1990 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1990 West Pacific typhoon season produced 29 named storms, 20 typhoons and 7 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 334, 117% of the average.
Named storms
29
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
20
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
7
Including 3 Category 5
Accumulated energy
117% of normal
ACE 334 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1990 season at a glance
- Named storms: 29 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 20 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 7, including 3 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 333.7, 117% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 158.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Koryn, January 13.
- First typhoon: Koryn, January 14.
- First major storm: Percy, June 24.
- Last storm to dissipate: Russ, December 24.
- 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 1990 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koryn | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| Lewis | – | TS | 998 mb | — |
| Marian | – | C2 | 965 mb | Lugu, Taiwan |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Nathan | – | TS | 980 mb | Lagonoy, Philippines |
| TD 4W | – | TD | — | — |
| Ofelia | – | C2 | 970 mb | Xiulin, Taiwan |
| Percy | – | C4 | 950 mb | Dassun, Philippines |
| Robyn | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Tasha | – | TS | 980 mb | Donghai, China |
| Steve | – | C4 | 940 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Vernon | – | C2 | 955 mb | — |
| Winona | – | C1 | 975 mb | Shizuoka, Japan |
| Yancy | – | C2 | 950 mb | Daxi, Taiwan |
| Zola | – | C3 | 960 mb | — |
| Becky | – | C1 | 965 mb | Magapit, Philippines |
| Abe | – | C2 | 955 mb | Taizhou, China |
| Dot | – | C1 | 960 mb | Chishang, Taiwan |
| Cecil | – | TS | — | Fuding, China |
| Ed | – | C2 | 965 mb | Nghĩa Đàn, Vietnam |
| Flo | – | C5 | 890 mb | Shingū, Japan |
| Dot | – | TD | — | — |
| Gene | – | C1 | 950 mb | Kihoku, Japan |
| Hattie | – | C2 | 950 mb | Shingū, Japan |
| Ira | – | TS | 996 mb | Qui Nhon, Vietnam |
| Jeana | – | TS | — | Phú Túc, Vietnam |
| Kyle | – | C2 | 955 mb | — |
| Lola | – | TS | 998 mb | An Nhơn, Vietnam |
| Page | – | C5 | 910 mb | Ise, Japan |
| Mike | – | C5 | 915 mb | Sogod, Philippines |
| Nell | – | TS | 990 mb | Tu Bông, Vietnam |
| Russ | – | C4 | 915 mb | — |
- Koryn: Koryn formed in the West Pacific in January 1990 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.
- Lewis: Lewis formed in the West Pacific in April 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Marian: Marian formed in the West Pacific in May 1990 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 made landfall near Lugu, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in May 1990. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in May 1990. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Nathan: Nathan formed in the West Pacific in June 1990 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 4 landfalls, first near Lagonoy, Philippines and last near Xichang, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- TD 4W: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 1990 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 3 days.
- Ofelia: Ofelia formed in the West Pacific in June 1990 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Xiulin, Taiwan and last near Wenzhou, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Percy: Percy formed in the West Pacific in June 1990 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Dassun, Philippines and last near Huanggang, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Robyn: Robyn formed in the West Pacific in June 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1990. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Tasha: Tasha formed in the West Pacific in July 1990 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 Donghai, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Steve: Steve formed in the West Pacific in July 1990 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1990. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Vernon: Vernon formed in the West Pacific in July 1990 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 15 days.
- Winona: Winona formed in the West Pacific in August 1990 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 landfall near Shizuoka, Japan. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Yancy: Yancy formed in the West Pacific in August 1990 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Daxi, Taiwan and last near Putian, China. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Zola: Zola formed in the West Pacific in August 1990 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Becky: Becky formed in the West Pacific in August 1990 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Magapit, Philippines and last near Phúc Trạch, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Abe: Abe formed in the West Pacific in August 1990 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Taizhou, China and last near Cheorwon, South Korea. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Dot: Dot formed in the West Pacific in September 1990 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 2 landfalls, first near Chishang, Taiwan and last near Zhangzhou, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Cecil: Cecil formed in the West Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). It made landfall near Fuding, China. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Ed: Ed formed in the West Pacific in September 1990 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 made landfall near Nghĩa Đàn, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Flo: Flo formed in the West Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 890 mb. It made landfall near Shingū, Japan. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Dot: Dot formed in the West Pacific in September 1990. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Gene: Gene formed in the West Pacific in September 1990 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 Kihoku, Japan. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Hattie: Hattie formed in the West Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made landfall near Shingū, Japan. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Ira: Ira formed in the West Pacific in September 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It made landfall near Qui Nhon, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Jeana: Jeana formed in the West Pacific in October 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). It made landfall near Phú Túc, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Kyle: Kyle formed in the West Pacific in October 1990 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 12 days.
- Lola: Lola formed in the West Pacific in October 1990 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It made landfall near An Nhơn, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Page: Page formed in the West Pacific in November 1990 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It made landfall near Ise, Japan. The system was tracked for 28 days.
- Mike: Mike formed in the West Pacific in November 1990 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Sogod, Philippines and last near Thị Trấn Đầm Hà, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Nell: Nell formed in the West Pacific in November 1990 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 Tu Bông, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Russ: Russ formed in the West Pacific in December 1990 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 12 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1990
Super Typhoon Mike was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 175 mph (280 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 915 mb, on November 10. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 14 matched it. It produced 11% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1990
21 of the season’s 35 systems made landfall, 8 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- May 19: Marian near Lugu, Taiwan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- June 14: Nathan near Lagonoy, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- June 14: Nathan near Gabaldon, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- June 18: Nathan near Xucheng, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- June 18: Nathan near Xichang, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- June 23: Ofelia near Xiulin, Taiwan, 95 mph (Category 2)
- June 24: Ofelia near Wenzhou, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- June 27: Percy near Dassun, Philippines, 100 mph (Category 2)
- June 29: Percy near Huanggang, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- July 30: Tasha near Donghai, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- August 10: Winona near Shizuoka, Japan, 75 mph (Category 1)
- August 19: Yancy near Daxi, Taiwan, 100 mph (Category 2)
- August 20: Yancy near Putian, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 26: Becky near Magapit, Philippines, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 29: Becky near Phúc Trạch, Vietnam, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 31: Abe near Taizhou, China, 95 mph (Category 2)
- September 2: Abe near Cheorwon, South Korea, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- September 4: Cecil near Fuding, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- September 7: Dot near Chishang, Taiwan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- September 8: Dot near Zhangzhou, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 19: Flo near Shingū, Japan, 100 mph (Category 2)
- September 20: Ed near Nghĩa Đàn, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- September 30: Gene near Kihoku, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- October 3: Ira near Qui Nhon, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- October 8: Hattie near Shingū, Japan, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- October 14: Jeana near Phú Túc, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- October 18: Lola near An Nhơn, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- November 12: Nell near Tu Bông, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- November 12: Mike near Sogod, Philippines, 140 mph (Category 4)
- November 16: Mike near Basuo, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- November 18: Mike near Thị Trấn Đầm Hà, Vietnam, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- November 30: Page near Ise, Japan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
How 1990 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 6th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 6 other seasons), 4th for typhoons (tied with 5 other seasons) and 13th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1990 storm names
The 1990 season used 30 names: Koryn, Lewis, Marian, Nathan, Ofelia, Percy, Robyn, Tasha, Steve, Vernon, Winona, Yancy, Zola, Becky, Abe, Dot, Cecil, Ed, Flo, Dot, Gene, Hattie, Ira, Jeana, Kyle, Lola, Page, Mike, Nell, Russ.
5 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1990 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1990?
The 1990 West Pacific typhoon season had 29 named storms, 20 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 Koryn and the last was Russ.
What was the strongest storm of 1990?
Super Typhoon Mike. It peaked at 175 mph (280 km/h, 150 kt) with a lowest pressure of 915 mb on November 10. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 11% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1990 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1990 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Russ, dissipated on December 24. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.