2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

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.

2020–21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed12 November 2020
Last system dissipated24 April 2021
Strongest storm
NameFaraji and Habana
  Maximum winds220 km/h (140 mph)
(10-minute sustained)
  Lowest pressure935 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total disturbances16
Total depressions16
Total storms12
Tropical cyclones7
Intense tropical cyclones2
Very intense tropical cyclones2
Total fatalities56 total
Total damage> $11 million (2021 USD)
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The season was an active season with several notable storms. At the beginning of the season in December, Tropical Storm Chalane hit Mozambique, followed by the stronger and more damaging Cyclone Eloise less than a month later. Both storms caused 34 fatalities and about $10 million in damage. Afterward, Cyclone Faraji formed, strengthening into a very intense tropical cyclone, marking the second season in a row to feature a storm of the type, staying well away from land in its passage. Cyclone Guambe formed as Faraji was weakening, hitting Mozambique as a subtropical system, the third and final occurrence for the country during the season. Toward the end of the season, Cyclone Jobo formed and impacted Seychelles and brought very minor impacts to Tanzania, becoming the first cyclone to affect the latter country in some form since a tropical cyclone in 1952 despite being a remnant low at the time.

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