1999 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 1999 West Pacific typhoon season produced 22 named storms, 10 typhoons and 4 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 104, 36% of the average.
Named storms
22
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
10
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
4
Including 1 Category 5
Accumulated energy
36% of normal
ACE 104 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C3C5
1999 season at a glance
- Named storms: 22 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 10 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 4, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 103.7, 36% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 62.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Tropical Storm 1W, January 6.
- First typhoon: Kate, April 26.
- First major storm: Leo, April 30.
- Last storm to dissipate: Tropical Depression 33W, December 16.
- All systems tracked: 34, including 12 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 1999 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1W | – | TS | — | — |
| Iris | – | TS | — | — |
| TD 3W | – | TS | — | — |
| Kate | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| Leo | – | C3 | 970 mb | Danshui, China |
| Maggie | – | C3 | 955 mb | Shanwei, China |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 7W | – | TD | 996 mb | — |
| TD 8W | – | TD | — | — |
| Neil | – | TS | 980 mb | Mokpo, South Korea |
| TD 10W | – | TD | 985 mb | Jiazi, China |
| Olga | – | C1 | 970 mb | Koksan-ŭp, North Korea |
| Paul | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Rachel | – | TS | 992 mb | Budai, Taiwan |
| TD 14W | – | TD | — | Ōdai, Japan |
| TD 15W | – | TD | — | Ōkawa, Japan |
| Sam | – | C1 | 980 mb | Gonzaga, Philippines |
| TD 18W | – | TD | — | — |
| Virgil | – | C1 | 994 mb | — |
| Wendy | – | TS | 996 mb | Huicheng, China |
| York | – | C1 | 980 mb | Zhuhai, China |
| Zia | – | TS | 985 mb | Kushima, Japan |
| Ann | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Bart | – | C5 | 930 mb | Ōmuta, Japan |
| Cam | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Dan | – | C3 | 955 mb | Gonzaga, Philippines |
| Eve | – | TS | 990 mb | Oras, Philippines |
| TD 28W | – | TD | — | — |
| Frankie | – | TS | — | Can-Avid, Philippines |
| Gloria | – | C1 | 980 mb | — |
| TD 31W | – | TD | — | Lang Suan, Thailand |
| TD 32W | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 33W | – | TD | — | — |
- TD 1W: This system formed in the West Pacific in January 1999 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 5 days.
- Iris: Iris formed in the West Pacific in February 1999 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 5 days.
- TD 3W: This system formed in the West Pacific in April 1999 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.
- Kate: Kate formed in the West Pacific in April 1999 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 9 days.
- Leo: Leo formed in the West Pacific in April 1999 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made landfall near Danshui, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Maggie: Maggie formed in the West Pacific in May 1999 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Shanwei, China and last near Encheng, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 1999. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1999. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 7W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1999 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 8W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1999 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.
- Neil: Neil formed in the West Pacific in July 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Mokpo, South Korea. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 10W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 1999 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made landfall near Jiazi, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Olga: Olga formed in the West Pacific in July 1999 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 landfall near Koksan-ŭp, North Korea. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Paul: Paul formed in the West Pacific in July 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Rachel: Rachel formed in the West Pacific in August 1999 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 Budai, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 14W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1999 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). It made landfall near Ōdai, Japan. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 15W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1999 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). It made landfall near Ōkawa, Japan. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Sam: Sam formed in the West Pacific in August 1999 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 Gonzaga, Philippines and last near Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 18W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 1999 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.
- Virgil: Virgil formed in the West Pacific in August 1999 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Wendy: Wendy formed in the West Pacific in August 1999 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 Huicheng, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- York: York formed in the West Pacific in September 1999 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 landfall near Zhuhai, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Zia: Zia formed in the West Pacific in September 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Kushima, Japan and last near Higashinozoe, Japan. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Ann: Ann formed in the West Pacific in September 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Bart: Bart formed in the West Pacific in September 1999 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Ōmuta, Japan and last near Hagi, Japan. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Cam: Cam formed in the West Pacific in September 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Dan: Dan formed in the West Pacific in October 1999 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Gonzaga, Philippines and last near Xiamen, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Eve: Eve formed in the West Pacific in October 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made 5 landfalls, first near Oras, Philippines and last near Quán Hàu, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 28W: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 1999 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.
- Frankie: Frankie formed in the West Pacific in November 1999 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). It made 3 landfalls, first near Can-Avid, Philippines and last near Casiguran, Philippines. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Gloria: Gloria formed in the West Pacific in November 1999 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 6 days.
- TD 31W: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 1999 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It made landfall near Lang Suan, Thailand. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 32W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 1999 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 33W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 1999 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.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 1999
Super Typhoon Bart was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 930 mb, on September 22. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 61 matched it. It produced 22% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 1999
17 of the season’s 34 systems made landfall, 4 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- May 2: Leo near Danshui, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- June 6: Maggie near Shanwei, China, 85 mph (Category 1)
- June 7: Maggie near Encheng, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 27: TD 10W near Jiazi, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- July 27: Neil near Mokpo, South Korea, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 3: Olga near Koksan-ŭp, North Korea, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 7: Rachel near Budai, Taiwan, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- August 10: TD 14W near Ōdai, Japan, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 17: TD 15W near Ōkawa, Japan, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 20: Sam near Gonzaga, Philippines, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- August 22: Sam near Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, 80 mph (Category 1)
- September 3: Wendy near Huicheng, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- September 14: Zia near Kushima, Japan, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- September 14: Zia near Ōzu, Japan, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- September 15: Zia near Higashinozoe, Japan, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- September 16: York near Zhuhai, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- September 23: Bart near Ōmuta, Japan, 110 mph (Category 2)
- September 24: Bart near Hagi, Japan, 105 mph (Category 2)
- October 5: Dan near Gonzaga, Philippines, 120 mph (Category 3)
- October 9: Dan near Xiamen, China, 95 mph (Category 2)
- October 15: Eve near Oras, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- October 16: Eve near Malilipot, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- October 16: Eve near Pangil, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- October 16: Eve near Orani, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- October 20: Eve near Quán Hàu, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- November 8: Frankie near Can-Avid, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- November 8: Frankie near Milagros, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- November 9: Frankie near Casiguran, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 4: TD 31W near Lang Suan, Thailand, 30 mph (tropical depression)
How 1999 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 38th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 3 other seasons), 42nd for typhoons (tied with 2 other seasons) and 47th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
1999 storm names
The 1999 season used 20 names: Iris, Kate, Leo, Maggie, Neil, Olga, Paul, Rachel, Sam, Virgil, Wendy, York, Zia, Ann, Bart, Cam, Dan, Eve, Frankie, Gloria.
14 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
1999 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 1999?
The 1999 West Pacific typhoon season had 22 named storms, 10 typhoons and 4 major typhoons, from 34 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 Tropical Storm 1W and the last was Gloria.
What was the strongest storm of 1999?
Super Typhoon Bart. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 930 mb on September 22. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 22% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 1999 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 1999 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Tropical Depression 33W, dissipated on December 16. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.