| 1977–78 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
|---|---|
 Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | November 18, 1977 |
| Last system dissipated | March 23, 1978 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Aurore |
| • Maximum winds | 170 km/h (105 mph) (10-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 927 hPa ( mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 14 |
| Total storms | 12 |
| Tropical cyclones | 2 |
| Intense tropical cyclones | 1 |
| Total fatalities | 2 |
| Total damage | Unknown |
| Related articles | |
The 1977–78 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an above average cyclone season. The season officially ran from November 1, 1977, to April 30, 1978.
Systems
Intense Tropical Cyclone Aurore
| Intense tropical cyclone (MFR) | |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | November 18 – November 29 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min); 927 hPa ( mbar) |
Moderate Tropical Storm Babette
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | December 3 – December 8 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 991 hPa ( mbar) |
Moderate Tropical Storm Sam–Celimene
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | December 21 (Entered basin) – December 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 991 hPa ( mbar) |
Tropical Depression Dulcinee
| Tropical depression (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | December 26 – December 28 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 km/h (30 mph) (10-min); 997 hPa ( mbar) |
Moderate Tropical Storm Esther
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | December 28 – January 2 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 80 km/h (50 mph) (10-min); 984 hPa ( mbar) |
Tropical Cyclone Fleur
| Tropical cyclone (MFR) | |
| Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | January 16 – January 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 150 km/h (95 mph) (10-min); 941 hPa ( mbar) |
Cyclone Fleur passed just east of Mauritius on January 20, producing wind gusts of 145 km/h (90 mph), which damaged crops. Heavy rainfall occurred on neighboring Réunion, reaching 442 mm (17.4 in) at Foc Foc. [1] [2] [3]
Moderate Tropical Storm Huberte
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | January 26 – February 1 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 991 hPa ( mbar) |
The storm passed near Rodrigues. [4]
Moderate Tropical Storm Georgia
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | January 27 – February 5 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 991 hPa ( mbar) |
Severe Tropical Storm Irena
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | February 7 – February 14 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 976 hPa ( mbar) |
Moderate Tropical Storm Jacqueline
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | February 12 – February 21 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 991 hPa ( mbar) |
Moderate Tropical Storm Kiki
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | March 4 – March 12 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 991 hPa ( mbar) |
On March 7, Kiki reformed near Mauritius and latter passed just southeast of Réunion. Rainfall reached 275.5 mm (10.85 in), which flooded coastal roads, damaged bridges, and killed two people. [5]
Tropical Depression Lucie
| Tropical depression (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | March 14 – March 18 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 km/h (30 mph) (10-min); 997 hPa ( mbar) |
Moderate Tropical Storm Marylou
| Moderate tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | March 15 – March 19 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 991 hPa ( mbar) |
Severe Tropical Storm Nadine
| Severe tropical storm (MFR) | |
| Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | March 18 – March 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 976 hPa ( mbar) |
See also
- Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1977, 1978
- Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1977, 1978
- Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1977, 1978
- North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1977, 1978
References
- ^ "List of Historical Cyclones". Mauritius Meteorological Services. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^ Quarterly Review January-March 1978 (PDF) (Report). Vol. X. Bank of Mauritius. p. 7. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ Hurricane Fleur, 16-23 January. National Climatic Data Center (Report). Global tropical/extratropical cyclone climatic atlas. 1996. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ Tropical Storm Huberte, 26-31 January. National Climatic Data Center (Report). Global tropical/extratropical cyclone climatic atlas. 1996. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ Tropical Storm Kiki, 4-9 March. National Climatic Data Center (Report). Global tropical/extratropical cyclone climatic atlas. 1996. Retrieved February 7, 2019.