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FAQ: Tropical Cyclone Records

Which is the most intense tropical cyclone on record?

Contributed by Chris Landsea

Typhoon Tip in the Northwest Pacific Ocean on 12 October 1979 was measured to have a central pressure of 870 mb and estimated surface sustained winds of 85 m/s (165 kt, 190 mph) (Dunnavan and Diercks 1980). Typhoon Nancy on 12 September, 1961 is listed in the best track data for the Northwest Pacific region as having an estimated maximum sustained winds of 95 m/s (185 kt, 213 mph) with a central pressure of 888 mb. However, it is now recognized (Black 1992) that the maximum sustained winds estimated for typhoons during the 1940s to 1960s were too strong and that the 95 m/s (and numerous 83 to 93 m/s reports) is somewhat too high.

Note that Hurricane Wilma's 882 mb lowest pressure (estimated from a dropsonde) in 2005 is the most intense [as measured by lowest sea level pressure] for the Atlantic basin, it is almost 12 mb weaker (higher) than the above Typhoon Tip of the Northwest Pacific Ocean.

While the central pressures for the Northwest Pacific typhoons are the lowest globally, the North Atlantic hurricanes have provided sustained wind speeds possibly comparable to the Northwest Pacific. From the best track database, both Hurricane Camille (1969) and Hurricane Allen (1980) have winds that are estimated to be 85 m/s (165 kt, 190 mph). Measurements of such winds are inherently going to be suspect as instruments often are completely destroyed or damaged at these speeds.



Which tropical cyclone intensified the fastest?

Contributed by Chris Landsea

Hurricane Wilma in 2005 went from 954 mb to 901 mb in a 5 hour 23 minute period for a 9.8 mb/hr pressure drop. The winds went from 70 to 82 m/s (130 kt to 160 kt, 150 mph to 184 mph) in that period. Hurricane Beulah in 1967 underwent a 6.33 mb/hr drop over a six hour period.

In the West Pacific, Typhoon Forrest in September 1983 deepened by 100 mb (976 to 876 mb) in just under 24 hr (Roger Edson, personal communication) . Estimated surface sustained winds increased a maximum of 15 m/s (30 kt, 35 mph) in 6 hr and 44 m/s (85 kt, 98 mph) in one day (from 33 to 77 m/s [65 to 150 kt, 75 to 173 mph]).

Revised November 28, 2006


Which tropical cyclone has produced the highest storm surge?

Contributed by Chris Landsea

The Bathurst Bay Hurricane, also known as Tropical Cyclone Mahina, struck Bathurst Bay, Australia in 1899. According to (Whittingham 1958) it produced a 13 m (about 42 ft) surge, but other contemporary accounts place the surge at 14.6 m (almost 48 ft). Fish and dolphins were reported found on top of 15 m cliffs.



What are the largest rainfalls associated with tropical cyclones?

Contributed by Chris Landsea

(Holland 1993)

Email from Philippe Caroff RSMC La Reunion March 12, 2007

Which are the largest and smallest tropical cyclones on record?

Contributed by Chris Landsea

Typhoon Tip had gale force winds (17 m/s [34 kt, 39 mph]) which extended out for 1100 km [675 mi]in radius in the Northwest Pacific on 12 October, 1979 (Dunnavan and Diercks 1980). Tropical Cyclone Tracy had gale force winds that only extended 50 km [30 mi] radius when it struck Darwin, Australia, on 24 December,1974 (Bureau of Meteorology 1977).



Which tropical cyclone lasted the longest?

Contributed by Neal Dorst

Hurricane/Typhoon John lasted 31 days as it traveled both the Northeast and Northwest Pacific basins during August and September 1994. (It formed in the Northeast Pacific, reached hurricane force there, moved across the dateline and was renamed Typhoon John, and then finally recurved back across the dateline and renamed Hurricane John again.) Hurricane Ginger was a tropical cyclone for 28 days in the North Atlantic Ocean back in 1971.

It should be noted that prior to the weather satellite era (1961) many tropical cyclones' life cycles could be underestimated.

"The death toll in the infamous Bangladesh Cyclone of 1970 has had
several estimates, some wildly speculative, but it seems certain that 
at least 300,000 people died from the associated storm tide [surge] 
in the low-lying deltas." (Holland 1993)

The largest damage caused by a tropical cyclone as estimated by monetary amounts has been Hurricane Katrina (2005) as it struck the Bahamas, Florida and Louisiana: US $40.6 billion in insured losses, and an estimated $81 billion in total losses. However, if one normalizes hurricane damage by inflation, wealth changes and coastal county population increases, then Katrina is only the third worst, after the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane and the lethal 1900 Galveston Hurricane. If the 1926 storm hit in 2005, it is estimated that it would cause over $140 billion in damages, and the 1900 storm about $92 billion (Pielke, Gratz, Landsea, Collins, Saunders, Musulin 2006).

Revised November 28, 2006



What are the average, most, and least tropical cyclones occurring in each basin?

Contributed by Chris Landsea