2002 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 2002, 82 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 40 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 27 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Fengshen in the West Pacific, at 165 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 2001–02 season, which IBTrACS files under 2002.
2002 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 82, from 100 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 40.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 27, 7 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 794, 99% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Fengshen, West Pacific, 165 mph (145 kt), 892 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Central Pacific, with 253% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: North Indian, at 32%.
Each basin in 2002
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 2002 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
2002 season
12 named (average 14.4), 4 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Lili, 145 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
2002 season
12 named (average 15.6), 6 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Kenna, 165 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
2002 season
3 named (average 1.6), 2 hurricanes (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Ele, 130 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
2002 season
25 named (average 25.5), 16 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Fengshen, 165 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
2002 season
5 named (average 6.3), 0 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Tropical Storm 3B, 65 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
2001–02 season
25 named (average 26.7), 12 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Hary, 160 mph.
Strongest storms of 2002
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fengshen | West Pacific | C5 165 mph | 892 mb | – |
| Kenna | East Pacific | C5 165 mph | 913 mb | – |
| Hary | Southern Hemisphere | C5 160 mph | 898 mb | – |
| Mitag | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 898 mb | – |
| Hagibis | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 898 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.