2016 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 2016, 90 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 48 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 26 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Meranti in the West Pacific, at 195 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 2015–16 season, which IBTrACS files under 2016.
2016 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 90, from 99 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 48.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 26, 8 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 817, 102% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Meranti, West Pacific, 195 mph (170 kt), 895 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: East Pacific, with 137% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: North Indian, at 64%.
Each basin in 2016
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 2016 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
2016 season
15 named (average 14.4), 7 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Matthew, 165 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
2016 season
20 named (average 15.6), 12 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Seymour, 150 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
2016 season
2 named (average 1.6), 2 hurricanes (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Songda, 150 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
2016 season
26 named (average 25.5), 16 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Meranti, 195 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
2016 season
6 named (average 6.3), 1 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone Vardah, 90 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
2015–16 season
21 named (average 26.7), 10 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Winston, 180 mph.
Strongest storms of 2016
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meranti | West Pacific | C5 195 mph | 895 mb | – |
| Winston | Southern Hemisphere | C5 180 mph | 907 mb | – |
| Fantala | Southern Hemisphere | C5 180 mph | 907 mb | – |
| Nepartak | West Pacific | C5 180 mph | 907 mb | – |
| Chaba | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 911 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.