Note: This report catalogs recent tropical cyclones across the North Atlantic and East Pacific and places each basin’s tropical cyclone activity in a climate-scale context. It is not updated in real time. Users seeking the real time status and forecasts of tropical cyclones should visit The National Hurricane Center.

Summary

Eleven named storms occurred across the globe in February, which was above the 1991-2020 average of seven. One of those reached tropical cyclone strength (≥74 mph), and one reached major tropical cyclone strength (≥111 mph). The global accumulated cyclone energy (ACE: an integrated metric of the strength, frequency, and duration of tropical storms) was about 55% of the 1991-2020 average for February.

The only major tropical cyclone was Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Djoungou in the South Indian Ocean. On average, a major tropical cyclone occurs in the South Indian Ocean once every February. Djoungou peaked with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph and a minimum central pressure of 942 mb. Djoungou remained in the central part of the South Indian Ocean and did not approach any major land masses.

Two other storms occurred in the South Indian during February, an unnamed tropical storm in early February and Tropical Storm Eleanor, which peaked as a moderate strength tropical storm. Both of these systems remained away from major land areas and had minimal impacts.

In the Australian region, two tropical storms (Tropical Storm Kirrily and Tropical Storm Lincoln) brought gusty winds and rains to parts of northern Australia. Tropical Cyclone Kirrily peaked with winds of 50 mph and a minimum central pressure of 991 mb over the Gulf of Carpentaria before making landfall. Tropical Storm Lincoln was a weak tropical storm which peaked with winds of 40 mph and a minimum central pressure of 991 mb. Lincoln produced rainfall and winds across northern and northwestern Australia.

Elsewhere, in the southwest Pacific four tropical storms formed which is above the long term mean of two. These storms remained away from land and had minimal impacts. The strongest storm in the region was Tropical Storm Osai, which peaked as a moderate strength tropical storm with winds of 60 mph and a minimum central pressure of 993 mb.

One rare event occurred during February in the South Atlantic Ocean, where Tropical Storm Akará formed. Tropical cyclones are extremely rare in the South Atlantic Ocean due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions that typically prevent development. Akará peaked as a weak tropical storm with winds of 40 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1000 mb. Akará was the first tropical storm to occur in the South Atlantic since Iba in 2019.

No storms were active in the North Atlantic, East Pacific, North Indian, or West Pacific. The lack of activity is more typical for these basins during the month of February.

North Atlantic

No North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones occurred during February 2024.

North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1851-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
1st
(tied with 43 other Februaries)
1
(1952)
Hurricane
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
1st
(tied with 43 other Februaries)
0
Major Hurricane
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
1st
(tied with 43 other Februaries)
0
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
0.00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
1st
(tied with 43 other Februaries)
1.3
(1952)
North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone February Counts
North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Season Counts January-February 2024
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1851-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
00.1
(1 in 10 seasons)
4th
(tied with 40 other seasons)
1
(8 seasons)
Hurricane
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 seasons)
2nd
(tied with 42 other seasons)
1
(1938, 1955, 2016)
Major Hurricane
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 seasons)
1st
(tied with 43 other seasons)
0
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
0.00.3
(3 in 10 seasons)
3rd
(tied with 41 other seasons)
6.5
(1955)
North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Storm Tracks January-February 2024

East Pacific

No East Pacific Tropical Cyclones occurred during February 2024.

East Pacific Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1949-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
2nd
(tied with 42 other Februaries)
1
(1992)
Hurricane
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
2nd
(tied with 42 other Februaries)
1
(1992)
Major Hurricane
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
2nd
(tied with 42 other Februaries)
1
(1992)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
0.00.3
(3 in 10 Februaries)
2nd
(tied with 42 other Februaries)
7.9
(1992)
East Pacific Tropical Cyclone February Counts
East Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season Counts January-February 2024
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1949-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
00.1
(1 in 10 seasons)
4th
(tied with 40 other seasons)
1
(1989, 1992, 2016)
Hurricane
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
00.1
(1 in 10 seasons)
3rd
(tied with 41 other seasons)
1
(1992, 2016)
Major Hurricane
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 seasons)
2nd
(tied with 42 other seasons)
1
(1992)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
0.00.7
(7 in 10 seasons)
4th
(tied with 40 other seasons)
13.3
(1992)
East Pacific Tropical Cyclone Storm Tracks January-February 2024

West Pacific

No West Pacific Tropical Cyclones occurred during February 2024.

West Pacific Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1945-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
00.3
(3 in 10 Februaries)
11th
(tied with 33 other Februaries)
2
(1965, 1976)
Typhoon
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
00.1
(1 in 10 Februaries)
4th
(tied with 40 other Februaries)
1
(6 Februarys)
Major Typhoon
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.1
(1 in 10 Februaries)
3rd
(tied with 41 other Februaries)
1
(1953, 1970, 2015, 2019)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
0.01.511th
(tied with 33 other Februaries)
31.4
(2019)
West Pacific Tropical Cyclone February Counts
West Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season Counts January-February 2024
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1945-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
00.7
(7 in 10 seasons)
22nd
(tied with 22 other seasons)
4
(1965)
Typhoon
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
00.2
(2 in 10 seasons)
10th
(tied with 34 other seasons)
2
(1953, 2015)
Major Typhoon
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.1
(1 in 10 seasons)
5th
(tied with 39 other seasons)
2
(1953)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
0.02.622nd
(tied with 22 other seasons)
44.7
(1958)
West Pacific Tropical Cyclone Storm Tracks January-February 2024

North Indian

No North Indian Tropical Cyclones occurred during February 2024.

North Indian Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1972-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
3rd
(tied with 41 other Februaries)
1
(1987, 1999)
Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
1st
(tied with 43 other Februaries)
0
Major Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
1st
(tied with 43 other Februaries)
0
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
0.00.0
(0 in 10 Februaries)
3rd
(tied with 41 other Februaries)
1.8
(1987)
North Indian Tropical Cyclone February Counts
North Indian Tropical Cyclone Season Counts January-February 2024
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1972-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
00.2
(2 in 10 seasons)
9th
(tied with 35 other seasons)
1
(8 seasons)
Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 seasons)
1st
(tied with 43 other seasons)
0
Major Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.0
(0 in 10 seasons)
1st
(tied with 43 other seasons)
0
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
0.00.2
(2 in 10 seasons)
9th
(tied with 35 other seasons)
1.8
(1987)
North Indian Tropical Cyclone Storm Tracks January-February 2024

South Indian

February 2024 South Indian Tropical Cyclones
Name Maximum
Category
Max
Cat
Dates
>39 mph
Maximum Sustained Winds Minimum Central Pressure
Not_Named Storm Track
TSJanuary 31-February 2Jan 31-Feb 240 mph996 mb
Djoungou Storm Track
4February 15Feb 15-20135 mph942 mb
Eleanor Storm Track
TSFebruary 19Feb 19-2460 mph992 mb
South Indian Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1956-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
32.711th
(tied with 11 other Februaries)
5
(2000, 2007, 2022)
Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
11.724th
(tied with 12 other Februaries)
4
(1997, 2007)
Major Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
11.09th
(tied with 19 other Februaries)
3
(1994, 2007, 2022)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
17.022.625th67.9
(2007)
South Indian Tropical Cyclone February Counts
South Indian Tropical Cyclone Season Counts July 2023-February 2024
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1956-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
77.521st
(tied with 6 other seasons)
15
(1997)
Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
34.028th
(tied with 7 other seasons)
9
(1997)
Major Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
22.417th
(tied with 12 other seasons)
5
(2019)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
54.562.328th147.1
(1997)
South Indian Tropical Cyclone Storm Tracks July 2023-February 2024

Australia

February 2024 Australia Tropical Cyclones
Name Maximum
Category
Max
Cat
Dates
>39 mph
Maximum Sustained Winds Minimum Central Pressure
Kirrily Storm Track
TSFebruary 1Feb 1-250 mph991 mb
Djoungou Storm Track
4February 15Feb 15-20135 mph942 mb
Lincoln Storm Track
TSFebruary 15Feb 15-1640 mph991 mb
Lincoln Storm Track
TSFebruary 22Feb 22-2445 mph990 mb
Value occurred in the South Indian
Australia Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1956-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
42.43rd
(tied with 9 other Februaries)
6
(1971, 1984)
Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
10.9
(9 in 10 Februaries)
11th
(tied with 18 other Februaries)
4
(1980, 1992)
Major Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.5
(5 in 10 Februaries)
17th
(tied with 27 other Februaries)
3
(1992)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
2.69.035th36.9
(1979)
Australia Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Australia Tropical Cyclone Season Counts July 2023-February 2024
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1956-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
76.415th
(tied with 5 other seasons)
15
(1997)
Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
32.59th
(tied with 9 other seasons)
7
(1996)
Major Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
11.110th
(tied with 18 other seasons)
4
(1992)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
34.428.613th70.8
(1997)
Australia Tropical Cyclone Storm Tracks July 2023-February 2024

Southwest Pacific

February 2024 Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclones
Name Maximum
Category
Max
Cat
Dates
>39 mph
Maximum Sustained Winds Minimum Central Pressure
Nat Storm Track
TSFebruary 5Feb 5-850 mph993 mb
Osai Storm Track
TSFebruary 7Feb 7-860 mph993 mb
Not_Named Storm Track
TSFebruary 8Feb 8-1145 mph995 mb
Not_Named Storm Track
TSFebruary 15Feb 15-1750 mph994 mb
Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1956-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
42.02nd
(tied with 3 other Februaries)
5
(1993)
Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
01.134th
(tied with 10 other Februaries)
4
(1989, 2005)
Major Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
00.6
(6 in 10 Februaries)
18th
(tied with 26 other Februaries)
4
(2005)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
5.513.426th72.0
(2005)
Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season Counts July 2023-February 2024
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1956-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
64.712th
(tied with 4 other seasons)
12
(1998)
Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
22.721st
(tied with 10 other seasons)
8
(1998)
Major Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
11.415th
(tied with 14 other seasons)
4
(2003, 2005)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
22.434.525th99.8
(2016)
Southwest Pacific Tropical Cyclone Storm Tracks July 2023-February 2024

Global

February 2024 Global Tropical Cyclones
Name Maximum
Category
Max
Cat
Dates
>39 mph
Maximum Sustained Winds Minimum Central Pressure
Not_Named Storm Track
TSJanuary 31-February 2Jan 31-Feb 240 mph996 mb
Kirrily Storm Track
TSFebruary 1Feb 1-250 mph991 mb
Nat Storm Track
TSFebruary 5Feb 5-850 mph993 mb
Osai Storm Track
TSFebruary 7Feb 7-860 mph993 mb
Not_Named Storm Track
TSFebruary 8Feb 8-1145 mph995 mb
Djoungou Storm Track
4February 15Feb 15-20135 mph942 mb
Lincoln Storm Track
TSFebruary 15Feb 15-1640 mph991 mb
Not_Named Storm Track
TSFebruary 15Feb 15-1750 mph994 mb
Eleanor Storm Track
TSFebruary 19Feb 19-2460 mph992 mb
Lincoln Storm Track
TSFebruary 22Feb 22-2445 mph990 mb
Global Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1972-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
106.83rd
(tied with 1 other February)
11
(1986, 1992)
Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
13.539th
(tied with 4 other Februaries)
7
(1989, 1992)
Major Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
12.125th
(tied with 9 other Februaries)
5
(1992)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
25.146.836th112.2
(1989)
Global Tropical Cyclone February Counts
Global Tropical Cyclone Season Counts January-February 2024
Storm Type Count 1991-2020
Mean
1981-2024
Rank*
1972-2024
Record
Tropical Storm
Winds ≥ 39 mph (34 kts)
1512.79th
(tied with 2 other seasons)
20
(1986)
Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 74 mph (64 kts)
36.439th
(tied with 3 other seasons)
10
(1997)
Major Tropical Cyclone
Winds ≥ 111 mph (96 kts)
23.328th
(tied with 6 other seasons)
6
(1994, 2003)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy
ACE×10⁴ kt²
76.791.731st169.4
(1994)
Global Tropical Cyclone Storm Tracks January-February 2024

Data Description

The data in this report are derived from NCEI's IBTrACS dataset (Knapp et al. 2010; Schreck et al. 2014). IBTrACS tropical cyclone track and intensity data from agencies and sources around the globe. In this report, data from NOAA's National Hurricane Center (NHC) are used for the North Atlantic and East Pacific. The other basins use data from the U.S. Military's Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Historical values use the "best track" data that have been analyzed by forecasters after the season using all available data. Operational procedures and observing systems have changed with time and between regions, which makes these data heterogeneous. Intensity data are generally the most reliable since the early 1970s in the Atlantic (Landsea and Franklin 2013) and since the mid-1980s in other regions (Chu et al. 2002). The number of short-lived storms (≤2 days) has also increased since around 2000 due to improvements in observations and analysis techniques (Landsea et al. 2010).

Values for the current year are provisional values from the operational forecast advisories. IBTrACS obtains these from NCEP's TC Vitals, the NCAR Tropical Cyclone Guidance Project, and NHC provisional data. These values are subject to change during the post-season best track analysis. They also only include 6-hourly storm fixes, which means they may miss special advisories at landfall, peak intensity, etc.

The tropical cyclone seasons in the Southern Hemisphere begin in July and end in June, while the Northern Hemisphere seasons are counted from January to December. Storms are counted in all basins, months, and years in which they occur, which means some storms may appear more than once. However, the global totals only include each storm one time.

References

  • Chu, J.-H., C. R. Sampson, A. S. Levine, and E. Fukada, 2002: The joint typhoon warning center tropical cyclone best-tracks, 1945–2000. Naval Research Laboratory, Reference Number NRL/MR/7540-02-16, 22 pp., https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/best-tracks/tc-bt-report.html.
  • Knapp, K. R., M. C. Kruk, D. H. Levinson, H. J. Diamond, and C. J. Neumann, 2010: The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS). Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 91, 363–376, https://doi.org/10.1175/2009BAMS2755.1.
  • Landsea, C. W., and J. L. Franklin, 2013: Atlantic Hurricane database uncertainty and presentation of a new database format. Mon. Wea. Rev., 141, 3576–3592, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-12-00254.1.
  • ——, G. A. Vecchi, L. Bengtsson, and T. R. Knutson, 2010: Impact of duration thresholds on Atlantic tropical cyclone counts. J. Climate, 23, 2508–2519, https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JCLI3034.1.
  • Schreck, C. J., K. R. Knapp, and J. P. Kossin, 2014: The Impact of Best Track Discrepancies on Global Tropical Cyclone Climatologies using IBTrACS. Mon. Wea. Rev., 142, 3881–3899, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-14-00021.1.

Citing This Report

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Monthly Tropical Cyclones Report for February 2024, published online March 2024, retrieved on March 19, 2024 from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tropical-cyclones/202402.