1988 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1988 West Pacific typhoon season produced 29 named storms, 13 typhoons and 7 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 227, 79% of the average.
Named storms
29
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
13
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
7
Including 1 Category 5
Accumulated energy
79% of normal
ACE 227 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1988 season at a glance
- Named storms: 29 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 13 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 7, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 226.5, 79% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 122.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Roy, January 8.
- First typhoon: Roy, January 9.
- First major storm: Roy, January 10.
- Last storm to dissipate: Val, December 27.
- All systems tracked: 35, 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 1988 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roy | – | C4 | 940 mb | Legaspi, Philippines |
| Susan | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| TD 3W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Thad | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| Vanessa | – | TS | 990 mb | Sogod, Philippines |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Warren | – | C4 | 940 mb | Jieshi, China |
| Agnes | – | TS | 975 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 998 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Bill | – | TS | 985 mb | Lianghu, China |
| Clara | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Doyle | – | C4 | 930 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Fabian | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| Elsie | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Gay | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| Hal | – | C3 | 945 mb | — |
| Irma | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Jeff | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Lee | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Kit | – | TS | 980 mb | Dassun, Philippines |
| Mamie | – | TS | 990 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Nelson | – | C5 | 915 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Odessa | – | C2 | 965 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Pat | – | C1 | 980 mb | Aglipay, Philippines |
| Ruby | – | C4 | 950 mb | Virac, Philippines |
| Tess | – | C1 | 975 mb | Panitian, Philippines |
| Skip | – | C4 | 950 mb | Balangiga, Philippines |
| Val | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
- Roy: Roy formed in the West Pacific in January 1988 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Legaspi, Philippines and last near Batangas, Philippines. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Susan: Susan formed in the West Pacific in May 1988 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 3W: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 1988 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Thad: Thad formed in the West Pacific in June 1988 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Vanessa: Vanessa formed in the West Pacific in June 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Sogod, Philippines and last near Pandan, Philippines. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1988. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Warren: Warren formed in the West Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It made landfall near Jieshi, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Agnes: Agnes formed in the West Pacific in July 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1988 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 4 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1988. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Bill: Bill formed in the West Pacific in August 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made landfall near Lianghu, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Clara: Clara formed in the West Pacific in August 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1988. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Doyle: Doyle formed in the West Pacific in August 1988 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1988 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 5 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1988 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 3 days.
- Fabian: Fabian formed in the West Pacific in August 1988 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Elsie: Elsie formed in the West Pacific in August 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Gay: Gay formed in the West Pacific in September 1988 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 6 days.
- Hal: Hal formed in the West Pacific in September 1988 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Irma: Irma formed in the West Pacific in September 1988 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.
- Jeff: Jeff formed in the West Pacific in September 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Lee: Lee formed in the West Pacific in September 1988 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 9 days.
- Kit: Kit formed in the West Pacific in September 1988 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 2 landfalls, first near Dassun, Philippines and last near Puning, China. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Mamie: Mamie formed in the West Pacific in September 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1988. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Nelson: Nelson formed in the West Pacific in September 1988 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1988 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Odessa: Odessa formed in the West Pacific in October 1988 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1988. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Pat: Pat formed in the West Pacific in October 1988 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Aglipay, Philippines and last near Wuzhishan, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Ruby: Ruby formed in the West Pacific in October 1988 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 3 landfalls, first near Virac, Philippines and last near Wanning, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Tess: Tess formed in the West Pacific in November 1988 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 Panitian, Philippines and last near Phan Rang-Tháp Chàm, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Skip: Skip formed in the West Pacific in November 1988 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 3 landfalls, first near Balangiga, Philippines and last near Roxas, Philippines. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Val: Val formed in the West Pacific in December 1988 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 6 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1988
Super Typhoon Nelson was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 915 mb, on October 4. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 61 matched it. It produced 15% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1988
9 of the season’s 35 systems made landfall, 4 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- January 16: Roy near Legaspi, Philippines, 80 mph (Category 1)
- January 16: Roy near Camp Flora, Philippines, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- January 16: Roy near Batangas, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- June 27: Vanessa near Sogod, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- June 27: Vanessa near Pandan, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 19: Warren near Jieshi, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 7: Bill near Lianghu, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 19: Kit near Dassun, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- September 22: Kit near Puning, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- October 20: Pat near Aglipay, Philippines, 85 mph (Category 1)
- October 22: Pat near Wuzhishan, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- October 24: Ruby near Virac, Philippines, 125 mph (Category 3)
- October 24: Ruby near Mabini, Philippines, 120 mph (Category 3)
- October 28: Ruby near Wanning, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- November 4: Tess near Panitian, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- November 6: Tess near Phan Rang-Tháp Chàm, Vietnam, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- November 7: Skip near Balangiga, Philippines, 130 mph (Category 4)
- November 7: Skip near Placer, Philippines, 120 mph (Category 3)
- November 7: Skip near Roxas, Philippines, 110 mph (Category 2)
How 1988 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 6th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 6 other seasons), 33rd for typhoons (tied with 1 other season) and 33rd for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1988 storm names
The 1988 season used 25 names: Roy, Susan, Thad, Vanessa, Warren, Agnes, Bill, Clara, Doyle, Fabian, Elsie, Gay, Hal, Irma, Jeff, Lee, Kit, Mamie, Nelson, Odessa, Pat, Ruby, Tess, Skip, Val.
10 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1988 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1988?
The 1988 West Pacific typhoon season had 29 named storms, 13 typhoons and 7 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 Roy and the last was Val.
What was the strongest storm of 1988?
Super Typhoon Nelson. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 915 mb on October 4. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 15% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1988 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1988 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Val, dissipated on December 27. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.