Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | 23 December 2020 |
Dissipated | 3 January 2021 |
Severe tropical storm | |
10-minute sustained (MF) | |
Highest winds | 110 km/h (70 mph) |
Highest gusts | 155 km/h (100 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 983 hPa (mbar);29.03 inHg |
Category 1-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 985 hPa (mbar);29.09 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 7 total |
Damage | >$134,000 (2020 USD) |
Areas affected | Madagascar,Mozambique,Zimbabwe,Botswana,Namibia |
IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season |
Severe Tropical Storm Chalane was the first of three consecutive tropical cyclones that struck Mozambique in the 2020-21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. As the fourth tropical depression,third named storm,and second severe tropical storm of the season,Chalane developed out of a zone of disturbed weather which was first monitored RSMC La Réunion on 19 December. Despite conditions slowly becoming unfavorable,the system formed into a tropical depression on 23 December due to the presence of a Kelvin wave and an equatorial Rossby wave,as well as warm sea surface temperatures. The depression soon strengthened into Tropical Storm Chalane on the following day. Chalane made landfall on Madagascar on 26 December and weakened,before emerging into the Mozambique Channel a couple days later. Subsequently,Chalane restrengthened,before making landfall on Mozambique on 30 December. The system weakened as it moved inland,degenerating into a remnant low later that day. However,Chalane's remnants continued moving westward for another several days,emerging into the South Atlantic on 3 January,before dissipating later that day.
As Chalane strengthened,the coordinating of emergency supplies began in Madagascar,Mozambique,and Zimbabwe,and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA). Late December 26,Chalane made landfall in Madagascar,causing flooding. But overall,there was little damage. Chalane was downgraded to a tropical depression as it passed through Madagascar. On 30 December,Chalane,now a Severe Tropical Storm,made impact on Mozambique,several institutions were damaged,but Chalane made less damage than expected. The same day,Chalane made landfall in Zimbabwe,before downgrading to a remnant low. The remnant has been causing some rainfall in neighboring countries. Overall,7 people died in Mozambique and the damage was $134,000 (2020 USD).
On 19 December, RSMC La Réunion began monitoring a zone of disturbed weather situated approximately 830 km (520 mi) southwest of Diego Garcia. [2] The system was located in a favorable environment for intensification due to the presence of a Kelvin wave and an equatorial Rossby wave, as well as warm sea surface temperatures. Chalane experienced low to moderate vertical wind shear and a good upper-level outflow. [3] Conditions began to deteriorate over the next several days as the system meandered to the west, however the storm managed to reach tropical depression status on 23 December as northerly wind-shear began to affect the storm causing most of the thunderstorm activity and winds to be localized to the south of the center. [4] Approximately a day later at 06:00 UTC 24 December, the depression strengthened to Moderate Tropical Storm Chalane as a scatterometer pass revealed gale-force winds on the southern side of the highly asymmetric wind field. [5] Since the storm was becoming aligned with the subtropical ridge, Chalane began to strengthen, with winds reaching 75 km/h (47 mph) as wind shear decreased. Around the same time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA). [6] [7] At 21:00 UTC that day, the JTWC designated Chalane as Tropical Storm 07S. [8]
However, Chalane continued to struggle from the effects of strong north-northeasterly wind shear. Chalane passed just to the south of Tromelin Island on 25 December where a pressure reading of 1,001.5 hPa (29.57 inHg) was recorded, indicating Chalane had likely weakened while also displaying a deteriorating cloud pattern, therefore Chalane was downgraded back to tropical depression status on 18:00 UTC that day. [9] Slowly, Chalane continued westward towards the Malagasy coastline as a tropical depression. [10] Convective activity remained disorganized while the center accelerated west up to landfall on 26 December at 18:00 UTC in Mahavelona, Madagascar. [11] Chalane degenerated into a surface trough shortly afterwards on 27 December, although its center still remained intact. [12] MFR ceased advisories at this time, as re-intensification was uncertain. [12] Chalane made its passage over Madagascar over the remainder of the day, before emerging over the Mozambique Channel on 28 December, where advisories resumed and Chalane re-developed into a tropical depression. [13] Six hours later, Chalane reintensified into a moderate tropical storm yet again, with the development of a curved band. [14] Chalane continued to strengthen with a central dense overcast bundled with the curved band becoming apparent on satellite imagery [15] Chalane gained severe tropical storm status at 06:00 UTC on 29 December with the formation of an eyewall. [16] Chalane continued to slowly gain strength while in its favorable environment, gaining peak strength 12 hours later with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h (68 mph) and a pressure of 983 hPa (29.0 inHg). [17] Shortly after peaking, Chalane made landfall north of Beira, Mozambique on 30 December and became subject to weakening. [18] Chalane degenerated into a remnant low later that day over Zimbabwe, as all thunderstorm activity had ceased, and the MRF issued their final advisory on the storm. [19] However, Chalane's remnants continued westward over the next several days, [20] emerging into the South Atlantic on 3 January, before dissipating shortly afterward.
On 24 December as Chalane became a tropical storm, officials in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe began coordinating supplies available for storm preparations. Meanwhile, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological services warned that Chalane could bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding in Malawi. [21]
Ahead of the storm, in Mozambique officials in the Zambézia Province handed out kits to people in the path of the storm. Moreover, the government has evacuated people living in the path of the storm, or near rivers to safer areas. [22] The Port town of Beira shut down between 29 December to 31 December as of being in the landfall path of Chalane. LAM Mozambique Airlines cancelled flights from Beira, Chimoio, Nampula, Quelimane, and Tete. [23] [24] Government officials have issued red-level (high risk) tropical storm warnings for the Sofala and Manica provinces, orange-level (moderate risk) tropical storm warning for the Zambezia Province, and yellow-level (low risk) tropical storm warning for the Inhambane Province. [25] As if the region was not already critically devastated by Cyclone Idai in 2019 with thousands displaced from their homes, Chalane made landfall early in the morning on 30 December, with maximum sustained winds of 45 knots (83 km/h; 52 mph). [25] Officials stated that Chalane made less damage than expected. [26] Unfortunately, 7 were killed in Sofala Province and Manica Province provinces, all from drowning in floodwaters. [27] An additional 10 were injured. [27] According to preliminary reports by the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC), In Sofala Province, at least 10,930 people (2,186 families) have been affected by Chalane. About 1,156 houses were destroyed and 1,439 damaged, about 272 tents in Buzi and Nhamatanda in resettlement sites where people displaced by Cyclone Idai were staying were destroyed, and 82 schools were destroyed and 87 damaged, affecting 22,910 pupils, according to INGC. In Manica Province, 345 people (69 families) were affected, and 68 houses and makeshifts shelters and 13 classrooms were destroyed, while 11 health units were damaged. [28] Electricidade de Moçambique estimated the damage due to Chalane exceed 10 million meticais (US$134,000). [29]
Ahead of time, Madagascar issued a green alert on the regions of Sava and Analanjirofo and the districts of Toamasina. Chalane made landfall in the Fenoarivo Atsinanana District late 26 December, with maximum wind gusts of between 40 and 50 km/h (25 and 31 mph). [30] Chalane struck Madagascar with very heavy rainfall, with Toamasina recording 351 mm of rain in 24 hours on 27 December and Maintirano in the northwestern Melaky Region recorded 131 mm of rain the following day. [31] Gusty winds damaged utility poles and some flooding was reported. However, damage was otherwise very limited in Madagascar. [32]
Zimbabwe's meteorological service issued alerts for flooding, flash flooding, sudden gushes of water, mudslides or landslides, destructive winds and collapse of huts due to excessive moisture on 30 December as now Tropical Depression Chalane passed through the country. [33] When tropical storm warnings where put in place, school reopenings were further delayed by both the inhibiting weather produced by Chalane, and a spike in COVID-19 cases. [34] The government setup shelters in areas prone to flooding. [35] When Chalane finally made impact in the evening of 30 December as a tropical depression, heavy rains and bursts of strong winds were felt in Chimanimani East in Manicaland Province, with some roofs of houses blown off, as well electricity and cellular network disruptions. Minor damage has been reported to a few institutions, including Chimanimani Hospital, Ndima School and a local church. More than 600 people arrived in evacuation centres in Chimanimani District, many of whom have reportedly already begun to return home, while more than 100 refugee families in the Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge District temporarily moved to higher ground. [36]
The remnants of Chalane and a low pressure system caused heavy rain and thunderstorms across the entirety of the country on 2 January. The North Central part of the country reported rain totals up to 150 mm (5.9 in). At least 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain fell in the Gobabis area. [37]
The 2007–08 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was the third most active tropical cyclone season, along with the 1985–86 season and behind the 1993–94 season and the 2018–19 season, with twelve named tropical cyclones developing in the region. It began on November 15, 2007, and ended on April 30, 2008, with the exception for Mauritius and the Seychelles, which ended May 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the basin, which is west of 90°E and south of the Equator. Tropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion.
Tropical Cyclone Elita was an unusual tropical cyclone that made landfall on Madagascar three times. The fifth named storm of the 2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Elita developed in the Mozambique Channel on January 24, 2004. It strengthened to tropical cyclone status before striking northwestern Madagascar on January 28; it was the first storm to strike western Madagascar at that intensity since Cyclone Cynthia in 1991. Elita weakened to tropical depression status while crossing the island, and after exiting into the southwest Indian Ocean, it turned to the west and moved ashore in eastern Madagascar on January 31. After once again crossing the island, the cyclone reached the Mozambique Channel and re-intensified. Elita turned to the southeast to make its final landfall on February 3 along southwestern Madagascar. Two days later, it underwent an extratropical transition; subsequently, the remnant system moved erratically before dissipating on February 13.
The 2008–09 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a slightly above average event in tropical cyclone formation. It began on November 15, 2008, and officially ended on April 30, 2009, with the exception for Mauritius and the Seychelles, for which it ended on May 15, 2009. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the basin, which is west of 90°E and south of the Equator. Tropical cyclones in this basin were monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion.
The 2009–10 South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season was a near average event in tropical cyclone formation. The season officially started on July 1, 2009, and ended on June 30, 2010, after incorporating the tropical cyclone season which ran from November 1 to April 30 for all areas except for Mauritius and the Seychelles, for which it ended on May 15, 2010. In this basin which officially runs from 30 to 90E, and is, to the south of the equator, the main warning center is the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center on La Réunion Island; however they delegate the naming of Cyclones to the Meteorological services of Mauritius and Madagascar.
The 2011–12 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a slightly above average event in tropical cyclone formation. It began on November 15, 2011, and ended on April 30, 2012, with the exception for Mauritius and the Seychelles, for which it ended on May 15, 2012. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the region; however, Severe Tropical Storm Kuena developed in early June, after the season had officially ended. The basin is defined as the area west of 90°E and south of the Equator in the Indian Ocean, which includes the waters around Madagascar westward to the east coast of Africa. Tropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion.
Severe Tropical Storm Cyprien was a short-lived tropical cyclone that caused minor damage in Madagascar. Forming on December 30, 2001, Cyprien quickly strengthened in a slightly favorable environment. By January 2, the storm attained its peak intensity with winds of 100 km/h (65 mph) according to Météo-France and 95 km/h (60 mph) according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Later that day the storm made landfall in Morombe, at a weaker intensity, and dissipated early on January 3. Throughout the affected areas, Cyprien destroyed 957 structures, leaving 1.16 billion Malagasy franc in damages. No fatalities were reported; however two people were listed as missing.
The 2014–15 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an above average event in tropical cyclone formation. It began on November 15, 2014, and ended on April 30, 2015, with the exception for Mauritius and the Seychelles, for which it ended on May 15, 2015. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical and subtropical cyclones form in the basin, which is west of 90°E and south of the Equator. Tropical and subtropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion.
Intense Tropical Cyclone Bonita in January 1996 struck both Madagascar and Mozambique, causing severe damage. The long-lived storm began developing in the last hours of 1995, and slowly consolidated over the open waters of the South-West Indian Ocean. Tracking generally toward the west-southwest, the disturbance received its name from Météo-France on 5 January. Ultimately peaking as an intense tropical cyclone, Bonita bypassed Mauritius and Réunion to the north before striking northeastern Madagascar late on 10 January. There, the storm affected up to 150,000 people, flooded wide tracts of croplands, and killed 25 people. In the aftermath, disaster relief came from both the government of Madagascar and the international community, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs); the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs assisted in the distribution of about $450,000 in monetary donations.
The 2016–17 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below-average season, with five tropical storms, three of which intensified into tropical cyclones. It officially began on November 15, 2016, and ended on April 30, 2017, with the exception for Mauritius and the Seychelles, for which it ended on May 15, 2017. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical and subtropical cyclones form in the basin, which is west of 90°E and south of the Equator. Tropical and subtropical cyclones in this basin were monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion, though the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued unofficial advisories.
The 2018–19 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was the costliest and the most active season ever recorded. Additionally, it is also the deadliest cyclone season recorded in the South-West Indian Ocean, surpassing the 1891–92 season in which the 1892 Mauritius cyclone devastated the island of Mauritius, and is mainly due to Cyclone Idai. The season was an event of the annual cycle of tropical cyclone and subtropical cyclone formation in the South-West Indian Ocean basin. It officially began on 15 November 2018, and ended on 30 April 2019, except for Mauritius and the Seychelles, which it ended on 15 May 2019. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical and subtropical cyclones form in the basin, which is west of 90°E and south of the Equator. Tropical and subtropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion.
Tropical Cyclone Ava was a strong tropical cyclone that brought devastating impacts to parts of eastern Madagascar in January 2018. The first tropical depression, first named storm, and first tropical cyclone of the 2017–18 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Ava formed as a weak area of disturbed weather well northeast of St. Brandon on December 30. Monitored by Météo-France La Réunion (MFR), the disturbance drifted southwest, before intensifying to a moderate tropical storm on January 2. Ava drifted south afterwards with little change in strength; then among favorable conditions near the coast of Madagascar Ava rapidly intensified to tropical cyclone intensity by early on January 5 shortly before making landfall in eastern Madagascar. After landfall, Ava pummeled the region with rainfall and flooding as it weakens into a moderate tropical storm. Ava exited the landmass on January 7 and became post-tropical southeast of southern Madagascar on January 8, slowly drifting southwards as a vigorous low before dissipating a day later.
Intense Tropical Cyclone Kenneth was the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in Mozambique since modern records began. The cyclone also caused significant damage in the Comoro Islands and Tanzania. The fourteenth tropical storm, record-breaking tenth tropical cyclone, and ninth intense tropical cyclone of the 2018–19 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Kenneth formed from a vortex that the Météo-France office on La Réunion (MFR) first mentioned on 17 April. The MFR monitored the system over the next several days, before designating it as Tropical Disturbance 14 on 21 April. The disturbance was located in a favorable environment to the north of Madagascar, which allowed it to strengthen into a tropical depression and later a tropical storm, both on the next day. The storm then began a period of rapid intensification, ultimately peaking as an intense tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h (134 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 934 hPa. At that time, Kenneth began to undergo an eyewall replacement cycle and weakened slightly, before making landfall later that day as an intense tropical cyclone. As a result of land interaction, Kenneth became disorganised as it made landfall and rapidly degenerated thereafter. The storm then shifted southward, with the MFR cancelling all major warnings for inland cities. Kenneth was reclassified as an overland depression after landfall, with the MFR issuing its warning at midnight UTC on 26 April. Thunderstorm activity developed off the coast of Mozambique on 27 April as the system began drifting northward. Kenneth re-emerged off the coast of northern Mozambique on 28 April, before dissipating on the next day.
At least 30 tropical cyclones have affected the Southern African mainland. Three southeastern African countries border the Indian Ocean – Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa. Other inland countries also experience the effects of tropical cyclones, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The 2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an above-average season which produced 12 named storms, with 7 strengthening into tropical cyclones. The season started with the formation of Cyclone Alicia in the extreme northeast section of the basin on 12 November 2020, just before the official start of the season, which marked the third season in a row in which a tropical cyclone formed before the official start of the season. It officially began on 15 November 2020, and ended with the dissipation of Cyclone Jobo on 24 April, 6 days before the official end on 30 April 2021, with the exception of Mauritius and the Seychelles, which officially ended on 15 May 2021. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical and subtropical cyclones form in the basin, which is west of 90°E and south of the Equator. Tropical and subtropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion and unofficially by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Tropical Cyclone Eloise was the strongest tropical cyclone to impact the country of Mozambique since Cyclone Kenneth in 2019 and the second of three consecutive tropical cyclones to impact Mozambique in the 2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. The seventh tropical depression, fifth named storm and the second tropical cyclone of the season, Eloise's origins can be traced to a disturbance over the central portion of the South-West Indian Ocean basin which developed into a tropical depression on 16 January, and strengthened into a tropical storm on 17 January, though the storm had limited strength and organization. On the next day, the storm entered a more favorable environment, and it soon intensified to a severe tropical storm on 18 January. Late on 19 January, Eloise made landfall in northern Madagascar as a moderate tropical storm, bringing with it heavy rainfall and flooding. The storm traversed Madagascar and entered the Mozambique Channel in the early hours of 21 January. After moving southwestward across the Mozambique Channel for an additional 2 days, Eloise strengthened into a Category 1-equivalent cyclone, due to low wind shear and high sea surface temperatures. Early on 23 January, Eloise peaked as a Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson scale as the center of the storm began to move ashore in Mozambique. Shortly afterward, Eloise made landfall just north of Beira, Mozambique, before rapidly weakening. Subsequently, Eloise weakened into a remnant low over land on 25 January, dissipating soon afterward.
Tropical Cyclone Guambe was the third tropical cyclone to make landfall in the country of Mozambique since December 2020, following Cyclone Eloise and Tropical Storm Chalane. The eleventh tropical depression, eighth named storm, and the fourth tropical cyclone of the 2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Guambe originated from a tropical disturbance in the Mozambique Channel on 10 February. Two days later, the system developed into a subtropical depression that made landfall in Mozambique. The storm proceeded to make a clockwise loop over the country for the next several days, while dumping prolific amounts of rainfall in the region, before re-emerging into the Mozambique Channel on 16 February. Soon afterward, the system strengthened into a moderate tropical storm and was named Guambe. A couple of days later, Guambe underwent rapid intensification, reaching tropical cyclone status on 19 February, and peaking as a Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone shortly afterward. Afterward, Guambe underwent an eyewall replacement cycle and weakened back into a severe tropical storm on 20 February. Afterward, Guambe transitioned into an extratropical storm on 22 February. On the next day, Guambe was absorbed into another extratropical cyclone.
Severe Tropical Storm Eliakim was a tropical cyclone that affected Madagascar and killed 21 people in 2018. The seventh tropical depression, sixth tropical storm of the 2017–18 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, and fourth tropical cyclone in 2018 to impact Madagascar, Eliakim was first noted as an area of atmospheric convection south-southwest of Diego Garcia on 9 March. Developmental conditions were favorable in its vicinity, and on 14 March, both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and Météo-France La Réunion (MFR) began issuing warnings on the system, with MFR designating it as Tropical Disturbance 7 and the JTWC giving it the designation 14S. On the next day, MFR upgraded the system to a moderate tropical storm, assigning it the name Eliakim. Eliakim further intensified into a severe tropical storm on 15 March, with the JTWC upgrading it to a Category 1-equivalent cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson scale on 16 March. Eliakim made landfall on Masoala at 07:00 UTC, after which MFR estimated maximum 10-minute sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) within the system. Eliakim weakened into a moderate tropical storm before abruptly turning southwards and re-emerging over water on 17 March. Despite unfavorable conditions, Eliakim re-intensified into a severe tropical storm on 19 March before being downgraded back into a moderate tropical storm 6 hours later. Eliakim transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone on 20 March as it moved away from Madagascar, with the MFR last tracking the system on 22 March.
The 2021–22 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season had the latest start on record. Despite the late start, it was an above-average season that produced 12 named storms, with five becoming tropical cyclones. The season began on 15 November 2021, and ended on 30 April 2022, with the exception for Mauritius and the Seychelles, for which it ended on 15 May 2022. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical and subtropical cyclones form in the basin, which is west of 90°E and south of the Equator. However, tropical cyclones that form at any time between July 1st, 2021 and June 30th, 2022 will count towards the season total. Tropical and subtropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion and unofficially by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Severe Tropical Storm Ana was a deadly tropical cyclone that affected the African nations of Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique and was the fourth-deadliest tropical cyclone in 2022, after the Western Pacific Tropical Storm Megi and Tropical Storm Nalgae, and Atlantic Hurricane Ian. The first named storm of the 2021–22 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Ana developed from an area of convection that was designated as Invest 93S northeast of Madagascar.
Tropical Cyclone Cheneso was a strong tropical cyclone that affected Madagascar in January 2023. The fourth tropical storm and fifth tropical cyclone of the 2022–23 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Cheneso developed out of a zone of disturbed weather status which was first monitored at RSMC La Réunion on 17 January. Despite convection wrapping into the curved band pattern, the system formed into a tropical depression on 18 January. The depression strengthened into Severe Tropical Storm Cheneso on the following day. Cheneso made landfall over northern Madagascar and weakened into an inland depression, before emerging into the Mozambique Channel. Cheneso later strengthened into a tropical cyclone on 25 January. The system continued moving southeast, before transitioning into a post–tropical depression on 29 January.