1982 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1982, 90 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 48 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 23 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Mac in the West Pacific, at 160 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1981–82 season, which IBTrACS files under 1982.
1982 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 90, from 109 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 48.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 23, 2 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 744, 93% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Mac, West Pacific, 160 mph (140 kt), 895 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: West Pacific, with 126% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Atlantic, at 26%.
Each basin in 1982
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1982 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1982 season
6 named (average 14.4), 2 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Debby, 130 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1982 season
19 named (average 15.6), 11 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Olivia, 145 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1982 season
4 named (average 1.6), 1 hurricane (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Iwa, 90 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
1982 season
25 named (average 25.5), 19 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Mac, 160 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1982 season
9 named (average 6.3), 2 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone 1B, 140 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1981–82 season
27 named (average 26.7), 13 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Chris, 140 mph.
Strongest storms of 1982
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mac | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 895 mb | – |
| Bess | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 900 mb | – |
| Ellis | West Pacific | C4 145 mph | 915 mb | – |
| Cecil | West Pacific | C4 145 mph | 920 mb | – |
| Olivia | East Pacific | C4 145 mph | — | – |
Peak winds are 1-minute sustained winds from the NHC and JTWC best tracks, so storms in different basins compare on the same scale.