1989 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1989 West Pacific typhoon season produced 30 named storms, 21 typhoons and 9 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 326, 114% of the average.
Named storms
30
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
21
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
9
Including 5 Category 5
Accumulated energy
114% of normal
ACE 326 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1989 season at a glance
- Named storms: 30 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 21 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 9, including 5 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 325.6, 114% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 158.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Andy, April 17.
- First typhoon: Andy, April 19.
- First major storm: Andy, April 20.
- Last storm to dissipate: Jack, December 29.
- All systems tracked: 39, including 9 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 1989 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Andy | – | C5 | 920 mb | — |
| Brenda | – | C1 | 970 mb | Borongan, Philippines |
| Cecil | – | C1 | 975 mb | Cẩm Lệ, Vietnam |
| Dot | – | C3 | 955 mb | Llorente, Philippines |
| Ellis | – | TS | 985 mb | Minamikyushu, Japan |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Faye | – | TS | 980 mb | San Mariano, Philippines |
| Gordon | – | C5 | 915 mb | Gonzaga, Philippines |
| Hope | – | TS | 990 mb | Taizhou, China |
| Irving | – | TS | 985 mb | Tinambac, Philippines |
| Judy | – | C2 | 940 mb | Nangen, South Korea |
| TD 12W | – | TD | — | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Ken | – | TS | 980 mb | Putuo, China |
| Mac | – | C1 | 950 mb | Hitachiomiya, Japan |
| Owen | – | C1 | 960 mb | — |
| Nancy | – | C1 | 965 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Peggy | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| TD 19W | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Roger | – | TS | 975 mb | Muroto-misakicho, Japan |
| TD 21W | – | TD | 1002 mb | — |
| Sarah | – | C4 | 950 mb | Chishang, Taiwan |
| Tip | – | TS | 984 mb | — |
| Vera | – | TS | 972 mb | Wenling, China |
| Wayne | – | C1 | 970 mb | Nichinan, Japan |
| Colleen | – | C1 | 950 mb | — |
| Angela | – | C4 | 925 mb | Đồng Hới, Vietnam |
| Brian | – | C1 | 970 mb | Diễn Thành, Vietnam |
| Dan | – | C1 | 960 mb | Libon, Philippines |
| Elsie | – | C5 | 915 mb | San Mariano, Philippines |
| Forrest | – | C2 | 940 mb | — |
| Gay | – | C5 | 970 mb | Chumphon, Thailand |
| Hunt | – | C2 | 960 mb | Suklayin, Philippines |
| Irma | – | C5 | 925 mb | — |
| TD 35W | – | TD | — | — |
| Jack | – | C4 | 925 mb | — |
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in January 1989. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Andy: Andy formed in the West Pacific in April 1989 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Brenda: Brenda formed in the West Pacific in May 1989 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 3 landfalls, first near Borongan, Philippines and last near Encheng, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Cecil: Cecil formed in the West Pacific in May 1989 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made landfall near Cẩm Lệ, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Dot: Dot formed in the West Pacific in June 1989 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near Llorente, Philippines and last near Thái Bình, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Ellis: Ellis formed in the West Pacific in June 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made landfall near Minamikyushu, Japan. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 1989. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Faye: Faye formed in the West Pacific in July 1989 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 3 landfalls, first near San Mariano, Philippines and last near Thị Trấn Bình Liêu, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Gordon: Gordon formed in the West Pacific in July 1989 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Gonzaga, Philippines and last near Maoming, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Hope: Hope formed in the West Pacific in July 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made landfall near Taizhou, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Irving: Irving formed in the West Pacific in July 1989 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 3 landfalls, first near Tinambac, Philippines and last near Hoàng Mai, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Judy: Judy formed in the West Pacific in July 1989 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It made landfall near Nangen, South Korea. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 12W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1989 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It made landfall near Taipei, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Ken: Ken formed in the West Pacific in July 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Putuo, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Mac: Mac formed in the West Pacific in July 1989 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made landfall near Hitachiomiya, Japan. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Owen: Owen formed in the West Pacific in August 1989 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 18 days.
- Nancy: Nancy formed in the West Pacific in August 1989 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 10 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1989. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Peggy: Peggy formed in the West Pacific in August 1989 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.
- TD 19W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1989 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 4 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1989. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1989. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Roger: Roger formed in the West Pacific in August 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Muroto-misakicho, Japan and last near Ajigasawa, Japan. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 21W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1989 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Sarah: Sarah formed in the West Pacific in September 1989 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 Chishang, Taiwan and last near Shajiang, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Tip: Tip formed in the West Pacific in September 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Vera: Vera formed in the West Pacific in September 1989 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 972 mb. It made landfall near Wenling, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Wayne: Wayne formed in the West Pacific in September 1989 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 landfall near Nichinan, Japan. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Colleen: Colleen formed in the West Pacific in September 1989 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Angela: Angela formed in the West Pacific in September 1989 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It made landfall near Đồng Hới, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Brian: Brian formed in the West Pacific in September 1989 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 made landfall near Diễn Thành, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Dan: Dan formed in the West Pacific in October 1989 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Libon, Philippines and last near Cẩm Xuyên, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Elsie: Elsie formed in the West Pacific in October 1989 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 made 2 landfalls, first near San Mariano, Philippines and last near Phố Châu, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Forrest: Forrest formed in the West Pacific in October 1989 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Gay: Gay formed in the West Pacific in October 1989 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Chumphon, Thailand and last near Kāvali, India. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Hunt: Hunt formed in the West Pacific in November 1989 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 Suklayin, Philippines. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Irma: Irma formed in the West Pacific in November 1989 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- TD 35W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 1989 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.
- Jack: Jack formed in the West Pacific in December 1989 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 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 1989
Super Typhoon Gordon was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 915 mb, on July 15. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 61 matched it. It produced 6% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1989
22 of the season’s 39 systems made landfall, 9 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- May 16: Brenda near Borongan, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- May 17: Brenda near Pansol, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- May 20: Brenda near Encheng, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- May 24: Cecil near Cẩm Lệ, Vietnam, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- June 6: Dot near Llorente, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- June 6: Dot near Sablayan, Philippines, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- June 10: Dot near Sanya, China, 100 mph (Category 2)
- June 11: Dot near Thái Bình, Vietnam, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- June 23: Ellis near Minamikyushu, Japan, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 8: Faye near San Mariano, Philippines, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- July 10: Faye near Wenchang, China, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- July 11: Faye near Thị Trấn Bình Liêu, Vietnam, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- July 15: Gordon near Gonzaga, Philippines, 150 mph (Category 4)
- July 18: Gordon near Maoming, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- July 20: Irving near Tinambac, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- July 20: Irving near Mauban, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- July 20: Hope near Taizhou, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 24: Irving near Hoàng Mai, Vietnam, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- July 28: Judy near Nangen, South Korea, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 30: TD 12W near Taipei, Taiwan, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- August 4: Ken near Putuo, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 6: Mac near Hitachiomiya, Japan, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 27: Roger near Muroto-misakicho, Japan, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- August 27: Roger near Takatsuki, Japan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 27: Roger near Ajigasawa, Japan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 11: Sarah near Chishang, Taiwan, 105 mph (Category 2)
- September 12: Sarah near Yilan, Taiwan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- September 13: Sarah near Shajiang, China, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- September 15: Vera near Wenling, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 19: Wayne near Nichinan, Japan, 75 mph (Category 1)
- October 3: Brian near Diễn Thành, Vietnam, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- October 10: Angela near Đồng Hới, Vietnam, 80 mph (Category 1)
- October 10: Dan near Libon, Philippines, 75 mph (Category 1)
- October 13: Dan near Cẩm Xuyên, Vietnam, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- October 19: Elsie near San Mariano, Philippines, 125 mph (Category 3)
- October 22: Elsie near Phố Châu, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- November 4: Gay near Chumphon, Thailand, 115 mph (Category 3)
- November 8: Gay near Kāvali, India, 130 mph (Category 4)
- November 21: Hunt near Suklayin, Philippines, 95 mph (Category 2)
How 1989 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 5th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms, 1st for typhoons (tied with 2 other seasons) and 14th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1989 storm names
The 1989 season used 30 names: Andy, Brenda, Cecil, Dot, Ellis, Faye, Gordon, Hope, Irving, Judy, Ken, Mac, Owen, Nancy, Peggy, Roger, Sarah, Tip, Vera, Wayne, Colleen, Angela, Brian, Dan, Elsie, Forrest, Gay, Hunt, Irma, Jack.
9 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1989 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1989?
The 1989 West Pacific typhoon season had 30 named storms, 21 typhoons and 9 major typhoons, from 39 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 Andy and the last was Jack.
What was the strongest storm of 1989?
Super Typhoon Gordon. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 915 mb on July 15. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 6% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1989 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1989 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Jack, dissipated on December 29. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.