Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | 13 March 2020 |
Remnant low | 19 March 2020 |
Dissipated | 21 March 2020 |
Intense tropical cyclone | |
10-minute sustained (MF) | |
Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
Highest gusts | 230 km/h (145 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 955 hPa (mbar); 28.20 inHg |
Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 960 hPa (mbar); 28.35 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 5 total |
Damage | Unknown |
Areas affected | Madagascar, Tromelin Island, Mauritius, Rodrigues |
IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2019–20 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season |
Intense Tropical Cyclone Herold was a powerful tropical cyclone that affected Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands in March 2020. Herold was the tenth zone of disturbed weather, ninth depression, eighth moderate tropical storm, sixth severe tropical storm, fifth tropical cyclone, and second intense tropical cyclone of the slightly above-average 2019–20 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. Herold formed on 13 March from a disorganized area of low pressure near Tromelin Island.[2]
When Herold reached Madagascar, it caused five deaths and an unknown amount of damage. Thousands of homes were flooded in the northeastern region. Maroantsetra got the worst of Herold, with all five deaths it caused coming from there.