Hurricane Tracker Logo
Storm Atlas

Major Hurricane Freddy Track Map & Archive

Dissipated

Local time · Active from 04 Feb 2023 20:00 GMT+8 to 14 Mar 2023 14:00 GMT+2

Previous Storm:

Dingani

Dingani

Next Storm:

Gabrielle

Gabrielle
Loading live hurricane tracking map...
Interactive Live Storm Tracker
📊

Estimated Storm Impact Analysis

Real-time analysis of population and infrastructure exposure within the storm's wind field.

Radius: ~600 km
👥 Estimated Population at Risk
13.84Mpeople
🏥 Hospitals & Medical Centers
252facilities
🏕️ Evacuation Shelters & Centers
769centers
🏫 Schools & Critical Infrastructure
1846buildings
🤖

AI Historical Storm Matches

Compare historical storms by track, pressure changes, and rapid intensification patterns.

AI Trajectory Match
Djoungou84% Similarity Score
MAX: 259 m/s
MIN: 923 hPa
⚡ Rapid Intensification Risk:High Risk
View Historical Storm Track↗
Herman78% Similarity Score
MAX: 234 m/s
MIN: 933 hPa
⚡ Rapid Intensification Risk:High Risk
View Historical Storm Track↗
Fabien71% Similarity Score
MAX: 191 m/s
MIN: 962 hPa
⚡ Rapid Intensification Risk:High Risk
View Historical Storm Track↗

Basic Information

Peak Category

Tropical Depression

Minimum Pressure

930 hPa

Maximum Wind Speed

248 km/h

Region

West Pacific

Key Events

Formation

04 Feb 2023 20:00 GMT+8

-12.3°N, 116.6°E

Dissipation

14 Mar 2023 14:00 GMT+2

-15.2°N, 33.8°E

Frequently Asked Questions about Freddy

No, Freddy is no longer active. It dissipated or transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on 2023-03-14T12:00:00.000Z.
Freddy formed on 2023-02-04T12:00:00.000Z and dissipated on 2023-03-14T12:00:00.000Z, reaching a peak intensity of tropical_depression.

Storm Timeline

Freddy at 15.2°S, 33.8°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 25 km/h (16 mph)

Freddy at 15.7°S, 33.8°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 0 km/h

Freddy at 16.1°S, 33.8°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 25 km/h (16 mph)

Freddy at 16.3°S, 33.8°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 0 km/h

Freddy at 16.3°S, 33.9°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 36 km/h (22 mph)

Freddy at 16.3°S, 33.9°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 0 km/h

Freddy at 16.3°S, 34.1°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 43 km/h (27 mph)

Freddy at 16.5°S, 34.2°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 32 km/h (20 mph)

Freddy at 16.6°S, 34.3°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 43 km/h (27 mph)

Freddy at 16.7°S, 34.4°E as Tropical Depression with winds of 40 km/h (25 mph)

Cyclone Freddy’s 36-Day Reign Ends as Deadliest Southern Hemisphere Storm in Decades

Tropical Cyclone Freddy formed near Indonesia on February 4, 2023, crossed the southern Indian Ocean, and became the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record after maintaining tropical storm intensity for 36 days. The storm reached its peak intensity on February 19, with Météo-France’s La Réunion regional warning center assessing 10-minute sustained winds of 230 km/h and a minimum pressure of 927 hPa. Freddy struck Madagascar on February 21 and Mozambique on March 11, bringing destructive winds, storm surge, and extreme rainfall across southern Africa. The cyclone caused 1,434 deaths and approximately $1.53 billion in economic losses, while also recording the highest Accumulated Cyclone Energy value ever observed for a tropical cyclone, reaching about 87.01 units.

Genesis Near Australia: Freddy’s Record-Breaking Indian Ocean Crossing

Cyclone Freddy originated from a tropical disturbance near the waters northwest of Australia and Indonesia on February 4, 2023. The system strengthened while moving westward across the Indian Ocean, becoming a tropical cyclone as it entered the southwest Indian Ocean basin.

The cyclone followed an exceptionally long westward route across open water. Its tropical storm-force track extended approximately 12,785 kilometers (7,945 miles), carrying Freddy from the eastern Indian Ocean toward Madagascar and later the African mainland. This east-to-west movement across the basin was among the rarest observed tracks in the southern Indian Ocean, where most cyclones follow shorter trajectories influenced by regional atmospheric steering patterns.

Freddy intensified rapidly during its early development phase. By February 7, the storm had strengthened to a severe tropical cyclone with winds near 162 km/h in best-track records and a central pressure around 968 hPa. Although the cyclone weakened during parts of its long ocean journey, it repeatedly reorganized as it encountered favorable ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions.

The storm reached its first peak on February 19 near 16.8°S, 66.3°E. Météo-France, the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for the southwest Indian Ocean based in La Réunion, assessed Freddy as a powerful tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained winds of 230 km/h and a minimum pressure of 927 hPa. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated stronger one-minute sustained winds of approximately 260–270 km/h, placing Freddy among the most intense cyclones of the 2023 season.

Freddy’s prolonged existence also produced an exceptional energy output. With an Accumulated Cyclone Energy value of approximately 87.01 units, the cyclone set the global record for ACE, reflecting the combination of its extreme intensity and unusually long duration. The storm remained active across multiple phases, surviving weakening periods and continuing its journey toward populated coastlines.

Madagascar Landfall and Mozambique Impact: Freddy’s Repeated Strikes Across Southern Africa

Freddy made its first landfall on February 21, 2023, along the eastern coast of Madagascar near Mananjary, approximately 18 miles north of the town. By the time it reached the island, the cyclone had weakened from its peak intensity but still delivered damaging winds, coastal flooding, storm surge, and intense rainfall.

Madagascar experienced widespread impacts as Freddy crossed the island. Homes were damaged, roads were disrupted, and agricultural areas were affected by flooding. The storm struck communities that were already recovering from earlier cyclone activity during the 2022–2023 season, increasing humanitarian pressure in affected districts.

After crossing Madagascar, Freddy entered the Mozambique Channel and underwent another period of strengthening. The warm waters of the channel allowed the circulation to regain organization, and the cyclone once again approached major population centers on the African coast.

On March 11, Freddy made its second major landfall in Mozambique in Quelimane District, Zambezia Province. The cyclone brought destructive rainfall and flooding across central Mozambique, with additional severe impacts extending into Malawi. Malawi experienced some of the worst consequences of the storm, including more than 100 deaths, extensive flooding, and major damage to homes, roads, and public infrastructure.

The combined effects of Freddy across Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi resulted in 1,434 fatalities, making it the third-deadliest tropical cyclone recorded in the Southern Hemisphere. The storm affected millions of people through flooding, displacement, damaged livelihoods, and emergency humanitarian needs.

Economic losses from Freddy were estimated at approximately $1.53 billion in 2023 U.S. dollars. The damage included destroyed housing, agricultural losses, transportation disruption, and recovery costs across multiple countries in southern Africa.

Record 36-Day Lifecycle and Final Dissipation: How Freddy Survived Multiple Landfalls and Regeneration

Freddy continued its unusual lifecycle after the second Mozambique landfall, weakening over land before maintaining tropical depression status and reorganizing over nearby waters. The cyclone’s ability to regenerate after repeated weakening phases became one of the defining characteristics of its record-setting existence.

The World Meteorological Organization later confirmed Freddy as the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record, with 36 days spent at tropical storm strength or higher. The storm surpassed previous duration records after an official review of historical cyclone observations and intensity estimates.

Freddy’s record lifecycle was shaped by several meteorological factors, including a persistent westward steering pattern, favorable ocean conditions, and repeated access to warm water after land interactions. These conditions allowed the circulation to survive multiple weakening and strengthening cycles across the Indian Ocean and Mozambique Channel.

The cyclone remained active into March as it moved through southern Africa. By March 14, 2023, Freddy had weakened into a tropical depression near 15.2°S, 33.8°E, with winds below tropical cyclone intensity. The system dissipated over southern Africa after a 36-day tropical cyclone lifecycle.