2020–21 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 2020 – Apr 30, 2021 · Season ended
The 2020–21 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 32 named storms, 12 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 205, 94% of the average.
Named storms
32
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
12
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
5
Including 3 Category 5
Accumulated energy
94% of normal
ACE 205 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
2020–21 season at a glance
- Named storms: 32 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 12 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 5, including 3 at Category 5 strength (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 204.5, 94% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 135.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Alicia, November 13, 2020.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Alicia, November 15, 2020.
- First major storm: Yasa, December 15, 2020.
- Last storm to dissipate: Jobo, April 24, 2021.
- All systems tracked: 33, 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 2020–21 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alicia | – | C1 | 978 mb | — |
| Bongoyo | – | TS | 989 mb | — |
| TD 3S | – | TS | 992 mb | Port Hedland, Australia |
| TD 4P | – | TS | 999 mb | — |
| Yasa | – | C5 | 914 mb | Labasa, Fiji |
| Zazu | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Zazu | – | TD | — | — |
| Chalane | – | C1 | 985 mb | Vavatenina, Madagascar |
| Danilo | – | TS | 984 mb | — |
| Imogen | – | TS | 994 mb | Yes |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 999 mb | — |
| Eloise | – | C2 | 968 mb | Antalaha, Madagascar |
| Joshua | – | TS | 993 mb | — |
| Kimi | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| TD 14S | – | TS | 995 mb | Yes |
| TD 13S | – | TS | 995 mb | — |
| Lucas | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| TD 18S | – | TS | 990 mb | Mandurah, Australia |
| Ana | – | C1 | 975 mb | Vaileka, Fiji |
| Bina | – | TS | 988 mb | Savusavu, Fiji |
| Faraji | – | C5 | 920 mb | — |
| TD 20P | – | TS | 989 mb | Labasa, Fiji |
| Guambe | – | C2 | 960 mb | — |
| Marian | – | C3 | 952 mb | — |
| Niran | – | C5 | 917 mb | — |
| Iman | – | TS | 989 mb | Antsalova, Madagascar |
| Habana | – | C4 | 928 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Seroja | – | C1 | 968 mb | Kupang, Indonesia |
| Odette | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| TD 28P | – | TS | 998 mb | Yes |
| Jobo | – | TS | 994 mb | Ikwiriri, Tanzania |
- Alicia: Alicia formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2020 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 978 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Bongoyo: Bongoyo formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- TD 3S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It made landfall near Port Hedland, Australia. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 4P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Yasa: Yasa formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2020 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 914 mb. It made landfall near Labasa, Fiji. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Zazu: Zazu formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2020 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 4 days.
- Zazu: Zazu formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2020. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Chalane: Chalane formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2020 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Vavatenina, Madagascar and last near Dondo, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Danilo: Danilo formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Imogen: Imogen formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Eloise: Eloise formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 968 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Antalaha, Madagascar and last near Búzi, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Joshua: Joshua formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Kimi: Kimi formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 14S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 13S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 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 14 days.
- Lucas: Lucas formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- TD 18S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made landfall near Mandurah, Australia. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Ana: Ana formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 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 landfall near Vaileka, Fiji. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Bina: Bina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It made landfall near Savusavu, Fiji. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Faraji: Faraji formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2021 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 12 days.
- TD 20P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It made landfall near Labasa, Fiji. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Guambe: Guambe formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2021 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 12 days.
- Marian: Marian formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2021 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 952 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Niran: Niran formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2021 and peaked as a Category 5 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 917 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Iman: Iman formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It made landfall near Antsalova, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Habana: Habana formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2021 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 928 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Seroja: Seroja formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2021 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 968 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Kupang, Indonesia and last near Geraldton, Australia. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Odette: Odette formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 28P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Jobo: Jobo formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It made landfall near Ikwiriri, Tanzania. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2020–21
Cyclone Yasa was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 914 mb, on December 16, 2020. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
11 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 25 matched it. It produced 12% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2020–21
14 of the season’s 33 systems made landfall, 3 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- December 11, 2020: TD 3S near Port Hedland, Australia, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- December 17, 2020: Yasa near Labasa, Fiji, 130 mph (Category 3)
- December 26, 2020: Chalane near Vavatenina, Madagascar, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- December 30, 2020: Chalane near Dondo, Mozambique, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- January 3, 2021: Imogen, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- January 19, 2021: Eloise near Antalaha, Madagascar, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- January 22, 2021: TD 14S, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- January 23, 2021: Eloise near Búzi, Mozambique, 95 mph (Category 2)
- January 30, 2021: Ana near Vaileka, Fiji, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- February 1, 2021: Bina near Savusavu, Fiji, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- February 7, 2021: TD 18S near Mandurah, Australia, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- February 8, 2021: TD 20P near Labasa, Fiji, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- March 5, 2021: Iman near Antsalova, Madagascar, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- April 4, 2021: Seroja near Kupang, Indonesia, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- April 10, 2021: TD 28P, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- April 11, 2021: Seroja near Geraldton, Australia, 85 mph (Category 1)
- April 24, 2021: Jobo near Ikwiriri, Tanzania, 30 mph (tropical depression)
How 2020–21 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 8th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 1 other season), 34th for hurricane strength (tied with 1 other season) and 27th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
2020–21 storm names
The 2020–21 season used 23 names: Alicia, Bongoyo, Yasa, Zazu, Zazu, Chalane, Danilo, Imogen, Eloise, Joshua, Kimi, Lucas, Ana, Bina, Faraji, Guambe, Marian, Niran, Iman, Habana, Seroja, Odette, Jobo.
10 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2020–21 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2020–21?
The 2020–21 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 32 named storms, 12 at hurricane strength and 5 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 Alicia and the last was Jobo.
What was the strongest storm of 2020–21?
Cyclone Yasa. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 914 mb on December 16, 2020. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 12% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2020–21 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 2020 to June 2021 under the 2020–21 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Jobo, dissipated on April 24, 2021.