High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1997–98 South Pacific cyclone season was one of the most active and the longest tropical cyclone seasons on record, with 16 tropical cyclones occurring within the South Pacific Ocean basin between 160°E and 120°W. The season started earlier than normal with 3 tropical depressions recorded before the official start of the season on November 1, 1997 while the final depression of the season dissipated on May 3, 1998. There was a tie for the strongest tropical cyclone of the season as both Cyclones Ron and Susan had a minimum pressure of 900 hPa (26.58 inHg), and were the most intense tropical cyclones on record in the South Pacific Ocean until Cyclone Zoe in 2002–03. After the season ended, 10 names had their names either removed or retired from the lists of names, after they caused significant impacts to South Pacific islands.