1983 West Pacific typhoon season

All year · Season ended

The 1983 West Pacific typhoon season produced 22 named storms, 11 typhoons and 5 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 200, 70% of the average.

1982 season 1984 season All West Pacific seasons

Named storms

Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)

Typhoons

64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8

Major (Cat 3+)

Including 3 Category 5

Accumulated energy

70% of normal

ACE 200 vs 1991–2020 avg 286

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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C4C5

1983 season at a glance

Named storms: 22 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
Typhoons (64 kt+): 11 (average 15.8).
Major, 96 kt+: 5, including 3 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
Accumulated cyclone energy: 199.5, 70% of the 286 average.
Named-storm days: 89.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
First named storm: Sarah, June 25.
First typhoon: Tip, July 11.
First major storm: Wayne, July 23.
Last storm to dissipate: Tropical Depression Unnamed, December 19.
All systems tracked: 26, including 4 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 1983 season

Storm	Dates	Peak	Min pressure	Landfall
Sarah	Jun 16 – Jun 27	TS	998 mb	Bacuag, Philippines
Vera	Jul 5 – Jul 19	C2	965 mb	Iriga City, Philippines
Tip	Jul 7 – Jul 14	C1	975 mb	Palapag, Philippines
Wayne	Jul 20 – Jul 26	C4	920 mb	Zhangzhou, China
Abby	Jul 31 – Aug 24	C5	895 mb	Hamakita, Japan
Carmen	Aug 8 – Aug 15	TS	992 mb	—
Ben	Aug 11 – Aug 15	TS	985 mb	—
Dom	Aug 17 – Aug 31	TS	996 mb	—
TD 9W	Aug 25 – Aug 27	TD	—	Boseong, South Korea
Forrest	Sep 16 – Sep 30	C5	885 mb	Kikuchi, Japan
Georgia	Sep 27 – Oct 2	TS	980 mb	Wenchang, China
Unnamed	Sep 30 – Oct 3	TD	—	—
Herbert	Oct 3 – Oct 11	TS	994 mb	Tu Bông, Vietnam
Joe	Oct 6 – Oct 14	C1	975 mb	Alfonso Castañeda, Philippines
Ida	Oct 6 – Oct 13	C1	975 mb	—
Kim	Oct 9 – Oct 20	TS	994 mb	Mui Ne, Vietnam
Lex	Oct 14 – Oct 27	C1	985 mb	—
Marge	Oct 26 – Nov 8	C5	895 mb	—
Unnamed	Oct 27 – Oct 30	TD	—	—
Norris	Nov 7 – Nov 11	TS	994 mb	—
Orchid	Nov 13 – Nov 27	C4	930 mb	—
TD 22W	Nov 15 – Nov 30	TS	992 mb	—
Percy	Nov 17 – Nov 25	C1	970 mb	Roxas, Philippines
Sperry	Nov 30 – Dec 5	TS	996 mb	—
Thelma	Dec 13 – Dec 18	TS	990 mb	—
Unnamed	Dec 17 – Dec 19	TD	—	—

Sarah: Sarah formed in the West Pacific in June 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Bacuag, Philippines and last near Hồ Xá, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Vera: Vera formed in the West Pacific in July 1983 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near Iriga City, Philippines and last near Chí Linh, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 14 days.
Tip: Tip formed in the West Pacific in July 1983 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 2 landfalls, first near Palapag, Philippines and last near Zhanjiang, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Wayne: Wayne formed in the West Pacific in July 1983 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 920 mb. It made landfall near Zhangzhou, China. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Abby: Abby formed in the West Pacific in July 1983 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 895 mb. It made landfall near Hamakita, Japan. The system was tracked for 24 days.
Carmen: Carmen formed in the West Pacific in August 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Ben: Ben formed in the West Pacific in August 1983 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 4 days.
Dom: Dom formed in the West Pacific in August 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
TD 9W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1983 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It made landfall near Boseong, South Korea. The system was tracked for 3 days.
Forrest: Forrest formed in the West Pacific in September 1983 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 885 mb. It made landfall near Kikuchi, Japan. The system was tracked for 15 days.
Georgia: Georgia formed in the West Pacific in September 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Wenchang, China and last near Thái Bình, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1983. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
Herbert: Herbert formed in the West Pacific in October 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It made landfall near Tu Bông, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Joe: Joe formed in the West Pacific in October 1983 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 2 landfalls, first near Alfonso Castañeda, Philippines and last near Yangjiang, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Ida: Ida formed in the West Pacific in October 1983 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 7 days.
Kim: Kim formed in the West Pacific in October 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Mui Ne, Vietnam and last near Mawlamyinegyunn, Myanmar. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Lex: Lex formed in the West Pacific in October 1983 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Marge: Marge formed in the West Pacific in October 1983 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 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 1983. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Norris: Norris formed in the West Pacific in November 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Orchid: Orchid formed in the West Pacific in November 1983 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
TD 22W: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
Percy: Percy formed in the West Pacific in November 1983 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made landfall near Roxas, Philippines. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Sperry: Sperry formed in the West Pacific in November 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Thelma: Thelma formed in the West Pacific in December 1983 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 1983. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.

Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.

Strongest storm of 1983

Super Typhoon Forrest was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 175 mph (280 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 885 mb, on September 23. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 14 matched it. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

Landfalls in 1983

12 of the season’s 26 systems made landfall, 1 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.

June 21: Sarah near Bacuag, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
June 26: Sarah near Hồ Xá, Vietnam, 30 mph (tropical depression)
July 9: Tip near Palapag, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
July 13: Tip near Zhanjiang, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
July 14: Vera near Iriga City, Philippines, 90 mph (Category 1)
July 15: Vera near Morong, Philippines, 70 mph (tropical storm)
July 17: Vera near Haikou, China, 85 mph (Category 1)
July 18: Vera near Chí Linh, Vietnam, 55 mph (tropical storm)
July 25: Wayne near Zhangzhou, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
August 17: Abby near Hamakita, Japan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
August 27: TD 9W near Boseong, South Korea, 30 mph (tropical depression)
September 28: Forrest near Kikuchi, Japan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
September 30: Georgia near Wenchang, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
October 1: Georgia near Thái Bình, Vietnam, 55 mph (tropical storm)
October 8: Herbert near Tu Bông, Vietnam, 55 mph (tropical storm)
October 11: Joe near Alfonso Castañeda, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
October 13: Joe near Yangjiang, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
October 17: Kim near Mui Ne, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
October 19: Kim near Mawlamyinegyunn, Myanmar, 35 mph (tropical depression)
November 24: Percy near Roxas, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)

How 1983 ranks since 1980

The season ranks 38th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 3 other seasons), 40th for typhoons (tied with 1 other season) and 38th for accumulated cyclone energy.

The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.

1983 storm names

The 1983 season used 21 names: Sarah, Vera, Tip, Wayne, Abby, Carmen, Ben, Dom, Forrest, Georgia, Herbert, Joe, Ida, Kim, Lex, Marge, Norris, Orchid, Percy, Sperry, Thelma.

5 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.

1983 season FAQ

How many named storms were there in 1983?

The 1983 West Pacific typhoon season had 22 named storms, 11 typhoons and 5 major typhoons, from 26 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 Sarah and the last was Thelma.

What was the strongest storm of 1983?

Super Typhoon Forrest. It peaked at 175 mph (280 km/h, 150 kt) with a lowest pressure of 885 mb on September 23. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

When did the 1983 season end?

The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1983 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Tropical Depression Unnamed, dissipated on December 19. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.