Tropical cyclones in 2002

Tropical cyclones in 2002
Year summary map
Year boundaries
First system	Cyprien and Bernie
Formed	December 30, 2001
Last system	Delfina
Dissipated	January 9, 2003
Strongest system
Name	Zoe
Lowest pressure	890 mbar (hPa); 26.28 inHg
Longest lasting system
Name	Kyle
Duration	22 days
Year statistics
Total systems	121
Named systems	78
Total fatalities	1,068 total
Total damage	$12.42 billion (2002 USD)
Related articles 2002 Atlantic hurricane season 2002 Pacific hurricane season 2002 Pacific typhoon season 2002 North Indian Ocean cyclone season 2001–02 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season 2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season 2001–02 Australian region cyclone season 2002–03 Australian region cyclone season 2001–02 South Pacific cyclone season 2002–03 South Pacific cyclone season
Other years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

In the North Atlantic basin, the remnants of Bertha dump heavy rainfall in Louisiana and Mississippi while a tropical depression formed off the North Carolina coast on August 5. The said tropical depression would eventually become Tropical Storm Cristobal. Meanwhile on the Western Pacific basin, both typhoons Fengshen (north) and Fung-wong (south) were undergoing the Fujiwhara effect after interacting with each other on July 25.

Tropical cyclones in 2002 were spread out across seven different areas called basins. To date, 123 tropical cyclones formed in 2002. 80 tropical cyclones had been named by either a Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) or a Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC). The strongest system was Cyclone Zoe, with a central pressure of 890 hectopascals (26 inHg). The costliest and deadliest tropical cyclone of the year was Typhoon Rusa, killing 233 in South Korea and causing $4.2 billion (2002 USD) in damages. 26 Category 3 tropical cyclones, including eight Category 5 tropical cyclones formed in 2002. The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index for the 2002 (seven basins combined), as calculated by Colorado State University was 812 units.

Tropical cyclone activity in each basin is under the authority of an RSMC. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is responsible for tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic and East Pacific. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) is responsible for tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific. Both the NHC and CPHC are subdivisions of the National Weather Service. Activity in the West Pacific is monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Systems in the North Indian Ocean are monitored by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The Météo-France located in Réunion (MFR) monitors tropical activity in the South-West Indian Ocean. The Australian region is monitored by five TCWCs that are under the coordination of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Similarly, the South Pacific is monitored by both the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) and the Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited. Other, unofficial agencies that provide additional guidance in tropical cyclone monitoring include the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).