1983 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1983, 78 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 43 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 20 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Forrest in the West Pacific, at 175 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1982–83 season, which IBTrACS files under 1983.
1983 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 78, from 94 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 43.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 20, 3 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 665, 83% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Forrest, West Pacific, 175 mph (150 kt), 885 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: East Pacific, with 162% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Atlantic, at 14%.
Each basin in 1983
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1983 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1983 season
4 named (average 14.4), 3 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Alicia, 115 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1983 season
21 named (average 15.6), 12 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Kiko, 145 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1983 season
1 named (average 1.6), 1 hurricane (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Ellen, 145 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
1983 season
22 named (average 25.5), 11 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Forrest, 175 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1983 season
5 named (average 6.3), 1 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone Herbert, 75 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1982–83 season
25 named (average 26.7), 15 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Tomasi, 115 mph.
Strongest storms of 1983
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 885 mb | – |
| Abby | West Pacific | C5 165 mph | 895 mb | – |
| Marge | West Pacific | C5 165 mph | 895 mb | – |
| Wayne | West Pacific | C4 155 mph | 920 mb | – |
| Ellen | Central 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.