1986 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1986, 86 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 48 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 16 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Lola in the West Pacific, at 175 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1985–86 season, which IBTrACS files under 1986.
1986 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 86, from 104 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 48.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 16, 2 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 710, 89% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Lola, West Pacific, 175 mph (150 kt), 910 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: West Pacific, with 117% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Central Pacific, at 0%.
Each basin in 1986
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1986 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1986 season
6 named (average 14.4), 4 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Earl, 105 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1986 season
17 named (average 15.6), 10 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Roslyn, 145 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1986 season
0 named (average 1.6), 0 hurricanes (average 0.8).
West Pacific typhoon season
1986 season
28 named (average 25.5), 18 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Lola, 175 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1986 season
3 named (average 6.3), 0 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Tropical Storm 2B, 60 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1985–86 season
32 named (average 26.7), 16 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Erinesta, 130 mph.
Strongest storms of 1986
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lola | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 910 mb | – |
| Peggy | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 900 mb | – |
| Kim | West Pacific | C4 155 mph | 905 mb | – |
| Roslyn | East Pacific | C4 145 mph | — | – |
| Ben | West Pacific | C4 140 mph | 920 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.