Tropical Storm Ana (2022)

As early as 14 January, long-range ensemble forecast guidance from the Global Forecast System and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts began to suggest a formation of a tropical cyclone to the northeast of the Mascarene Islands.^[2] At 07:30 UTC on 20 January, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center reported a formation of an area of convection, which they designated as Invest 93S, approximately 378 nmi (700 km; 435 mi) from Mauritius, with the agency giving a low chance for potential tropical cyclogenesis within the next 24 hours.^[3] At midday, the Météo-France La Réunion (MFR) noted that a closed circulation was now present to the north-northwest of Saint-Brandon. The formation of the disturbance was caused by the surge of monsoonal flow.^[4] By the evening, the JTWC upgraded the system to a medium chance for potential tropical cyclogenesis, after noticing its obscure low-level circulation (LLC).^[5] Early the next day, at 02:00 UTC, the JTWC issued its Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) for Invest 93S and also upgraded the system to a high chance for potential tropical cyclogenesis, as the agency noted its consolidation of a well-defined low-level center.^[6] Later at 12:00 UTC, the MFR declared the tropical low pressure system as a zone of disturbed weather, becoming the first system of the season. The department noted the elongated circulation, which was a little more compact than yesterday, but still rather poorly organized.^[7] Twelve hours later, the MFR upgraded it to tropical disturbance status, as they found that the system's cloud pattern had improved. Furthermore, its center had become well-defined but was still overall ill-defined and elongated.^[8] The disturbance slowly consolidated into a defined convective structure while also developing distinct curved rainbands, which prompted the MFR to upgrade it to a tropical depression by 06:00 UTC on 22 January.^[9]

Between 08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC, the system's center crossed between Toamasina and Île Sainte-Marie as a tropical depression, with the MFR re-classifying the system as an overland depression.^[10][11] Because of the mountainous terrain of Madagascar, the system weakened a bit but still managed to preserve its organized convection and its low-level center.^[11] At 06:00 UTC the next day, the MFR re-classified it again as a tropical disturbance after entering the Mozambique Channel.^[12] Six hours later, it re-intensified into a tropical depression, as it gradually improved its convective structure and cooling of its convective bands. Its low-level clouds had developed a distinct curved pattern near the center. This occurred after entering the Mozambique Channel, where more conductive environmental conditions were available along with good convergence of monsoonal flow.^[13] At 15:00 UTC, the JTWC declared the system a tropical cyclone and designated it 07S.^[14] The MFR later upgraded it to a moderate tropical storm and named it Ana, becoming the first named storm of the season.^[15] Ana maintained its intensity until at 08:00 UTC the same day, when it made landfall near south of Angoche, Mozambique.^[16][17] The system later moved westwards as an overland depression, crossing across southern Malawi and northern Zimbabwe, and by midday of 25 January, it became a remnant low over the adjoining areas of Zimbabwe and Zambia.^[18] The remnant later moved towards Angola and was last noted on 30 January around Namibia and Angola.^[19]

The storm caused dozens of casualties in Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique, while causing severe damage to infrastructure in Malawi. It was feared that Cyclone Batsirai – which made landfall in Madagascar on 6 February – would hinder relief work.^[20]

Madagascar

Before becoming a moderate tropical storm, Ana made landfall as a tropical depression in Madagascar, causing heavy rainfall which led to deadly landslides and floods; it caused 58 fatalities in the country.^[21] An estimated 55,000 people had become homeless and 130,000 were forced to flee to temporary habitation centres.^[22][23]

Malawi

The region around Mulanje in Southern Malawi was particularly affected.^[24] 37 were reported dead with another 22 remaining missing as of 31 January. 158 people were injured.^[25] Most of the country lost electricity, and 200,000 had to leave their homes.^[26][22] 109,359 people were forced to reside in emergency camps.^[25] Floods damaged the Kapichira Hydroelectric Power Station, which provides 30% of the country's electricity. The nationwide electricity supply remained intermittent days after the storm passed.^[25][23][27]

Mozambique

The storm also killed 20 people in Mozambique.^[28] 10,000 houses in Mozambique were destroyed as a result of the storm. An additional 20,000 were affected by the cyclone.^[29]

• Weather of 2022
• Tropical cyclones in 2022
• Tropical Storm Dumako (2022) – another tropical storm which affected the same countries a month after Ana.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Moderate Tropical Storm Ana.

• Météo-France La Réunion
• Direction Générale de la Météorologie de Madagascar
• Mauritius Meteorological Services
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)