1980 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1980, 77 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 44 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 21 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Hurricane Allen in the Atlantic, at 190 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1979–80 season, which IBTrACS files under 1980.
1980 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 77, from 97 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 44.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 21, 2 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 662, 83% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Hurricane Allen, Atlantic, 190 mph (165 kt), 899 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Atlantic, with 122% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: North Indian, at 7%.
Each basin in 1980
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1980 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1980 season
11 named (average 14.4), 9 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Allen, 190 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1980 season
14 named (average 15.6), 7 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Kay, 140 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1980 season
1 named (average 1.6), 1 hurricane (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Dinah, 115 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
1980 season
23 named (average 25.5), 14 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Wynne, 175 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1980 season
3 named (average 6.3), 0 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Tropical Storm 1B, 40 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1979–80 season
25 named (average 26.7), 13 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Enid, 145 mph.
Strongest storms of 1980
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen | Atlantic | C5 190 mph | 899 mb | – |
| Wynne | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 890 mb | – |
| Kim | West Pacific | C4 150 mph | 910 mb | – |
| Percy | West Pacific | C4 145 mph | 915 mb | – |
| Betty | West Pacific | C4 145 mph | 925 mb | – |
Peak winds are 1-minute sustained winds from the NHC and JTWC best tracks, so storms in different basins compare on the same scale.