2012 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 2012, 89 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 45 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 20 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Sanba in the West Pacific, at 180 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 2011–12 season, which IBTrACS files under 2012.
2012 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 89, from 92 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 45.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 20, 3 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 697, 87% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Sanba, West Pacific, 180 mph (155 kt), 907 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Atlantic, with 108% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Central Pacific, at 0%.
Each basin in 2012
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 2012 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
2012 season
19 named (average 14.4), 10 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Sandy, 115 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
2012 season
17 named (average 15.6), 10 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Emilia, 140 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
2012 season
No storms recorded.
West Pacific typhoon season
2012 season
25 named (average 25.5), 15 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Sanba, 180 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
2012 season
5 named (average 6.3), 0 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Tropical Storm Nilam, 60 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
2011–12 season
23 named (average 26.7), 10 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Giovanna, 140 mph.
Strongest storms of 2012
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanba | West Pacific | C5 180 mph | 907 mb | – |
| Bopha | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 911 mb | – |
| Jelawat | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 918 mb | – |
| Guchol | West Pacific | C4 150 mph | 926 mb | – |
| Bolaven | West Pacific | 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.