1996 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1996 West Pacific typhoon season produced 32 named storms, 20 typhoons and 9 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 371, 130% of the average.
Named storms
32
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
20
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
9
Including 4 Category 5
Accumulated energy
130% of normal
ACE 371 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
Loading map…
Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1996 season at a glance
- Named storms: 32 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 20 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 9, including 4 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 371.2, 130% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 180.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Ann, April 2.
- First typhoon: Bart, May 12.
- First major storm: Bart, May 13.
- Last storm to dissipate: Fern, December 30.
- All systems tracked: 42, including 10 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 1996 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 44W | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 1W | – | TD | 998 mb | Sogod, Philippines |
| Ann | – | TS | 1000 mb | Balangiga, Philippines |
| TD 3W | – | TD | — | — |
| Bart | – | C4 | 930 mb | — |
| Cam | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Dan | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| Eve | – | C5 | 940 mb | Ebino, Japan |
| Gloria | – | C2 | 965 mb | Donggang, Taiwan |
| Frankie | – | C2 | 975 mb | Wanning, China |
| Herb | – | C5 | 925 mb | Yilan, Taiwan |
| Joy | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| Ian | – | TS | — | — |
| Kirk | – | C2 | 955 mb | Kikuchi, Japan |
| Lisa | – | TS | 996 mb | Huanggang, China |
| TD 15W | – | TD | — | — |
| Marty | – | TS | — | Thái Bình, Vietnam |
| Niki | – | C2 | 970 mb | Solana, Philippines |
| TD 17W | – | TD | — | — |
| Orson | – | C4 | 955 mb | — |
| Piper | – | C1 | 996 mb | — |
| TD 21W | – | TD | — | — |
| Rick | – | TS | — | — |
| Sally | – | C5 | 940 mb | Zhanjiang, China |
| TD 24W | – | TS | — | — |
| Tom | – | C1 | 965 mb | — |
| Violet | – | C4 | 935 mb | — |
| Willie | – | C1 | 985 mb | Xucheng, China |
| Zane | – | C3 | 950 mb | — |
| Abel | – | C2 | 975 mb | Tuguegarao, Philippines |
| Beth | – | TS | — | Pantabangan, Philippines |
| TD 31W | – | TD | — | — |
| Carlo | – | C3 | 965 mb | — |
| TD 34W | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 35W | – | TS | — | An Khê, Vietnam |
| Dale | – | C5 | 930 mb | — |
| TD 38W | – | TS | — | — |
| Ernie | – | TS | 992 mb | Piat, Philippines |
| TD 40W | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 41W | – | TD | — | Ranai Kota, Indonesia |
| Fern | – | C1 | 975 mb | — |
| Greg | – | TS | — | Kudat, Malaysia |
- TD 44W: This system formed in the West Pacific in January 1996 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 1 day.
- TD 1W: This system formed in the West Pacific in February 1996 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Sogod, Philippines and last near Enrique B. Magalona, Philippines. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Ann: Ann formed in the West Pacific in March 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Balangiga, Philippines and last near Placer, Philippines. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- TD 3W: This system formed in the West Pacific in April 1996 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 1 day.
- Bart: Bart formed in the West Pacific in May 1996 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Cam: Cam formed in the West Pacific in May 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Dan: Dan formed in the West Pacific in July 1996 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 14 days.
- Eve: Eve formed in the West Pacific in July 1996 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near Ebino, Japan and last near Kakogawachō-honmachi, Japan. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Gloria: Gloria formed in the West Pacific in July 1996 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 2 landfalls, first near Donggang, Taiwan and last near Xindian, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Frankie: Frankie formed in the West Pacific in July 1996 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Wanning, China and last near Nam Định, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Herb: Herb formed in the West Pacific in July 1996 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Yilan, Taiwan and last near Fuqing, China. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Joy: Joy formed in the West Pacific in July 1996 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 12 days.
- Ian: Ian formed in the West Pacific in July 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Kirk: Kirk formed in the West Pacific in July 1996 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 made 3 landfalls, first near Kikuchi, Japan and last near Murakami, Japan. The system was tracked for 22 days.
- Lisa: Lisa formed in the West Pacific in August 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It made landfall near Huanggang, China. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 15W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1996 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 7 days.
- Marty: Marty formed in the West Pacific in August 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). It made landfall near Thái Bình, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Niki: Niki formed in the West Pacific in August 1996 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Solana, Philippines and last near Thị Trấn Sao Vàng, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 17W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1996 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.
- Orson: Orson formed in the West Pacific in August 1996 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 22 days.
- Piper: Piper formed in the West Pacific in August 1996 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 21W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1996 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 6 days.
- Rick: Rick formed in the West Pacific in August 1996 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 7 days.
- Sally: Sally formed in the West Pacific in September 1996 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It made landfall near Zhanjiang, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 24W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Tom: Tom formed in the West Pacific in September 1996 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 14 days.
- Violet: Violet formed in the West Pacific in September 1996 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 935 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Willie: Willie formed in the West Pacific in September 1996 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Xucheng, China and last near Phố Châu, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Zane: Zane formed in the West Pacific in September 1996 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Abel: Abel formed in the West Pacific in October 1996 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Tuguegarao, Philippines and last near Qui Nhon, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Beth: Beth formed in the West Pacific in October 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). It made landfall near Pantabangan, Philippines. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 31W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1996 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 8 days.
- Carlo: Carlo formed in the West Pacific in October 1996 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 34W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1996 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 7 days.
- TD 35W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). It made landfall near An Khê, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Dale: Dale formed in the West Pacific in November 1996 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- TD 38W: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Ernie: Ernie formed in the West Pacific in November 1996 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 Piat, Philippines and last near Sóc Trăng, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- TD 40W: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 1996 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 9 days.
- TD 41W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 1996 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It made landfall near Ranai Kota, Indonesia. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Fern: Fern formed in the West Pacific in December 1996 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Greg: Greg formed in the West Pacific in December 1996 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). It made landfall near Kudat, Malaysia. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1996
Super Typhoon Herb was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 925 mb, on July 30. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 61 matched it. It produced 10% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1996
18 of the season’s 42 systems made landfall, 9 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- February 29: TD 1W near Sogod, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- March 1: TD 1W near Enrique B. Magalona, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- April 7: Ann near Balangiga, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- April 7: Ann near Placer, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- July 18: Eve near Ebino, Japan, 90 mph (Category 1)
- July 19: Eve near Hirao, Japan, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 19: Eve near Sakaidechō, Japan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- July 19: Eve near Kakogawachō-honmachi, Japan, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 22: Frankie near Wanning, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 23: Frankie near Nam Định, Vietnam, 90 mph (Category 1)
- July 26: Gloria near Donggang, Taiwan, 100 mph (Category 2)
- July 26: Gloria near Xindian, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- July 31: Herb near Yilan, Taiwan, 120 mph (Category 3)
- August 1: Herb near Fuqing, China, 95 mph (Category 2)
- August 6: Lisa near Huanggang, China, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- August 14: Marty near Thái Bình, Vietnam, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- August 14: Kirk near Kikuchi, Japan, 105 mph (Category 2)
- August 14: Kirk near Aki-takata, Japan, 90 mph (Category 1)
- August 15: Kirk near Murakami, Japan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 19: Niki near Solana, Philippines, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 21: Niki near Sanya, China, 105 mph (Category 2)
- August 22: Niki near Thị Trấn Sao Vàng, Vietnam, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 9: Sally near Zhanjiang, China, 120 mph (Category 3)
- September 20: Willie near Xucheng, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 22: Willie near Phố Châu, Vietnam, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- October 11: Beth near Pantabangan, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- October 17: Abel near Tuguegarao, Philippines, 105 mph (Category 2)
- October 21: Abel near Qui Nhon, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- November 2: TD 35W near An Khê, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- November 8: Ernie near Piat, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- November 16: Ernie near Sóc Trăng, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- December 15: TD 41W near Ranai Kota, Indonesia, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 26: Greg near Kudat, Malaysia, 40 mph (tropical storm)
How 1996 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 2nd of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 4th for typhoons (tied with 5 other seasons) and 6th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1996 storm names
The 1996 season used 29 names: Ann, Bart, Cam, Dan, Eve, Gloria, Frankie, Herb, Joy, Ian, Kirk, Lisa, Marty, Niki, Orson, Piper, Rick, Sally, Tom, Violet, Willie, Zane, Abel, Beth, Carlo, Dale, Ernie, Fern, Greg.
13 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1996 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1996?
The 1996 West Pacific typhoon season had 32 named storms, 20 typhoons and 9 major typhoons, from 42 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 Ann and the last was Greg.
What was the strongest storm of 1996?
Super Typhoon Herb. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 925 mb on July 30. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 10% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1996 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1996 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Fern, dissipated on December 30. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.