1985 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1985 West Pacific typhoon season produced 25 named storms, 16 typhoons and 6 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 226, 79% of the average.
Named storms
25
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
16
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
6
Including 1 Category 5
Accumulated energy
79% of normal
ACE 226 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
Loading map…
Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C5
1985 season at a glance
- Named storms: 25 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 16 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 6, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 226.0, 79% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 132.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Fabian, January 5.
- First typhoon: Gay, May 23.
- First major storm: Gay, May 24.
- Last storm to dissipate: Hope, December 25.
- All systems tracked: 35, including 10 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 1985 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabian | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Elsie | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Fabian | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Gay | – | C3 | 950 mb | — |
| Hal | – | C3 | 960 mb | Shanwei, China |
| TD 4W | – | TD | 990 mb | Baocheng, China |
| Irma | – | C2 | 960 mb | Ishitsuka, Japan |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Jeff | – | C1 | 970 mb | Wenling, China |
| Kit | – | C2 | 960 mb | Yeongam, South Korea |
| Lee | – | TS | 975 mb | Ch’ŏsal-li, North Korea |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Mamie | – | C1 | 975 mb | Huilong, China |
| Nelson | – | C2 | 950 mb | Jiangkou, China |
| Odessa | – | C2 | 955 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Pat | – | C2 | 955 mb | Akune, Japan |
| Ruby | – | TS | 985 mb | Kawasaki, Japan |
| Tess | – | C1 | 970 mb | Masaya Sur, Philippines |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Val | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| Winona | – | TS | 990 mb | Zhanjiang, China |
| Brendan | – | C2 | 955 mb | — |
| Andy | – | C1 | 985 mb | Wanning, China |
| Cecil | – | C3 | 960 mb | Hồ Xá, Vietnam |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Dot | – | C5 | 895 mb | Cabanatuan City, Philippines |
| Ellis | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| Faye | – | C3 | 965 mb | Maria Aurora, Philippines |
| Gordon | – | TS | 998 mb | Nha Trang, Vietnam |
| Hope | – | C3 | 950 mb | — |
| Irving | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
- Fabian: Fabian formed in the West Pacific in January 1985 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 11 days.
- Elsie: Elsie formed in the West Pacific in January 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Fabian: Fabian formed in the West Pacific in January 1985. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in April 1985. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Gay: Gay formed in the West Pacific in May 1985 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Hal: Hal formed in the West Pacific in June 1985 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It made landfall near Shanwei, China. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- TD 4W: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 1985 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made landfall near Baocheng, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Irma: Irma formed in the West Pacific in June 1985 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It made landfall near Ishitsuka, Japan. The system was tracked for 21 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 1985. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 1985. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1985. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Jeff: Jeff formed in the West Pacific in July 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made landfall near Wenling, China. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Kit: Kit formed in the West Pacific in July 1985 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 made landfall near Yeongam, South Korea. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Lee: Lee formed in the West Pacific in August 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made landfall near Ch’ŏsal-li, North Korea. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1985. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Mamie: Mamie formed in the West Pacific in August 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Huilong, China and last near Shenyang, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Nelson: Nelson formed in the West Pacific in August 1985 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 landfall near Jiangkou, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Odessa: Odessa formed in the West Pacific in August 1985 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 14 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1985. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Pat: Pat formed in the West Pacific in August 1985 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made landfall near Akune, Japan. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Ruby: Ruby formed in the West Pacific in August 1985 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 Kawasaki, Japan. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Tess: Tess formed in the West Pacific in August 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Masaya Sur, Philippines and last near Yangjiang, China. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1985. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Val: Val formed in the West Pacific in September 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Winona: Winona formed in the West Pacific in September 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made landfall near Zhanjiang, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Brendan: Brendan formed in the West Pacific in September 1985 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 14 days.
- Andy: Andy formed in the West Pacific in September 1985 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Wanning, China and last near Ba Đồn, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Cecil: Cecil formed in the West Pacific in October 1985 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It made landfall near Hồ Xá, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1985. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Dot: Dot formed in the West Pacific in October 1985 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Cabanatuan City, Philippines and last near Vinh, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Ellis: Ellis formed in the West Pacific in October 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Faye: Faye formed in the West Pacific in October 1985 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made landfall near Maria Aurora, Philippines. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Gordon: Gordon formed in the West Pacific in November 1985 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It made landfall near Nha Trang, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Hope: Hope formed in the West Pacific in December 1985 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Irving: Irving formed in the West Pacific in December 1985 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 10 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1985
Super Typhoon Dot was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 175 mph (280 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 895 mb, on October 16. 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 1985
17 of the season’s 35 systems made landfall, 7 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- June 19: TD 4W near Baocheng, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- June 24: Hal near Shanwei, China, 85 mph (Category 1)
- June 30: Irma near Ishitsuka, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- July 30: Jeff near Wenling, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 10: Kit near Yeongam, South Korea, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 14: Lee near Ch’ŏsal-li, North Korea, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 18: Mamie near Huilong, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- August 19: Mamie near Jiaozhou, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 19: Mamie near Shenyang, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- August 23: Nelson near Jiangkou, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 30: Ruby near Kawasaki, Japan, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 30: Pat near Akune, Japan, 105 mph (Category 2)
- September 3: Tess near Masaya Sur, Philippines, 80 mph (Category 1)
- September 6: Tess near Yangjiang, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- September 22: Winona near Zhanjiang, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 29: Andy near Wanning, China, 80 mph (Category 1)
- October 1: Andy near Ba Đồn, Vietnam, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- October 16: Cecil near Hồ Xá, Vietnam, 105 mph (Category 2)
- October 18: Dot near Cabanatuan City, Philippines, 100 mph (Category 2)
- October 21: Dot near Vinh, Vietnam, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- October 24: Faye near Maria Aurora, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- November 25: Gordon near Nha Trang, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
How 1985 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 24th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 5 other seasons), 20th for typhoons (tied with 6 other seasons) and 34th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1985 storm names
The 1985 season used 26 names: Fabian, Elsie, Fabian, Gay, Hal, Irma, Jeff, Kit, Lee, Mamie, Nelson, Odessa, Pat, Ruby, Tess, Val, Winona, Brendan, Andy, Cecil, Dot, Ellis, Faye, Gordon, Hope, Irving.
9 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1985 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1985?
The 1985 West Pacific typhoon season had 25 named storms, 16 typhoons and 6 major typhoons, from 35 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 Fabian and the last was Hope.
What was the strongest storm of 1985?
Super Typhoon Dot. It peaked at 175 mph (280 km/h, 150 kt) with a lowest pressure of 895 mb on October 16. 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 1985 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1985 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Hope, dissipated on December 25. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.