During 1996, tropical cyclones formed within seven different tropical cyclone basins, located within various parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. During the year, a total of 139 tropical cyclones formed in bodies of water known as tropical cyclone basins. 90 of them were named by various weather agencies when they attained maximum sustained windS of 35 knots. The strongest tropical cyclone of the year was Cyclone Daniella, peaking with a pressure of 915 hPa (27.02 inHg) in the open waters of the Indian Ocean. Hurricane Fran and Typhoon Herb tie for the costliest storm of the year, both with a damage cost of $5 billion. The deadliest tropical cyclone of the year was the 1996 Andhra Pradesh cyclone, which was blamed for over 1,000 fatalities as it directly affected the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Five Category 5 tropical cyclones were formed in 1996. The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index for the 1996, as calculated by Colorado State University was 960 units.

The 1996–97 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was the longest on record, with both an unusually early start and unusually late ending. Most activity was from November through February. According to the Météo-France office (MFR) at Réunion, there were 21 tropical disturbances, 14 of which intensified into tropical depressions. There were 12 named storms, beginning with Antoinette and proceeding sequentially until Lisette. In addition, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center also warned on storms in the region, which identified five other tropical storms. Five of the storms attained tropical cyclone status, or with 10–minute maximum sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph); of these, three strengthened further into intense tropical cyclones, with Daniella and Helinda tied for strongest storm of the season.