Worldwide Cyclones


The lull in intense hurricanes making landfall in the United States is part of a global pattern, but it does not mean recent experience will persist.


“It’s not the quietest that the world has ever been, but the last few years have been exceptionally quiet.”


Roger Pielke Jr., University of Colorado


Global data indicate that on average 15 tropical cyclones make landfall around the world each year, and about a third of those are major hurricanes (i.e., Category 3, 4 or 5). However, there is great variation within those averages, with as few as seven global landfalls in one year and as many as 32 in another. In the last few years, there has been a dearth of intense hurricanes striking land. But given the tremendous variations, there is no reason to believe that this quiet period constitutes a lasting trend.


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