In 2023, there were 78 named storms registered worldwide, down from 87 storms in the previous year. Overall, there was an average of 87 named tropical cyclones registered per year from 1980 to 2023. Japan was the country most exposed to this type of event worldwide.
What is a tropical cyclone?Tropical cyclones are intense rotating storms that form over warm tropical waters, characterized by heavy rain and strong winds. Once a cyclone sustains wind speeds exceeding 63 kilometers per hour, they are considered a tropical storm and receive a name. Named tropical storms can also receive further classification depending on their intensity and location (also known as basin). High-speed cyclones in the Northern Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins are called hurricanes, while in the Western Pacific they are called typhoons. When the event takes place within the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, it is known as a cyclone.
Frequency of tropical cyclones worldwide
The Northwest Pacific basin is one of the most active for tropical cyclones worldwide. In 2023, there were 16 named storms reported in the region, of which more than half were classified as hurricanes. Meanwhile, the North Indian Ocean represented one of the least active basins for tropical cyclones, with an annual average of five named storms recorded from 1990 to 2023.
In 2024, there were 42 hurricanes registered worldwide, up from 45 hurricanes a year earlier. This was nevertheless below the average of 47 hurricanes per year registered from 1990 to 2022. The years of 1992 and 2018 tied as the most active in the indicated period, each with 59 hurricanes recorded. The Pacific Northwest basin recorded the largest number of hurricanes in 2024. Most exposed countries to hurricanes With the Pacific Northwest basin being one of the most active for hurricanes in the world, there is perhaps no surprise that Japan and the Philippines were two of the countries most exposed to tropical cyclones in 2024, both West Pacific nations. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic was the most exposed country in the Atlantic Ocean and ranked first as the most exposed country worldwide during the same year. Effects of tropical cyclones From 1970 to 2019, almost 800,000 deaths due to tropical cyclones have been reported worldwide. In the past decade, the number of such casualties stood at some 19,600, the lowest decadal figure in the last half-century. In contrast to the lower number of deaths, economic losses caused by tropical cyclones have continuously grown since 1970, reaching a record high of more than 700 billion U.S. dollars from 2010 to 2019.
The State of the Climate is a collection of periodic summaries recapping climate-related occurrences on both a global and national scale. The State of the Climate Monthly Overview - Hurricanes & Tropical Storms report focuses primarily on storms and conditions that affect the U.S. and its territories, in Atlantic and Pacific basins. The report places each basin's tropical cyclone activity in a climate-scale context. Key statistics (dates, strengths, landfall, energy, etc.) for major cyclone activity in other basins is occasionally presented. Reports began in June 2002. The primary Atlantic hurricane season (June-November) is covered each year; other months are included as storm events warrant. An annual summary is available from 2002. These reports are not updated in real time.
In 2023, hurricane Idalia – a hurricane of category 3 – made landfall in the United States. Just three years earlier, the North American country had seen the record number of hurricanes to hit the nation in one year. Despite the lower number of hurricanes, 2021 tied with 2002 for the highest number of tropical storms to hit the U.S. in one year, with six occurrences. Tropical storms are cyclones with a wind speed surpassing 39 miles per hour but below the hurricane threshold of 74 miles per hour.
Note: This is a real-time dataset. If you do not see any data on the map, there may not be an event taking place. The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30, and the eastern Pacific hurricane season begins on May 15 and ends on November 30.Hurricanes, also known as typhoons and cyclones, fall under the scientific term tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones that develop over the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Ocean are considered hurricanes.Meteorologists have classified the development of a tropical cyclone into four stages: tropical disturbance, tropical depression, tropical storm, and tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones begin as small tropical disturbances where rain clouds build over warm ocean waters. Eventually, the clouds grow large enough to develop a pattern, where the wind begins to circulate around a center point. As winds are drawn higher, increasing air pressure causes the rising thunderstorms to disperse from the center of the storm. This creates an area of rotating thunderstorms called a tropical depression with winds 62 kmph (38 mph) or less. Systems with wind speeds between 63 kmph (39 mph) and 118 kmph (73 mph) are considered tropical storms. If the winds of the tropical storm hit 119 kmph (74 mph), the storm is classified as a hurricane. Tropical cyclones need two primary ingredients to form: warm water and constant wind directions. Warm ocean waters of at least 26 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit) provide the energy needed for the storm to become a hurricane. Hurricanes can maintain winds in a constant direction at increasing speeds as air rotates about and gathers into the hurricane’s center. This inward and upward spiral prevents the storm from ripping itself apart. Hurricanes have distinctive parts: the eye, eyewall, and rain bands. The eye is the calm center of the hurricane where the cooler drier air sinks back down to the surface of the water. Here, winds are tranquil, and skies are partly cloudy, sometimes even clear. The eyewall is composed of the strongest ring of thunderstorms and surrounds the eye. This is where rain and winds are the strongest and heaviest. Rain bands are stretches of rain clouds that go far beyond the hurricane’s eyewall, usually hundreds of kilometers. Scientists typically use the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to measure the strength of a hurricane’s winds and intensity. This scale gives a 1 to 5 rating based on the hurricane’s maximum sustained winds. Hurricanes rated category 3 or higher are recognized as major hurricanes. Category 1: Wind speeds are between 119 and 153 kmph (74 and 95 mph). Although this is the lowest category of hurricane, category 1 hurricanes still produce dangerous winds and could result in damaged roofs, power lines, or fallen tree branches. Category 2: Wind speeds are between 154 and 177 kmph (96 and 110 mph). These dangerous winds are likely to cause moderate damage; enough to snap or uproot small trees, destroy roofs, and cause power outages. Category 3: Wind speeds are between 178 and 208 kmph (111 and 129 mph). At this strength, extensive damage may occur. Well-built homes could incur damage to their exterior and many trees will likely be snapped or uprooted. Water and electricity could be unavailable for at least several days after the hurricane passes. Category 4: Wind speeds are between 209 and 251 kmph (130 and 156 mph). Extreme damage will occur. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months after the hurricane. Well-built homes could sustain major damage to their exterior, most trees may be snapped or uprooted, and power outages could last weeks to months. Category 5: Wind speeds are 252 kmph (157 mph) or higher. Catastrophic damage will occur. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months after the hurricane. A significant amount of well-built, framed homes will likely be destroyed, uprooted trees may isolate residential areas, and power outages could last weeks to months. This map is built with data from the NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). The map shows recent, observed, and forecasted hurricane tracks and positions, uncertainties, wind speeds, and associated storm watches and warnings. This is a real-time dataset that is programed to check for updates from the NHC and JTWC every 15 minutes. If you are in an area experiencing a tropical cyclone, tune into local sources for more up-to-date information and important safety instructions. This map includes the following information: Forecast position points: These points mark the locations where the NHC predict the tropical cyclone will be at 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours in the future.Observed position points: These points mark the locations where the tropical cyclone has been.Forecast track: This is the line that connects the forecast points and marks the expected path of the hurricane.Observed track: This line marks the path the tropical cyclone has already taken.Cone of uncertainty: Due to the complexity of ocean atmospheric interactions, there are many different factors that can influence the path of a hurricane. This uncertainty is represented on the map by a cone. The further into the future the forecast is, the wider the cone due to the greater uncertainty in the precise path of the storm. Remember rain, wind, and storm surge from the hurricane will likely impact areas outside the cone of uncertainty. This broader impact of wind can be seen if you turn on or off Tropical Storm Force (34 Knots) 5-Day Wind Probability, Strong Tropical Storm Force (50 Knots) 5-Day Wind Probability, or Hurricane Force (64 Knots) 5-Day Wind Probability map layers.Watches and warnings: Storm watches or warnings depend on the strength and distance from the location of the forecasted event. Watches indicate an increased risk for severe weather, while a warning means you should immediately move to a safe space.Tropical storm watch: The NHC issues this for areas that might be impacted by tropical cyclones with wind speeds of 34 to 63 knots (63 to 119 kilometers per hour or 39 to 74 miles per hour) in the next 48 hours. In addition to high winds, the region may experience storm surge or flooding.Tropical storm warning: The NHC issues this for places that will be impacted by hurricanes with wind speeds of 34 to 63 knots (63 to 119 kilometers per hour or 39 to 74 miles per hour) in the next 36 hours. As with the watch, the area may also experience storm surge or flooding.Hurricane watch: The NHC issues this watch for areas where a tropical cyclone with sustained wind speeds of 64 knots (119 kilometers per hour or 74 miles per hour) or greater in the next 48 hours may be possible. In addition to high winds, the region may experience storm surge or flooding.Hurricane warning: The NHC issues this warning for areas where hurricanes with sustained wind speeds of 64 knots (119 kilometers per hour or 74 miles per hour) or greater in the next 36 hours are expected. As with the watch, the region may experience storm surge or flooding. This warning is also posted when dangerously high water and waves continue even after wind speeds have fallen below 64 knots.Recent hurricanes: These points and tracks mark tropical cyclones that have occurred this year but are no longer active.
Want to learn more about how hurricanes form? Check out Forces of Nature or explore The Ten Most Damaging Hurricanes in U.S. History story.
In 2024, there were 23 named storms registered in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, up by seven storms in comparison to the previous year. This figure was below the annual average recorded for the basin in the period from 1990 to 2022, at 25 named storms. The Northwest Pacific basin was among the most active for hurricanes and tropical cyclones worldwide.
By Aaron Simmons [source]
This dataset contains a comprehensive collection of Atlantic named storms from 1950 to present, including the start and end dates, maximum and minimum wind speeds, and minimal air pressure for each storm. All data is gathered from reliable sources, providing accurate information about these powerful storms that have plagued the coasts since records began. This overview of past named storms gives us a better understanding of hurricane patterns over time and provides insights into what might be possible in the future. Dive into this dataset to learn more about how our environment is changing and affecting conditions for hurricane formation!
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This dataset provides data on wind speed and pressure information for Atlantic named storms since 1950. It contains start and end dates, maximum wind speed in mph, minimum pressure in millibars, and the type of storm. This data can be useful for analysis of large scale weather events throughout the Atlantic basin.
Using this dataset, one could do a variety of analyses to compare or better understand historical or recurring major storms or hurricanes. For example, researchers could examine the production intensity of hurricanes over time with boxes plots by season. Data analysts can also investigate if there is a trend in hurricane intensity between 1950-present by calculating yearly average maximum sustained wind speeds as well as looking at differences between El Nino years versus La Nina years through graphical representation such as scatterplots.
In addition to hurricane research, this dataset can also be used to evaluate coastal insurance policies and risk assessment models that are reliant on storm surge heights related with pressure drops during an event. By monitoring the relative values observed from these individual storms over time it can help shoreline communities more accurately plan their future investments against potential coastal hazards like floods and stormwave heights generated from incoming cyclones making landfall along their coasts - providing them enough advance warning should they ever face a similar situation again potentially saving lives from mass evacuations being orchestrated due to inaccurate declarations which would later prove fruitless after extensive damage assessments had been conducted afterwards bypassing most ideal solutions involving forecast priority solutions that were put forth prior to any initial forecasts being made concerning a given events severity so that no miscommunication has led to insufficient resources & services being dispatched out just before those devastating waves come crashing down yet again renewing long membered disasters & tragedies we’re all trying hard work towards mitigating each passing day..
In conclusion this Atlantic Namedstorm Maximum Wind Speed Dataset has many possibilities when it comes towards discovery through means like these exemplified previously! But hopefully now you have an understanding how powerful this data set may become with just your vision alone !
- Analysing the correlation between wind speeds and the pressure of storms in different years or months to identify seasonal trends and predict future storm severity.
- Comparing how different types of storms from 1950-present have changed in strength over time by measuring their average wind speed over time to see what factors have had a significant impact on the speed at which they travel.
- Creating an interactive visualization tool that can compare area-specific data for average wind speeds of storms across multiple years, allowing homeowners and other stakeholders to easily observe changes with regards to damage due to high winds at a local level for various points in history
If you use this dataset in your research, please credit the original authors. Data Source
Unknown License - Please check the dataset description for more information.
File: Named Storm Data - since 1950.csv | Column name | Description | |:-------------------------|:-------------------------------------------------------------------| | Year | The year the storm occurred. (Integer) | | Storm Name | The name of the storm. (String)...
In 2024, there were 14 named storms registered in the South Indian Ocean, up by one storm in comparison to the previous year. This was down from the average recorded for the basin in the period between 1990 and 2023, at 16 named storms per year. The highest count recorded within the indicated period was in 1994, with a total of 22 named tropical cyclones.
Year 2000 Tropical Cyclones of the World poster. During calendar year 2000, forty-five tropical cyclones with sustained surface winds of at least 64 knots were observed around the world. NOAA's Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) captured these powerful storms near peak intensity, which are all presented in this colorful poster. Poster size 36"x 27".
Hurricane tracks and positions provide information on where the storm has been, where it is currently located, and where it is predicted to go. Each storm location is depicted by the sustained wind speed, according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale. It should be noted that the Saffir-Simpson Scale only applies to hurricanes in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins, however all storms are still symbolized using that classification for consistency.Data SourceThis data is provided by NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC) for the Central+East Pacific and Atlantic, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center for the West+Central Pacific and Indian basins. For more disaster-related live feeds visit the Disaster Web Maps & Feeds ArcGIS Online Group.Sample DataSee Sample Layer Item for sample data during inactive Hurricane Season!Update FrequencyThe Aggregated Live Feeds methodology checks the Source for updates every 15 minutes. Tropical cyclones are normally issued every six hours at 5:00 AM EDT, 11:00 AM EDT, 5:00 PM EDT, and 11:00 PM EDT (or 4:00 AM EST, 10:00 AM EST, 4:00 PM EST, and 10:00 PM EST).Public advisories for Eastern Pacific tropical cyclones are normally issued every six hours at 2:00 AM PDT, 8:00 AM PDT, 2:00 PM PDT, and 8:00 PM PDT (or 1:00 AM PST, 7:00 AM PST, 1:00 PM PST, and 7:00 PM PST).Intermediate public advisories may be issued every 3 hours when coastal watches or warnings are in effect, and every 2 hours when coastal watches or warnings are in effect and land-based radars have identified a reliable storm center. Additionally, special public advisories may be issued at any time due to significant changes in warnings or in a cyclone. For the NHC data source you can subscribe to RSS Feeds.North Pacific and North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone warnings are updated every 6 hours, and South Indian and South Pacific Ocean tropical cyclone warnings are routinely updated every 12 hours. Times are set to Zulu/UTC.Scale/ResolutionThe horizontal accuracy of these datasets is not stated but it is important to remember that tropical cyclone track forecasts are subject to error, and that the effects of a tropical cyclone can span many hundreds of miles from the center.Area CoveredWorldGlossaryForecast location: Represents the official NHC forecast locations for the center of a tropical cyclone. Forecast center positions are given for projections valid 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after the forecast's nominal initial time. Click here for more information.
Forecast points from the JTWC are valid 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours after the forecast’s initial time.Forecast track: This product aids in the visualization of an NHC official track forecast, the forecast points are connected by a red line. The track lines are not a forecast product, as such, the lines should not be interpreted as representing a specific forecast for the location of a tropical cyclone in between official forecast points. It is also important to remember that tropical cyclone track forecasts are subject to error, and that the effects of a tropical cyclone can span many hundreds of miles from the center. Click here for more information.The Cone of Uncertainty: Cyclone paths are hard to predict with absolute certainty, especially days in advance.
The cone represents the probable track of the center of a tropical cyclone and is formed by enclosing the area swept out by a set of circles along the forecast track (at 12, 24, 36 hours, etc). The size of each circle is scaled so that two-thirds of the historical official forecast errors over a 5-year sample fall within the circle. Based on forecasts over the previous 5 years, the entire track of a tropical cyclone can be expected to remain within the cone roughly 60-70% of the time. It is important to note that the area affected by a tropical cyclone can extend well beyond the confines of the cone enclosing the most likely track area of the center. Click here for more information. Now includes 'Danger Area' Polygons from JTWC, detailing US Navy Ship Avoidance Area when Wind speeds exceed 34 Knots!Coastal Watch/Warning: Coastal areas are placed under watches and warnings depending on the proximity and intensity of the approaching storm.Tropical Storm Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. The watch does not mean that tropical storm conditions will occur. It only means that these conditions are possible.Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding.Hurricane Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. The watch does not mean that hurricane conditions will occur. It only means that these conditions are possible.Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.RevisionsMar 13, 2025: Altered 'Forecast Error Cone' layer to include 'Danger Area' with updated symbology.Nov 20, 2023: Added Event Label to 'Forecast Position' layer, showing arrival time and wind speed localized to user's location.Mar 27, 2022: Added UID, Max_SS, Max_Wind, Max_Gust, and Max_Label fields to ForecastErrorCone layer.This map is provided for informational purposes and is not monitored 24/7 for accuracy and currency. Always refer to NOAA or JTWC sources for official guidance.If you would like to be alerted to potential issues or simply see when this Service will update next, please visit our Live Feed Status Page!
description: This Historical Hurricane Tracks web site provides visualizations of storm tracks derived from the 6-hourly (0000, 0600, 1200, 1800 UTC) center locations and intensities for subtropical depressions and storms, extratropical storms, tropical depressions and storms, and all hurricanes, from 1848 through the previous Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 through November 30) as recorded in the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS, http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ibtracs/index.php) data set. Users may use this site to search for storms by location, ocean basin, hurricane category/scale, storm name, and atmospheric pressure.; abstract: This Historical Hurricane Tracks web site provides visualizations of storm tracks derived from the 6-hourly (0000, 0600, 1200, 1800 UTC) center locations and intensities for subtropical depressions and storms, extratropical storms, tropical depressions and storms, and all hurricanes, from 1848 through the previous Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 through November 30) as recorded in the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS, http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ibtracs/index.php) data set. Users may use this site to search for storms by location, ocean basin, hurricane category/scale, storm name, and atmospheric pressure.
In the period between 1990 and 2023, there was an average of nine storms per year tracked in the South Pacific Ocean. In 2023, there were also six named storms registered in the basin, down from nine storms in the previous year. The highest count recorded for a season within the indicated period was in 1998, with a total of 20 named tropical cyclones.
This web map includes the track points, track lines, and hazard layers for historical Hurricane Georges, AL071998.DATA OVERVIEWKinetic Analysis's Tropical Cyclone datasets use best-track data for the requested storm as is available from IBTRaCS (or, for recent storms where there is no best-track, we use ATCF a-deck data provided by the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center, or Central Pacific Hurricane Center) to drive in-house, advanced numerical modeling that computes the spatial distribution of maximum wind speedwinds by Saffir-Simpson categorieswave heightsstorm surge inundationcumulative rainfallUSE CASESWhile this data may be used in a variety of ways, the most common ways we see it in action is by insurance, emergency management, disaster relief, supply chain, and governmental agencies/organization in making decisions about actions to take before, during, and after a tropical cyclone. A collection of historical tropical cyclone data can provide information on the probability and trends that can be expected for a given location affected by tropical cyclones in the future. Claims officers, for example, can use this information to determine the vulnerability and exposure level of a given area or property. Government agencies can use impact data to determine where to focus on building climate resilience safeguards and resources next.DATA SOURCEHazard footprints are based on observed storm track, intensity and wind radii provided by the designated expert-reviewed sources U.S. NHC (National Hurricane Center), JTWC (Joint Typhoon Warning Center), CPHC (Central Pacific Hurricane Center) - collectively termed OFCL (Official). UPDATE FREQUENCYSince these are historical/past storms, as long as the storm's path was recorded and publicly available, the resulting hazards and impacts can be modeled by Kinetic Analysis at any time upon request.SCALE/RESOLUTIONThis post-event data is provided at a 30 arcsecond (~1 km) resolution. AREA COVEREDWorldINTERESTED IN MORE?Our full ArcGIS Marketplace listing grants you access to the Kinetic Analysis Corporation's proprietary tropical storm hazard data for a past/historical tropical cyclone of your choice per purchase, to be custom-generated for you upon purchase request. Different price options are available for those who wish to purchase to purchase footprints for multiple historical storms, bundle with our real-time data, or make other custom requests.Customized resolutions, best track data source, and data units (default is SI) are available upon request to sales@kinanco.com. Learn more on the Kinetic Analysis website.GLOSSARY/DATA FIELDSTrack Points - These points indicate the locations of a storm over time. They are generated by forecast agencies and numerical model guidance.Track Line - This is the line formed by connecting all the track points. It depicts a continuous path for the storm by interpolating between any two track points.ATCF ID - Unique ID associated with a tropical cyclone, defined using the Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecasting (ATCF) system. The format is usually a two-letter abbreviation of the ocean basin (see "Storm Basin" below for list) in which the storm can be found, the annual cyclone number starting from 1 for the first storm in each basin per year, and the 4-digit year. For example, AL112017 (Hurricane Irma) refers to AL (Atlantic basin), 11th storm of the year in that basin, in the year 2017.Storm Name - The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) tropical cyclone name, such as Irma, Katrina, and Rai.Storm Basin - Ocean basin in which the storm is taking place. These include AL (North Atlantic), WP (Western North Pacific), CP (Central North Pacific), EP (Eastern North Pacific), IO (North Indian Ocean), SH (South-West Indian Ocean, Australian region, and South Pacific Ocean), and LS (Southern Atlantic).Storm Age - Number of days the storm has been active at time of forecastCategory Description - How the selected layer would be categorized against similar data. For example, data in a wind layer may be categorized into groups of 5 mph each, such as 100-105 mph for one group and 105-110 mph for another group. In such a case, the category description field displays which grouping the selected location belongs to. This is a variable/field separate from the name of each map layer.Latitude & Longitude - Geographic indicators of a storm's past, current, or forecast location derived from dividing the Earth into grids measured in degrees.Wind Speed - Maximum wind speed of the storm at that location. The units are knots for track points and track line layers and miles per hour (mph) for the wind speed hazard layer. These represent terrain-adjusted, 2-minute sustained winds at 10-meter elevation and are consistent with wind speeds reported by Automated Surface Observing Stations (ASOS weather stations). They can differ from wind speed forecast by different agencies because, in contrast with winds forecast by agencies such as the NHC, Kinetic Analysis-generated winds account for the effects of surface roughness and topography. In addition, different agencies can report winds based on different averaging times. For example, the NHC and JTWC report 1-minute sustained winds while the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standard is 10-minute sustained winds.Minimum Sea Level Pressure - The lowest sea level pressure at that storm location. Measured in millibars.Radius of Max Winds - The distance between the storm's center, where the central pressure is lowest, and the maximum winds of a storm. Measured in nautical miles. Forward Speed - How fast a storm is moving at the selected location. Measured in meters per second (m/s).Storm Direction - The direction toward which a storm is moving at the selected location. Measured with a 360-degree system where North is represented by 0 degrees and East by 90 degrees.Forecast Time - Time at which an agency (such as OFCL) released its newest update of storm track data. This is the set of data used to simulate the model results displayed. Simulation Time - Time at which Kinetic Analysis's models processed the current data.Model in Simulation - The forecast agency, or model that generated the inputs for the Kinetic Analysis-simulated storm hazard data.NOTE: This map and its data are provided for informational purposes only. Due to limitations in modern modeling technology, this data may not reflect the ultimate path, hazards, and/or impacts of a storm with 100% accuracy. Usage of this map and its data voids Kinetic Analysis of any responsibilities for consequences that may arise from using it to make personal or business decisions.
Hurricanes, also known as typhoons and cyclones, fall under the scientific term tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones that develop over the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Ocean are considered hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30, and the eastern Pacific hurricane season begins on May 15 and ends on November 30.Meteorologists have classified the development of a tropical cyclone into four stages: Tropical disturbance, tropical depression, tropical storm, and tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones begin as small tropical disturbances where rain clouds build over warm ocean waters. Eventually, the clouds grow large enough to develop a pattern, where the wind begins to circulate around a center point. As winds are drawn higher, increasing air pressure causes the rising thunderstorms to disperse from the center of the storm. This creates an area of rotating thunderstorms called a tropical depression with winds 62 kmph (38 mph) or less. Systems with wind speeds between 63 kmph (39 mph) and 118 kmph (73 mph) are considered tropical storms. If the winds of the tropical storm hit 119 kmph (74 mph), the storm is classified as a hurricane.Tropical cyclones need two primary ingredients to form: warm water and constant wind directions. Warm ocean waters of at least 26 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit) provide the energy needed for the storm to become a hurricane. Hurricanes can maintain winds in a constant direction at increasing speeds as air rotates about and gathers into the hurricane’s center. This inward and upward spiral prevents the storm from ripping itself apart.Hurricanes have distinctive parts: the eye, eyewall, and rain bands. The eye is the calm center of the hurricane where the cooler drier air sinks back down to the surface of the water. Here, winds are tranquil and skies are partly cloudy, sometimes even clear. The eyewall is composed of the strongest ring of thunderstorms and surrounds the eye. This is where rain and winds are the strongest and heaviest. Rain bands are stretches of rain clouds that go far beyond the hurricane’s eyewall, usually hundreds of kilometers.Scientists typically use the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to measure the strength of a hurricane’s winds and intensity. This scale gives a 1 to 5 rating based on the hurricane’s maximum sustained winds. Hurricanes rated category 3 or higher are recognized as major hurricanes.Category 1: Wind speeds are between 119 and 153 kmph (74 and 95 mph). Although this is the lowest category of hurricane, category 1 hurricanes still produce dangerous winds and could result in damaged roofs, power lines, or fallen tree branches.Category 2: Wind speeds are between 154 and 177 kmph (96 and 110 mph). These dangerous winds are likely to cause moderate damage; enough to snap or uproot small trees, destroy roofs, and cause power outages.Category 3: Wind speeds are between 178 and 208 kmph (111 and 129 mph). At this strength, extensive damage may occur. Well-built homes could incur damage to their exterior and many trees will likely be snapped or uprooted. Water and electricity could be unavailable for at least several days after the hurricane passes.Category 4: Wind speeds are between 209 and 251 kmph (130 and 156 mph). Extreme damage will occur. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months after the hurricane. Well-built homes could sustain major damage to their exterior, most trees may be snapped or uprooted, and power outages could last weeks to months.Category 5: Wind speeds are 252 kmph (157 mph) or higher. Catastrophic damage will occur. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months after the hurricane. A significant amount of well-built, framed homes will likely be destroyed, uprooted trees may isolate residential areas, and power outages could last weeks to months.Hurricane data was gathered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and distributed through the National Hurricane Center. These reports include barometric pressure, maximum wind speed, total damages caused, and the number of storm-related deaths. In this dataset, damage totals are adjusted for changes in inflation. Maximum winds determine the Saffir-Simpson category of the storm.Do you live in an area where tropical cyclones hit? Learn how to stay safe with National Geographic’s Hurricane Safe collection of videos.This map layer filters NOAA’s International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship data on the location and intensity of tropical cyclones worldwide based on windspeed to show category 3, 4, and 5 storms. This dataset covers the period of 1842–2024, and the oldest storm shown on the map occurred in 1853.Want to learn more about how hurricanes form? Check out The Ten Most Damaging Hurricanes in U.S. History story.Data CitationsKnapp, K. R., M. C. Kruk, D. H. Levinson, H. J. Diamond, and C. J. Neumann, 2010: The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track data. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 91, 363-376. doi:10.1175/2009BAMS2755.1Gahtan, J., K. R. Knapp, C. J. Schreck, H. J. Diamond, J. P. Kossin, M. C. Kruk, 2024: International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) Project, Version 4r01. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.25921/82ty-9e16 [03/28/2025].
Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License information was derived automatically
This data is a correlation analysis between a published dust optical depth record from Cape Verde since roughly 1850 years and the HURDAT2 database of tropical cyclones (annual counts of named storms, hurricanes, major hurricanes and accumulated cyclone energy are used).
Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License information was derived automatically
The National Weather Service (NWS) maintains historical Atlantic Ocean hurricane weather data in a format that can be exploited by Graphic Information System (GIS) software. Using KML/KMZ formats, it takes the numbers and words from the rows and columns in databases and spreadsheets and puts them on a map. This data file contains information about named and unnamed Altantic tropical storms and hurricanes from 1851 to 2006. Once downloaded, the file can be decompiled by decade and by year in a a KML/KMZ GIS viewer.
This is an annual edition poster showing all of the hurricanes having impacted the continental U.S. from 1950 to 2022. This 36x28 inch glossy poster gives a quick look of the location and strength of each hurricane which impacted the continental United States. The poster is also available to download as a PDF file. The map includes the name, category strength, year, and approximate strike location of each hurricane. For the 2022 edition two new hurricanes were added: Hurricane Ian, a Category-4 Hurricane hitting the western Florida Peninsula with a secondary landfall in South Carolina, and Hurricane Nicole, a Category-1 hurricane hitting the east coast of Florida.
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This data collection consists of: 1. ASCII text files listing each tropical cyclone detected within output of a suite of CMIP5 models for the Pacific region contained by latitudes 20N to 40S, and longitudes 135E to 150W; and 2. Global images of tropical cyclone densities derived from these detections, presented as either days per year or storms per year for a 5 x 5 degree longitude/latitude grid.
All tropical cyclones detected using the CSIRO Direct Detection and tracking algorithm within the above domain are presented in space-delimited ASCII text files for each model. Three time periods are available to select: - from 1981 to 2000 ("baseline" period used for projections); - from 2081 to 2100 ("future" period used for projections); and - from 1950 to 2100 (all data).
There are two image types for each coupled model data source, both based on densities of storms within a 5 x 5 lon/lat degree box for the respective 20 year period (either 1981-2000 or 2081-2100): - images containing "days" in the file name show the number of days per year in which a tropical cyclone was detected within that box - images with "number" in the file name display the number of separate storms per year detected within that box. Lineage: Tropical cyclone tracks are from the application of the CSIRO Direct Detection and tracking algorithm applied to the "plev" (pressure level-based) outputs of individual CMIP5 models.
In 2023, there were eight named storms registered in the North Indian Ocean. This was above the average annual figure of five named storms reported for the 1990-2022 period. 1992 saw the highest number recorded in the displayed period, with a count of 10 named tropical cyclones in the basin. The North Indian is one of the least active basins for hurricanes.
Strongest Tropical Cyclones: 1980-2009 poster - a 30-year collage of Hurricane Satellite (HURSAT) data. This poster depicts a series of 5 degree grids where within each grid is a false color image of the strongest tropical cyclone captured by satellites during the period 1980 to 2009. The poster size is 48"x 30".
In 2023, there were 78 named storms registered worldwide, down from 87 storms in the previous year. Overall, there was an average of 87 named tropical cyclones registered per year from 1980 to 2023. Japan was the country most exposed to this type of event worldwide.
What is a tropical cyclone?Tropical cyclones are intense rotating storms that form over warm tropical waters, characterized by heavy rain and strong winds. Once a cyclone sustains wind speeds exceeding 63 kilometers per hour, they are considered a tropical storm and receive a name. Named tropical storms can also receive further classification depending on their intensity and location (also known as basin). High-speed cyclones in the Northern Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins are called hurricanes, while in the Western Pacific they are called typhoons. When the event takes place within the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, it is known as a cyclone.
Frequency of tropical cyclones worldwide
The Northwest Pacific basin is one of the most active for tropical cyclones worldwide. In 2023, there were 16 named storms reported in the region, of which more than half were classified as hurricanes. Meanwhile, the North Indian Ocean represented one of the least active basins for tropical cyclones, with an annual average of five named storms recorded from 1990 to 2023.