1987 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1987, 86 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 41 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 18 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Nina in the West Pacific, at 165 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1986–87 season, which IBTrACS files under 1987.
1987 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 86, from 103 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 41.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 18, 4 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 693, 87% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Nina, West Pacific, 165 mph (145 kt), 930 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Central Pacific, with 263% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Atlantic, at 28%.
Each basin in 1987
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1987 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1987 season
7 named (average 14.4), 3 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Emily, 125 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1987 season
18 named (average 15.6), 9 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Max, 155 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1987 season
3 named (average 1.6), 2 hurricanes (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Wynne, 145 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
1987 season
23 named (average 25.5), 16 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Nina, 165 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1987 season
8 named (average 6.3), 0 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Tropical Storm 1B, 65 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1986–87 season
27 named (average 26.7), 11 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Tusi, 115 mph.
Strongest storms of 1987
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nina | West Pacific | C5 165 mph | 930 mb | – |
| Betty | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 890 mb | – |
| Holly | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 900 mb | – |
| Lynn | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 920 mb | – |
| Max | East Pacific | C4 155 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.