Activity across the southern hemisphere's three basins—South-West Indian, Australian, and South Pacific—was spread evenly, with each region recording seven named storms apiece.

The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index for the 2014 (seven basins combined), as calculated by Colorado State University (CSU) was 724 units.

The strongest of these tropical cyclones was Typhoon Vongfong, which strengthened to a minimum barometric pressure of 900 mbar (hPa; 26.58 inHg) before striking the east coast of Japan.

The costliest and deadliest tropical cyclone in 2014 was Typhoon Rammasun, which struck China in July, causing US$8.08 billion in damage.

During January 2014, after surveying various climate models, the World Meteorological Organization warned that there was an enhanced possibility of a weak El Niño event happening during 2014.

[1] Over the next few months the climate of the Pacific Ocean started to exhibit features that suggested the impending onset of an El Niño event.

[3] In the atmosphere these features included persistent westerly winds at equatorial latitudes, which were displaced eastwards towards the Marshall Islands.

[3] A large area of atmospheric convection was present at a low latitude near the International Date Line, in association with the development of an unusual amount of early season tropical cyclones near the Marshall Islands.

[nb 1][5][6] Over the next few months, the atmosphere failed to respond in order to reinforce the developing El Niño, with the monsoon trough remaining weak and tropical cyclone activity slowing, while no episodes of strong westerly winds at a low latitude occurred.

[2] Some of the oceanic indicators of El Niño also failed to develop further, with a cooling of sea and sub surface temperatures over the tropical Pacific occurring.

Eight of the nine designated cyclones attained tropical storm status, the fewest since the 1997 Atlantic hurricane season.

The lack of activity was attributed to an atmospheric circulation that favored dry, sinking air over the Atlantic Ocean and strong wind shear over the Caribbean Sea.

[citation needed] Four hurricanes and two tropical storms made landfall during the season and caused 21 deaths and at least $233 million in damage.

[citation needed] The ACE value in October was higher than August and September combined, which has not occurred since 1963.

The next day, Amanda attained major hurricane status, over a month sooner than the average date of July 19.

A total of 114 systems formed globally in 2014 with 71 of them causing significant damage, deaths, and/or setting records for their basin.

Edilson brought considerable damages and heavy rainfall to Mauritius and Réunion, and Guito did the same to Mozambique and Madagascar.

May was an extremely inactive month worldwide despite an extant El Niño event, with two tropical cyclones forming.