In early March 2002, tropical activity was minimal in the southern Indian Ocean, limited to an area of convection, or thunderstorms, located southwest of Diego Garcia along the monsoon.
On March 4, a broad and elongated low pressure area developed within the system, although moderate wind shear in the region initially prevented significant development.
The next day, the circulation became better defined, and after being nearly stationary for a few days, it began moving steadily to the west-southwest, due to a ridge to the southeast.
On March 5, Météo-France (MFR) classified the system as a tropical disturbance, and later Tropical Depression 11.
At 0000 UTC on March 6, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 18S, and six hours later MFR upgraded the system to Moderate Tropical Storm Hary.

After becoming a tropical storm, Hary was located beneath an anticyclone and in an area of minimal wind shear.
It turned to a general westward motion, with its convection wrapping into the center and developing into a central dense overcast.
A ragged eye formed on March 7, which gradually became more organized.
That day, the JTWC upgraded Hary to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane, with 1 minute winds of 120 km/h (75 mph).
By that time, the storm had developed good outflow, and was in the midst of a period of rapid deepening.
Early on March 8, MFR upgraded Hary to tropical cyclone status, and the storm became very compact, with gales extending only 75 km (47 mi) from the center.
While rounding the northwest edge of a ridge, Hary turned to the southwest late on March 8, toward the northeast coast of Madagascar.
After reaching 10 minute sustained winds of 205 km/h (125 mph), Hary weakened slightly due to an eyewall replacement cycle, which resulted in the eye becoming indistinct until it was replaced by a larger outer eyewall.
After the new eye formed, the cyclone again intensified, and Hary became a very intense tropical cyclone early on March 10, with peak 10 minute winds of 220 km/h (140 mph), according to the MF.
It was the first very intense tropical cyclone since Cyclone Hudah in 2000, and made Hary the strongest storm of the season.
Around that time, the JTWC estimated that Hary attained peak 1 minute winds of 260 km/h (160 mph).

Around the time of its peak intensity, Hary was located about 70 km (43 mi) off the east coast of Madagascar.
While approaching the coast, the cyclone was turning toward the south, although its motion was not southerly enough to keep the storm offshore.
At around 1200 UTC on March 10, Hary made landfall about 55 km (34 mi) southeast of Antalaha, slightly below peak intensity.
The eye rapidly weakened before landfall, possibly due to another replacement cycle, and land interaction further deteriorated the storm.
By late on March 10, MFR downgraded Hary to tropical cyclone status, with winds of 160 km/h (100 mph), about 50 km (31 mi) east of Île Sainte-Marie.
Subsequently, Hary turned more toward the south-southeast, steered by an approaching trough that increased wind shear.
The cyclone stopped weakening, and the eye began redeveloping.
Early on March 12, Hary passed about 350 km (220 mi) west of the French island of Réunion, when the JTWC estimated its 1-minute winds were about 185 km/h (115 mph).
Later that day, the combination of increasing wind shear and cooler waters weakened the cyclone, resulting in the cloud structure to deteriorate.
After the circulation became fully exposed from the convection, MFR estimated Hary became extratropical around 1200 UTC on March 13.
The circulation expanded greatly afterward as the storm continued generally to the southeast.
The remnants of Hary re-intensified on March 17 while passing about 250 km (160 mi) southwest of Île Amsterdam in the south-central Indian Ocean.
It moved south of the 40th parallel south, and continued as a powerful storm in the westerlies.
In early March 2002, tropical activity was minimal in the southern Indian Ocean, limited to an area of convection, or thunderstorms, located southwest of Diego Garcia along the monsoon. On March 4, a broad and elongated low pressure area developed within the system, although moderate wind shear in the region initially prevented significant development. The next day, the circulation became better defined, and after being nearly stationary for a few days, it began moving steadily to the west-southwest, due to a ridge to the southeast. On March 5, Météo-France (MFR) classified the system as a tropical disturbance, and later Tropical Depression 11. At 0000 UTC on March 6, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) initiated advisories on Tropical Cyclone 18S, and six hours later MFR upgraded the system to Moderate Tropical Storm Hary.
After becoming a tropical storm, Hary was located beneath an anticyclone and in an area of minimal wind shear. It turned to a general westward motion, with its convection wrapping into the center and developing into a central dense overcast. A ragged eye formed on March 7, which gradually became more organized. That day, the JTWC upgraded Hary to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane, with 1 minute winds of 120 km/h (75 mph). By that time, the storm had developed good outflow, and was in the midst of a period of rapid deepening. Early on March 8, MFR upgraded Hary to tropical cyclone status, and the storm became very compact, with gales extending only 75 km (47 mi) from the center. While rounding the northwest edge of a ridge, Hary turned to the southwest late on March 8, toward the northeast coast of Madagascar. After reaching 10 minute sustained winds of 205 km/h (125 mph), Hary weakened slightly due to an eyewall replacement cycle, which resulted in the eye becoming indistinct until it was replaced by a larger outer eyewall. After the new eye formed, the cyclone again intensified, and Hary became a very intense tropical cyclone early on March 10, with peak 10 minute winds of 220 km/h (140 mph), according to the MF. It was the first very intense tropical cyclone since Cyclone Hudah in 2000, and made Hary the strongest storm of the season. Around that time, the JTWC estimated that Hary attained peak 1 minute winds of 260 km/h (160 mph).
Around the time of its peak intensity, Hary was located about 70 km (43 mi) off the east coast of Madagascar. While approaching the coast, the cyclone was turning toward the south, although its motion was not southerly enough to keep the storm offshore. At around 1200 UTC on March 10, Hary made landfall about 55 km (34 mi) southeast of Antalaha, slightly below peak intensity. The eye rapidly weakened before landfall, possibly due to another replacement cycle, and land interaction further deteriorated the storm. By late on March 10, MFR downgraded Hary to tropical cyclone status, with winds of 160 km/h (100 mph), about 50 km (31 mi) east of Île Sainte-Marie. Subsequently, Hary turned more toward the south-southeast, steered by an approaching trough that increased wind shear. The cyclone stopped weakening, and the eye began redeveloping. Early on March 12, Hary passed about 350 km (220 mi) west of the French island of Réunion, when the JTWC estimated its 1-minute winds were about 185 km/h (115 mph). Later that day, the combination of increasing wind shear and cooler waters weakened the cyclone, resulting in the cloud structure to deteriorate. After the circulation became fully exposed from the convection, MFR estimated Hary became extratropical around 1200 UTC on March 13. The circulation expanded greatly afterward as the storm continued generally to the southeast. The remnants of Hary re-intensified on March 17 while passing about 250 km (160 mi) southwest of Île Amsterdam in the south-central Indian Ocean. It moved south of the 40th parallel south, and continued as a powerful storm in the westerlies.
Cyclone Hary