Hurricane Calendar · On this day
Hurricanes on May 21 in history (1842 to 2026)
112 storms on record were active on May 21 between 1863 and 2024. On this date 18 formed, 9 reached their peak recorded wind, 4 came ashore and 16 ended. The strongest storm active on May 21 was Typhoon Mawar (2023), with a peak 1-minute sustained wind of 165 kt (190 mph), recorded by JTWC.
Dates are calendar dates in UTC. Typhoons and cyclones are the same kind of storm as hurricanes, named by region. Archive of September 29, 2026.
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Typhoon Olga (1976)
Peak recorded wind: May 21, 1976, 00:00 UTC. Peak: 100 kt · 1-minute (JTWC). Western Pacific, May 10 to 31, 1976.
In Hurricane Calendar, replay Olga along its recorded track, with the wind at each step and the agency that measured it.
Came ashore on May 21
4 storms, most recent first. Recorded landfalls come from the National Hurricane Center's best track; elsewhere a coast crossing is estimated from the track and labelled.
| Year | Storm | Ocean | Where and when | Wind at landfall | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Cyclone Roanu | North Indian | Coast crossing (estimated) near 22.6°N, 91.5°E May 21, 2016, 09:00 UTC | 45 kt (52 mph), 3-minute, IMD | Estimated from the track |
| 1990 | Unnamed storm · 1990 | Western Pacific | Coast crossing (estimated) near 10.6°N, 122.6°E May 21, 1990, 03:00 UTC | Not recorded | Estimated from the track |
| 1922 | Unnamed storm · 1922 | Western Pacific | Coast crossing (estimated) near 10.5°N, 125.3°E May 21, 1922, 10:00 UTC | Not recorded | Estimated from the track |
| 1906 | Unnamed storm · 1906 | Western Pacific | Coast crossing (estimated) near 22.9°N, 116.4°E May 21, 1906, 15:00 UTC | Not recorded | Estimated from the track |
Formed on May 21
18 storms had their first recorded position on this date.
| Season | Storm | Ocean | First position | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Typhoon Betty | Western Pacific | 9.0°N, 135.0°E | 130 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 2001 | Unnamed cyclone · 2001 | North Indian | 13.7°N, 68.1°E | 115 kt · 3-minute (IMD) |
| 2018 | Cyclone Mekunu | North Indian | 7.9°N, 58.6°E | 95 kt · 3-minute (IMD) |
| 1971 | Typhoon Dinah | Western Pacific | 7.2°N, 156.0°E | 90 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 1971 | Hurricane Agatha | Eastern Pacific | 12.2°N, 93.1°W | Category 2 · Saffir-Simpson (NHC) |
| 1966 | Typhoon Judy | Western Pacific | 15.5°N, 117.0°E | 85 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 1983 | Hurricane Adolph | Eastern Pacific | 7.1°N, 91.5°W | Category 2 · Saffir-Simpson (NHC) |
| 1989 | Tropical storm Cecil | Western Pacific | 11.4°N, 114.4°E | 60 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1964 | Typhoon Viola | Western Pacific | 12.6°N, 112.0°E | 70 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 1985 | Unnamed cyclone · 1985 | North Indian | 16.0°N, 89.0°E | 65 kt · 3-minute (IMD) |
| 1976 | Unnamed subtropical storm · 1976 | Atlantic | 24.0°N, 89.0°W | 45 kt · 1-minute (NHC) |
| 1995 | Unnamed tropical depression · 1995 | Eastern Pacific | 13.2°N, 104.2°W | 30 kt · 1-minute (NHC) |
| 2014 | Unnamed tropical depression · 2014 | North Indian | 15.5°N, 90.5°E | 25 kt · 3-minute (IMD) |
| 1887 | Unnamed storm · 1887 | North Indian | 15.9°N, 92.2°E | Not recorded |
| 1939–40 | Unnamed storm · 1940 | Southwest Indian | 8.3°S, 74.2°E | Not recorded |
Show 3 more storms
| Season | Storm | Ocean | First position | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1911–12 | Unnamed storm · 1912 | Southwest Indian | 9.3°S, 69.7°E | Not recorded |
| 1879 | Unnamed storm · 1879 | North Indian | 11.6°N, 73.0°E | Not recorded |
| 1862–63 | Unnamed storm · 1863 | Southwest Indian | 7.0°S, 89.1°E | Not recorded |
Reached peak wind on May 21
9 storms recorded their highest wind on this date, as the responsible agency measured it.
| Season | Storm | Ocean | Peak wind | Lowest pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Typhoon Olga | Western Pacific | 100 kt (115 mph), 1-minute, JTWC | 940 hPa (JMA) |
| 1964 | Typhoon Tess | Western Pacific | 85 kt (98 mph), 1-minute, JTWC | 960 hPa (JMA) |
| 2023–24 | Cyclone Ialy | Southwest Indian | 65 kt (75 mph), 10-minute, Météo-France | 981 hPa (Météo-France) |
| 2010 | Cyclone Bandu | North Indian | 40 kt (46 mph), 3-minute, IMD | 994 hPa (IMD) |
| 2021 | Tropical storm Ana | Atlantic | 50 kt (58 mph), 1-minute, NHC | 1004 hPa (NHC) |
| 1974–75 | Cyclone Denise | Australian region | 45 kt (52 mph), 10-minute, BoM | 992 hPa (BoM) |
| 2000 | Unnamed tropical depression · 2000 | Western Pacific | 30 kt (35 mph), 1-minute, JTWC | Not recorded |
| 1995 | Unnamed tropical depression · 1995 | Eastern Pacific | 30 kt (35 mph), 1-minute, NHC | Not recorded |
| 2014 | Unnamed tropical depression · 2014 | North Indian | 25 kt (29 mph), 3-minute, IMD | 1000 hPa (IMD) |
Ended on May 21
16 storms had their last recorded position on this date.
| Season | Storm | Ocean | Last position | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Cyclone Amphan | North Indian | 25.4°N, 89.6°E | May 15 to 21, 2020 |
| 1990 | Typhoon Marian | Western Pacific | 31.0°N, 133.0°E | May 9 to 21, 1990 |
| 2005 | Hurricane Adrian | Eastern Pacific | 13.4°N, 87.4°W | May 17 to 21, 2005 |
| 1989 | Typhoon Brenda | Western Pacific | 22.9°N, 110.1°E | May 14 to 21, 1989 |
| 2010 | Cyclone Laila | North Indian | 17.1°N, 81.9°E | May 16 to 21, 2010 |
| 1987–88 | Cyclone Herbie | Australian region | 32.0°S, 129.0°E | May 17 to 21, 1988 |
| 2020 | Tropical storm Arthur | Atlantic | 32.8°N, 65.0°W | May 16 to 21, 2020 |
| 1984 | Tropical storm Alma | Eastern Pacific | 9.6°N, 121.3°W | May 17 to 21, 1984 |
| 1887 | Unnamed tropical storm · 1887 | Atlantic | 28.2°N, 70.3°W | May 17 to 21, 1887 |
| 1951 | Unnamed tropical storm · 1951 | Eastern Pacific | 18.3°N, 101.4°W | May 17 to 21, 1951 |
Show 6 more storms
| Season | Storm | Ocean | Last position | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Unnamed cyclone · 2024 | Southwest Indian | 3.3°S, 79.7°E | May 17 to 21, 2024 |
| 1966–67 | Storm Kathy | Southwest Indian | 5.0°S, 53.2°E | May 12 to 21, 1967 |
| 1879 | Unnamed storm · 1879 | North Indian | 13.4°N, 79.9°E | May 20 to 21, 1879 |
| 1944 | Unnamed storm · 1944 | North Indian | 17.0°N, 92.7°E | May 20 to 21, 1944 |
| 1904 | Unnamed storm · 1904 | Western Pacific | 28.9°N, 135.3°E | May 17 to 21, 1904 |
| 1887 | Unnamed storm · 1887 | Western Pacific | 16.1°N, 108.4°E | May 18 to 21, 1887 |
Also active on May 21
67 more storms were active on this date, the most notable first. Storms listed above are not repeated.
| Season | Storm | Ocean | Dates | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Typhoon Mawar | Western Pacific | May 18 to Jun 3, 2023 | 115 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1976 | Typhoon Pamela | Western Pacific | May 14 to Jun 1, 1976 | 130 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 2008 | Tropical storm Halong | Western Pacific | May 14 to 24, 2008 | 60 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 2011 | Typhoon Songda | Western Pacific | May 19 to Jun 2, 2011 | 105 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1986 | Typhoon Lola | Western Pacific | May 14 to 25, 1986 | 120 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 2004 | Typhoon Nida | Western Pacific | May 13 to 22, 2004 | 95 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 2015 | Typhoon Dolphin | Western Pacific | May 6 to 24, 2015 | 100 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 2002 | Typhoon Hagibis | Western Pacific | May 13 to 22, 2002 | 95 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 2007 | Typhoon Yutu | Western Pacific | May 15 to 25, 2007 | 95 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1966 | Typhoon Irma | Western Pacific | May 10 to 22, 1966 | 120 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 2003 | Typhoon Chan-Hom | Western Pacific | May 18 to 28, 2003 | 85 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1980 | Typhoon Ellen | Western Pacific | May 11 to 25, 1980 | 105 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1999 | Unnamed cyclone · 1999 | North Indian | May 15 to 22, 1999 | 105 kt · 3-minute (IMD) |
| 1982 | Typhoon Pat | Western Pacific | May 16 to 24, 1982 | 90 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1951 | Hurricane Able | Atlantic | May 16 to 24, 1951 | Category 1 · Saffir-Simpson (NHC) |
| 2024 | Typhoon Ewiniar | Western Pacific | May 20 to Jun 2, 2024 | 75 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1965 | Typhoon Amy | Western Pacific | May 20 to 29, 1965 | 100 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 2022–23 | Cyclone Fabien | Southwest Indian | May 11 to 26, 2023 | 90 kt · 10-minute (Météo-France) |
| 1985 | Typhoon Gay | Western Pacific | May 16 to 28, 1985 | 80 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1985–86 | Cyclone Namu | South Pacific → Australian region → South Pacific | May 15 to 23, 1986 | 80 kt · 10-minute (MetService NZ) |
| 2012 | Hurricane Bud | Eastern Pacific | May 20 to 26, 2012 | Category 3 · Saffir-Simpson (NHC) |
| 1980 | Typhoon Dom | Western Pacific | May 5 to 22, 1980 | 85 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1962 | Typhoon Hope | Western Pacific | May 14 to 28, 1962 | 80 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 1961 | Typhoon Alice | Western Pacific | May 15 to 23, 1961 | 75 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 2012 | Tropical storm Sanvu | Western Pacific | May 20 to 30, 2012 | 60 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
Show 42 more storms
| Season | Storm | Ocean | Dates | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Hurricane Alma | Atlantic | May 17 to 27, 1970 | Category 1 · Saffir-Simpson (NHC) |
| 1980 | Tropical storm Georgia | Western Pacific | May 19 to 25, 1980 | 55 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1980 | Tropical storm Forrest | Western Pacific | May 16 to 29, 1980 | 55 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 2000 | Tropical storm Longwang | Western Pacific | May 17 to 24, 2000 | 45 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1986 | Tropical storm Mac | Western Pacific | May 16 to 30, 1986 | 40 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 2004 | Tropical storm Omais | Western Pacific | May 15 to 22, 2004 | 50 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1989–90 | Cyclone Ikonjo | Southwest Indian | May 9 to 23, 1990 | 52 kt · 10-minute (Météo-France) |
| 2006–07 | Cyclone Pierre | Australian region | May 15 to 23, 2007 | 40 kt · 10-minute (BoM) |
| 1996 | Tropical storm Cam | Western Pacific | May 16 to 26, 1996 | 40 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 1982 | Tropical storm Aletta | Eastern Pacific | May 20 to 29, 1982 | 55 kt · 1-minute (NHC) |
| 2012 | Tropical storm Alberto | Atlantic | May 19 to 23, 2012 | 50 kt · 1-minute (NHC) |
| 2003 | Tropical storm Andres | Eastern Pacific | May 19 to 26, 2003 | 50 kt · 1-minute (NHC) |
| 1971 | Tropical storm Carla | Western Pacific | May 17 to 24, 1971 | 50 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 1986–87 | Cyclone Blanch | South Pacific → Australian region | May 20 to 27, 1987 | 45 kt · 10-minute (BoM) |
| 1998–99 | Unnamed cyclone · 1999 | Australian region → South Pacific → Australian region → South Pacific | May 20 to 27, 1999 | 55 kt · 10-minute (MetService NZ) |
| 2019–20 | Cyclone Mangga | Australian region | May 18 to 23, 2020 | 35 kt · 10-minute (BoM) |
| 1889 | Unnamed hurricane · 1889 | Atlantic | May 16 to 22, 1889 | Category 1 · Saffir-Simpson (NHC) |
| 2021–22 | Cyclone Gina | South Pacific | May 16 to 22, 2022 | 35 kt · 10-minute (FMS) |
| 2019 | Subtropical storm Andrea | Atlantic | May 20 to 22, 2019 | 35 kt · 1-minute (NHC) |
| 1993 | Tropical storm Jack | Western Pacific | May 14 to 23, 1993 | 35 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 1940 | Unnamed tropical storm · 1940 | Atlantic | May 19 to 27, 1940 | 55 kt · 1-minute (NHC) |
| 1994 | Unnamed tropical depression · 1994 | Western Pacific | May 14 to 27, 1994 | 30 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 1979 | Unnamed tropical storm · 1979 | Western Pacific | May 17 to 26, 1979 | 40 kt · 10-minute (JMA) |
| 2003 | Unnamed tropical depression · 2003 | Western Pacific | May 17 to 22, 2003 | 30 kt · 1-minute (JTWC) |
| 1962 | Unnamed storm · 1962 | North Indian | May 13 to 22, 1962 | Not recorded |
| 1962 | Unnamed storm · 1962 | Western Pacific | May 18 to 25, 1962 | Not recorded |
| 1951–52 | Unnamed storm · 1952 | Southwest Indian | May 10 to 28, 1952 | Not recorded |
| 1943 | Unnamed storm · 1943 | North Indian | May 13 to 23, 1943 | Not recorded |
| 1940 | Unnamed storm · 1940 | North Indian | May 18 to 24, 1940 | Not recorded |
| 1930 | Unnamed storm · 1930 | Western Pacific | May 20 to 31, 1930 | Not recorded |
| 1926 | Unnamed storm · 1926 | North Indian | May 19 to 23, 1926 | Not recorded |
| 1901 | Unnamed storm · 1901 | Western Pacific | May 14 to 23, 1901 | Not recorded |
| 1877 | Unnamed storm · 1877 | North Indian | May 15 to 22, 1877 | Not recorded |
| 1974 | Unnamed storm · 1974 | North Indian | May 17 to 22, 1974 | Not recorded |
| 1963 | Unnamed storm · 1963 | North Indian | May 17 to 26, 1963 | Not recorded |
| 1959 | Unnamed storm · 1959 | North Indian | May 18 to 24, 1959 | Not recorded |
| 1952 | Unnamed storm · 1952 | North Indian | May 19 to 23, 1952 | Not recorded |
| 1949 | Unnamed storm · 1949 | North Indian | May 20 to 22, 1949 | Not recorded |
| 1932 | Unnamed storm · 1932 | North Indian | May 20 to 22, 1932 | Not recorded |
| 1924 | Unnamed storm · 1924 | North Indian | May 19 to 23, 1924 | Not recorded |
| 1902 | Unnamed storm · 1902 | Western Pacific | May 19 to 24, 1902 | Not recorded |
| 1891 | Unnamed storm · 1891 | North Indian | May 20 to 25, 1891 | Not recorded |
Questions about May 21
What is the strongest storm on record on May 21?
Of the storms active on May 21, Typhoon Mawar (2023) had the highest peak wind recorded by a U.S. agency: 165 kt (190 mph), 1-minute sustained (JTWC). That is the storm's peak over its whole life, which may fall on another day. Agencies that average wind over 10 minutes report lower numbers for the same storm.
Has a storm ever made landfall on May 21?
Yes. 4 storms on record came ashore on May 21. The most recent was Cyclone Roanu (2016): coast crossing (estimated) near 22.6°N, 91.5°E. Some coast crossings are estimated from the track, and each one is labelled.
How many storms were active on May 21?
112 storms on record were active on May 21, in 72 different years from 1863 to 2024. The count uses calendar dates in UTC and covers every ocean basin in NOAA's IBTrACS archive and the National Hurricane Center's HURDAT2.
Replay every May 21 storm on its track. See the whole track, the wind at each step and the agency that measured it, on your phone.
Get it on Google PlaySources. Storm tracks and events from NOAA's best-track archives, exactly as the Hurricane Calendar app shows them. Dates are calendar dates in UTC. Each wind speed keeps the agency that recorded it and its averaging period; nothing is converted between agencies. A missing value is shown as not recorded, never as zero. Storms that may still have been active when the archive was updated are left out.
- International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) v04r01, all basins (CSV), NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Retrieved 2026-09-26.
- HURDAT2 Atlantic hurricane database, 1851-2025 (released 2026-09-12), NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC). Retrieved 2026-09-26.
- HURDAT2 Northeast and North Central Pacific hurricane database, 1949-2025 (released 2026-09-14), NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC). Retrieved 2026-09-26.