2003 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 2003 West Pacific typhoon season produced 22 named storms, 17 typhoons and 11 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 336, 117% of the average.
Named storms
22
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
17
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
11
Including 2 Category 5
Accumulated energy
117% of normal
ACE 336 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
2003 season at a glance
- Named storms: 22 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 17 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 11, including 2 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 336.0, 117% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 135.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Kujira, April 9.
- First typhoon: Kujira, April 12.
- First major storm: Kujira, April 14.
- Last storm to dissipate: Tropical Storm 27W, December 27.
- All systems tracked: 27, including 5 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 2003 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kujira | – | C4 | 904 mb | Usuki, Japan |
| TD 3W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Chan-Hom | – | C4 | 927 mb | — |
| Linfa | – | TS | 982 mb | Alaminos, Philippines |
| Nangka | – | TS | 991 mb | — |
| Soudelor | – | C4 | 927 mb | — |
| Koni | – | C1 | 976 mb | Kananya, Philippines |
| Imbudo | – | C4 | 910 mb | San Mariano, Philippines |
| Morakot | – | C1 | 976 mb | Chaozhou, Taiwan |
| Etau | – | C3 | 933 mb | Tomoura, Japan |
| Krovanh | – | C2 | 954 mb | Tabuk, Philippines |
| Vamco | – | TS | 997 mb | Wenzhou, China |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Dujuan | – | C4 | 916 mb | Danshui, China |
| Maemi | – | C5 | 885 mb | Goseong, South Korea |
| Choi-Wan | – | C3 | 944 mb | — |
| Koppu | – | C2 | 954 mb | — |
| TD 18W | – | TD | 1002 mb | — |
| TD 19W | – | TD | 1000 mb | Takanabe, Japan |
| Ketsana | – | C4 | 916 mb | — |
| Parma | – | C4 | 910 mb | — |
| TD 22W | – | TD | 1002 mb | — |
| TD 23W | – | TS | 997 mb | Pran Buri, Thailand |
| Melor | – | C1 | 967 mb | San Mariano, Philippines |
| Nepartak | – | C1 | 967 mb | Calbayog City, Philippines |
| Lupit | – | C5 | 892 mb | — |
| TD 27W | – | TS | 997 mb | — |
- Kujira: Kujira formed in the West Pacific in April 2003 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 Usuki, Japan. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- TD 3W: This system formed in the West Pacific in May 2003 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.
- Chan-Hom: Chan-Hom formed in the West Pacific in May 2003 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Linfa: Linfa formed in the West Pacific in May 2003 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Alaminos, Philippines and last near Uwajima, Japan. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Nangka: Nangka formed in the West Pacific in May 2003 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Soudelor: Soudelor formed in the West Pacific in June 2003 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Koni: Koni formed in the West Pacific in July 2003 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 made 3 landfalls, first near Kananya, Philippines and last near Thị Trấn Vân Du, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Imbudo: Imbudo formed in the West Pacific in July 2003 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 San Mariano, Philippines and last near Maoming, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Morakot: Morakot formed in the West Pacific in July 2003 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Chaozhou, Taiwan and last near Longmen, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Etau: Etau formed in the West Pacific in July 2003 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 3 landfalls, first near Tomoura, Japan and last near Nakashibetsu, Japan. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Krovanh: Krovanh formed in the West Pacific in August 2003 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Tabuk, Philippines and last near Thị Trấn Tiên Yên, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Vamco: Vamco formed in the West Pacific in August 2003 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 landfall near Wenzhou, China. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2003. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Dujuan: Dujuan formed in the West Pacific in August 2003 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 916 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Danshui, China and last near Changsha, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Maemi: Maemi formed in the West Pacific in September 2003 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 885 mb. It made landfall near Goseong, South Korea. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Choi-Wan: Choi-Wan formed in the West Pacific in September 2003 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 944 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Koppu: Koppu formed in the West Pacific in September 2003 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 18W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2003 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 19W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2003 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 2 landfalls, first near Takanabe, Japan and last near Shimo-ichigi, Japan. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Ketsana: Ketsana formed in the West Pacific in October 2003 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 916 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Parma: Parma formed in the West Pacific in October 2003 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 15 days.
- TD 22W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2003 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- TD 23W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2003 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 Pran Buri, Thailand and last near Rāzām, India. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Melor: Melor formed in the West Pacific in October 2003 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 made landfall near San Mariano, Philippines. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Nepartak: Nepartak formed in the West Pacific in November 2003 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 made landfall near Calbayog City, Philippines. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Lupit: Lupit formed in the West Pacific in November 2003 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 19 days.
- TD 27W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 2003 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.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2003
Super Typhoon Maemi was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 175 mph (280 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 885 mb, on September 10. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 14 matched it. It produced 9% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2003
14 of the season’s 27 systems made landfall, 6 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- April 25: Kujira near Usuki, Japan, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- May 27: Linfa near Alaminos, Philippines, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- May 30: Linfa near Uwajima, Japan, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- July 17: Koni near Kananya, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- July 21: Koni near Wanning, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- July 22: Imbudo near San Mariano, Philippines, 120 mph (Category 3)
- July 22: Koni near Thị Trấn Vân Du, Vietnam, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- July 24: Imbudo near Maoming, China, 90 mph (Category 1)
- August 3: Morakot near Chaozhou, Taiwan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 4: Morakot near Longmen, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 8: Etau near Tomoura, Japan, 100 mph (Category 2)
- August 8: Etau near Itami, Japan, 85 mph (Category 1)
- August 9: Etau near Nakashibetsu, Japan, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 20: Vamco near Wenzhou, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- August 22: Krovanh near Tabuk, Philippines, 85 mph (Category 1)
- August 25: Krovanh near Xucheng, China, 90 mph (Category 1)
- August 25: Krovanh near Thị Trấn Tiên Yên, Vietnam, 90 mph (Category 1)
- September 2: Dujuan near Danshui, China, 100 mph (Category 2)
- September 2: Dujuan near Changsha, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 12: Maemi near Goseong, South Korea, 110 mph (Category 2)
- October 12: TD 19W near Takanabe, Japan, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- October 13: TD 19W near Shimo-ichigi, Japan, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- October 24: TD 23W near Pran Buri, Thailand, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- October 28: TD 23W near Rāzām, India, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- November 1: Melor near San Mariano, Philippines, 85 mph (Category 1)
- November 13: Nepartak near Calbayog City, Philippines, 60 mph (tropical storm)
How 2003 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 38th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 3 other seasons), 17th for typhoons (tied with 2 other seasons) and 11th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
2003 storm names
The 2003 season used 20 names: Kujira, Chan-Hom, Linfa, Nangka, Soudelor, Koni, Imbudo, Morakot, Etau, Krovanh, Vamco, Dujuan, Maemi, Choi-Wan, Koppu, Ketsana, Parma, Melor, Nepartak, Lupit.
7 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2003 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2003?
The 2003 West Pacific typhoon season had 22 named storms, 17 typhoons and 11 major typhoons, from 27 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 Kujira and the last was Tropical Storm 27W.
What was the strongest storm of 2003?
Super Typhoon Maemi. It peaked at 175 mph (280 km/h, 150 kt) with a lowest pressure of 885 mb on September 10. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 32 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 9% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2003 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2003 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Tropical Storm 27W, dissipated on December 27. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.