Summary

May produced four named storms globally including two that reached tropical cyclone strength (74 mph). Both numbers were near normal. The global accumulated cyclone energy (ACE: an integrated metric of the strength, frequency, and duration of tropical storms) was also near normal even though none of the storms reached major tropical cyclone strength (111 mph). The most impactful storm was Hurricane Agatha in the East Pacific. Agatha was the first named storm in the Western Hemisphere in 2022. It became the strongest hurricane to make landfall along Mexico's Pacific coast in May. It caused heavy rain and flooding there.

No storms formed in the Atlantic during May, which is typical. However, it broke a streak of seven consecutive years with a storm before the June 1 official start of the hurricane season. Hurricane Agatha was the only storm in the East Pacific, which was near normal.

There were also not any storms in May in the West Pacific, which is typically most active during June-October. The January-May activity for the West Pacific has been near normal in 2022. The North Indian Ocean had one hurricane-strength storm, Cyclone Asani, which is normal for May. Asani dissipated as it approached the east coast of India, which limited its impacts.

In the Southern Hemisphere, there was one named storm in the Australian region and another in the Southwest Pacific. Neither achieved tropical cyclone strength. Tropical Storm Gina caused heavy rainfall in Vanuatu, but otherwise neither storm had major impacts. This level activity is typical for the Southern Hemisphere in May.

Data Description

References