1991 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1991 West Pacific typhoon season produced 28 named storms, 20 typhoons and 11 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 409, 143% of the average.
Named storms
28
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
20
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
11
Including 3 Category 5
Accumulated energy
143% of normal
ACE 409 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1991 season at a glance
- Named storms: 28 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 20 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 11, including 3 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 408.6, 143% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 176.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Sharon, March 7.
- First typhoon: Tim, March 23.
- First major storm: Walt, May 9.
- Last storm to dissipate: Yuri, December 3.
- All systems tracked: 32, 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 1991 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon | – | TS | 985 mb | Sogod, Philippines |
| Tim | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| Vanessa | – | TS | 994 mb | Butuan, Philippines |
| Walt | – | C5 | 915 mb | — |
| Yunya | – | C3 | 950 mb | Gabaldon, Philippines |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Zeke | – | C1 | 970 mb | Catbalogan, Philippines |
| Amy | – | C4 | 930 mb | Shantou, China |
| Brendan | – | C1 | 980 mb | Cabagan, Philippines |
| Caitlin | – | C2 | 940 mb | — |
| Brendan | – | TD | — | — |
| Doug | – | TS | — | — |
| Fred | – | C2 | 960 mb | Gonzaga, Philippines |
| Ellie | – | C2 | 960 mb | — |
| TD 13W | – | TD | — | — |
| Gladys | – | C1 | 965 mb | Beolgyo, South Korea |
| TD 15W | – | TD | 992 mb | — |
| Harry | – | TS | 984 mb | Kakegawa, Japan |
| Ivy | – | C4 | 935 mb | — |
| Joel | – | TS | 985 mb | Shanwei, China |
| Kinna | – | C2 | 955 mb | Nagasaki, Japan |
| Mireille | – | C4 | 925 mb | Saikai, Japan |
| Luke | – | C1 | 972 mb | — |
| Nat | – | C3 | 950 mb | Hengchun, Taiwan |
| Pat | – | C4 | 925 mb | — |
| Orchid | – | C4 | 930 mb | — |
| Ruth | – | C5 | 895 mb | Gonzaga, Philippines |
| Seth | – | C4 | 925 mb | — |
| Thelma | – | TS | 992 mb | Borongan, Philippines |
| Verne | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Wilda | – | TS | 992 mb | Mambulo, Philippines |
| Yuri | – | C5 | 895 mb | — |
- Sharon: Sharon formed in the West Pacific in March 1991 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Sogod, Philippines and last near Dao, Philippines. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Tim: Tim formed in the West Pacific in March 1991 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 10 days.
- Vanessa: Vanessa formed in the West Pacific in April 1991 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 Butuan, Philippines and last near Wanning, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Walt: Walt formed in the West Pacific in May 1991 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 14 days.
- Yunya: Yunya formed in the West Pacific in June 1991 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 Gabaldon, Philippines. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 1991. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Zeke: Zeke formed in the West Pacific in July 1991 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 5 landfalls, first near Catbalogan, Philippines and last near Thành Phố Uông Bí, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Amy: Amy formed in the West Pacific in July 1991 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It made landfall near Shantou, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Brendan: Brendan formed in the West Pacific in July 1991 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Cabagan, Philippines and last near Taishan, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Caitlin: Caitlin formed in the West Pacific in July 1991 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 12 days.
- Brendan: Brendan formed in the West Pacific in July 1991. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Doug: Doug formed in the West Pacific in August 1991 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 4 days.
- Fred: Fred formed in the West Pacific in August 1991 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Gonzaga, Philippines and last near Kỳ Anh, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Ellie: Ellie formed in the West Pacific in August 1991 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- TD 13W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1991 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Gladys: Gladys formed in the West Pacific in August 1991 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made landfall near Beolgyo, South Korea. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- TD 15W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1991 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Harry: Harry formed in the West Pacific in August 1991 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It made landfall near Kakegawa, Japan. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Ivy: Ivy formed in the West Pacific in August 1991 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 935 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Joel: Joel formed in the West Pacific in September 1991 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 Shanwei, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Kinna: Kinna formed in the West Pacific in September 1991 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 Nagasaki, Japan and last near Ogunimachi, Japan. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Mireille: Mireille formed in the West Pacific in September 1991 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 2 landfalls, first near Saikai, Japan and last near Sunagawa, Japan. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Luke: Luke formed in the West Pacific in September 1991 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 972 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Nat: Nat formed in the West Pacific in September 1991 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Hengchun, Taiwan and last near Huanggang, China. The system was tracked for 19 days.
- Pat: Pat formed in the West Pacific in October 1991 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 13 days.
- Orchid: Orchid formed in the West Pacific in October 1991 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 15 days.
- Ruth: Ruth formed in the West Pacific in October 1991 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 895 mb. It made landfall near Gonzaga, Philippines. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Seth: Seth formed in the West Pacific in October 1991 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Thelma: Thelma formed in the West Pacific in October 1991 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Borongan, Philippines and last near Plaridel, Philippines. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Verne: Verne formed in the West Pacific in November 1991 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Wilda: Wilda formed in the West Pacific in November 1991 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It made landfall near Mambulo, Philippines. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Yuri: Yuri formed in the West Pacific in November 1991 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 18 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1991
Super Typhoon Yuri was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 175 mph (280 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 895 mb, on November 27. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 14 matched it. It produced 10% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1991
16 of the season’s 32 systems made landfall, 8 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- March 13: Sharon near Sogod, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- March 13: Sharon near Dao, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- April 24: Vanessa near Butuan, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- April 24: Vanessa near Madridejos, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- April 28: Vanessa near Wanning, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- June 15: Yunya near Gabaldon, Philippines, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- July 9: Zeke near Catbalogan, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- July 10: Zeke near Cambuga, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 10: Zeke near Lipa City, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 12: Zeke near Wanning, China, 85 mph (Category 1)
- July 13: Zeke near Thành Phố Uông Bí, Vietnam, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- July 19: Amy near Shantou, China, 105 mph (Category 2)
- July 22: Brendan near Cabagan, Philippines, 80 mph (Category 1)
- July 24: Brendan near Taishan, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 12: Fred near Gonzaga, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 16: Fred near Paipu, China, 105 mph (Category 2)
- August 17: Fred near Kỳ Anh, Vietnam, 75 mph (Category 1)
- August 23: Gladys near Beolgyo, South Korea, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 30: Harry near Kakegawa, Japan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 6: Joel near Shanwei, China, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- September 13: Kinna near Nagasaki, Japan, 95 mph (Category 1)
- September 14: Kinna near Ogunimachi, Japan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- September 23: Nat near Hengchun, Taiwan, 120 mph (Category 3)
- September 27: Mireille near Saikai, Japan, 105 mph (Category 2)
- September 28: Mireille near Sunagawa, Japan, 85 mph (Category 1)
- October 1: Nat near Huanggang, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- October 27: Ruth near Gonzaga, Philippines, 115 mph (Category 3)
- November 4: Thelma near Borongan, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- November 5: Thelma near Plaridel, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- November 16: Wilda near Mambulo, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
How 1991 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 13th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 5 other seasons), 4th for typhoons (tied with 5 other seasons) and 5th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1991 storm names
The 1991 season used 29 names: Sharon, Tim, Vanessa, Walt, Yunya, Zeke, Amy, Brendan, Caitlin, Brendan, Doug, Fred, Ellie, Gladys, Harry, Ivy, Joel, Kinna, Mireille, Luke, Nat, Pat, Orchid, Ruth, Seth, Thelma, Verne, Wilda, Yuri.
3 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1991 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1991?
The 1991 West Pacific typhoon season had 28 named storms, 20 typhoons and 11 major typhoons, from 32 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 Sharon and the last was Yuri.
What was the strongest storm of 1991?
Super Typhoon Yuri. It peaked at 175 mph (280 km/h, 150 kt) with a lowest pressure of 895 mb on November 27. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 10% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1991 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1991 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Yuri, dissipated on December 3. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.