1990 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1990, 95 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 59 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 21 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Mike in the West Pacific, at 175 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1989–90 season, which IBTrACS files under 1990.
1990 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 95, from 118 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 59.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 21, 4 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 959, 120% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Mike, West Pacific, 175 mph (150 kt), 915 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Central Pacific, with 205% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Atlantic, at 79%.
Each basin in 1990
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1990 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1990 season
14 named (average 14.4), 8 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Gustav, 120 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1990 season
20 named (average 15.6), 16 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Trudy, 155 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1990 season
2 named (average 1.6), 1 hurricane (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Owen, 160 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
1990 season
29 named (average 25.5), 20 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Mike, 175 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1990 season
5 named (average 6.3), 1 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone 2B, 145 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1989–90 season
25 named (average 26.7), 13 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Alibera, 155 mph.
Strongest storms of 1990
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 915 mb | – |
| Flo | West Pacific | C5 165 mph | 890 mb | – |
| Page | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 910 mb | – |
| Owen | Central Pacific | C5 160 mph | 925 mb | – |
| Trudy | East Pacific | C4 155 mph | 924 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.