1973–74 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 1973–74 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below-average cyclone season. The season officially ran from November 1, 1973, to April 30, 1974.

1973–74 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	14 September 1973
Last system dissipated	23 April 1974
Strongest storm
Name	Deidre-Delinda
• Maximum winds	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	964 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total disturbances	8
Total depressions	7
Total storms	7
Tropical cyclones	2
Intense tropical cyclones	1
Total fatalities	Unknown
Total damage	Unknown
Related articles
1973–74 Australian region cyclone season 1973–74 South Pacific cyclone season
South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone seasons 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76

Systems

Moderate Tropical Storm Alice

Moderate tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	September 14 – September 24
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min); 1000 hPa (mbar)

Alice was born around 80E, and reached its greatest intensity (Phase C plus) on September 20 to the north of Tromelin. but has resulted in some light to moderate rain over extreme northeastern Madagascar between 21 and 23, the winds not exceeding 55 km / h in the region of Diego-Suarez.^[1]

Tropical Cyclone Bernadette

Tropical cyclone (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	October 16 – October 28
Peak intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min); 985 hPa (mbar)

Bernadette, more active than before, has reached the stage of a tropical cyclone in the strict sense of the international classification, in the 26th October (minimum pressure estimated of 985 mb), moderate rainfall strong enough of have been recorded on the extreme north of Madagascar and off the cape of Amber, a boat noted a peak wind of 139 km/h.

Moderate Tropical Storm Christiane

Moderate tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	December 13 – December 21
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min); 995 hPa (mbar)

Moderate Tropical Storm Christian existed from December 13 to December 21.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Deidre–Delinda

Intense tropical cyclone (MFR)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	December 26 (Crossed 80°E) – January 4
Peak intensity	205 km/h (125 mph) (10-min); 965 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Deidre-Delinda existed from December 26, 1973, to January 4, 1974.

Moderate Tropical Storm Esmeralda

Moderate tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	December 30 – January 5
Peak intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min); 995 hPa (mbar)

Moderate Tropical Storm Esmeralda existed from December 30, 1973, to January 5, 1974. The storm looped to the southeast of Madagascar, bringing several days of rainfall to Réunion, reaching 222.2 mm (8.75 in).^[2]

Tropical Disturbance Fredegonde

Tropical disturbance (MFR)
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration	January 19 – January 23
Peak intensity	45 km/h (30 mph) (10-min); 1005 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Disturbance Fredegonde existed from January 19 to January 23.

Tropical Cyclone Ghislaine

Tropical cyclone (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 24 (Crossed 80°E) – March 3
Peak intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min); 985 hPa (mbar)

Moderate Tropical Storm Ghislaine existed from February 24 to March 3.

Severe Tropical Storm Honorine

Severe tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	April 12 – April 23
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 998 hPa (mbar)

Moderate Tropical Storm Honorine existed from April 12 to April 23.

Season effects

Name	Dates	Peak intensity			Areas affected	Damage (USD)	Deaths	Refs
		Category	Wind speed	Pressure
Alice	September 14 – 24, 1973	Moderate tropical storm	75 km/h (45 mph)	1000 hPa (29.53 inHg)	Madagascar	None	None	[3]
Bernadette	October 16 – 28, 1973	Tropical cyclone	150 km/h (90 mph)	985 hPa (29.09 inHg)	None	None	None	[3]
Christiane	December 13 – 21, 1973	Moderate tropical storm	75 km/h (45 mph)	995 hPa (29.38 inHg)	None	None	None	[3]
Deidre–Delinda	December 26, 1973 – January 4, 1974	Intense Tropical cyclone	205 km/h (125 mph)	965 hPa (28.50 inHg)	None	None	None	[3]
Esmeralda	December 30, 1973 – January 5, 1974	Moderate tropical storm	85 km/h (50 mph)	995 hPa (29.38 inHg)	None	None	None	[3]
Fredegonde	February 24 – March 3, 1974	Tropical disturbance	45 km/h (30 mph)	1005 hPa (29.68 inHg)	None	None	None	[3]
Ghislaine	February 24 – March 3, 1974	Tropical cyclone	150 km/h (90 mph)	985 hPa (29.09 inHg)	None	None	None	[3]
Honorine	April 12 – 23, 1974	Severe tropical storm	95 km/h (60 mph)	998 hPa (29.47 inHg)	None	None	None	[3]
Season aggregates
8 systems	20 January – 7 May		205 km/h (125 mph)	965 hPa (28.50 inHg)

See also

• Tropical cyclones portal

• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1973, 1974
• Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1973, 1974
• Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1973, 1974
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1973, 1974