1992 Atlantic hurricane season
Jun 1, 1992 – Nov 30, 1992 · Season ended
The 1992 Atlantic hurricane season produced 7 named storms, 4 hurricanes and 1 major hurricane, against a 1991–2020 average of 14.4, 7.2 and 3.2. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 76, 62% of the average.
1992 season at a glance
- Named storms: 7 (1991–2020 average 14.4).
- Hurricanes (64 kt+): 4 (average 7.2).
- Major, 96 kt+: 1, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 3.2).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 76.2, 62% of the 123 average.
- Named-storm days: 40.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Tropical Storm 1L, April 22.
- First hurricane: Andrew, August 22.
- First major storm: Andrew, August 23.
- Last storm to dissipate: Frances, October 30.
- All systems tracked: 10, including 3 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).
Every storm of the 1992 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1L | – | TS | 1002 mb | — |
| TD 2L | – | TD | 1007 mb | — |
| TD 3L | – | TD | 1015 mb | — |
| Andrew | – | C5 | 922 mb | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Bonnie | – | C2 | 965 mb | — |
| Charley | – | C2 | 965 mb | — |
| Danielle | – | TS | 1001 mb | Fruitland, United States |
| TD 8L | – | TD | 1008 mb | — |
| Earl | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Frances | – | C1 | 976 mb | — |
- TD 1L: This system formed in the Atlantic in April 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- TD 2L: This system formed in the Atlantic in June 1992 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1007 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- TD 3L: This system formed in the Atlantic in July 1992 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1015 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Andrew: Andrew formed in the Atlantic in August 1992 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 922 mb. It made 5 landfalls, first near Nassau, Bahamas and last near Franklin, United States. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Bonnie: Bonnie formed in the Atlantic in September 1992 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Charley: Charley formed in the Atlantic in September 1992 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Danielle: Danielle formed in the Atlantic in September 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1001 mb. It made landfall near Fruitland, United States. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 8L: This system formed in the Atlantic in September 1992 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1008 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Earl: Earl formed in the Atlantic in September 1992 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Frances: Frances formed in the Atlantic in October 1992 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1992
Hurricane Andrew was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 175 mph (280 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 922 mb, on August 23. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
9 Atlantic storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 4 matched it. It produced 37% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1992
2 of the season’s 10 systems made landfall, 1 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- August 23: Andrew near Nassau, Bahamas, 160 mph (Category 5)
- August 24: Andrew near San Andros, Bahamas, 150 mph (Category 4)
- August 24: Andrew near Cutler Bay, United States, 165 mph (Category 5)
- August 24: Andrew near Cutler Bay, United States, 165 mph (Category 5)
- August 26: Andrew near Franklin, United States, 115 mph (Category 3)
- September 25: Danielle near Fruitland, United States, 65 mph (tropical storm)
How 1992 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 41st of 47 Atlantic seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 34th for hurricanes (tied with 5 other seasons) and 32nd for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 30 named storms, in 2020, and the highest ACE is 250, in 2005.
1992 storm names
The 1992 season used 6 names: Andrew, Bonnie, Charley, Danielle, Earl, Frances.
4 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
Atlantic and East Pacific lists repeat every six years. See how storms are named.
The WMO later retired the name Andrew, so it will not be used again.
1992 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1992?
The 1992 Atlantic hurricane season had 7 named storms, 4 hurricanes and 1 major hurricane, from 10 systems tracked in all. The 1991–2020 average is 14.4 named storms, 7.2 at 64 kt or more and 3.2 major per season. The first to form was Tropical Storm 1L and the last was Frances.
What was the strongest storm of 1992?
Hurricane Andrew. It peaked at 175 mph (280 km/h, 150 kt) with a lowest pressure of 922 mb on August 23. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 9 Atlantic storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 37% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1992 season end?
The official season ended on November 30, 1992, as it does every year in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Central Pacific. The last system, Frances, dissipated on October 30. Storms that form in December still count toward that year: 6 Atlantic storms since 1980 reached tropical-storm strength in December.