BackpirchWeather

From the Earth-quivering power of Super Typhoon Bolaven, to the historically rapid intensification of Hurricane Otis, these are the 10 most viciously twirling cyclones we saw around the world in 2023.

Hurricane Otis explosively intensified on October 24, 2023, going from a Tropical Storm to a Category 5 monster in just 12 hours, one of the fastest intensification rates ever observed on the planet. Otis also became the strongest Pacific Hurricane to make landfall in history, striking Acapulco, Mexico with catastrophic sustained winds of 165 mph.

2023’s Hurricane Lee achieving Category 5 status. (Sat-image credit: tropicaltidbits.com)

After wreaking havoc through southern Taiwan as a very powerful Category 4, Typhoon Koinu unexpectedly re-intensifies in the South China Sea. While nearly all tropical cyclones weaken and expand after land interaction, Koinu has SHRUNK precipitously in an exceptionally rare phenomenon, and this is seen in the satellite loop above, provided by tropicaltidbits.com. Follow @BackpirchCrew for updates on tropical cyclones worldwide, from the Gulf of Mexico to the South Pacific.

Join the BackpirchWeather crew for live coverage and analysis of Category 5 Major Hurricane Lee as he makes a run for the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the open Atlantic Ocean.

Join the BackpirchWeather crew for live coverage and analysis of Category 4 Major Hurricane Idalia as she barrels towards the Florida coast with the threat of catastrophic storm surge and wind damage. Tweet comments and questions on @BackpirchCrew!

Join the BackpirchWeather crew for live coverage and analysis of Hurricane Idalia as she barrels towards the Florida coast with the threat of catastrophic storm surge and wind damage. Tweet comments and questions on @BackpirchCrew!

Join the BackpirchWeather crew for live coverage and analysis of Hurricane Idalia as she barrels towards the Florida coast with the threat of catastrophic storm surge and wind damage. Tweet comments and questions on @BackpirchCrew!

Join the BackpirchWeather crew for live coverage and analysis of Hurricane Idalia as she barrels towards the Florida coast with the threat of catastrophic storm surge and wind damage. Tweet (X) comments and questions on @BackpirchCrew!

Hurricane Franklin has exploded overnight, becoming a rambunctious buzzsaw of a major hurricane in the West Atlantic. Follow us for upcoming live coverage of Tropical Storm #Idalia as she takes aim at the Florida coast! (Sat-image credit: tropicaltidbits.com)