that the storm had winds equivalent to a minimal hurricane in a post-storm analysis. While the storm was active, however, the JTWC did not begin advisories until the following day. Alibera quickly intensified, attaining tropical cyclone status on December 20 while southwest of Agaléga. Although the MFR estimated 10‑minute winds of that day, the JTWC assessed that the storm was vastly stronger, estimating peak 1‑minute winds of . This is equivalent to a super typhoon, which made Alibera tied for the strongest cyclone in the southern hemisphere that season, along with Cyclone Alex in the Australian basin. On December 21, Alibera turned sharply to the south and slowly weakened. On the next day, the storm curved to an eastward drift as a downgraded severe tropical storm, its path influenced by ridges to the east and west. It maintained its intensity for the next several days, turning back to the south on December 24 and slowly recurving to the west. However, the movement was erratic, and the storm executed four small loops. Although the MFR had forecasting difficulties during this time, the storm remained far enough to the north of the Mascarene Islands to limit rainfall warnings. On December 29, Alibera began a steady track to the southwest after the ridge weakened, and briefly deteriorated to minimal tropical storm status. However, it re-intensified to just shy of tropical cyclone status on January 1. Shortly thereafter, Alibera made landfall north of Mananjary in southeastern Madagascar, at 3 a.m. local time on New Year's Day, with 10‑minute winds of . The storm quickly weakened over land, but again restrengthened upon reaching the Mozambique Channel on January 3. This was short-lived, as Alibera weakened back to tropical depression status by January 5. The storm moved to the southeast, turned to the southwest, and finally back to the southeast before dissipating on January 7, having been swept into the westerlies. Alibera was the second longest-lasting tropical cyclone in the basin since the start of satellite imagery, with a duration of 22 days. Only Cyclone Georgette in 1968 lasted longer at 24 days. After Alibera, the only storm to approach Alibera's duration was Cyclone Leon–Eline in 2000, which lasted 21 days in the basin (29 days overall). Impact and aftermath Before Alibera affected Madagascar, it produced winds of tropical cyclone force in the Seychelles. On Tromelin Island, Alibera produced sustained winds of with gusts to .