The following Worldwide cyclone seasons are visual representations of tropical cyclogenesis during a given calendar through timelines (in addition to data in tabular format, giving more general data). Summarizing these are difficult due to the inconsistencies of tropical meteorology across different basins with examples being intensity estimation as well as it's protocols and constraints (e.g the usage of 1-minute, 3-minute and 10-minute sustained winds in various basins). To solve this, I have decided to make timelines based on their classifications via the Saffir-simpson scale (SSWS/SSHWS); which requires the 1-minute sustained winds of tropical cyclones and therefore designation from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and other meteorological agencies that predominantly use such means of estimation.
As of November 2020, I have made these timelines going back to the beginning of the HURDAT era (1950-Present). Note that the further back in time one travels, the more inconsistent available data becomes; especially prior to 1980. This leads to a notable disparity in (recorded) activity between the 2010s (889 Nameable storms) and the 1950s (453 Nameable storms) despite the margin likely being less significant had meteorologists obtained the technology we have in more modern times to better estimate the intensities (and formations) of tropical cyclones. Due to this, I have made these in consideration of only years Post-1980 to be "reliable" as a result of the rapid decline in data in various basins prior to this period. Note: the main source for Pre-1950 timelines will be the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) for basins lacking any significant accessible data (e.g NIO, SHEM).
Going forward, I plan to add more years prior to 1950 as time goes on. I'll also be gradually updating these for ongoing years as the tropics progress and continue to form more cyclones. With all that being said, happy viewing and I hope you like it. Feel free to let me know of any errors, questions, comments and/or concerns!
2020-29 edit
Year | TC | NS | H | MH | H5 | ACE | Deaths | Damages | Strongest storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | 121 | 112 | 48 | 24 | 4 | 599.1 | 1,205 | > $76.603 billion | 5 Goni |
2021 | 105 | 101 | 38 | 16 | 6 | 621.1 | 1,407 | > $90.586 billion | 5 Surigae |
2022 | 107 | 100 | 41 | 17 | 3 | 559.6 | > 1,287 | > $126.107 billion | 5 Hinnamnor |
2023 | 87 | 80 | 45 | 30 | 9 | 857.4 | > 6,687 – 6,688 | > $78.629 billion | 5 Mawar |
2024 | 23 | 23 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 123.2 | 28 | Unknown | 4 Djoungou |
Totals | 443 | 416 | 181 | 92 | 22 | > 2,760.4 | > 10,864 – 10,865 |
> $375.025 billion | Surigae |
The 2020s is the current decade of the calendar year system, with 332 total cyclones forming thus far. Of those cyclones, 309 were nameable, with 127 hurricanes and 57 major hurricanes: 12 of which achieving Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The strongest storm of the decade is Surigae in 2021, with an intensity of 882 mbar (26.05 inHg) and 195 mph (315 km/h) 1-minute maximum sustained winds.
2024 edit
2023 edit
2022 edit
2021 edit
2020 edit
2010-19 edit
Year | TC | NS | H | MH | H5 | ACE | Deaths | Damages | Strongest storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 81 | 70 | 40 | 19 | 4 | 526.8 | > 1,496 | > $14.775 billion | 5 Megi |
2011 | 90 | 85 | 44 | 24 | 3 | 573.8 | > 2,340 – 2,544 | > $30.297 billion | 5 Songda, Muifa & Nanmadol |
2012 | 92 | 88 | 48 | 24 | 3 | 740.5 | > 2,049 | > $94.055 billion | 5 Sanba |
2013 | 100 | 91 | 45 | 23 | 5 | 618.5 | > 7,487 | > $40.722 billion | 5 Haiyan |
2014 | 84 | 80 | 47 | 26 | 10 | 724.0 | 839 | > $16.866 billion | 5 Vongfong, Nuri & Hagupit |
2015 | 106 | 95 | 55 | 39 | 9 | 1,047.0 | ≥ 942 – 943 | > $18.594 billion | 5 Patricia |
2016 | 93 | 85 | 46 | 25 | 8 | 806.5 | ≥ 1,846 | > $42.185 billion | 5 Meranti |
2017 | 96 | 86 | 43 | 20 | 3 | 621.1 | > 5,178 | > $315.163 billion | 5 Maria |
2018 | 114 | 106 | 59 | 33 | 11 | 1,108.4 | 1,358 | > $88.776 billion | 5 Mangkhut |
2019 | 107 | 101 | 55 | 34 | 8 | 854.8 | 2,422 | > $66.999 billion | 5 Halong |
Totals | 963 | 887 | 482 | 267 | 66 | 7,621.4 | > 25,957 – 26,162 |
> $728.392 billion | Patricia |
The 2010s decade saw an uptick in raw activity from the previous decade with 973 total cyclones, 889 of which nameable and 477 hurricane-equivalent cyclones. In addition, 263 major hurricanes formed with 63 becoming Category 5 tropical cyclones. The most active year of the decade was 2018, having attained 118 total cyclones and 107 nameable storms; both of which former-records before being surpassed by 2020. On the other hand, 2010 was the least active of the decade. The strongest storm of the decade was Patricia in 2015, which reached a anomalously intense pressure of 872 mbar (25.75 inHg), accompanied by 1-minute sustained winds of 215 mph (345 km/h).
The decade was very well-balanced in terms of ceiling intensity, strength and activity in the sense that there was some years on either side of the spectrum. Examples include the near-record inactivity of 2010 when in comparison with the near-record activity of 2018. Another good comparison is the overall lack of strength in 2017 with the high amount of major hurricane-equivalent storms two years prior, in 2015.
2019 edit
2018 edit
2017 edit
2016 edit
2015 edit
2014 edit
2013 edit
2012 edit
2011 edit
2010 edit
2000-09 edit
Year | TC | NS | H | MH | H5 | ACE | Deaths | Damages | Strongest storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 107 | 92 | 47 | 22 | 3 | 677.3 | > 1,254 – 1,862 | > $15.088 billion | 5 Damrey |
2001 | 99 | 89 | 49 | 22 | 2 | 672.4 | 1,630 – 2,413 | > $16.512 billion | 5 Faxai |
2002 | 95 | 81 | 41 | 27 | 8 | 812.0 | > 1,121 | > $12.425 billion | 5 Zoe |
2003 | 97 | 86 | 54 | 26 | 6 | 833.0 | 1,016 | > $11.328 billion | 5 Maemi |
2004 | 96 | 87 | 50 | 31 | 7 | 1,024.4 | > 4,753 – 4,761 | > $80.405 billion | 5 Dianmu & Chaba |
2005 | 103 | 96 | 51 | 27 | 8 | 899.6 | > 4,346 | > $185.336 billion | 5 Wilma |
2006 | 95 | 84 | 41 | 27 | 5 | 761.0 | > 4,061 | > $16.818 billion | 5 Monica |
2007 | 93 | 81 | 43 | 22 | 5 | 568.1 | > 5,672 – 17,225 | > $21.822 billion | 5 Gonu |
2008 | 95 | 90 | 40 | 24 | 1 | 613.9 | > 141,929 | > $69.351 billion | 5 Jangmi |
2009 | 95 | 86 | 38 | 21 | 5 | 609.6 | > 2,982 | > $12.093 billion | 5 Rick |
Totals | 977 | 872 | 454 | 250 | 50 | 7,471.3 | > 168,554 – 181,516 |
> $441.178 billion | Damrey |
2009 edit
2008 edit
2007 edit
2006 edit
2005 edit
2004 edit
2003 edit
2002 edit
2001 edit
2000 edit
1990-99 edit
Year | TC | NS | H | MH | H5 | ACE | Deaths | Damages | Strongest storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | 104 | 91 | 62 | 22 | 4 | 930.8 | > 3,133 – 3,220 | > $6.193 billion | 5 Flo |
1991 | 90 | 80 | 48 | 25 | 4 | 860.6 | > 144,956 – 148,040 | > $20.647 billion | 5 Yuri |
1992 | 112 | 102 | 59 | 32 | 5 | 1,163.1 | > 982 – 1,531 | > $33.874 billion | 5 Gay |
1993 | 95 | 82 | 50 | 25 | 1 | 710.4 | > 2,715 | > $3.391 billion | 4 Koryn |
1994 | 108 | 94 | 52 | 30 | 5 | 1,019.0 | > 5,767 – 5,793 | > $11.396 billion | 5 Geralda |
1995 | 93 | 80 | 49 | 25 | 4 | 779.3 | > 2,037 | > $14.043 billion | 5 Angela |
1996 | 115 | 100 | 57 | 27 | 5 | 960.0 | > 3,513 | > $17.246 billion | 5 Itelle, Eve, Herb, Sally & Dale |
1997 | 103 | 95 | 59 | 29 | 13 | 1,099.2 | > 5,992 – 6,412 | > $6.162 billion | 5 Joan & Ivan |
1998 | 102 | 89 | 49 | 20 | 3 | 773.1 | > 14,527 – 23,410 | > $24.568 billion | 5 Zeb |
1999 | 94 | 74 | 39 | 20 | 3 | 606.4 | > 17,710 – 37,823 | > $21.427 billion | 5 Frederic-Evrina, Bart & 05B |
Totals | 1,016 | 847 | 524 | 255 | 47 | 8,901.9 | > 201,312 – 234,294 |
> $158.947 billion | Joan & Ivan |
1999 edit
1998 edit
1997 edit
1996 edit
1995 ("TCR Era") edit
1994 edit
1993 edit
1992 edit
1991 edit
1990 edit
1980-89 edit
Year | TC | NS | H | MH | H5 | ACE | Deaths | Damages | Strongest storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1980 | 98 | 87 | 48 | 26 | 3 | 638.0 | > 1,033 | > $1.96 billion | 5 Wynne |
1981 | 98 | 86 | 47 | 16 | 1 | 554.7 | > 1,775 | > $1.566 billion | 5 Elsie |
1982 | 100 | 88 | 49 | 25 | 2 | 709.2 | > 2,955 – 3,686 | > $4.548 billion | 5 Mac |
1983 | 87 | 80 | 45 | 21 | 3 | 680.0 | > 1,301 – 1,360 | > $4.281 billion | 5 Forrest |
1984 | 105 | 95 | 54 | 19 | 1 | 726.2 | > 3,799 – 3,815 | > $1.178 billion | 5 Vanessa |
1985 | 103 | 97 | 54 | 28 | 1 | 717.8 | > 12,832 | > $5.705 billion | 5 Dot |
1986 | 94 | 87 | 52 | 17 | 2 | 695.0 | > 1,243 – 1,330 | > $1.816 billion | 5 Peggy |
1987 | 94 | 84 | 41 | 21 | 4 | 649.1 | > 1,795 | > $2.105 billion | 5 Betty |
1988 | 91 | 76 | 41 | 19 | 3 | 625.4 | > 9,367 – 9,485 | > $5.959 billion | 5 Gilbert |
1989 | 111 | 93 | 53 | 25 | 7 | 853.9 | > 3,941 – 4,141 | > $14.426 billion | 5 Orson |
Totals | 981 | 873 | 444 | 245 | 27 | 6,131.5 | > 40,021 – 41,252 |
> $43.544 billion | Vanessa |
1989 edit
1988 edit
1987 edit
1986 edit
1985 edit
1984 edit
1983 edit
1982 edit
1981 edit
1980 edit
1970-79 edit
Year | Number of tropical cyclones |
Number of tropical storms |
Number of hurricanes |
Number of major hurricanes |
Number of Category 5 hurricanes |
Strongest Storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | 91 | 73 | 36 | 21 | 3 | Tip |
1978 | 98 | 87 | 46 | 16 | 1 | Rita |
1977 | 77 | 71 | 37 | 9 | 1 | Babe |
1976 | 87 | 80 | 39 | 20 | 1 | Louise |
1975 | 120 | 87 | 42 | 17 | 1 | June |
1974 | 104 | 83 | 35 | 9 | 0 | Carmen |
1973 | 96 | 85 | 44 | 11 | 3 | Nora |
1972 | 87 | 78 | 52 | 23 | 1 | Rita |
1971 | 105 | 94 | 59 | 22 | 6 | Irma |
1970 | 90 | 78 | 33 | 17 | 4 | Hope |
Total | 955 | 816 | 421 | 165 | 21 | Tip |
1979 edit
1978 edit
1977 edit
1976 edit
1975 edit
1974 edit
1973 edit
1972 edit
1971 edit
1970 edit
1960-69 edit
Year | Number of tropical cyclones |
Number of tropical storms |
Number of hurricanes |
Number of major hurricanes |
Number of Category 5 hurricanes |
Strongest Storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1969 | 86 | 68 | 36 | 12 | 2 | Elsie |
1968 | 89 | 78 | 41 | 15 | 4 | Agnes |
1967 | 105 | 85 | 40 | 14 | 4 | Carla |
1966 | 97 | 79 | 47 | 12 | 2 | Kit |
1965 | 86 | 78 | 35 | 16 | 8 | Bess |
1964 | 113 | 88 | 49 | 19 | 5 | Sally & Opal |
1963 | 88 | 80 | 39 | 19 | 2 | Judy |
1962 | 83 | 72 | 33 | 12 | 5 | Karen |
1961 | 76 | 72 | 40 | 17 | 7 | Nancy |
1960 | 69 | 65 | 38 | 13 | 0 | Shirley |
Total | 892 | 765 | 398 | 149 | 39 | Kit |
1969 edit
1968 edit
1967 edit
1966 edit
1965 edit
1964 edit
1963 edit
1962 edit
1961 edit
1960 edit
1950-59 (HURDAT Era: 1950-79) edit
Year | Number of tropical cyclones |
Number of tropical storms |
Number of hurricanes |
Number of major hurricanes |
Number of Category 5 hurricanes |
Strongest Storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1959 | 59 | 52 | 28 | 18 | 7 | Joan |
1958 | 56 | 56 | 34 | 18 | 7 | Ida |
1957 | 47 | 47 | 29 | 18 | 4 | Lola |
1956 | 46 | 46 | 29 | 10 | 3 | Wanda |
1955 | 42 | 42 | 31 | 14 | 3 | Janet |
1954 | 47 | 46 | 29 | 13 | 4 | Ida |
1953 | 40 | 40 | 26 | 17 | 5 | Nina |
1952 | 47 | 47 | 29 | 13 | 5 | Wilma |
1951 | 37 | 37 | 26 | 14 | 1 | Marge |
1950 | 40 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 0 | Clara |
Total | 461 | 453 | 288 | 147 | 39 | Ida |
1959 edit
1958 edit
1957 edit
1956 edit
1955 edit
1954 edit
1953 edit
1952 edit
1951 edit
1950 edit
1940-49 edit
Year | Number of tropical cyclones |
Number of tropical storms |
Number of hurricanes |
Number of major hurricanes |
Number of Category 5 hurricanes |
Strongest Storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1949 | 43 | 43 | 23 | 9 | 0 | Allyn |
1948 | 36 | 36 | 21 | 10 | 0 | Libby |
1947 | 37 | 37 | 24 | 13 | 0 | Rosalind |
1946 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 10 | 0 | Lilly |
1945 | 37 | 37 | 18 | 3 | 0 | Ida |
1944 | 17 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 0 | "Great Atlantic" |
1943 | 16 | 16 | 9 | 3 | 0 | Three |
1942 | 16 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 0 | Three |
1941 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 0 | Six & Seven |
1940 | 43 | 32 | 28 | 2 | 0 | Unnamed |
Total | 277 | 266 | 159 | 58 | 0 | Allyn |
1949 edit
1948 edit
1947 edit
1946 edit
1945 edit
1944 edit
1943 edit
1942 edit
1941 edit
1940 edit
1930-39 edit
Year | Number of tropical cyclones |
Number of tropical storms |
Number of hurricanes |
Number of major hurricanes |
Number of Category 5 hurricanes |
Strongest Storm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1939 | 36 | 32 | 27 | 2 | 0 | Ten-E |
1938 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | "New England" |
Total | 46 | 41 | 31 | 4 | 1 | Ten-E |