2021–22 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
Nov 1, 2021 – Apr 30, 2022 · Season ended
The 2021–22 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season produced 30 named storms, 10 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 154, 71% of the average.
Named storms
30
Avg 26.7 (1991–2020)
Hurricane strength
10
64 kt or stronger · avg 13.8
Major (Cat 3+)
5
Avg 7.5 per season
Accumulated energy
71% of normal
ACE 154 vs 1991–2020 avg 217
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4
2021–22 season at a glance
- Named storms: 30 (1991–2020 average 26.7).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 10 (average 13.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 5 (average 7.5).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 154.0, 71% of the 217 average.
- Named-storm days: 120.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Paddy, November 21, 2021.
- First storm at hurricane strength: Ruby, December 12, 2021.
- First major storm: Batsirai, February 2, 2022.
- Last storm to dissipate: Gina, May 22, 2022.
- All systems tracked: 31, 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 2021–22 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy | – | TS | 988 mb | — |
| Teratai | – | TS | 999 mb | — |
| Ruby | – | C1 | 980 mb | Poindimié, New Caledonia |
| Seth | – | TS | 989 mb | Darwin, Australia |
| Cody | – | TS | 976 mb | — |
| Tiffany | – | TS | 989 mb | Yes |
| Ana | – | TS | 994 mb | Vavatenina, Madagascar |
| Batsirai | – | C4 | 932 mb | Mananjary, Madagascar |
| TD 9P | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Cliff | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Emnati | – | C4 | 939 mb | Ifatsy, Madagascar |
| Dovi | – | C2 | 957 mb | — |
| Dumako | – | TS | 995 mb | Ambodimanga II, Madagascar |
| Fezile | – | TS | 975 mb | — |
| Vernon | – | C3 | 940 mb | — |
| TD 16S | – | TS | 989 mb | — |
| Anika | – | TS | 984 mb | Yes |
| Eva | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| TD 17S | – | TS | 999 mb | — |
| Gombe | – | C3 | 959 mb | Maroantsetra, Madagascar |
| Billy | – | C1 | 986 mb | — |
| Charlotte | – | C2 | 967 mb | — |
| Halima | – | C4 | 932 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | 1004 mb | — |
| Fili | – | TS | 988 mb | — |
| Issa | – | TS | 993 mb | — |
| Jasmine | – | C1 | 985 mb | Mozambique, Mozambique |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 998 mb | — |
| Karim | – | TS | 983 mb | — |
| Gina | – | TS | 1002 mb | — |
- Paddy: Paddy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2021 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 6 days.
- Teratai: Teratai formed in the Southern Hemisphere in November 2021 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Ruby: Ruby formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 2021 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Poindimié, New Caledonia. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Seth: Seth formed in the Southern Hemisphere in December 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 2 landfalls, first near Darwin, Australia and last near Point Vernon, Australia. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Cody: Cody formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Tiffany: Tiffany formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Ana: Ana formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Vavatenina, Madagascar and last near Angoche, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Batsirai: Batsirai formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2022 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 932 mb. It made landfall near Mananjary, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- TD 9P: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in January 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Cliff: Cliff formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Emnati: Emnati formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 939 mb. It made landfall near Ifatsy, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 23 days.
- Dovi: Dovi formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 957 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Dumako: Dumako formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It made landfall near Ambodimanga II, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Fezile: Fezile formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Vernon: Vernon formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- TD 16S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Anika: Anika formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Eva: Eva formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 17S: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in February 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Gombe: Gombe formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2022 and peaked as a Category 3 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 959 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Maroantsetra, Madagascar and last near Mozambique, Mozambique. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Billy: Billy formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2022 and peaked as a Category 1 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 986 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Charlotte: Charlotte formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2022 and peaked as a Category 2 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 967 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Halima: Halima formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2022 and peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 932 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in March 2022 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1004 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Fili: Fili formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Issa: Issa formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Jasmine: Jasmine formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2022 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 3 landfalls, first near Mozambique, Mozambique and last near Betioky, Madagascar. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the Southern Hemisphere in April 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Karim: Karim formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 983 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Gina: Gina formed in the Southern Hemisphere in May 2022 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2021–22
Cyclone Batsirai was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 145 mph (230 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 932 mb, on February 2, 2022. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
80 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 33 matched it. It produced 22% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2021–22
10 of the season’s 31 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 13, 2021: Ruby near Poindimié, New Caledonia, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- December 25, 2021: Seth, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 25, 2021: Seth near Darwin, Australia, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- December 28, 2021: Seth, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 29, 2021: Seth, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- January 6, 2022: Seth near Point Vernon, Australia, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- January 10, 2022: Tiffany, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- January 12, 2022: Tiffany, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- January 22, 2022: Ana near Vavatenina, Madagascar, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- January 24, 2022: Ana near Angoche, Mozambique, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- February 5, 2022: Batsirai near Mananjary, Madagascar, 105 mph (Category 2)
- February 15, 2022: Dumako near Ambodimanga II, Madagascar, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- February 23, 2022: Emnati near Ifatsy, Madagascar, 75 mph (Category 1)
- February 26, 2022: Anika, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- March 2, 2022: Anika, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- March 8, 2022: Gombe near Maroantsetra, Madagascar, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- March 8, 2022: Gombe near Maroantsetra, Madagascar, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- March 11, 2022: Gombe near Mozambique, Mozambique, 115 mph (Category 3)
- April 23, 2022: Jasmine near Mozambique, Mozambique, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- April 23, 2022: Jasmine near Angoche, Mozambique, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- April 26, 2022: Jasmine near Betioky, Madagascar, 50 mph (tropical storm)
How 2021–22 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 13th of 47 Southern Hemisphere seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 3 other seasons), 40th for hurricane strength (tied with 5 other seasons) and 41st for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 37 named storms, in 1997, and the highest ACE is 364, in 1997.
2021–22 storm names
The 2021–22 season used 25 names: Paddy, Teratai, Ruby, Seth, Cody, Tiffany, Ana, Batsirai, Cliff, Emnati, Dovi, Dumako, Fezile, Vernon, Anika, Eva, Gombe, Billy, Charlotte, Halima, Fili, Issa, Jasmine, Karim, Gina.
6 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2021–22 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2021–22?
The 2021–22 Southern Hemisphere cyclone season had 30 named storms, 10 at hurricane strength and 5 major storms, from 31 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 Paddy and the last was Gina.
What was the strongest storm of 2021–22?
Cyclone Batsirai. It peaked at 145 mph (230 km/h, 125 kt) with a lowest pressure of 932 mb on February 2, 2022. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 80 Southern Hemisphere storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 22% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2021–22 season end?
Australia’s official season ran from November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022. Our counts follow IBTrACS, which files every storm from July 2021 to June 2022 under the 2021–22 season. The busiest months are January–February. The last system, Gina, dissipated on May 22, 2022.