1981 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1981 West Pacific typhoon season produced 29 named storms, 17 typhoons and 6 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 234, 82% of the average.
Named storms
29
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
17
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
6
Including 1 Category 5
Accumulated energy
82% of normal
ACE 234 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1981 season at a glance
- Named storms: 29 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 17 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 6, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 234.2, 82% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 135.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Freda, March 12.
- First typhoon: Freda, March 14.
- First major storm: Freda, March 15.
- Last storm to dissipate: Lee, December 29.
- All systems tracked: 34, including 5 that stayed below tropical-storm strength.
Counts use 1-minute best-track winds: named storms reached 34 kt (39 mph), the next column 64 kt (74 mph) and major storms 96 kt (111 mph). Regional agencies here use 10-minute winds (3-minute in India), so their official counts can differ.
Every storm of the 1981 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freda | – | C3 | 945 mb | — |
| Gerald | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Holly | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| Ike | – | C1 | 965 mb | Chaozhou, Taiwan |
| June | – | C1 | 965 mb | Yilan, Taiwan |
| Kelly | – | C1 | 975 mb | Lagonoy, Philippines |
| Lynn | – | TS | 985 mb | Ligaya, Philippines |
| Maury | – | TS | 985 mb | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Nina | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Ogden | – | C1 | 975 mb | Miyakonojō, Japan |
| Phyllis | – | C1 | 975 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 988 mb | — |
| Roy | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Susan | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Warren | – | TS | 992 mb | Wanning, China |
| Vanessa | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Thad | – | C2 | 955 mb | Ushiku, Japan |
| Agnes | – | C2 | 950 mb | — |
| Bill | – | C2 | 960 mb | — |
| Clara | – | C4 | 925 mb | Donghai, China |
| Doyle | – | C1 | 965 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Elsie | – | C5 | 895 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Fabian | – | TS | 994 mb | Khánh Hải, Vietnam |
| Gay | – | C2 | 950 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Hazen | – | C3 | 955 mb | Iriga City, Philippines |
| Irma | – | C4 | 905 mb | Bongabon, Philippines |
| Jeff | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Kit | – | C4 | 925 mb | — |
| Lee | – | C2 | 950 mb | Irosin, Philippines |
- Freda: Freda formed in the West Pacific in March 1981 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Gerald: Gerald formed in the West Pacific in April 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Holly: Holly formed in the West Pacific in April 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Ike: Ike formed in the West Pacific in June 1981 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made landfall near Chaozhou, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- June: June formed in the West Pacific in June 1981 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made landfall near Yilan, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Kelly: Kelly formed in the West Pacific in June 1981 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Lagonoy, Philippines and last near Nghi Sơn, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Lynn: Lynn formed in the West Pacific in June 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Ligaya, Philippines and last near Encheng, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Maury: Maury formed in the West Pacific in July 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Taipei, Taiwan and last near Fuqing, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1981. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Nina: Nina formed in the West Pacific in July 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Ogden: Ogden formed in the West Pacific in July 1981 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made landfall near Miyakonojō, Japan. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Phyllis: Phyllis formed in the West Pacific in July 1981 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Roy: Roy formed in the West Pacific in August 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1981. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Susan: Susan formed in the West Pacific in August 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Warren: Warren formed in the West Pacific in August 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Wanning, China and last near Thái Bình, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Vanessa: Vanessa formed in the West Pacific in August 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Thad: Thad formed in the West Pacific in August 1981 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made landfall near Ushiku, Japan. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Agnes: Agnes formed in the West Pacific in August 1981 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Bill: Bill formed in the West Pacific in September 1981 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Clara: Clara formed in the West Pacific in September 1981 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It made landfall near Donghai, China. The system was tracked for 20 days.
- Doyle: Doyle formed in the West Pacific in September 1981 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1981. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Elsie: Elsie formed in the West Pacific in September 1981 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 895 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1981. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Fabian: Fabian formed in the West Pacific in October 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It made landfall near Khánh Hải, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Gay: Gay formed in the West Pacific in October 1981 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 1981. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Hazen: Hazen formed in the West Pacific in November 1981 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Iriga City, Philippines and last near Sanya, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Irma: Irma formed in the West Pacific in November 1981 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 905 mb. It made landfall near Bongabon, Philippines. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Jeff: Jeff formed in the West Pacific in November 1981 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Kit: Kit formed in the West Pacific in December 1981 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Lee: Lee formed in the West Pacific in December 1981 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Irosin, Philippines and last near Canubing No 2, Philippines. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1981
Super Typhoon Elsie was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 175 mph (280 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 895 mb, on September 28. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 14 matched it. It produced 15% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1981
13 of the season’s 34 systems made landfall, 4 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- June 13: Ike near Chaozhou, Taiwan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- June 20: June near Yilan, Taiwan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- June 30: Kelly near Lagonoy, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 3: Kelly near Sanya, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- July 4: Lynn near Ligaya, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 4: Kelly near Nghi Sơn, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 7: Lynn near Encheng, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 19: Maury near Taipei, Taiwan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- July 20: Maury near Fuqing, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 30: Ogden near Miyakonojō, Japan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 18: Warren near Wanning, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- August 20: Warren near Thái Bình, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 22: Thad near Ushiku, Japan, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 21: Clara near Donghai, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- October 14: Fabian near Khánh Hải, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- November 19: Hazen near Iriga City, Philippines, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- November 22: Hazen near Sanya, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- November 24: Irma near Bongabon, Philippines, 85 mph (Category 1)
- December 25: Lee near Irosin, Philippines, 90 mph (Category 1)
- December 26: Lee near Canubing No 2, Philippines, 65 mph (tropical storm)
How 1981 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 6th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 6 other seasons), 17th for typhoons (tied with 2 other seasons) and 31st for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1981 storm names
The 1981 season used 28 names: Freda, Gerald, Holly, Ike, June, Kelly, Lynn, Maury, Nina, Ogden, Phyllis, Roy, Susan, Warren, Vanessa, Thad, Agnes, Bill, Clara, Doyle, Elsie, Fabian, Gay, Hazen, Irma, Jeff, Kit, Lee.
6 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1981 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1981?
The 1981 West Pacific typhoon season had 29 named storms, 17 typhoons and 6 major typhoons, from 34 systems tracked in all. The 1991–2020 average is 25.5 named storms, 15.8 at 64 kt or more and 9.0 major per season. The first to form was Freda and the last was Lee.
What was the strongest storm of 1981?
Super Typhoon Elsie. It peaked at 175 mph (280 km/h, 150 kt) with a lowest pressure of 895 mb on September 28. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 15% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1981 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1981 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Lee, dissipated on December 29. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.