2021 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
In 2021, 103 storms reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 39 of them reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 17 became major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Super Typhoon Surigae in the West Pacific, at 195 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 2020–21 season, which IBTrACS files under 2021.
2021 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 103, from 111 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 39.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 17, 7 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 686, 86% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Super Typhoon Surigae, West Pacific, 195 mph (170 kt), 882 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: Atlantic, with 119% of its average accumulated cyclone energy.
- Least active against its average: Central Pacific, at 12%.
Each basin in 2021
Counts against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 2021 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
2021 season
21 named (average 14.4), 7 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Hurricane Sam, 155 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
2021 season
19 named (average 15.6), 8 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Felicia, 145 mph.
Central Pacific hurricane season
2021 season
1 named (average 1.6), 0 hurricanes (average 0.8). Strongest: Tropical Storm Omais, 65 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
2021 season
24 named (average 25.5), 9 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Surigae, 195 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
2021 season
6 named (average 6.3), 3 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Cyclone Tauktae, 140 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
2020–21 season
32 named (average 26.7), 12 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Yasa, 160 mph.
Strongest storms of 2021
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surigae | West Pacific | C5 195 mph | 882 mb | – |
| Chanthu | West Pacific | C5 180 mph | 902 mb | – |
| Rai | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 908 mb | – |
| Yasa | Southern Hemisphere | C5 160 mph | 914 mb | – |
| Mindulle | West Pacific | C5 160 mph | 916 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.