1986 North Indian cyclone season
Apr–Jun · Oct–Dec · Season ended
The 1986 North Indian cyclone season produced 3 named storms, 0 at hurricane strength and 0 major storms, against a 1991–2020 average of 6.3, 2.0 and 1.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 3, 13% of the average.
1986 season at a glance
- Named storms: 3 (1991–2020 average 6.3).
- Hurricane strength (64 kt+): 0 (average 2.0).
- Major, 96 kt+: 0 (average 1.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 3.0, 13% of the 24 average.
- Named-storm days: 5.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Tropical Storm 1B, January 7.
- First storm at hurricane strength: none.
- Last storm to dissipate: Tropical Storm 3A, November 11.
- All systems tracked: 7, including 4 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). Regional agencies here use 10-minute winds (3-minute in India), so their official counts can differ.
Every storm of the 1986 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1B | – | TS | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 2B | – | TS | — | Gaurnadi, Bangladesh |
| TD 3A | – | TS | — | — |
- TD 1B: This system formed in the North Indian in January 1986 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the North Indian in August 1986. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the North Indian in August 1986 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 2 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the North Indian in August 1986 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 1 day.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the North Indian in September 1986. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- TD 2B: This system formed in the North Indian in November 1986 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). It made landfall near Gaurnadi, Bangladesh. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 3A: This system formed in the North Indian in November 1986 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1986
Tropical Storm 2B was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 60 mph (95 km/h), on November 9. It stayed below hurricane strength (64 kt, 74 mph).
109 North Indian storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 24 matched it. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1986
1 of the season’s 7 systems made landfall, none of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- November 9: TD 2B near Gaurnadi, Bangladesh, 45 mph (tropical storm)
How 1986 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 43rd of 47 North Indian seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 39th for hurricane strength (tied with 8 other seasons) and 45th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 11 named storms, in 1998, and the highest ACE is 85, in 2019.
1986 storm names
No storm in the 1986 season was named.
7 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1986 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1986?
The 1986 North Indian cyclone season had 3 named storms, 0 at hurricane strength and 0 major storms, from 7 systems tracked in all. The 1991–2020 average is 6.3 named storms, 2.0 at 64 kt or more and 1.0 major per season. The first to form was Tropical Storm 1B and the last was Tropical Storm 3A.
What was the strongest storm of 1986?
Tropical Storm 2B. It peaked at 60 mph (95 km/h, 50 kt) on November 9. It stayed below hurricane strength (64 kt, 74 mph). 109 North Indian storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1986 season end?
The North Indian Ocean has no official season, so the 1986 season is the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Tropical Storm 3A, dissipated on November 11. Since 1980, 31 North Indian storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.