1996 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1996, 91 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 55 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 27 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Cyclone Agnielle in the Southern Hemisphere, at 175 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1995–96 season, which IBTrACS files under 1996.
1996 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 91, from 108 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 55.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 27, 6 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 910, 114% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Cyclone Agnielle, Southern Hemisphere, 175 mph (150 kt), 925 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Central Pacific, with 179% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: East Pacific, at 42%.
Each basin in 1996
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1996 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1996 season
13 named (average 14.4), 9 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Edouard, 145 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1996 season
9 named (average 15.6), 5 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Douglas, 130 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1996 season
1 named (average 1.6), 1 hurricane (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Yates, 150 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
1996 season
32 named (average 25.5), 20 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Herb, 160 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1996 season
8 named (average 6.3), 4 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone 7B, 130 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1995–96 season
28 named (average 26.7), 16 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Agnielle, 175 mph.
Strongest storms of 1996
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnielle | Southern Hemisphere | C5 175 mph | 925 mb | – |
| Itelle | Southern Hemisphere | C5 160 mph | 925 mb | – |
| Herb | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 925 mb | – |
| Dale | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 930 mb | – |
| Eve | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 940 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.