2008 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 2008, 95 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 42 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 24 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Jangmi in the West Pacific, at 160 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 2007–08 season, which IBTrACS files under 2008.
2008 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 95, from 103 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 42.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 24, 1 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 635, 79% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Jangmi, West Pacific, 160 mph (140 kt), 918 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Atlantic, with 119% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Central Pacific, at 7%.
Each basin in 2008
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 2008 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
2008 season
16 named (average 14.4), 8 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Gustav, 155 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
2008 season
16 named (average 15.6), 7 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Norbert, 130 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
2008 season
1 named (average 1.6), 0 hurricanes (average 0.8). Strongest: Tropical Storm Kika, 40 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
2008 season
28 named (average 25.5), 12 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Jangmi, 160 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
2008 season
6 named (average 6.3), 1 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone Nargis, 130 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
2007–08 season
28 named (average 26.7), 14 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Hondo, 150 mph.
Strongest storms of 2008
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jangmi | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 918 mb | – |
| Rammasun | West Pacific | C4 155 mph | 922 mb | – |
| Gustav | Atlantic | C4 155 mph | 941 mb | – |
| Hondo | Southern Hemisphere | C4 150 mph | 926 mb | – |
| Ivan | Southern Hemisphere | C4 145 mph | 929 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.