2002 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 2002 West Pacific typhoon season produced 25 named storms, 16 typhoons and 11 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 356, 125% of the average.
Named storms
25
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
16
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
11
Including 3 Category 5
Accumulated energy
125% of normal
ACE 356 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
2002 season at a glance
- Named storms: 25 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 16 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 11, including 3 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 356.3, 125% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 133.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Tapah, January 11.
- First typhoon: Mitag, March 1.
- First major storm: Mitag, March 2.
- Last storm to dissipate: Pongsona, December 11.
- All systems tracked: 31, including 6 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 2002 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapah | – | TS | 987 mb | San Mariano, Philippines |
| Mitag | – | C5 | 898 mb | — |
| TD 3W | – | TD | 1000 mb | Trento, Philippines |
| TD 4W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Hagibis | – | C5 | 898 mb | — |
| TD 6W | – | TD | 1002 mb | Tainan, Taiwan |
| Noguri | – | C2 | 958 mb | — |
| Rammasun | – | C3 | 933 mb | Yesan, South Korea |
| Chataan | – | C4 | 910 mb | Tateyama, Japan |
| Halong | – | C4 | 904 mb | Narutō, Japan |
| Nakri | – | TS | 990 mb | Miaoli, Taiwan |
| Fengshen | – | C5 | 892 mb | — |
| TD 13W | – | TS | 997 mb | Borongan, Philippines |
| Fung-Wong | – | C1 | 976 mb | — |
| Kammuri | – | TS | 987 mb | Donghai, China |
| TD 17W | – | TD | 999 mb | — |
| Phanfone | – | C4 | 904 mb | — |
| TD 18W | – | TS | 997 mb | — |
| Vongfong | – | TS | 984 mb | Zhanjiang, China |
| Rusa | – | C4 | 927 mb | Beolgyo, South Korea |
| Sinlaku | – | C3 | 933 mb | Fuding, China |
| Hagupit | – | TS | 991 mb | Yangjiang, China |
| Changmi | – | TS | 968 mb | — |
| Mekkhala | – | TS | 984 mb | Sanya, China |
| Higos | – | C4 | 904 mb | Miura, Japan |
| Bavi | – | C1 | 970 mb | — |
| TD 27W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| TD 28W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Maysak | – | C1 | 967 mb | — |
| Haishen | – | C2 | 949 mb | — |
| Pongsona | – | C4 | 910 mb | — |
- Tapah: Tapah formed in the West Pacific in January 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near San Mariano, Philippines and last near Gonzaga, Philippines. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Mitag: Mitag formed in the West Pacific in February 2002 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 898 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- TD 3W: This system formed in the West Pacific in March 2002 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Trento, Philippines and last near Sibalom, Philippines. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- TD 4W: This system formed in the West Pacific in April 2002 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Hagibis: Hagibis formed in the West Pacific in May 2002 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 898 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 6W: This system formed in the West Pacific in May 2002 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It made landfall near Tainan, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Noguri: Noguri formed in the West Pacific in June 2002 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 958 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Rammasun: Rammasun formed in the West Pacific in June 2002 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 933 mb. It made landfall near Yesan, South Korea. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Chataan: Chataan formed in the West Pacific in June 2002 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Tateyama, Japan and last near Kushiro, Japan. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- Halong: Halong formed in the West Pacific in July 2002 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 904 mb. It made landfall near Narutō, Japan. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Nakri: Nakri formed in the West Pacific in July 2002 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 landfall near Miaoli, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Fengshen: Fengshen formed in the West Pacific in July 2002 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 892 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- TD 13W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Borongan, Philippines and last near Malicboy, Philippines. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Fung-Wong: Fung-Wong formed in the West Pacific in July 2002 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Kammuri: Kammuri formed in the West Pacific in August 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It made landfall near Donghai, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 17W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2002 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Phanfone: Phanfone formed in the West Pacific in August 2002 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 904 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- TD 18W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Vongfong: Vongfong formed in the West Pacific in August 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It made landfall near Zhanjiang, China. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Rusa: Rusa formed in the West Pacific in August 2002 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 927 mb. It made landfall near Beolgyo, South Korea. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Sinlaku: Sinlaku formed in the West Pacific in August 2002 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 933 mb. It made landfall near Fuding, China. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Hagupit: Hagupit formed in the West Pacific in September 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It made landfall near Yangjiang, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Changmi: Changmi formed in the West Pacific in September 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 968 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Mekkhala: Mekkhala formed in the West Pacific in September 2002 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 984 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Sanya, China and last near Beihai, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Higos: Higos formed in the West Pacific in September 2002 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 904 mb. It made landfall near Miura, Japan. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Bavi: Bavi formed in the West Pacific in October 2002 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 8 days.
- TD 27W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2002 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 28W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2002 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Maysak: Maysak formed in the West Pacific in October 2002 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 967 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Haishen: Haishen formed in the West Pacific in November 2002 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 949 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Pongsona: Pongsona formed in the West Pacific in December 2002 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2002
Super Typhoon Fengshen was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 165 mph (270 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 892 mb, on July 21. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
47 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 13 matched it. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2002
15 of the season’s 31 systems made landfall, 2 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- January 13: Tapah near San Mariano, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 13: Tapah near Gonzaga, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- March 21: TD 3W near Trento, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- March 22: TD 3W near Tibigan, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- March 22: TD 3W near Sibalom, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- May 30: TD 6W near Tainan, Taiwan, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- July 6: Rammasun near Yesan, South Korea, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 9: Nakri near Miaoli, Taiwan, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 10: Chataan near Tateyama, Japan, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- July 11: Chataan near Kushiro, Japan, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- July 16: Halong near Narutō, Japan, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 19: TD 13W near Borongan, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 20: TD 13W near Malicboy, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- August 5: Kammuri near Donghai, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- August 19: Vongfong near Zhanjiang, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 31: Rusa near Beolgyo, South Korea, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- September 7: Sinlaku near Fuding, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 11: Hagupit near Yangjiang, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- September 25: Mekkhala near Sanya, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- September 27: Mekkhala near Beihai, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- October 1: Higos near Miura, Japan, 95 mph (Category 1)
How 2002 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 24th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 5 other seasons), 20th for typhoons (tied with 6 other seasons) and 9th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
2002 storm names
The 2002 season used 23 names: Tapah, Mitag, Hagibis, Noguri, Rammasun, Chataan, Halong, Nakri, Fengshen, Fung-Wong, Kammuri, Phanfone, Vongfong, Rusa, Sinlaku, Hagupit, Changmi, Mekkhala, Higos, Bavi, Maysak, Haishen, Pongsona.
8 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2002 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2002?
The 2002 West Pacific typhoon season had 25 named storms, 16 typhoons and 11 major typhoons, from 31 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 Tapah and the last was Pongsona.
What was the strongest storm of 2002?
Super Typhoon Fengshen. It peaked at 165 mph (270 km/h, 145 kt) with a lowest pressure of 892 mb on July 21. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 47 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2002 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2002 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Pongsona, dissipated on December 11. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.