1984 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1984 West Pacific typhoon season produced 27 named storms, 16 typhoons and 9 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 280, 98% of the average.
Named storms
27
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
16
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
9
Including 1 Category 5
Accumulated energy
98% of normal
ACE 280 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1984 season at a glance
- Named storms: 27 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 16 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 9, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 280.4, 98% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 139.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Vernon, June 9.
- First typhoon: Alex, July 2.
- First major storm: Dinah, July 28.
- Last storm to dissipate: Doyle, December 12.
- All systems tracked: 33, including 6 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 1984 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon | – | TS | 994 mb | Huế, Vietnam |
| Wynne | – | TS | 980 mb | Wuchuan, China |
| Alex | – | C1 | 960 mb | Chishang, Taiwan |
| Betty | – | TS | 985 mb | Yangjiang, China |
| Cary | – | C2 | 955 mb | — |
| Dinah | – | C4 | 915 mb | — |
| Ed | – | C3 | 950 mb | Juegang, China |
| Freda | – | TS | 985 mb | Taipei, Taiwan |
| TD 9W | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Holly | – | C1 | 960 mb | — |
| Gerald | – | TS | 980 mb | Pingshan, China |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 12W | – | TD | — | — |
| Holly | – | TD | — | — |
| June | – | TS | 985 mb | Gonzaga, Philippines |
| Ike | – | C4 | 950 mb | Luna, Philippines |
| Kelly | – | C1 | 965 mb | — |
| Lynn | – | TS | 998 mb | — |
| Nina | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Maury | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Ogden | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| Phyllis | – | C1 | 975 mb | — |
| Roy | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| Susan | – | TS | 996 mb | Ðà Lạt, Vietnam |
| Thad | – | C4 | 935 mb | — |
| Warren | – | C1 | 975 mb | — |
| Vanessa | – | C5 | 880 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Agnes | – | C4 | 925 mb | Tacloban, Philippines |
| Bill | – | C4 | 910 mb | — |
| Clara | – | C3 | 940 mb | — |
| Doyle | – | C4 | 940 mb | — |
- Vernon: Vernon formed in the West Pacific in June 1984 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 landfall near Huế, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Wynne: Wynne formed in the West Pacific in June 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Wuchuan, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Alex: Alex formed in the West Pacific in June 1984 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Chishang, Taiwan and last near Mokpo, South Korea. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Betty: Betty formed in the West Pacific in July 1984 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 landfall near Yangjiang, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Cary: Cary formed in the West Pacific in July 1984 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Dinah: Dinah formed in the West Pacific in July 1984 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Ed: Ed formed in the West Pacific in July 1984 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Juegang, China and last near Dongtai, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Freda: Freda formed in the West Pacific in August 1984 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 Zhangwan, China. The system was tracked for 19 days.
- TD 9W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1984 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1984. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Holly: Holly formed in the West Pacific in August 1984 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Gerald: Gerald formed in the West Pacific in August 1984 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 landfall near Pingshan, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1984. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- TD 12W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1984 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 25 mph (35 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Holly: Holly formed in the West Pacific in August 1984. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- June: June formed in the West Pacific in August 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Gonzaga, Philippines and last near Puning, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Ike: Ike formed in the West Pacific in August 1984 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made 6 landfalls, first near Luna, Philippines and last near Xichang, China. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Kelly: Kelly formed in the West Pacific in September 1984 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Lynn: Lynn formed in the West Pacific in September 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Nina: Nina formed in the West Pacific in September 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Maury: Maury formed in the West Pacific in September 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Ogden: Ogden formed in the West Pacific in October 1984 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Phyllis: Phyllis formed in the West Pacific in October 1984 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Roy: Roy formed in the West Pacific in October 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Susan: Susan formed in the West Pacific in October 1984 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It made landfall near Ðà Lạt, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Thad: Thad formed in the West Pacific in October 1984 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 935 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Warren: Warren formed in the West Pacific in October 1984 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 17 days.
- Vanessa: Vanessa formed in the West Pacific in October 1984 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 880 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1984. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Agnes: Agnes formed in the West Pacific in October 1984 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 3 landfalls, first near Tacloban, Philippines and last near An Khê, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Bill: Bill formed in the West Pacific in November 1984 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Clara: Clara formed in the West Pacific in November 1984 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Doyle: Doyle formed in the West Pacific in December 1984 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1984
Super Typhoon Vanessa was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 180 mph (285 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 880 mb, on October 26. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 18 matched it. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1984
11 of the season’s 33 systems made landfall, 3 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- June 10: Vernon near Huế, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- June 25: Wynne near Wuchuan, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 3: Alex near Chishang, Taiwan, 85 mph (Category 1)
- July 4: Alex near Taizhou, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- July 5: Alex near Mokpo, South Korea, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 9: Betty near Yangjiang, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- July 31: Ed near Juegang, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- July 31: Ed near Dongtai, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 7: Freda near Taipei, Taiwan, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- August 7: Freda near Zhangwan, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 21: Gerald near Pingshan, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- August 28: June near Gonzaga, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 30: June near Puning, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- September 1: Ike near Luna, Philippines, 130 mph (Category 4)
- September 2: Ike near Inabanga, Philippines, 110 mph (Category 2)
- September 2: Ike near Sibalom, Philippines, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 5: Ike near Wenchang, China, 85 mph (Category 1)
- September 5: Ike near Xucheng, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 6: Ike near Xichang, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- October 12: Susan near Ðà Lạt, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- November 4: Agnes near Tacloban, Philippines, 125 mph (Category 3)
- November 5: Agnes near New Washington, Philippines, 100 mph (Category 2)
- November 7: Agnes near An Khê, Vietnam, 100 mph (Category 2)
How 1984 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 19th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms, 20th for typhoons (tied with 6 other seasons) and 20th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1984 storm names
The 1984 season used 28 names: Vernon, Wynne, Alex, Betty, Cary, Dinah, Ed, Freda, Holly, Gerald, Holly, June, Ike, Kelly, Lynn, Nina, Maury, Ogden, Phyllis, Roy, Susan, Thad, Warren, Vanessa, Agnes, Bill, Clara, Doyle.
5 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1984 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1984?
The 1984 West Pacific typhoon season had 27 named storms, 16 typhoons and 9 major typhoons, from 33 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 Vernon and the last was Doyle.
What was the strongest storm of 1984?
Super Typhoon Vanessa. It peaked at 180 mph (285 km/h, 155 kt) with a lowest pressure of 880 mb on October 26. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1984 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1984 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Doyle, dissipated on December 12. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.