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HurriTracker

1987 West Pacific typhoon season

All year · Season ended

The 1987 West Pacific typhoon season produced 23 named storms, 16 typhoons and 10 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 317, 111% of the average.

1986 season1988 seasonAll West Pacific seasons
Named storms
23
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
16
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
10
Including 4 Category 5
Accumulated energy
111% of normal
ACE 317 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5

1987 season at a glance

  • Named storms: 23 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
  • Typhoons (64 kt+): 16 (average 15.8).
  • Major, 96 kt+: 10, including 4 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
  • Accumulated cyclone energy: 316.9, 111% of the 286 average.
  • Named-storm days: 136.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
  • First named storm: Orchid, January 8.
  • First typhoon: Orchid, January 10.
  • First major storm: Thelma, July 10.
  • Last storm to dissipate: Phyllis, December 20.
  • All systems tracked: 27, 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 1987 season

StormDatesPeakMin pressureLandfall
Orchid – C2955 mb—
Percy – TS1000 mb—
Ruth – TS992 mbMaoming, China
Unnamed – TD——
Sperry – C1980 mb—
Thelma – C4915 mbNangen, South Korea
Vernon – C1985 mb—
Alex – C1970 mbYilan, Taiwan
Betty – C5890 mbPambujan, Philippines
Cary – C2960 mbNagtipunan, Philippines
Unnamed – TS1002 mb—
Unnamed – TD——
Dinah – C4915 mb—
Ed – TS——
Holly – C5900 mb—
Gerald – C3950 mbQuanzhou, China
Unnamed – TD——
Freda – C4915 mb—
Ian – C3955 mb—
TD 18W – TD——
June – TS992 mb—
Kelly – C2955 mb—
Lynn – C5920 mbNantou, China
Maury – TS994 mbGubat, Philippines
Nina – C5930 mbBaligang, Philippines
Ogden – TS—Tu Bông, Vietnam
Phyllis – C3960 mbBorongan, Philippines
  • Orchid: Orchid formed in the West Pacific in January 1987 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
  • Percy: Percy formed in the West Pacific in April 1987 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 14 days.
  • Ruth: Ruth formed in the West Pacific in June 1987 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It made landfall near Maoming, China. The system was tracked for 4 days.
  • Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 1987. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
  • Sperry: Sperry formed in the West Pacific in June 1987 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
  • Thelma: Thelma formed in the West Pacific in July 1987 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It made landfall near Nangen, South Korea. The system was tracked for 12 days.
  • Vernon: Vernon formed in the West Pacific in July 1987 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
  • Alex: Alex formed in the West Pacific in July 1987 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Yilan, Taiwan and last near Yatou, China. The system was tracked for 12 days.
  • Betty: Betty formed in the West Pacific in August 1987 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 890 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Pambujan, Philippines and last near Kỳ Anh, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 11 days.
  • Cary: Cary formed in the West Pacific in August 1987 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 2 landfalls, first near Nagtipunan, Philippines and last near Cửa Lô, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 18 days.
  • Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1987 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
  • Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1987. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
  • Dinah: Dinah formed in the West Pacific in August 1987 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
  • Ed: Ed formed in the West Pacific in August 1987 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
  • Holly: Holly formed in the West Pacific in September 1987 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 900 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 17 days.
  • Gerald: Gerald formed in the West Pacific in September 1987 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made landfall near Quanzhou, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
  • Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1987. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
  • Freda: Freda formed in the West Pacific in September 1987 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 16 days.
  • Ian: Ian formed in the West Pacific in September 1987 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
  • TD 18W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1987 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 2 days.
  • June: June formed in the West Pacific in September 1987 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
  • Kelly: Kelly formed in the West Pacific in October 1987 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
  • Lynn: Lynn formed in the West Pacific in October 1987 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 920 mb. It made landfall near Nantou, China. The system was tracked for 14 days.
  • Maury: Maury formed in the West Pacific in November 1987 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 3 landfalls, first near Gubat, Philippines and last near Tuy Hòa, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 13 days.
  • Nina: Nina formed in the West Pacific in November 1987 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It made landfall near Baligang, Philippines. The system was tracked for 14 days.
  • Ogden: Ogden formed in the West Pacific in November 1987 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). It made landfall near Tu Bông, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
  • Phyllis: Phyllis formed in the West Pacific in December 1987 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 4 landfalls, first near Borongan, Philippines and last near Bansud, Philippines. The system was tracked for 12 days.

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

Strongest storm of 1987

Super Typhoon Nina was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 165 mph (270 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 930 mb, on November 25. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

47 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 13 matched it. It produced 10% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

Landfalls in 1987

11 of the season’s 27 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 19: Ruth near Maoming, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
  • July 15: Thelma near Nangen, South Korea, 70 mph (tropical storm)
  • July 26: Alex near Yilan, Taiwan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
  • July 27: Alex near Rui’an, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
  • July 29: Alex near Yatou, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
  • August 12: Betty near Pambujan, Philippines, 150 mph (Category 4)
  • August 16: Betty near Kỳ Anh, Vietnam, 65 mph (tropical storm)
  • August 18: Cary near Nagtipunan, Philippines, 80 mph (Category 1)
  • August 22: Cary near Cửa Lô, Vietnam, 70 mph (tropical storm)
  • September 10: Gerald near Quanzhou, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
  • October 28: Lynn near Nantou, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
  • November 14: Maury near Gubat, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
  • November 15: Maury near Bansud, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
  • November 19: Maury near Tuy Hòa, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
  • November 24: Ogden near Tu Bông, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
  • November 25: Nina near Baligang, Philippines, 160 mph (Category 5)
  • December 15: Phyllis near Borongan, Philippines, 110 mph (Category 2)
  • December 16: Phyllis near Cataingan, Philippines, 105 mph (Category 2)
  • December 16: Phyllis near Puro, Philippines, 100 mph (Category 2)
  • December 17: Phyllis near Bansud, Philippines, 75 mph (Category 1)

How 1987 ranks since 1980

The season ranks 32nd of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 5 other seasons), 20th for typhoons (tied with 6 other seasons) and 15th for accumulated cyclone energy.

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

1987 storm names

The 1987 season used 22 names: Orchid, Percy, Ruth, Sperry, Thelma, Vernon, Alex, Betty, Cary, Dinah, Ed, Holly, Gerald, Freda, Ian, June, Kelly, Lynn, Maury, Nina, Ogden, Phyllis.

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

1987 season FAQ

How many named storms were there in 1987?

The 1987 West Pacific typhoon season had 23 named storms, 16 typhoons and 10 major typhoons, from 27 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 Orchid and the last was Phyllis.

What was the strongest storm of 1987?

Super Typhoon Nina. It peaked at 165 mph (270 km/h, 145 kt) with a lowest pressure of 930 mb on November 25. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 47 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 10% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

When did the 1987 season end?

The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1987 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Phyllis, dissipated on December 20. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.