World Atlas
Global climatology — when and where hurricanes form, where the trades blow, and when to cross what ocean.
Tropical cyclone seasons (peak months)
| Basin | Official season | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| N. Atlantic | Jun 1 – Nov 30 | Aug–Oct |
| E. Pacific | May 15 – Nov 30 | Aug–Sep |
| NW Pacific (typhoons) | All year | Jul–Oct |
| N. Indian | Apr–Dec (bimodal) | May & Nov |
| S. Indian | Nov–Apr | Jan–Feb |
| S. Pacific | Nov–Apr | Jan–Mar |
Global wind patterns (simplified)
- Doldrums / ITCZ — around the equator. Light and variable, squalls, heavy rain.
- Trade winds — ~5°–25° both hemispheres. NE in N. hemi, SE in S. hemi. Reliable, 10–20 kt.
- Horse latitudes — ~25°–35°. Subtropical highs, light wind, dry. Bermuda High, Azores High, Pacific High.
- Westerlies / mid-latitudes — ~35°–60°. Storm track. Where mid-latitude lows live.
- Roaring 40s / Furious 50s / Screaming 60s — Southern Ocean. Persistent westerly gales.
Classic passage windows
- N. Atlantic crossing W→E — Bermuda → Azores → Europe: May–June (after gales, before hurricanes).
- N. Atlantic E→W (Europe → Caribbean) — November via Canaries → Cape Verde → Caribbean (ARC start).
- Pacific "Puddle Jump" (Mexico/Panama → Marquesas) — Mar–May.
- Caribbean hurricane refuge — Head south of 12°N or to Trinidad, or haul out, for Jun–Nov.
- N. Pacific Hawaii → Vancouver return — Jul–Aug via the "Pacific High route."