What are the most extreme tropical cyclone records?

Tropical cyclone records document worldwide extremes in storm intensity, duration, and damage across different ocean basins. Because wind measurement methods vary globally, meteorologists often rely on minimum central atmospheric pressure for consistent comparisons. Globally, historical extremes include storms like Typhoon Tip for lowest pressure, Hurricane Patricia for maximum sustained winds, and various regional systems monitored by multiple international warning centers.

What we know

• The strongest tropical cyclone recorded worldwide by minimum central pressure was Typhoon Tip, reaching 870 hPa on October 12, 1979. [5]
• Hurricane Patricia attained the strongest 1-minute sustained winds on record at 185 knots on October 23, 2015. [5]
• Tropical cyclones are primarily monitored by 10 warning centers around the world designated as a Regional Specialized Meteorological Center or a Tropical Cyclone Warning Center by the World Meteorological Organization. [3]
• Minimum central pressure at sea level is frequently used to compare tropical cyclones globally because measurements are easier and use consistent methodology worldwide. [5]

Where to go next

• how it workedHow do meteorologists measure tropical cyclone intensity?
• a case in pointWhat are the specific records for Atlantic hurricanes?
• the bigger pictureHow many tropical basins are monitored globally?
• how we knowWhich warning centers monitor global tropical cyclones?
• whenWhat records were set during the 2026 tropical cyclone season?
• an unexpected connectionWhy is atmospheric pressure preferred over wind speed for global cyclone comparisons?Although wind speeds directly cause most visible damage, varying regional averaging periods make them difficult to compare internationally, forcing scientists to use central pressure instead.

Sources

• [1]list of tropical cyclone records (Wikidata Q6644024) · CC0 1.0
• [2]List of tropical cyclone records · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Tropical cyclones in 2026 · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]List of Atlantic hurricane records · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]List of the most intense tropical cyclones · CC BY-SA 4.0