upgrade Babiola to tropical cyclone status. The outflow and the eye became more pronounced after further strengthening, and the cyclone attained peak 10‑minute winds of on January 9. The JTWC, by contrast, estimated peak 1‑minute winds of . Around the time of peak intensity, Babiola began turning more to the south due to an approaching trough. Late on January 9, the cyclone passed about east of Rodrigues. Increased shear weakened the eyewall and convection, and Babiola weakened below cyclone status on January 11. Early the next day, the JTWC discontinued advisories as the storm was beginning to become extratropical. The MFR followed suit later on January 12, although the agency continued to track Babiola. The storm shifted south-southwestward on January 13 before resuming its southeast trajectory, influenced by a ridge to the south. On January 14, the remnants of Babiola passed just west of Île Amsterdam, where gusts reached . Later that day, the storm merged with the trough that had originally turned it to the southeast. Intense Tropical Cyclone Connie An area of thunderstorms formed on January 22 east of the northern tip of Madagascar, organizing into a tropical disturbance three days later. By late on January 25, the MFR upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Connie, and on the same day the JTWC initiated advisories on the storm as Tropical Cyclone 08S. With favorable conditions, Connie gradually organized while initially stationary, later beginning a steady southeast motion on January 26. The JTWC upgraded the storm to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane on January 27, around the same time that the MFR upgraded Connie to tropical cyclone status. The storm's eye became well-defined as the winds increased, and the MFR estimated peak 10‑minute winds of on January 28; on the same day, the JTWC estimated peak 1‑minute winds of . Increased shear weakened the storm as it curved southwestward, and late on January 29 Connie passed about northwest of Réunion. The storm turned to the southeast again and became extratropical on February 1, dissipating the next day. While passing northwest of Mauritius, the outer fringes of Connie brought heavy rains peaking at over the span of six days, or equivalent to a month's worth of precipitation. These rains helped relieve extreme drought conditions. The storm also produced gusts of , and one person died after falling off his roof. The storm also brought heavy rainfall to Réunion, totaling