Toward the end of December, strong convection persisted southeast of Diego Garcia. These storms consolidated into a distinct center on December 29, warranting its classification as a tropical depression. For several days the system meandered – it moved northward on December 30 due to a ridge to the south, although soon thereafter turned back to the south and later to the west. Due to a Dvorak rating of 2.5, the Mauritius Meteorology Service named the system Clarisse. According to the MFR, the system only had peak winds of , as lack of atmospheric instability prevented strengthening. However, the JTWC estimated 1 minute winds of . Clarisse dissipated on January 7 about 500 km (310 mi) east of St. Brandon.
