 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 4 days.

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

Strongest storm of 2007–08

Cyclone Hondo was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 150 mph (240 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 926 mb, on February 7, 2008. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

55 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 22 matched it. It produced 14% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

Landfalls in 2007–08

9 of the season’s 29 systems made landfall, 3 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.

January 4, 2008: Helen near Darwin, Australia, 55 mph (tropical storm)
January 6, 2008: Helen, 30 mph (tropical depression)
January 16, 2008: Funa near Luganville, Vanuatu, 60 mph (tropical storm)
January 27, 2008: Fame near Besalampy, Madagascar, 85 mph (Category 1)
January 27, 2008: Gene near Labasa, Fiji, 45 mph (tropical storm)
January 28, 2008: Gene near Vaileka, Fiji, 50 mph (tropical storm)
February 17, 2008: Ivan near Ambodimanga II, Madagascar, 105 mph (Category 2)
February 20, 2008: Nicholas, 45 mph (tropical storm)
February 23, 2008: Hondo near Le Tampon, Reunion, 45 mph (tropical storm)
February 28, 2008: Ophelia, 30 mph (tropical depression)
March 6, 2008: Jokwe near Antsiranana, Madagascar, 65 mph (tropical storm)
March 8, 2008: Jokwe near Angoche, Mozambique, 105 mph (Category 2)

How 2007–08 ranks since 1980

The season ranks 20th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 3 other seasons), 21st for hurricane strength (tied with 3 other seasons) and 26th for accumulated cyclone energy.

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

2007–08 storm names

The 2007–08 season used 24 names: Ariel, Guba, Bongwe, Daman, Celina, Dama, Melanie, Elnus, Helen, Elisa, Funa, Fame, Gula, Gene, Hondo, Ivan, Nicholas, Ophelia, Jokwe, Kamba, Lola, Pancho, Durga, Rosie.

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

2007–08 season FAQ

How many named storms were there in 2007–08?

The 2007–08 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 28 named storms, 14 at hurricane strength and 8 major storms, from 29 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 Durga.

What was the strongest storm of 2007–08?

Cyclone Hondo. It peaked at 150 mph (240 km/h, 130 kt) with a lowest pressure of 926 mb on February 7, 2008. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 55 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 14% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

When did the 2007–08 season end?

Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 2007 to June 2008 under the 2007–08 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Durga, dissipated on April 26, 2008.