Compare Any Two Hurricanes
Search 170+ years of NHC HURDAT2 data. Pick two storms and see their peak winds, pressure, duration, landfalls, and basin side by side.
About the Storm Comparison Tool
The Hurricane Comparison Tool pulls live data from the National Hurricane Center's HURDAT2 database, which contains 6-hourly track and intensity data for every Atlantic and Eastern Pacific storm since 1851. For global storms since 2022, the tool also uses IBTrACS(International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship) from NOAA NCEI.
When comparing two storms, the tool highlights the winner in each category in blue (Storm A) or orange (Storm B). For wind speed and category, a higher value is highlighted. For pressure, a lower value (deeper low) indicates a more intense storm.
Interested in a specific storm's full history? See our detailed profiles for Hurricane Katrina (2005), Hurricane Ian (2022), Hurricane Harvey (2017), and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compare two hurricanes?
Use the search panels at the top of this page. Select a year and optionally filter by name in each slot, then click a storm from the results list. The comparison table updates automatically.
Which was stronger, Katrina or Ian?
Hurricane Ian (2022) made landfall as a Category 4 with 150 mph winds — one of the strongest U.S. landfalls on record. Hurricane Katrina (2005) peaked at Category 5 with 175 mph winds over the Gulf but weakened to Category 3 at landfall near New Orleans. In terms of peak intensity, Katrina was stronger; in terms of landfall intensity, Ian was comparable.
What does 'landfalls' mean in the comparison?
A landfall occurs when the center of a tropical cyclone crosses a coastline. A storm can make multiple landfalls (e.g., Harvey made landfall twice in Texas). The landfall count in this tool is derived from HURDAT2 track data.
Can I compare Pacific or global storms?
Yes. The tool includes Eastern Pacific storms from HURDAT2 and recent global storms (2022–present) from IBTrACS. Use the basin filter in the search panel to narrow results.