1980–81 South West Indian Ocean cyclone season

Intense Tropical Cyclone Alice-Adelaide

Formed on November 3, just south of Selat Mentawai then moved southwestward before reaching a peak intensity of 110 knots (125 mph, 205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940.0 hectopascals (27.76 inHg) on November 8. On November 12 the storm began to move northwestward and two days later dissipated over the open Indian Ocean.

Moderate Tropical Storm Bettina

Bettina formed on November 22, over the central Indian Ocean. It moved south-southwestward and reached a peak intensity of 50 knots (60 mph, 90 km/h) on November 26. It made landfall as a tropical storm over Mozambique and weakened shortly after on December 1.

Tropical Cyclone Bert-Christe

Formed on November 24 over the open Indian Ocean it moved in a mostly southwest direction, though it did curve a few times. It reached a peak intensity of 80 knots (90 mph, 150 km/h) and a pressure of 965.0 hectopascals (28.50 inHg) on November 29. Christe made landfall on Madagascar on December 9 as a tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Diana

Diana existed from December 7 to December 19.

Tropical Depression Edwige

Edwige brushed Madagascar.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Florine

Toward the beginning of January, the ITCZ was active to the northeast of Madagascar, spawning a circulation east of Agalega that became a depression on January 3. On the next day, the system was named Florine. Steered between a ridge to its northwest and northeast, the system moved erratically until January 5, when Florine began a steady movement to the south and later southwest. The change in trajectory was because the ridge to Florine's northeast had weakened. On January 6, the intensifying storm passed just west of St. Brandon, where a station recorded sustained winds of 115 km/h (71 mph) and gusts of 148 km/h (92 mph). A day later, the outer eyewall of Florine moved across Réunion island, while the center of the eye passed 25 km east of Sainte-Rose. Roland Garros Airport recorded a minimum pressure of 973 mbar (28.7 inHg), the lowest on the island. A landfall was spared due to a shift in trajectory to the south-southeast caused by a passing cold front. Also around this time, the cyclone reached its peak intensity according to the JTWC; the agency estimated peak winds of 195 km/h (120 mph), based on a Dvorak rating of 5.5. The MFR estimated peak 10 minute winds of 220 km/h (140 mph). Florine weakened as it accelerated ahead of a polar trough, and was no classifiable as a tropical cyclone on January 10. The remnants passed west of Île Amsterdam on the next day and continued southeastward.

Florine's close passage to Réunion caused injuries to two people. The high winds, peaking at 234 km/h (145 mph) at Plaine des Cafres, affected the island alongside heavy rainfall. Precipitation totals ranged from 100 mm (4 in) near the coast to 1,161 mm (45.7 in) at Foc-Foc. High tides reached 5.2 m (17 ft) at the coast in La Possession. Cyclone Florine destroyed crops and 95 houses. It caused injuries to two people and left around 500 people homeless. The storm knocked down 2000 phone lines and caused disruptions to the power network. Cilaos and Salazie became isolated during the storm, requiring assistance by helicopter. In nearby Mauritius, winds peaked at 137 km/h (85 mph).

Moderate Tropical Storm Gaelle

Gaelle existed from January 14 to January 18.

Moderate Tropical Storm Helyette

Helyette made landfall in Madagascar.

Severe Tropical Storm Iadine

Iadine also made landfall in Madagascar.

Cyclone Johanne

Johanne existed from March 1 to March 11.

Cyclone Klara

Klara existed from March 28 to April 8.

Cyclone Lisa

Lisa existed from April 6 to April 16.