2009 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 2009, 86 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 35 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 19 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Hurricane Rick in the East Pacific, at 180 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 2008–09 season, which IBTrACS files under 2009.
2009 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 86, from 100 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 35.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 19, 5 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 583, 73% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Hurricane Rick, East Pacific, 180 mph (155 kt), 906 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: West Pacific, with 97% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: North Indian, at 35%.
Each basin in 2009
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 2009 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
2009 season
9 named (average 14.4), 3 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Bill, 130 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
2009 season
18 named (average 15.6), 7 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Rick, 180 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
2009 season
2 named (average 1.6), 1 hurricane (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Neki, 125 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
2009 season
23 named (average 25.5), 15 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Nida, 180 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
2009 season
6 named (average 6.3), 1 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone Aila, 75 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
2008–09 season
28 named (average 26.7), 8 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Hamish, 155 mph.
Strongest storms of 2009
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rick | East Pacific | C5 180 mph | 906 mb | – |
| Nida | West Pacific | C5 180 mph | 907 mb | – |
| Melor | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 911 mb | – |
| Choi-Wan | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 918 mb | – |
| Lupit | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 918 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.