2006 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 2006, 81 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 40 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 26 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Cyclone Monica in the Southern Hemisphere, at 180 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 2005–06 season, which IBTrACS files under 2006.
2006 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 81, from 98 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 40.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 26, 5 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 738, 92% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Cyclone Monica, Southern Hemisphere, 180 mph (155 kt), 879 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Central Pacific, with 360% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Atlantic, at 64%.
Each basin in 2006
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 2006 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
2006 season
10 named (average 14.4), 5 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Gordon, 120 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
2006 season
18 named (average 15.6), 10 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Daniel, 150 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
2006 season
1 named (average 1.6), 1 hurricane (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Ioke, 160 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
2006 season
21 named (average 25.5), 13 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Saomai, 160 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
2006 season
7 named (average 6.3), 1 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone Mala, 140 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
2005–06 season
24 named (average 26.7), 10 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Monica, 180 mph.
Strongest storms of 2006
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monica | Southern Hemisphere | C5 180 mph | 879 mb | – |
| Saomai | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 898 mb | – |
| Yagi | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 898 mb | – |
| Cimaron | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 898 mb | – |
| Ioke | Central Pacific | C5 160 mph | 900 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.