 Before Iana formed , there was a persistent area of cloudiness across the Mozambique Channel in late February . A low pressure area originated over eastern Mozambique and moved eastward over water , emerging near Beira . On February 25 , a tropical disturbance formed off the west coast of southern Madagascar and moved east @-@ northeastward , steered by a ridge to the south . Shortly thereafter , the center passed just north of Europa Island . By the next day , it intensified into Moderate Tropical Storm Iana , reaching peak 10 ‑ minute winds of 85 km / h ( 50 mph ) . Late on February 26 , the storm made landfall in western Madagascar near Morombe . Iana weakened slightly while moving east @-@ southeastward through the country , emerging into the Indian Ocean on February 27 near Farafangana . On the next day , the storm weakened to tropical depression status as it curved southward . Iana became extratropical the next day . The storm was not tracked by the JTWC . 
