1997 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1997 West Pacific typhoon season produced 28 named storms, 21 typhoons and 10 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 468, 164% of the average.
Named storms
28
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
21
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
10
Including 8 Category 5
Accumulated energy
≈1.6× normal
ACE 468 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1997 season at a glance
- Named storms: 28 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 21 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 10, including 8 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 468.2, 164% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 179.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Hannah, January 19.
- First typhoon: Isa, April 13.
- First major storm: Isa, April 16.
- Last storm to dissipate: Mort, November 16.
- All systems tracked: 29, including 1 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 1997 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hannah | – | TS | — | — |
| Isa | – | C5 | 940 mb | — |
| Jimmy | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| Kelly | – | TS | 998 mb | — |
| Levi | – | TS | 992 mb | Itogon, Philippines |
| Marie | – | C2 | 965 mb | — |
| Nestor | – | C5 | 930 mb | — |
| Opal | – | C2 | 960 mb | Shinshiro, Japan |
| Peter | – | C1 | 968 mb | Hita, Japan |
| Rosie | – | C5 | 920 mb | Anan, Japan |
| Scott | – | TS | 988 mb | — |
| Tina | – | C2 | 955 mb | Yeosu, South Korea |
| Victor | – | C1 | 980 mb | Hong Kong, Hong Kong |
| Winnie | – | C5 | 915 mb | Taizhou, China |
| Yule | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| Amber | – | C3 | 950 mb | Hualien City, Taiwan |
| Zita | – | C1 | 980 mb | Zhanjiang, China |
| Bing | – | C4 | 940 mb | — |
| Cass | – | TS | 992 mb | Xindian, China |
| David | – | C2 | 945 mb | — |
| Fritz | – | C1 | 980 mb | Đông Phú, Vietnam |
| Ginger | – | C5 | 925 mb | — |
| Hank | – | TS | — | Kỳ Anh, Vietnam |
| TD 26W | – | TD | — | — |
| Ivan | – | C5 | 905 mb | Gonzaga, Philippines |
| Joan | – | C5 | 905 mb | — |
| Linda | – | C1 | 985 mb | Tam Giang, Vietnam |
| Keith | – | C5 | 910 mb | — |
| Mort | – | C1 | 992 mb | — |
- Hannah: Hannah formed in the West Pacific in January 1997 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 17 days.
- Isa: Isa formed in the West Pacific in April 1997 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Jimmy: Jimmy formed in the West Pacific in April 1997 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Kelly: Kelly formed in the West Pacific in May 1997 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Levi: Levi formed in the West Pacific in May 1997 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 Itogon, Philippines. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Marie: Marie formed in the West Pacific in May 1997 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 8 days.
- Nestor: Nestor formed in the West Pacific in June 1997 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 16 days.
- Opal: Opal formed in the West Pacific in June 1997 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 Shinshiro, Japan. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Peter: Peter formed in the West Pacific in June 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 968 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Hita, Japan and last near Kariya, Japan. The system was tracked for 19 days.
- Rosie: Rosie formed in the West Pacific in July 1997 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 made 3 landfalls, first near Anan, Japan and last near Echizen, Japan. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Scott: Scott formed in the West Pacific in July 1997 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Tina: Tina formed in the West Pacific in July 1997 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 landfall near Yeosu, South Korea. The system was tracked for 21 days.
- Victor: Victor formed in the West Pacific in July 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Hong Kong, Hong Kong. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Winnie: Winnie formed in the West Pacific in August 1997 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 Taizhou, China and last near Panjin, China. The system was tracked for 20 days.
- Yule: Yule formed in the West Pacific in August 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 20 days.
- Amber: Amber formed in the West Pacific in August 1997 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 Hualien City, Taiwan and last near Dongdai, China. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Zita: Zita formed in the West Pacific in August 1997 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 Zhanjiang, China and last near Thị Trấn Ba Chẽ, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Bing: Bing formed in the West Pacific in August 1997 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 940 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Cass: Cass formed in the West Pacific in August 1997 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 Xindian, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- David: David formed in the West Pacific in September 1997 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Fritz: Fritz formed in the West Pacific in September 1997 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 landfall near Đông Phú, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Ginger: Ginger formed in the West Pacific in September 1997 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Hank: Hank formed in the West Pacific in September 1997 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). It made landfall near Kỳ Anh, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 26W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1997 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.
- Ivan: Ivan formed in the West Pacific in October 1997 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 905 mb. It made landfall near Gonzaga, Philippines. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Joan: Joan formed in the West Pacific in October 1997 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 905 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Linda: Linda formed in the West Pacific in October 1997 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 Tam Giang, Vietnam and last near Tanintharyi, Myanmar. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Keith: Keith formed in the West Pacific in October 1997 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Mort: Mort formed in the West Pacific in November 1997 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 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 1997
Super Typhoon Ivan was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 185 mph (295 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 905 mb, on October 17. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
6 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 4 matched it. It produced 9% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1997
14 of the season’s 29 systems made landfall, 7 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- May 26: Levi near Itogon, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- June 20: Opal near Shinshiro, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- June 28: Peter near Hita, Japan, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- June 28: Peter near Kariya, Japan, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- July 26: Rosie near Anan, Japan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- July 26: Rosie near Bizen, Japan, 75 mph (Category 1)
- July 28: Rosie near Echizen, Japan, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 2: Victor near Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 75 mph (Category 1)
- August 8: Tina near Yeosu, South Korea, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 18: Winnie near Taizhou, China, 80 mph (Category 1)
- August 20: Winnie near Panjin, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- August 22: Zita near Zhanjiang, China, 85 mph (Category 1)
- August 22: Zita near Thị Trấn Ba Chẽ, Vietnam, 85 mph (Category 1)
- August 28: Amber near Hualien City, Taiwan, 105 mph (Category 2)
- August 29: Amber near Dongdai, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- August 30: Cass near Xindian, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- September 25: Fritz near Đông Phú, Vietnam, 75 mph (Category 1)
- October 4: Hank near Kỳ Anh, Vietnam, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- October 19: Ivan near Gonzaga, Philippines, 130 mph (Category 4)
- November 2: Linda near Tam Giang, Vietnam, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- November 3: Linda near Tanintharyi, Myanmar, 55 mph (tropical storm)
How 1997 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 13th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 5 other seasons), 1st for typhoons (tied with 2 other seasons) and 2nd for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1997 storm names
The 1997 season used 28 names: Hannah, Isa, Jimmy, Kelly, Levi, Marie, Nestor, Opal, Peter, Rosie, Scott, Tina, Victor, Winnie, Yule, Amber, Zita, Bing, Cass, David, Fritz, Ginger, Hank, Ivan, Joan, Linda, Keith, Mort.
1 system was tracked without a name and is listed by number.
1997 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1997?
The 1997 West Pacific typhoon season had 28 named storms, 21 typhoons and 10 major typhoons, from 29 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 Hannah and the last was Mort.
What was the strongest storm of 1997?
Super Typhoon Ivan. It peaked at 185 mph (295 km/h, 160 kt) with a lowest pressure of 905 mb on October 17. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 6 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 9% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1997 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1997 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Mort, dissipated on November 16. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.