1997 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 1997, 101 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 58 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 29 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Hurricane Linda in the East Pacific, at 185 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 1996–97 season, which IBTrACS files under 1997.
1997 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 101, from 110 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 58.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 29, 12 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 1172, 146% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Hurricane Linda, East Pacific, 185 mph (160 kt), 902 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Central Pacific, with 482% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Atlantic, at 33%.
Each basin in 1997
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 1997 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
1997 season
8 named (average 14.4), 3 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Erika, 125 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
1997 season
17 named (average 15.6), 9 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Linda, 185 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
1997 season
4 named (average 1.6), 2 hurricanes (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Paka, 185 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
1997 season
28 named (average 25.5), 21 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Ivan, 185 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
1997 season
7 named (average 6.3), 2 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone 1B, 130 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
1996–97 season
37 named (average 26.7), 21 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Helinda, 145 mph.
Strongest storms of 1997
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linda | East Pacific | C5 185 mph | 902 mb | – |
| Ivan | West Pacific | C5 185 mph | 905 mb | – |
| Joan | West Pacific | C5 185 mph | 905 mb | – |
| Paka | Central Pacific | C5 185 mph | 920 mb | – |
| Keith | West Pacific | C5 180 mph | 910 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.