List of Azores hurricanes


The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, has experienced the effects of at least 21 Atlantic hurricanes, or storms that were once tropical or subtropical cyclones. The most recent storm to affect the archipelago was Tropical Storm Patty, while still subtropical, in 2024.

Climatology and background

Tropical cyclones affect the Azores once every few years. Due to the island's location and the cool sea surface temperatures, tropical cyclones usually weaken upon their approach to the islands.

1990s

2000s

2010s

  • August 20, 2012 – Hurricane Gordon made landfall on Santa Maria Island with winds of. Gordon produced wind gusts of on the island, and triggered a few landslides. The winds knocked down trees, damaged windows, and briefly cut power. Waves in height caused flooding along the coast.
  • September 21, 2012 – Tropical Storm Nadine transitioned into an extratropical cyclone as it approached within southwest of the Azores. The storm producing wind gusts of on Faial Island. Nadine turned southeast away from the archipelago, and spent the next 13 days moving across the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Nadine again transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 4, and later that day moved through the central Azores, producing wind gusts of at the Wind Power Plant on Santa Maria.
  • December 7, 2013 – A subtropical storm approached the western Azores and degenerated into a trough. The storm produced gusts to on Santa Maria Island.
  • January 14–15, 2016 – Alex (2016)|Hurricane Alex] made landfall on Terceira Island as a tropical storm, hours after weakening below hurricane status. Rainfall totaled in Lagoa, São Miguel. Wind gusts reached in Ponta Delgada. One person suffering a heart attack died as an indirect result of Alex when turbulence from the storm hindered their emergency helicopter from taking off in time. Alex triggered a few landslides, and damaged homes from its winds.
  • September 2, 2016 – Hurricane Gaston transitioned into an extratropical cyclone near the Azores, producing wind gusts of on Flores and Faial islands.
  • October 14, 2017 – Hurricane Ophelia passed south of the Azores as the easternmost major hurricane on record. The hurricane produced wind gusts of on São Miguel.
  • September 15, 2018 – Tropical Storm Helene passed west of the Azores, where it was estimated to have produced tropical storm force winds.
  • October 2, 2019 – Hurricane Lorenzo passed near the western Azores, producing wind gusts of on Corvo Island. At the Port of Lajes das Flores port building and some cargo containers were swept away, while the dock itself was partially damaged. Total damage across the island chain were around €330 million.
  • October 27, 2019 – Tropical Storm Pablo passed just to the southeast of the Azores as it was intensifying, bringing gusty winds as high as in some places and large waves to the islands.
  • October 31, 2019 – Subtropical Storm Rebekah passed to the north of The Azores as it was dissipating, bringing only negligible effects.
  • November 25, 2019 – Tropical Storm Sebastien transitioned into an extratropical storm near the western Azores, bringing wind gusts of to Ponta Delgada.

2020s

  • September 17–18, 2020 – The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Paulette moved over the islands.
  • September 23–25, 2022 – Tropical Storm Gaston passes over the islands, bringing heavy rains and wind gusts of.
  • November 2–3, 2024 – Tropical Storm Patty traversed the islands as a subtropical cyclone.
  • September 25–26, 2025 – The post-tropical remnants of Hurricane Gabrielle moved over the islands.

Deadly storms

The following is a list of Atlantic tropical storms that caused fatalities in the Azores.
NameYearNumber of deaths
Bonnie19921
Tanya19951
Alex20161