Throughout the month of February 1997, as a consequence of an active Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) tropical cyclogenesis was quite common over the southern Indian Ocean, and especially the Mozambique Channel.

One such convective system from spawned a low pressure area between Tromelin island and Agaléga, which initially was still located within the ITCZ.

On February 5, the Météo-France office on Réunion (MFR) reported that system developed into a tropical depression, and failed to intensify further while executing a clockwise loop off northeastern Madagascar.

After the convection increased, both MFR and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimate that the depression intensified into a tropical storm on February 8 and was named Josie by the Meteorological Services of Madagascar.

Subsequently, the storm moved across northern Madagascar and emerged into the Mozambique Channel on February 9 as a tropical depression, its structure deteriorated.

On February 11, MFR estimated that Josie re-attained tropical storm status, and subsequently turned to the south due to a broad area of low pressure in the region.

An approaching cold front turned the cyclone to the southeast, bringing the storm over cooler waters and causing weakening due to increased wind shear.

[2][3] On February 24, following decreased pressures across the northern Mozambique channel after Josie's demise, the ITCZ spawned a tropical wave.