First system formed October 6, 1962 Total fatalities Unknown | Last system dissipated March 11, 1963 Total damage Unknown | |
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The 1962–63 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an average cyclone season, although it began early with the first October storm since 1911. Two storms formed in December, both of them passing near the Mascarene Islands.
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Moderate Tropical Storm Amy
Toward the beginning of October, an area of low pressure persisted near Diego Garcia, while a strong anticyclone stretched from Madagascar to Île Amsterdam. On October 9, Diego Garcia reported westerly winds and falling pressure, indicating that a tropical cyclone developed that day. This marked the first October tropical storm formation in the basin since 1911. Given the name Amy, the storm moved to the west-southwest, tracked by Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS). Gradual intensification occurred, aided by the anticyclone to the south, and Amy reached peak winds of around 75 km/h (45 mph) on October 10. Passing north of Rodrigues island, the storm's track shifted more westerly as the anticyclone to the south strengthened. Amy later weakened as it approached the east coast of Madagascar, dissipating on October 17.
Amy produced hailstones on Rodrigues while passing nearby, and brushed St. Brandon with gusty winds. The storm also dropped heavy rainfall and produced moderate waves on Réunion.
Tropical Cyclone Bertha
At the end of November, an area of low pressure persisted near Diego Garcia, associated with the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). A circulation developed southwest of the island on November 29, which moved generally to the southwest due to an anticyclone to the south. On December 1, the low pressure area was confirmed to have developed into Tropical Storm Bertha while near the Mascarene Islands. While in the vicinity, the storm produced winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) in Rodrigues. The storm turned to the south, after a polar low weakened the ridge to the south. Bertha passed between Rodrigues and Réunion on December 3, producing only above normal seas. At its peak, the storm reached tropical cyclone status, or peak winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). Bertha passed 200 km (125 mi) east of Mauritius on December 4 while continuing generally southward. The storm became extratropical the next day, and was last noted on December 6.
Severe Tropical Storm Cecile
As early as December 18, an area of low pressure persisted near Diego Garcia. By December 24, falling pressures and increasing winds indicated that Tropical Storm Cecile had developed near St. Brandon. At its peak, the storm reached tropical cyclone status, or peak winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). On December 25, Cecile passed just east of St. Brandon, where it produced winds of 93 km/h (58 mph) and a pressure of 992 mbar (29.3 inHg). The storm tracked southward, passing between Mauritius and Rodrigues while weakening. Cecile turned more to the south-southeast in tandem with a large anticyclone moving eastward. The storm was last noted on December 28, having become extratropical that day.
Tropical Cyclone Delia
Delia originated near Diego Garcia and moved southwestward, passing north of St. Brandon, east of Madagascar, and west of Réunion. It lasted from January 12 to January 20.
Severe Tropical Storm Emma
According to the MFR, Emma was a short-lived tropical storm that persisted southeast of Rodrigues, although other warning agencies tracked it for much longer, following it from the Australian basin for 12 days.
Severe Tropical Storm Fanny
Fanny developed northeast of St. Brandon and moved to the west-southwest, crossing Madagascar before dissipating on February 19.
Tropical Cyclone Grace
On February 12, Tropical Storm Grace was moving west-southwestward away from Diego Garcia. It later turned to the south-southeast, passing east of Rodrigues, dissipating on February 22.
Moderate Tropical Storm Hilda
Tropical Storm Hilda was a short-lived storm that originated in the Mozambique Channel and moved south-southeastward, lasting from February 27 to March 2.
Moderate Tropical Storm Irene
Tropical Storm Irene was a westward moving storm that originated on March 3, passed north of Tromelin Island, and dissipated on March 5 northeast of the north coast of Madagascar.
Tropical Cyclone Julie
The final storm of the season, Julie formed on March 4 to the southwest of Diego Garcia. It moved southwestward and later turned to the south-southeast, passing east of Rodrigues and dissipating on March 11.