1989 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1989, 95 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 57 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 25 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Cyclone Orson in the Southern Hemisphere, at 160 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1988–89 season, which IBTrACS files under 1989.
1989 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 95, from 120 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 57.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 25, 7 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 880, 110% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Cyclone Orson, Southern Hemisphere, 160 mph (140 kt), 905 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Southern Hemisphere, with 139% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: North Indian, at 16%.
Each basin in 1989
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1989 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1989 season
11 named (average 14.4), 7 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Hugo, 160 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1989 season
16 named (average 15.6), 9 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Raymond, 145 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1989 season
1 named (average 1.6), 0 hurricanes (average 0.8). Strongest: Tropical Storm Winona, 65 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
1989 season
30 named (average 25.5), 21 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Gordon, 160 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1989 season
4 named (average 6.3), 0 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Tropical Storm 1B, 65 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1988–89 season
33 named (average 26.7), 20 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Orson, 160 mph.
Strongest storms of 1989
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orson | Southern Hemisphere | C5 160 mph | 905 mb | – |
| Gordon | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 915 mb | – |
| Elsie | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 915 mb | – |
| Hugo | Atlantic | C5 160 mph | 918 mb | – |
| Andy | West Pacific | C5 160 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.