2006 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 2006 West Pacific typhoon season produced 21 named storms, 13 typhoons and 10 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 271, 95% of the average.
Named storms
21
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
13
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
10
Including 3 Category 5
Accumulated energy
95% of normal
ACE 271 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
2006 season at a glance
- Named storms: 21 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 13 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 10, including 3 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 271.2, 95% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 119.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Tropical Storm 1W, March 4.
- First typhoon: Chanchu, May 10.
- First major storm: Chanchu, May 14.
- Last storm to dissipate: Trami, December 20.
- All systems tracked: 27, 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 2006 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1W | – | TS | 997 mb | — |
| Chanchu | – | C4 | 916 mb | Gamay, Philippines |
| Jelawat | – | TS | 991 mb | Zhanjiang, China |
| Ewiniar | – | C4 | 910 mb | Haenam, South Korea |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Bilis | – | TS | 985 mb | Dongdai, China |
| Kaemi | – | C1 | 967 mb | Yujing, Taiwan |
| Prapiroon | – | C1 | 972 mb | Masaya Sur, Philippines |
| Maria | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Saomai | – | C5 | 898 mb | Fuding, China |
| Bopha | – | TS | 984 mb | Taitung, Taiwan |
| Wukong | – | TS | 984 mb | Miyazaki, Japan |
| Sonamu | – | TS | 991 mb | — |
| TD 13W | – | TD | 1002 mb | Yangjiang, China |
| Shanshan | – | C4 | 922 mb | Saikai, Japan |
| TD 15W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Yagi | – | C5 | 898 mb | — |
| TD 17W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Xangsane | – | C4 | 916 mb | Gubat, Philippines |
| Bebinca | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Rumbia | – | TD | 996 mb | — |
| Soulik | – | C2 | 954 mb | — |
| Cimaron | – | C5 | 898 mb | Masaya Sur, Philippines |
| Chebi | – | C4 | 916 mb | Carranglan, Philippines |
| Durian | – | C4 | 904 mb | San Jose, Philippines |
| Utor | – | C3 | 944 mb | Llorente, Philippines |
| Trami | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
- TD 1W: This system formed in the West Pacific in March 2006 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 6 days.
- Chanchu: Chanchu formed in the West Pacific in May 2006 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 3 landfalls, first near Gamay, Philippines and last near Huanggang, China. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Jelawat: Jelawat formed in the West Pacific in June 2006 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 Zhanjiang, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Ewiniar: Ewiniar formed in the West Pacific in June 2006 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 landfall near Haenam, South Korea. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 2006. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Bilis: Bilis formed in the West Pacific in July 2006 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made landfall near Dongdai, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Kaemi: Kaemi formed in the West Pacific in July 2006 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 2 landfalls, first near Yujing, Taiwan and last near Zhangzhou, China. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Prapiroon: Prapiroon formed in the West Pacific in July 2006 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 972 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Masaya Sur, Philippines and last near Yangjiang, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Maria: Maria formed in the West Pacific in August 2006 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Saomai: Saomai formed in the West Pacific in August 2006 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 made landfall near Fuding, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Bopha: Bopha formed in the West Pacific in August 2006 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 Taitung, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Wukong: Wukong formed in the West Pacific in August 2006 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 Miyazaki, Japan and last near Ōmuta, Japan. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Sonamu: Sonamu formed in the West Pacific in August 2006 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 4 days.
- TD 13W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2006 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It made landfall near Yangjiang, China. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Shanshan: Shanshan formed in the West Pacific in September 2006 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 922 mb. It made landfall near Saikai, Japan. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- TD 15W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 2006 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 4 days.
- Yagi: Yagi formed in the West Pacific in September 2006 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 17W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 2006 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 4 days.
- Xangsane: Xangsane formed in the West Pacific in September 2006 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 3 landfalls, first near Gubat, Philippines and last near Đại Đồng, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Bebinca: Bebinca formed in the West Pacific in September 2006 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 8 days.
- Rumbia: Rumbia formed in the West Pacific in October 2006 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 4 days.
- Soulik: Soulik formed in the West Pacific in October 2006 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 9 days.
- Cimaron: Cimaron formed in the West Pacific in October 2006 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 made landfall near Masaya Sur, Philippines. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Chebi: Chebi formed in the West Pacific in November 2006 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 landfall near Carranglan, Philippines. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Durian: Durian formed in the West Pacific in November 2006 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 3 landfalls, first near San Jose, Philippines and last near Duyên Hải, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Utor: Utor formed in the West Pacific in December 2006 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Llorente, Philippines and last near San Jose, Philippines. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Trami: Trami formed in the West Pacific in December 2006 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.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2006
Super Typhoon Saomai was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 898 mb, on August 9. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 61 matched it. It produced 7% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2006
16 of the season’s 27 systems made landfall, 9 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- May 11: Chanchu near Gamay, Philippines, 80 mph (Category 1)
- May 12: Chanchu near Bansud, Philippines, 100 mph (Category 2)
- May 17: Chanchu near Huanggang, China, 85 mph (Category 1)
- June 29: Jelawat near Zhanjiang, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 10: Ewiniar near Haenam, South Korea, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- July 14: Bilis near Dongdai, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- July 24: Kaemi near Yujing, Taiwan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- July 25: Kaemi near Zhangzhou, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 31: Prapiroon near Masaya Sur, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- August 3: Prapiroon near Yangjiang, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- August 8: Bopha near Taitung, Taiwan, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- August 10: Saomai near Fuding, China, 130 mph (Category 4)
- August 17: Wukong near Miyazaki, Japan, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- August 18: Wukong near Ōmuta, Japan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 24: TD 13W near Yangjiang, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- September 17: Shanshan near Saikai, Japan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- September 27: Xangsane near Gubat, Philippines, 140 mph (Category 4)
- September 27: Xangsane near Lopez, Philippines, 130 mph (Category 4)
- October 1: Xangsane near Đại Đồng, Vietnam, 90 mph (Category 1)
- October 29: Cimaron near Masaya Sur, Philippines, 145 mph (Category 4)
- November 11: Chebi near Carranglan, Philippines, 105 mph (Category 2)
- November 30: Durian near San Jose, Philippines, 145 mph (Category 4)
- November 30: Durian near Mulanay, Philippines, 130 mph (Category 4)
- December 5: Durian near Duyên Hải, Vietnam, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- December 9: Utor near Llorente, Philippines, 75 mph (Category 1)
- December 10: Utor near San Jose, Philippines, 110 mph (Category 2)
How 2006 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 42nd of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 1 other season), 33rd for typhoons (tied with 1 other season) and 22nd for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
2006 storm names
The 2006 season used 22 names: Chanchu, Jelawat, Ewiniar, Bilis, Kaemi, Prapiroon, Maria, Saomai, Bopha, Wukong, Sonamu, Shanshan, Yagi, Xangsane, Bebinca, Rumbia, Soulik, Cimaron, Chebi, Durian, Utor, Trami.
5 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2006 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2006?
The 2006 West Pacific typhoon season had 21 named storms, 13 typhoons and 10 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 Tropical Storm 1W and the last was Utor.
What was the strongest storm of 2006?
Super Typhoon Saomai. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 898 mb on August 9. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 7% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2006 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2006 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Trami, dissipated on December 20. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.