Tropical cyclones in 1996
During 1996, tropical cyclones formed within seven different cyclone basins, located within various parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. During the year, a total of 139 tropical cyclones formed in bodies of water known as tropical cyclone basins. 90 of them were named by various weather agencies when they attained maximum sustained winds of. The strongest tropical cyclone of the year was Cyclone Daniella, peaking with a pressure of in the open waters of the Indian Ocean. Hurricane Fran and Typhoon Herb tie for the costliest storm of the year, both with a damage cost of $5 billion. The deadliest tropical cyclone of the year was the 1996 Andhra Pradesh cyclone, which was blamed for over 1,000 fatalities as it directly affected the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Five Category 5 tropical cyclones were formed in 1996. The accumulated cyclone energy index for the 1996, as calculated by Colorado State University was 960 units.
Global atmospheric and hydrological conditions
The weak La Niña prevailed until the end of the year, which made the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans warmer than usual. Despite the fact that the 1995–96 La Niña was not a powerful occurrence, it recharged much of the ocean heat released from nearly two decades of El Niño events.Summary
ImageSize = width:1600 height:380
PlotArea = top:10 bottom:80 right:20 left:20
Legend = columns:3 left:20 top:58 columnwidth:270
AlignBars = early
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:25/12/1995 till:25/01/1997
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
ScaleMinor = grid:black unit:month increment:1 start:01/01/1996
Colors =
id:canvas value:gray
id:NATL value:blue legend: North_Atlantic_Ocean
id:EPAC/CPAC value:green legend: East_and_Central_Pacific_Ocean
id:WPAC value:red legend: West_Pacific_Ocean
id:NIO value:orange legend: North_Indian_Ocean
id:SWIO value:purple legend: Southwest_Indian_Ocean
id:SPAC value:yellow legend: South_Pacific_Ocean
id:AUSR value:pink legend: Australian_Region
id:SATL value:black legend: South_Atlantic_Ocean
id:MED value:gray legend: Mediterranean_Sea
Backgroundcolors = canvas:canvas
BarData =
barset:Hurricane
bar:Month
PlotData=
barset:Hurricane width:10 align:left fontsize:S shift: anchor:till
from:25/12/1995 till:31/12/1995 color:WPAC text:Dan
from:03/01/1996 till:20/01/1996 color:SWIO text:Bonita
from:04/01/1996 till:07/01/1996 color:AUSR text:Barry
from:07/01/1996 till:09/01/1996 color:AUSR text:
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:09/01/1996 till:12/01/1996 color:SWIO text:Hubert-Coryna
from:12/01/1996 till:19/01/1996 color:SPAC text:Yasi
from:12/01/1996 till:12/01/1996 color:WPAC text:TD
from:26/01/1996 till:29/01/1996 color:AUSR text:Celeste
from:27/01/1996 till:01/02/1996 color:AUSR text:Isobel
from:27/01/1996 till:08/02/1996 color:AUSR text:Jacob
from:05/02/1996 till:10/02/1996 color:AUSR text:12S
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:10/02/1996 till:10/02/1996 color:SWIO
from:08/02/1996 till:11/02/1996 color:AUSR text:TL
from:12/02/1996 till:20/02/1996 color:SWIO text:Doloresse
from:12/02/1996 till:14/02/1996 color:SPAC text:Unspecified
from:14/02/1996 till:17/02/1996 color:AUSR text:TL
from:15/02/1996 till:18/02/1996 color:AUSR text:Dennis
from:19/02/1996 till:29/02/1996 color:SWIO text:Edwige
from:22/02/1996 till:24/02/1996 color:SPAC text:Unspecified
from:25/02/1996 till:03/03/1996 color:SWIO text:Flossy
from:28/02/1996 till:01/03/1996 color:WPAC text:Asiang
barset:break
from:07/03/1996 till:14/03/1996 color:AUSR text:Kirsty
from:08/03/1996 till:13/03/1996 color:AUSR text:Ethel
from:09/03/1996 till:11/03/1996 color:SPAC text:Zaka
from:10/03/1996 till:13/03/1996 color:SPAC text:Atu
from:17/03/1996 till:25/03/1996 color:SWIO text:Guylianne
from:21/03/1996 till:28/03/1996 color:SPAC text:Beti
from:01/04/1996 till:10/04/1996 color:WPAC text:Ann
from:02/04/1996 till:10/04/1996 color:SWIO text:Hansella
from:03/04/1996 till:12/04/1996 color:AUSR text:Olivia
from:06/04/1996 till:19/04/1996 color:SWIO text:Itelle
from:12/04/1996 till:19/04/1996 color:AUSR text:27S
from:25/04/1996 till:26/04/1996 color:WPAC text:03W
from:30/04/1996 till:04/05/1996 color:AUSR text:
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:04/05/1996 till:05/05/1996 color:SWIO
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:05/05/1996 till:06/05/1996 color:AUSR text:Jenna
from:30/04/1996 till:06/05/1996 color:AUSR text:TL
from:07/05/1996 till:08/05/1996 color:NIO text:BOB 01
from:08/05/1996 till:18/05/1996 color:WPAC text:Bart
from:13/05/1996 till:16/05/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:One-E
from:15/05/1996 till:19/05/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Two-E
from:18/05/1996 till:24/05/1996 color:WPAC text:Cam
from:11/06/1996 till:12/06/1996 color:NIO text:02A
barset:break
from:12/06/1996 till:16/06/1996 color:NIO text:BOB 02
from:13/06/1996 till:15/06/1996 color:WPAC text:TD
from:17/06/1996 till:21/06/1996 color:NATL text:Arthur
from:17/06/1996 till:20/06/1996 color:NIO text:ARB 01
from:20/06/1996 till:27/06/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Alma
from:27/06/1996 till:01/07/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Boris
from:01/07/1996 till:03/07/1996 color: EPAC/CPAC text:Cristina
from:04/07/1996 till:06/07/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Six-E
from:05/07/1996 till:12/07/1996 color:WPAC text:Dan
from:05/07/1996 till:18/07/1996 color:NATL text:[Hurricane Hurricane Bertha (1996)|Bertha (1996)|Bertha]
from:09/07/1996 till:13/07/1996 color:AUSR text:Lindsay
from:13/07/1996 till:24/07/1996 color:WPAC text:Eve
from:20/07/1996 till:25/07/1996 color:WPAC text:Frankie
from:21/07/1996 till:28/07/1996 color:WPAC text:Gloria
from:21/07/1996 till:03/08/1996 color:WPAC text:Herb
from:24/07/1996 till:28/07/1996 color:NATL
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:28/07/1996 till:06/08/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Cesar–Douglas
from:26/07/1996 till:28/07/1996 color:NIO text:LAND 01
from:28/07/1996 till:29/07/1996 color:WPAC text:Ian
from:29/07/1996 till:06/08/1996 color:WPAC text:Joy
from:31/07/1996 till:31/07/1996 color:WPAC text:TD
barset:break
from:02/08/1996 till:03/08/1996 color:WPAC text:TD
from:03/08/1996 till:15/08/1996 color:WPAC text:Kirk
from:05/08/1996 till:09/08/1996 color:WPAC text:Lisa
from:07/08/1996 till:07/08/1996 color:WPAC text:TD
from:12/08/1996 till:16/08/1996 color:WPAC text:15W
from:12/08/1996 till:12/08/1996 color:WPAC text:TD
from:12/08/1996 till:16/08/1996 color:WPAC text:Marty
from:14/08/1996 till:14/08/1996 color:WPAC
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:14/08/1996 till:15/08/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:15/08/1996 till:16/08/1996 color:WPAC text:17W
from:16/08/1996 till:19/08/1996 color:SWIO text:A1
from:17/08/1996 till:23/08/1996 color:WPAC text:Niki
from:17/08/1996 till:17/08/1996 color:WPAC text:TD
from:19/08/1996 till:24/08/1996 color:NATL text:
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:24/08/1996 till:25/08/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Dolly
from:19/08/1996 till:07/09/1996 color:NATL text:Edouard
from:20/08/1996 till:03/09/1996 color:WPAC text:Orson
from:21/08/1996 till:22/08/1996 color:WPAC text:TD
barset:skip
from:22/08/1996 till:26/08/1996 color:WPAC text:Piper
from:23/08/1996 till:10/09/1996 color:NATL text:Fran
from:25/08/1996 till:26/08/1996 color:WPAC text:TD
from:26/08/1996 till:02/09/1996 color:NATL text:Gustav
barset:break
from:26/08/1996 till:27/08/1996 color:WPAC text:21W
from:28/08/1996 till:02/09/1996 color:WPAC text:Rick
from:30/08/1996 till:06/09/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Elida
from:02/09/1996 till:09/09/1996 color:WPAC text:Sally
from:03/09/1996 till:16/09/1996 color:NATL text:Hortense
from:06/09/1996 till:09/09/1996 color:SWIO text:A2
from:10/09/1996 till:14/09/1996 color:WPAC text:Ningning
from:10/09/1996 till:14/09/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Fausto
from:11/09/1996 till:23/09/1996 color:WPAC text:Violet
from:11/09/1996 till:13/09/1996 color:MED text:Unnamed
from:12/09/1996 till:20/09/1996 color:WPAC text:Tom
from:15/09/1996 till:23/09/1996 color:WPAC text:Willie
barset:skip
from:15/09/1996 till:20/09/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:One-C
from:21/09/1996 till:01/10/1996 color:WPAC text:Yates
from:23/09/1996 till:03/10/1996 color:WPAC text:Zane
from:24/09/1996 till:01/10/1996 color:NATL text:Isidore
from:27/09/1996 till:09/10/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Genevieve
from:30/09/1996 till:04/10/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Hernan
from:01/10/1996 till:03/10/1996 color:NIO text:BOB 03
barset:break
from:04/10/1996 till:08/10/1996 color:NATL text:Josephine
from:04/10/1996 till:06/10/1996 color:MED text:Unnamed
from:06/10/1996 till:11/10/1996 color:MED text:Cornelia
from:10/10/1996 till:17/10/1996 color:WPAC text:Abel
from:11/10/1996 till:12/10/1996 color:NATL text:Kyle
from:11/10/1996 till:22/10/1996 color:WPAC text:Beth
from:14/10/1996 till:27/10/1996 color:NATL text:Lili
from:15/10/1996 till:16/10/1996 color:WPAC text:31W
from:15/10/1996 till:21/10/1996 color:SWIO text:Antoinette
from:20/10/1996 till:26/10/1996 color:WPAC text:Carlo
from:22/10/1996 till:28/10/1996 color:NIO text:ARB 02
from:24/10/1996 till:30/10/1996 color:WPAC text:34W
from:27/10/1996 till:29/10/1996 color:NIO text:BOB 04
from:28/10/1996 till:01/11/1996 color:AUSR
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:01/11/1996 till:11/11/1996 color:SWIO text:Melanie–Bellamine
from:01/11/1996 till:03/11/1996 color:WPAC text:35W
from:03/11/1996 till:13/11/1996 color:WPAC text:Dale
from:04/11/1996 till:07/11/1996 color:NIO text:ARB 02
from:04/11/1996 till:16/11/1996 color:WPAC text:Ernie
from:05/11/1996 till:08/11/1996 color:WPAC text:38W
from:07/11/1996 till:11/11/1996 color:EPAC/CPAC text:Twelve-E
barset:break
from:07/11/1996 till:08/11/1996 color:WPAC text:39W
from:16/11/1996 till:26/11/1996 color:NATL text:Marco
from:23/11/1996 till:30/11/1996 color:SWIO text:Chantelle
from:23/11/1996 till:26/11/1996 color:SPAC text:Cyril
from:24/11/1996 till:26/11/1996 color:WPAC text:40W
from:27/11/1996 till:07/12/1996 color:NIO text:BOB 06
from:02/12/1996 till:10/12/1996 color:SWIO text:Daniella
from:08/12/1996 till:16/12/1996 color:SWIO text:Elvina
from:10/12/1996 till:13/12/1996 color:MED text:Unnamed
from:12/12/1996 till:15/12/1996 color:AUSR text:Nicholas
from:13/12/1996 till:19/12/1996 color:AUSR text:Ophelia
from:14/12/1996 till:20/12/1996 color:WPAC text:41W
from:20/12/1996 till:23/12/1996 color:SPAC
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:23/12/1996 till:25/12/1996 color:AUSR
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:25/12/1996 till:30/12/1996 color:SPAC text:Fergus
from:21/12/1996 till:30/12/1996 color:WPAC text:Fern
from:24/12/1996 till:27/12/1996 color:WPAC text:Greg
from:26/12/1996 till:05/01/1997 color:AUSR
barset:break
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
barset:skip
from:05/01/1997 till:16/01/1997 color:SWIO text:Phil
bar:Month width:5 align:center fontsize:S shift: anchor:middle
color:canvas
from:25/12/1995 till:31/12/1995 text:Dec. '95
from:01/01/1996 till:31/01/1996 text:January
from:01/02/1996 till:28/02/1996 text:February
from:01/03/1996 till:31/03/1996 text:March
from:01/04/1996 till:30/04/1996 text:April
from:01/05/1996 till:31/05/1996 text:May
from:01/06/1996 till:30/06/1996 text:June
from:01/07/1996 till:31/07/1996 text:July
from:01/08/1996 till:31/08/1996 text:August
from:01/09/1996 till:30/09/1996 text:September
from:01/10/1996 till:31/10/1996 text:October
from:01/11/1996 till:30/11/1996 text:November
from:01/12/1996 till:31/12/1996 text:December
from:01/01/1997 till:25/01/1997 text:Jan. '97
TextData =
pos:
text:"This table is based on the"
pos:
text:"tropical cyclone basins"
North Atlantic Ocean
An average Atlantic hurricane season features 12 tropical storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes, and features an Accumulated Cyclone Energy count of 106. In the season, all of them were reached, featuring 13 tropical storms, 9 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes, with an ACE total of 166. A rare subtropical storm also formed in mid-September, that affected the Northeastern United States and the nearby Eastern Canada.The season had the most major hurricanes since 1950 and the season's first tropical cyclone, Tropical Storm Arthur, developed on June 17, while the final cyclone, Hurricane Marco dissipated on November 26. The most intense hurricane, Edouard, was a powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane that affected portions of the Mid-Atlantic states and New England. The season featured nine tropical cyclone landfalls, including six hurricanes, one of which was a major hurricane.
The four most notable tropical cyclones of the season were hurricanes Bertha, Cesar, Fran, and [Hurricane Hurricane Hortense (1996)|Hortense (1996)|Hortense]. Bertha made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane on the coast of North Carolina, causing a total of 12 deaths and $335 million in damage. Hurricane Fran made landfall in the same general area a little over a month later as a Category 3 hurricane, causing 37 deaths and $5 billion in damage. Hurricane Cesar developed in the east Caribbean during late-July and crossed Nicaragua into the eastern Pacific as a strong tropical storm several days later, at which time it earned the name Douglas. The system produced strong winds and flooding, leading to 113 deaths and $202.96 million in damage. Finally, Hurricane Hortense formed in the eastern Atlantic during the month of September and crossed Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, causing 39 direct deaths and $158 million in damage. Collectively, the tropical cyclones of the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season caused $6.52 billion in damage and 256 deaths.
Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean
An average Pacific hurricane season features 15 tropical storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes, and features an Accumulated Cyclone Energy count of 132. In the season, the statistics fell below the average list, with 9 tropical storms, 5 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes.It was a below-average season; however, it recorded a four Pacific hurricanes striking Mexico. In addition, one Atlantic hurricane, Hurricane Cesar, crossed into this zone from the Atlantic Ocean and was renamed Douglas. None of the systems in the eastern north Pacific crossed 140°W and entered the central Pacific. The last time that happened was in the 1979 season.
In the central north Pacific, one tropical depression formed. In addition, a depression crossed the dateline from the western Pacific before dissipating in this basin. None of these two systems reached tropical storm strength. In addition, data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, on September 1, Tropical Depression Rick crossed the International Date Line, entering into CPHC's area of responsibility; however, this storm was not included into CPHC database. The storm eventually became extratropical on September 3 over open waters.
In terms of the number of storms, the season was below average. Despite this, there were a large number of landfalls. Of note is the fact that three tropical cyclones approached close to, or made landfall on, Mexico during a ten-day span from June 23 to July 3. In all, a record-setting four hurricanes struck the coastline.
Western Pacific Ocean
The average typhoon season lasts year-round, with the majority of the storms forming between May and October. An average Pacific typhoon season features 26 tropical storms, 16 typhoons, and 9 super typhoons. It also features an average Accumulated Cyclone Energy count of approximately 294; the basin is typically the most active basin for tropical cyclone formation. The statistics were reached, except the number of super typhoons, which fell below the list. The season featured 30 tropical storms, 16 typhoons, and 6 super typhoons. The first tropical depression formed on January 12 and the last storm dissipated on December 27.The strongest and the deadliest typhoon of the year was Typhoon Herb, which also became the largest, and the fourth-wettest tropical cyclone to affect Taiwan. It killed over 284 people and left $5 billion worth of damages as it affected the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, and China as a super typhoon. Frankie left 104 deaths as it passed near Vietnam. Marty formed over southern China and resulted in the deaths of 125 people as it affected the same country.
During most of the year, sea surface temperatures were moderately below normal near the equator, and were highest around 160° E from August to October, due to the prevailing La Niña. Overall, there were 30 named storms in the basin in 1996, which was slightly above the norm of 27. A total of 15 of the 30 storms became typhoons.
North Indian Ocean
The 1996 North Indian Ocean cyclone season featured several deadly tropical cyclones, with over 2,000 people killed during the year. It was a slightly average season, featuring nine tropical cyclones, five cyclonic storms, four severe cyclonic storms, two very severe cyclonic storms; however, it has no super cyclonic storm.The first system originated on May 7 in the Bay of Bengal, which is the body of water east of India; the storm developed in tandem with a storm in the southern hemisphere, and ultimately struck Bangladesh. Three storms formed in June. The first struck Oman and later caused devastating flooding in Yemen, killing 338 people and causing $1.2 billion in damage. The other two storms struck opposite sides of India, collectively resulting in 226 deaths after causing widespread flooding. After a brief land depression in July and a weak depression in early October, the season featured four notable cyclones beginning in late October. A low-pressure area moved across southern India, killing 388 people before taking an unusual track in the Arabian Sea. At the end of October, a deep depression killed 14 people in Bangladesh. The strongest cyclone of the season was also the deadliest, killing 1,077 people when it struck Andhra Pradesh in early November. The final storm of the season executed a rare loop in the Bay of Bengal before weakening and striking southern India in early December, killing seven.
South-West Indian Ocean
January–June
The 1995–96 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a moderately active season that included Cyclone Bonita, which was the first known tropical cyclone to cross from the southern Indian Ocean into the southern Atlantic Ocean. The tropical activity lasted for about six months from the middle of November 1995 to early May 1996. The first storm, Intense Tropical Cyclone Agnielle, formed in the adjacent Australian basin on November 16 and later reached peak winds in the south-west Indian Ocean. The next named storm after Agnielle was Bonita, which formed in early January and killed 42 people. The basin was most active in February, with two tropical cyclones, or the equivalent of a minimal hurricane, as well as a severe tropical storm. The first of these three was Doloresse, which killed 67 people due to a shipwreck in the Comoros. The next storm was Cyclone Edwige, which caused heavy crop damage on Mauritius before looping along the east coast of Madagascar. In March, both Cyclone Flossy and Tropical Storm Guylianne passed near the Mascarene Islands, producing heavy rainfall and gusty winds.Tropical activity continued through April and May, with two tropical cyclones in the former month. In early April, Tropical Cyclone Hansella moved over the island of Rodrigues, dropping more rainfall in 24 hours than the average monthly total. Later, Itelle became a rare April intense tropical cyclone but weakened before it approached St. Brandon island. The final storm of the season, Jenna, formed in the Australian region, briefly intensified into a minimal tropical storm in the south-west Indian Ocean, and proceeded to exit the basin on May 4 to end the season. In addition to the named storms, several tropical depressions were tracked, one of which in December dropped heavy rainfall on Réunion.
July–December
On August 16, a tropical disturbance started the season, an unusual start. It remained below tropical depression intensity before dissipating on August 19. Not a month later, on September 6, a tropical disturbance formed from a trough near the Chagos Archipelago, with the MFR classifying the system as Tropical Disturbance A2. Located in an unfavourable environment, the storm possessed gale-force winds before dissipating on September 10. Antoinette formed on October 10, passing near the northern Madagascar before weakening. Bellamine and Chantelle developed in the month of November, with the former crossing the basin from the Australian region as Tropical Cyclone Melanie before it was renamed. Daniella and Evrina formed in the month of December, with the latter becoming the strongest tropical cyclone of the year.Australian region
January–June
The 1995–96 Australian region cyclone season was an active Australian cyclone season, with Western Australia experiencing a record number of landfalling intense storms in the Pilbara region. The season produced a total of 19 tropical cyclones, of which 14 developed into named storms and 9 reached severe tropical cyclone status. The strongest of the season was Severe Tropical Cyclone Olivia, which also produced the highest recorded wind gust on record of. Though several systems impacted land, the general sparsity of population centres in Australia limits the scale of damage. One person was confirmed to have been killed and cumulative losses were estimated at A$77 million.July–December
On July 9, a tropical low formed near the Cocos Islands, starting the season. It soon strengthened to Tropical Cyclone Lindsay before weakening and dissipating on July 13. Three months later, Cyclone Melanie formed near the Cocos (Keeling) Islands before crossing into the nearby South-West Indian Ocean basin, where it was renamed Bellamine. Nicholas, Ophelia, Fergus and Phil all developed on the month of December.South Pacific Ocean
January–June
The 1995–96 South Pacific cyclone season was one of the least active South Pacific tropical cyclone season's on record, with only four tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean to the east of 160°E.The first storm developed on January 12, while the last one dissipated on April 2. During the season the most intense tropical cyclone was Severe Tropical Cyclone Beti, which reached a minimum pressure of as it affected New Caledonia. After the season ended Beti's name was the only name to be retired from the tropical cyclone naming lists and was replaced with Bune, after it inflicted over US$5.6 million worth of damage to Australia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and New Zealand.
July–December
Cyril started the season as a tropical low on November 23. It soon strikes New Caledonia, causing unknown damage. Fergus from the adjacent Australian region entered the basin on December 20, with the cyclone rapidly intensifying to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone before dissipating on December 30.South Atlantic Ocean
According to the Zambia Meteorological Department, Cyclone Bonita moved off the coast of Angola and entered the South Atlantic Ocean on January 19, 1996. By the next day, the system had succumbed to cold waters and days of land interaction, dissipating completely. It was the first tropical cyclone known to have traversed southern Africa from the South-West Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic.Mediterranean Sea
Three notable medicanes developed in the month of September. The first, in mid-September 1996, was a typical Mediterranean tropical cyclone that developed in the Balearic Islands region. At the time of the cyclone's formation, a powerful Atlantic cold front and a warm front associated with a large-scale low, producing northeasterly winds over the Iberian peninsula, extended eastward into the Mediterranean, while abundant moisture gathered in the lower troposphere over the Balearic channel. On the morning of 12 September, a disturbance developed off of Valencia, Spain, dropping heavy rainfall on the coast even without coming ashore. An eye developed shortly thereafter as the system rapidly traversed across Majorca and Sardinia in its eastward trek. It made landfall upon the coast of southern Italy on the evening of 13 September with a minimum atmospheric pressure of, dissipating shortly after coming ashore, with a diameter of about.The second of the three recorded Mediterranean tropical cyclones in 1996 formed between Sicily and Tunisia on 4 October, making landfall on both Sicily and southern Italy. The medicane generated major flooding in Sicily. In Calabria, wind gusts of up to were reported in addition to severe inundation.
The third major Mediterranean tropical cyclone of that year formed north of Algeria, and strengthened while sweeping between the Balearic Islands and Sardinia, with an eye-like feature prominent on satellite. The storm was unofficially named Cornelia. The eye of the storm was distorted and disappeared after transiting over southern Sardinia throughout the evening of 8 October, with the system weakening as a whole. On the morning of October 9, a smaller eye emerged as the system passed over the Tyrrhenian Sea, gradually strengthening, with reports from the storm's center reporting winds of. Extreme damage was reported in the Aeolian Islands after the tropical cyclone passed north of Sicily, though the system dissipated while turning southward over Calabria. Overall, the lowest estimated atmospheric pressure in the third medicane was. Both October systems featured distinctive spiral bands, intense convection, high sustained winds, and abundant precipitation.
A medicane was observed from 10 to 13 December.
Systems
January
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| Bonita | January 3–15 | 185 | 920 | Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola | Unknown | > 42 | |
| Barry | January 4–7 | 185 | 950 | Northern Territory, Queensland | Unknown | - | |
| Hubert–Coryna | January 7–12 | 150 | 955 | - | - | - | |
| Yasi | January 12–19 | 85 | 987 | Fiji, Tonga | Minor | - | |
| TD | January 12 | 1008 | Philippines | - | - | ||
| Celeste | January 26–29 | 130 | 965 | Queensland | - | 1 | |
| Isobel | January 27 – February 1 | 65 | 995 | Northern Territory | - | - | |
| Jacob | January 27 – February 8 | 155 | 955 | Northern Territory, Western Australia | Unknown | Unknown |
February
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| 12S | February 5 – 10 | 65 | 997 | - | - | - | |
| TL | February 8 – 11 | 55 | 997 | - | - | - | |
| Doloresse | February 12 – 20 | 95 | 977 | Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique | Unknown | > 67 | |
| TD | February 12 – 14 | 1002 | - | - | - | ||
| TL | February 14 – 17 | 55 | 996 | - | - | - | |
| Dennis | February 15 – 18 | 75 | 990 | Papua New Guinea, Queensland | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Edwige | February 19 – 29 | 150 | 945 | Mascarene Islands, Madagascar | Minor | Unknown | |
| TD | February 22 – 24 | Fiji | Minor | - | |||
| [Cyclone Cyclone Flossy (1996)|Flossy (1996)|Flossy] | February 25 – March 6 | 150 | 945 | Réunion | - | - | |
| 01W (Asiang) | February 28 – March 1 | 65 | 998 | Philippines | - | - |
March
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| Kirsty | March 7–14 | 185 | 935 | Western Australia | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Ethel | March 8–13 | 110 | 980 | Queensland, Northern Territory | $57 million | Unknown | |
| Zaka | March 9–11 | 65 | 995 | New Caledonia | Minor | - | |
| Atu | March 10–13 | 85 | 987 | New Caledonia | Minor | - | |
| Guylianne | March 17–25 | 65 | 992 | Mauritius | - | - | |
| Beti | March 21–28 | 165 | 935 | Australia, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Zealand | $5.3 million | 2 |
April
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| Ann (Biring) | April 1 – 10 | 65 | 1000 | Caroline Islands, Philippines | - | - | |
| Hansella | April 2 – 10 | 120 | 962 | Mascarene Islands | - | - | |
| Olivia | April 3 – 12 | 195 | 925 | Western Australia, Northern Territory | > $47.5 million | - | |
| Itelle | April 6 – 19 | 175 | 925 | Mascarene Islands | - | - | |
| 27S | April 12 – 19 | 55 | 1000 | - | - | - | |
| 03W | April 25 – 26 | 45 | 1004 | Borneo | - | - | |
| Jenna | April 30 – May 6 | 95 | 984 | - | - | - | |
| TL | April 30 – May 5 | 55 | 997 | - | - | - |
May
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| BOB 01 | May 7 – 8 | 55 | 1000 | Bangladesh, Myanmar, India | Unknown | 1 | |
| Bart (Konsing) | May 8 – 18 | 175 | 930 | Philippines, Guam, Mariana Islands | - | - | |
| One-E | May 13 – 16 | 85 | 1000 | - | - | - | |
| Two-E | May 15 – 19 | 55 | 1006 | - | Nonme | - | |
| Cam (Ditang) | May 18 – 24 | 75 | 994 | Philippines, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands | - | - |
June
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| 02A | June 11–12 | 75 | 994 | Oman, Yemen, Somalia | $1.2 billion | 341 | |
| BOB 02 | June 12–16 | 85 | 992 | India | $23.5 million | 179 | |
| TD | June 13–15 | 1004 | South China | - | - | ||
| Arthur | June 16–21 | 75 | 1004 | North Carolina | $1 million | - | |
| ARB 01 | June 17–20 | 110 | 972 | India | $5.6 million | 47 | |
| Alma | June 20–27 | 165 | 969 | Mexico | Unknown | 26 | |
| Boris | June 27 – July 1 | 150 | 979 | Mexico | Unknown | 10 |
July
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| Cristina | July 1–3 | 110 | 991 | Central America, Mexico | Unknown | 13 | |
| Six-E | July 4–6 | 55 | 1003 | - | - | - | |
| Dan | July 5–12 | 120 | 970 | Japan, Kamchatka Peninsula | Unknown | - | |
| Bertha | July 5–14 | 185 | 960 | Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, North Carolina, Mid-Atlantic States, New England | $335 million | 12 | |
| Lindsay | July 9–13 | 75 | 990 | - | - | - | |
| Eve | July 13–24 | 155 | 940 | Japan, Ryukyu Islands | Unknown | - | |
| Frankie (Edeng) | July 20–25 | 95 | 975 | China, Vietnam | $200 million | 104 | |
| Gloria (Gloring) | July 21–28 | 120 | 965 | Philippines, Taiwan, China | $20 million | 23 | |
| Herb (Huaning) | July 21 – August 3 | 175 | 925 | Ryūkyū Islands, Taiwan, People's Republic of China | $5 billion | 284 | |
| Cesar | July 24–28 | 140 | 985 | Colombia, Central America, Mexico | $203 million | 113 | |
| Douglas | July 28 – August 6 | 215 | 946 | Mexico, Baja California Sur | - | - | |
| LAND 01 | July 26–28 | 45 | India | - | - | ||
| Ian | July 28–29 | 75 | 1002 | Mariana Islands | - | - | |
| Joy | July 29 – August 6 | 100 | 980 | - | - | - | |
| TD | July 31 | 1004 | Caroline Islands | - | - |
August
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| TD | August 2–3 | 998 | South China | - | - | ||
| Kirk (Isang) | August 3–15 | 140 | 955 | Ryukyu Islands, Japan | Unknown | 2 | |
| Lisa | August 5–9 | 55 | 996 | China | - | - | |
| TD | August 7 | 1002 | - | - | - | ||
| 15W | August 12–16 | 55 | 998 | - | - | - | |
| TD | August 12 | 1002 | South China | - | - | ||
| Marty | August 12–16 | 95 | 998 | South China, Vietnam | $198 million | 125 | |
| 17W | August 14–16 | 55 | 1008 | - | - | - | |
| A1 | August 16–19 | 55 | - | - | - | ||
| Niki (Lusing) | August 17–23 | 120 | 970 | Philippines, Vietnam, South China | $65 million | Unknown | |
| TD | August 17 | 1008 | - | - | - | ||
| Dolly | August 19–25 | 130 | 989 | Belize, Mexico, Texas | Unknown | 14 | |
| Edouard | August 19 – September 3 | 230 | 933 | Mid-Atlantic States, New England, Atlantic Canada | $20 million | 2 | |
| Orson | August 20 – September 3 | 140 | 955 | - | - | - | |
| TD | August 21–22 | 1008 | - | - | - | ||
| Piper | August 22–26 | 75 | 996 | - | - | - | |
| Fran | August 23 – September 8 | 195 | 946 | South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania | $5 billion | 22 | |
| TD | August 25–26 | 1008 | - | - | - | ||
| Gustav | August 26 – September 2 | 75 | 1002 | - | - | - | |
| 21W | August 26–27 | 45 | 1008 | - | - | - | |
| Rick | August 28 – September 2 | 65 | 1004 | - | - | - | |
| Elida | August 30 – September 6 | 65 | 994 | Baja California Peninsula | Unknown | 6 |
September
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| Sally (Maring) | September 2–9 | 150 | 940 | Philippines, China, Vietnam | $1.5 billion | 140 | |
| Hortense | September 3–15 | 220 | 935 | Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos Islands, Atlantic Canada | $158 million | 39 | |
| A2 | September 6–10 | 65 | - | - | - | ||
| 24W (Ningning) | September 10–14 | 85 | 996 | Philippines, South China, Vietnam | - | - | |
| Fausto | September 10–14 | 195 | 955 | Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico, Baja California Peninsula, Southwestern United States | $800 thousand | 1 | |
| Violet (Osang) | September 11–23 | 165 | 935 | Ryukyu Islands, Japan | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Unnamed | September 11–13 | Unknown | 990 | Spain, Balearic Islands, Italy | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Tom | September 12–20 | 130 | 965 | - | - | - | |
| Willie | September 15–23 | 100 | 985 | South China, Vietnam | Unknown | 38 | |
| One-C | September 15–20 | 55 | - | - | - | ||
| Yates | September 21 – October 1 | 165 | 935 | Mariana Islands | - | - | |
| Zane (Paring) | September 23 – October 3 | 150 | 950 | Ryukyu Islands, Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands | - | - | |
| Isidore | September 24 – October 1 | 185 | 960 | - | - | - | |
| Genevieve | September 27 – October 9 | 85 | 999 | - | - | - | |
| Hernan | September 30 – October 4 | 140 | 980 | Mexico, Texas | Unknown | 1 |
October
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| BOB 03 | October 1–3 | 45 | India | Unknown | 22 | ||
| Josephine | October 4–8 | 110 | 981 | Southeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Atlantic Canada | $130 million | 3 | |
| Unnamed | October 4–6 | > 108 | Italy | Unknown | - | ||
| Cornelia | October 6–11 | > 90 | 998 | Algeria, Balearic Islands, Italy, Aeolian Islands | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Abel (Reming) | October 10–17 | 95 | 1002 | Philippines, Vietnam | $4.3 million | 8 | |
| Kyle | October 11–12 | 85 | 1001 | Central America, Mexico | Minimal | - | |
| Beth (Seniang) | October 11–22 | 110 | 975 | Philippines, Vietnam | Unknown | 1 | |
| Lili | October 14–27 | 185 | 960 | Central America, Cuba, Florida, Bahamas, Bermuda, Ireland, Great Britain | $662 million | 22 | |
| 31W | October 15–16 | 45 | 1006 | Mariana Islands | - | - | |
| Antoinette | October 15–21 | 120 | 965 | - | - | - | |
| Carlo | October 20–26 | 130 | 965 | Mariana Islands | - | - | |
| ARB 02 | October 22–28 | 110 | 976 | Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat | $128.5 million | 388 | |
| 34W | October 24–30 | 55 | 1000 | Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Borneo | - | - | |
| BOB 04 | October 27–29 | 55 | 991 | India, Bangladesh | Unknown | 19 | |
| Melanie–Bellamine | October 28 – November 11 | 175 | 925 | - | - | - |
November
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| 35W | November 1–3 | 75 | 998 | Philippines, Vietnam, Laos | $138 million | 60 | |
| Dale (Ulpiang) | November 3–13 | 165 | 930 | Guam, Mariana Islands, Caroline Islands | $3.5 million | - | |
| ARB 02 | November 4–7 | 145 | 988 | India | $602 million | 1077 | |
| Ernie (Toyang) | November 4–16 | 75 | 992 | Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand | $5.1 million | 24 | |
| 38W | November 5–8 | 65 | 1000 | - | - | - | |
| Twelve-E | November 7–11 | 55 | 1003 | - | - | - | |
| 39W | November 7–8 | 55 | 1006 | Philippines, Taiwan | - | - | |
| Marco | November 16–26 | 120 | 983 | Cuba, Hispaniola, Central America, Jamaica, Florida | $8.2 million | 15 | |
| Chantelle | November 23–30 | 95 | 980 | - | - | - | |
| Cyril | November 23–26 | 85 | 987 | New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu | Unknown | Unknown | |
| 40W | November 24–26 | 45 | 1002 | Mariana Islands, Philippines | - | - | |
| BOB 06 | November 27 – December 7 | 120 | 967 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India | Unknown | 7 |
December
| Storm name | Dates active | Max wind km/h | Pressure | Areas affected | Damage | Deaths | Refs |
| Daniella | December 2–10 | 185 | 915 | Mascarene Islands | Unknown | 3 | |
| Elvina | December 8–16 | 85 | 985 | - | - | - | |
| Unnamed | December 10–13 | - | - | ||||
| Nicholas | December 12–15 | 85 | 985 | Western Australia, Timor | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Ophelia | December 13–19 | 100 | 980 | Christmas Islands | - | - | |
| 41W | December 14–20 | 55 | 1000 | Borneo, Malaysia, Singapore | - | - | |
| Fergus | December 20–30 | 150 | 955 | Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, New Zealand | $2 million | - | |
| Fern | December 21–30 | 110 | 975 | Yap | $3 million | - | |
| Greg | December 24–27 | 85 | 1002 | Philippines, Borneo | $280 million | 127 | |
| Phil | December 26 – January 16 | 110 | 975 | Northern Territory, Western Australia | Unknown | Unknown |