1982 Atlantic hurricane season
Jun 1, 1982 – Nov 30, 1982 · Season ended
The 1982 Atlantic hurricane season produced 6 named storms, 2 hurricanes and 1 major hurricane, against a 1991–2020 average of 14.4, 7.2 and 3.2. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 32, 26% of the average.
1982 season at a glance
- Named storms: 6 (1991–2020 average 14.4).
- Hurricanes (64 kt+): 2 (average 7.2).
- Major, 96 kt+: 1 (average 3.2).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 31.5, 26% of the 123 average.
- Named-storm days: 18.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Alberto, June 3.
- First hurricane: Alberto, June 3.
- First major storm: Debby, September 17.
- Last storm to dissipate: Ernesto, October 3.
- All systems tracked: 8, including 2 that stayed below tropical-storm strength.
Counts use 1-minute best-track winds: named storms reached 34 kt (39 mph), the next column 64 kt (74 mph) and major storms 96 kt (111 mph).
Every storm of the 1982 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberto | – | C1 | 985 mb | — |
| TD 2L | – | TS | 984 mb | Fruit Cove, United States |
| Beryl | – | TS | 989 mb | — |
| TD 4L | – | TD | — | — |
| Chris | – | TS | 994 mb | Port Arthur, United States |
| Debby | – | C4 | 950 mb | — |
| TD 7L | – | TD | — | — |
| Ernesto | – | TS | 997 mb | — |
- Alberto: Alberto formed in the Atlantic in June 1982 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 2L: This system formed in the Atlantic in June 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It made landfall near Fruit Cove, United States. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Beryl: Beryl formed in the Atlantic in August 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 4L: This system formed in the Atlantic in September 1982 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Chris: Chris formed in the Atlantic in September 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It made landfall near Port Arthur, United States. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Debby: Debby formed in the Atlantic in September 1982 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- TD 7L: This system formed in the Atlantic in September 1982 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Ernesto: Ernesto formed in the Atlantic in September 1982 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1982
Hurricane Debby was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 130 mph (215 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 950 mb, on September 18. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
76 Atlantic storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 8 matched it. It produced 58% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1982
2 of the season’s 8 systems made landfall, none of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
How 1982 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 44th of 47 Atlantic seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 45th for hurricanes (tied with 1 other season) and 45th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 30 named storms, in 2020, and the highest ACE is 250, in 2005.
1982 storm names
The 1982 season used 5 names: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto.
3 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
Atlantic and East Pacific lists repeat every six years. See how storms are named.
1982 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1982?
The 1982 Atlantic hurricane season had 6 named storms, 2 hurricanes and 1 major hurricane, from 8 systems tracked in all. The 1991–2020 average is 14.4 named storms, 7.2 at 64 kt or more and 3.2 major per season. The first to form was Alberto and the last was Ernesto.
What was the strongest storm of 1982?
Hurricane Debby. It peaked at 130 mph (215 km/h, 115 kt) with a lowest pressure of 950 mb on September 18. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 76 Atlantic storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 58% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1982 season end?
The official season ended on November 30, 1982, as it does every year in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Central Pacific. The last system, Ernesto, dissipated on October 3. Storms that form in December still count toward that year: 6 Atlantic storms since 1980 reached tropical-storm strength in December.