1998 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1998 West Pacific typhoon season produced 19 named storms, 10 typhoons and 5 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 157, 55% of the average.
Named storms
19
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
10
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
5
Including 1 Category 5
Accumulated energy
55% of normal
ACE 157 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
1998 season at a glance
- Named storms: 19 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 10 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 5, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 157.4, 55% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 78.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Nichole, July 8.
- First typhoon: Otto, August 3.
- First major storm: Otto, August 4.
- Last storm to dissipate: Tropical Depression 27W, December 22.
- All systems tracked: 29, 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 1998 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1W | – | TD | — | Xizhi, Taiwan |
| Nichole | – | TS | 998 mb | Tainan, Taiwan |
| TD 3W | – | TS | — | — |
| Otto | – | C3 | 970 mb | Chishang, Taiwan |
| Penny | – | TS | 985 mb | San Mariano, Philippines |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Rex | – | C4 | 955 mb | — |
| TD 7W | – | TD | — | — |
| Stella | – | C1 | 965 mb | Koga, Japan |
| TD 9W | – | TD | — | Haikou, China |
| Todd | – | C4 | 955 mb | Ningbo, China |
| Vicki | – | C2 | 960 mb | Santa Cruz, Philippines |
| TD 12W | – | TD | — | Vinh, Vietnam |
| Waldo | – | TS | 994 mb | Owase, Japan |
| Yanni | – | C1 | 965 mb | Jangheung, South Korea |
| TD 15W | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 16W | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 17W | – | TD | — | — |
| Zeb | – | C5 | 900 mb | Ilagan, Philippines |
| TD 19W | – | TS | — | — |
| Babs | – | C4 | 940 mb | Virac, Philippines |
| Chip | – | TS | 994 mb | — |
| TD 7B | – | C1 | 984 mb | Chumphon, Thailand |
| Dawn | – | TS | 998 mb | Ninh Hòa, Vietnam |
| Elvis | – | TS | 992 mb | An Nhơn, Vietnam |
| Faith | – | C2 | 970 mb | Borongan, Philippines |
| Gil | – | TS | 992 mb | Ranot, Thailand |
| TD 26W | – | TD | — | Santa Maria, Philippines |
| TD 27W | – | TD | — | — |
- TD 1W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1998 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It made landfall near Xizhi, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Nichole: Nichole formed in the West Pacific in July 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It made landfall near Tainan, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 3W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1998 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 4 days.
- Otto: Otto formed in the West Pacific in August 1998 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Chishang, Taiwan and last near Jiangkou, China. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Penny: Penny formed in the West Pacific in August 1998 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 San Mariano, Philippines and last near Maoming, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1998. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Rex: Rex formed in the West Pacific in August 1998 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 18 days.
- TD 7W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1998 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 6 days.
- Stella: Stella formed in the West Pacific in September 1998 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 Koga, Japan. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 9W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1998 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). It made landfall near Haikou, China. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Todd: Todd formed in the West Pacific in September 1998 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made landfall near Ningbo, China. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Vicki: Vicki formed in the West Pacific in September 1998 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 4 landfalls, first near Santa Cruz, Philippines and last near Kuzumaki, Japan. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 12W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 1998 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It made landfall near Vinh, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Waldo: Waldo formed in the West Pacific in September 1998 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 landfall near Owase, Japan. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Yanni: Yanni formed in the West Pacific in September 1998 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made landfall near Jangheung, South Korea. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 15W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1998 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.
- TD 16W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1998 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.
- TD 17W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1998 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 2 days.
- Zeb: Zeb formed in the West Pacific in October 1998 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 900 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Ilagan, Philippines and last near Kushima, Japan. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- TD 19W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 1998 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 3 days.
- Babs: Babs formed in the West Pacific in October 1998 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 made 3 landfalls, first near Virac, Philippines and last near Ligaya, Philippines. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Chip: Chip formed in the West Pacific in November 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 7B: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 1998 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Chumphon, Thailand and last near Taluker Char Doani, Bangladesh. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Dawn: Dawn formed in the West Pacific in November 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It made landfall near Ninh Hòa, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Elvis: Elvis formed in the West Pacific in November 1998 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 An Nhơn, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Faith: Faith formed in the West Pacific in December 1998 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 Borongan, Philippines and last near Tu Bông, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Gil: Gil formed in the West Pacific in December 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It made landfall near Ranot, Thailand. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 26W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 1998 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). It made landfall near Santa Maria, Philippines. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- TD 27W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 1998 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.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1998
Super Typhoon Zeb was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 180 mph (285 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 900 mb, on October 13. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 18 matched it. It produced 18% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1998
19 of the season’s 29 systems made landfall, 6 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- July 9: Nichole near Tainan, Taiwan, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- July 11: TD 1W near Xizhi, Taiwan, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 4: Otto near Chishang, Taiwan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- August 4: Otto near Jiangkou, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- August 8: Penny near San Mariano, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- August 11: Penny near Maoming, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- September 13: TD 9W near Haikou, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- September 16: Stella near Koga, Japan, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 18: Vicki near Santa Cruz, Philippines, 90 mph (Category 1)
- September 19: Vicki near Sison, Philippines, 90 mph (Category 1)
- September 19: Todd near Ningbo, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 19: TD 12W near Vinh, Vietnam, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- September 21: Waldo near Owase, Japan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 22: Vicki near Wasa, Japan, 105 mph (Category 2)
- September 22: Vicki near Kuzumaki, Japan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- September 30: Yanni near Jangheung, South Korea, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- October 14: Zeb near Ilagan, Philippines, 160 mph (Category 5)
- October 17: Zeb near Kushima, Japan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- October 21: Babs near Virac, Philippines, 150 mph (Category 4)
- October 21: Babs near Lagonoy, Philippines, 140 mph (Category 4)
- October 22: Babs near Ligaya, Philippines, 110 mph (Category 2)
- November 17: TD 7B near Chumphon, Thailand, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- November 19: Dawn near Ninh Hòa, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- November 22: TD 7B near Taluker Char Doani, Bangladesh, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- November 26: Elvis near An Nhơn, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- December 10: Faith near Borongan, Philippines, 75 mph (Category 1)
- December 12: Gil near Ranot, Thailand, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- December 14: Faith near Tu Bông, Vietnam, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- December 18: TD 26W near Santa Maria, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
How 1998 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 44th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms, 42nd for typhoons (tied with 2 other seasons) and 44th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1998 storm names
The 1998 season used 16 names: Nichole, Otto, Penny, Rex, Stella, Todd, Vicki, Waldo, Yanni, Zeb, Babs, Chip, Dawn, Elvis, Faith, Gil.
13 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1998 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1998?
The 1998 West Pacific typhoon season had 19 named storms, 10 typhoons and 5 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 Nichole and the last was Gil.
What was the strongest storm of 1998?
Super Typhoon Zeb. It peaked at 180 mph (285 km/h, 155 kt) with a lowest pressure of 900 mb on October 13. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 18% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1998 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1998 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Tropical Depression 27W, dissipated on December 22. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.