1977–78 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

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.

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
1977–78 Australian region cyclone season 1977–78 South Pacific cyclone season
South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone seasons 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80

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

1. "List of Historical Cyclones". Mauritius Meteorological Services. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
2. Quarterly Review January-March 1978 (PDF) (Report). Vol. X. Bank of Mauritius. p. 7. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
3. Hurricane Fleur, 16-23 January. National Climatic Data Center (Report). Global tropical/extratropical cyclone climatic atlas. 1996. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
4. Tropical Storm Huberte, 26-31 January. National Climatic Data Center (Report). Global tropical/extratropical cyclone climatic atlas. 1996. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
5. Tropical Storm Kiki, 4-9 March. National Climatic Data Center (Report). Global tropical/extratropical cyclone climatic atlas. 1996. Retrieved February 7, 2019.