# List of tropical cyclones near the Equator

Typically, tropical cyclones form at least 5.0 degrees of latitude north and south of the equator, or at least 300 nautical miles (556 km, 345 mi) of the equator. Despite the presence of sufficiently warm sea surface temperatures and generally low wind shear, tropical cyclogenesis is uncommon at these latitudes, due to a lack of the Coriolis force, which causes cyclones to spin. On rare occasions, tropical cyclones can develop within 5º of the equator, though it is more prevalent in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

## Background

   For centuries, sailors haven't worried about tropical storms near the equator. It's a rule that cyclones are not supposed to develop there.
Various factors converge to produce a tropical cyclone, including sufficiently warm sea surface temperatures, low wind shear, ample moisture, and enough atmospheric instability to produce thunderstorms. In addition, weather disturbances typically need to be far enough away from the equator to spin, known as vorticity. This is due to increasing Coriolis force closer to the poles, and which is zero at the equator. One associated phenomenon often seen with low-latitude cyclones is the equatorial westerly wind burst, which allows for sufficient shear vorticity on both sides of the equator to support tropical cyclogenesis. Westerly wind bursts are typically the most common in the equatorial Western Pacific Ocean.

## List

Note: Only systems that were of tropical depression strength or higher within 5.0 degrees of the equator are included.
| Storm | Year | Peak classification | Basin | Minimum Latitude |
| Tropical Storm Vamei | 2001 | Tropical storm | Northwestern Pacific | 1.4°N |
| Cyclone Agni | 2004 | Severe cyclonic storm | North Indian | 1.5°N |
| Typhoon Sarah | 1956 | Typhoon | Northwestern Pacific | 1.7°N |
| Typhoon Alice | 1979 | Very strong typhoon | Northwestern Pacific | 2.0°N |
| Tropical Storm Peipah | 2014 | Tropical storm | Northwestern Pacific | 2.0°N |
| Tropical Depression | 2023 | Tropical depression | Northwestern Pacific | 2.0°N |
| Tropical Depression Nine-C | 2015 | Tropical depression | Northeastern Pacific | 2.2°N |
| Tropical Storm Patsy | 1977 | Severe tropical storm | Northwestern Pacific | 2.5°N |
| Tropical Storm Abaimba | 2003 | Moderate tropical storm | South-West Indian Ocean | 2.5°S |
| Hurricane Pali | 2016 | Category 2 hurricane | Northeastern Pacific | 2.6°N |
| Cyclone Fani | 2019 | Extremely severe cyclonic storm | North Indian | 2.7°N |
| Cyclone Fabien | 2023 | Intense tropical cyclone | South-West Indian Ocean | 2.7°S |
| Typhoon Harriet | 1959 | Typhoon | Northwestern Pacific | 2.9°N |
| Cyclone Ialy | 2024 | Tropical cyclone | South-West Indian Ocean | 3.0°S |
| Tropical Storm Sonamu | 2013 | Severe tropical storm | Northwestern Pacific | 3.2°N |
| Typhoon Bopha | 2012 | Very strong typhoon | Northwestern Pacific | 3.4°N |
| Unnamed Cyclonic Storm | 2002 | Severe cyclonic storm | North Indian | 4.0°N |
| Tropical Storm Shanshan | 2013 | Tropical storm | Northwestern Pacific | 4.2°N |
| Typhoon Kate | 1970 | Typhoon | Northwestern Pacific | 4.3°N |
| Severe Tropical Storm Axel | 1992 | Severe tropical storm | Northwestern Pacific | 4.4°N |
| Hurricane Ekeka | 1992 | Category 3 hurricane | Northeastern Pacific | 4.5°N |
| Cyclone Bernie | 1982 | Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | Australian region | 4.8°S |
| Flores cyclone | 1973 | Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | Australian region | 5.0°S |
| Cyclonic Storm Hibaru | 2005 | Cyclonic storm | North Indian | 5.0°N |
| Deep Depression ARB 01 | 2006 | Deep Depression | North Indian | 5.0°N |