2008 West Pacific typhoon season

All year · Season ended

The 2008 West Pacific typhoon season produced 28 named storms, 12 typhoons and 8 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 180, 63% of the average.

2007 season 2009 season All West Pacific seasons

Named storms

Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)

Typhoons

64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8

Major (Cat 3+)

Including 1 Category 5

Accumulated energy

63% of normal

ACE 180 vs 1991–2020 avg 286

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Tracks colored by peak strengthTSC1C2C3C4C5

2008 season at a glance

Named storms: 28 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
Typhoons (64 kt+): 12 (average 15.8).
Major, 96 kt+: 8, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
Accumulated cyclone energy: 179.7, 63% of the 286 average.
Named-storm days: 95.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
First named storm: Tropical Storm 1W, January 14.
First typhoon: Neoguri, April 16.
First major storm: Neoguri, April 17.
Last storm to dissipate: Dolphin, December 18.
All systems tracked: 28, every one of which reached 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 2008 season

Storm	Dates	Peak	Min pressure	Landfall
TD 1W	Jan 12 – Jan 17	TS	993 mb	—
Neoguri	Apr 13 – Apr 19	C3	948 mb	Magsaysay, Philippines
Rammasun	May 6 – May 14	C4	922 mb	—
Matmo	May 13 – May 17	TS	993 mb	—
Halong	May 14 – May 24	C1	967 mb	Loacan, Philippines
Nakri	May 26 – Jun 6	C4	929 mb	—
Fengshen	Jun 17 – Jun 27	C3	941 mb	Borongan, Philippines
Kalmaegi	Jul 11 – Jul 24	C2	956 mb	Xiulin, Taiwan
Fung-Wong	Jul 23 – Jul 31	C2	952 mb	Chishang, Taiwan
Kammuri	Aug 3 – Aug 8	TS	985 mb	Yangjiang, China
Phanfone	Aug 9 – Aug 11	TS	996 mb	—
TD 11W	Aug 11 – Aug 15	TS	996 mb	—
Vongfong	Aug 12 – Aug 18	TS	982 mb	—
Nuri	Aug 16 – Aug 23	C3	948 mb	Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong
TD 14W	Aug 25 – Aug 29	TS	1000 mb	—
Sinlaku	Sep 7 – Sep 23	C4	929 mb	Yilan, Taiwan
TD 16W	Sep 9 – Sep 12	TS	996 mb	—
TD 17W	Sep 12 – Sep 15	TS	996 mb	—
Hagupit	Sep 17 – Sep 25	C4	929 mb	Wuchuan, China
Jangmi	Sep 23 – Oct 5	C5	918 mb	Xiulin, Taiwan
Higos	Sep 27 – Oct 6	TS	993 mb	Palapag, Philippines
Mekkhala	Sep 27 – Sep 30	TS	982 mb	Xuân Sơn, Vietnam
TD 22W	Oct 12 – Oct 15	TS	996 mb	—
Bavi	Oct 17 – Oct 22	TS	948 mb	—
Maysak	Nov 5 – Nov 13	TS	982 mb	—
Noul	Nov 14 – Nov 17	TS	993 mb	Ðà Lạt, Vietnam
Haishen	Nov 14 – Nov 19	TS	993 mb	—
Dolphin	Dec 8 – Dec 18	C2	959 mb	—

TD 1W: This system formed in the West Pacific in January 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Neoguri: Neoguri formed in the West Pacific in April 2008 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 948 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Magsaysay, Philippines and last near Yangjiang, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Rammasun: Rammasun formed in the West Pacific in May 2008 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 922 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Matmo: Matmo formed in the West Pacific in May 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
Halong: Halong formed in the West Pacific in May 2008 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 Loacan, Philippines. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Nakri: Nakri formed in the West Pacific in May 2008 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 929 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Fengshen: Fengshen formed in the West Pacific in June 2008 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Borongan, Philippines and last near Tai Mong Tsai, Hong Kong. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Kalmaegi: Kalmaegi formed in the West Pacific in July 2008 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 956 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Xiulin, Taiwan and last near Shajiang, China. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Fung-Wong: Fung-Wong formed in the West Pacific in July 2008 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 952 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Chishang, Taiwan and last near Fuqing, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Kammuri: Kammuri formed in the West Pacific in August 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Yangjiang, China and last near Jiangping, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Phanfone: Phanfone formed in the West Pacific in August 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
TD 11W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Vongfong: Vongfong formed in the West Pacific in August 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Nuri: Nuri formed in the West Pacific in August 2008 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 948 mb. It made landfall near Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong. The system was tracked for 7 days.
TD 14W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
Sinlaku: Sinlaku formed in the West Pacific in September 2008 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 929 mb. It made landfall near Yilan, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 16 days.
TD 16W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
TD 17W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
Hagupit: Hagupit formed in the West Pacific in September 2008 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 929 mb. It made landfall near Wuchuan, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Jangmi: Jangmi formed in the West Pacific in September 2008 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 918 mb. It made landfall near Xiulin, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 12 days.
Higos: Higos formed in the West Pacific in September 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It made 5 landfalls, first near Palapag, Philippines and last near Wuchuan, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Mekkhala: Mekkhala formed in the West Pacific in September 2008 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 landfall near Xuân Sơn, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 3 days.
TD 22W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
Bavi: Bavi formed in the West Pacific in October 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 948 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Maysak: Maysak formed in the West Pacific in November 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Noul: Noul formed in the West Pacific in November 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It made landfall near Ðà Lạt, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 3 days.
Haishen: Haishen formed in the West Pacific in November 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
Dolphin: Dolphin formed in the West Pacific in December 2008 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 959 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 2008

Super Typhoon Jangmi was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 918 mb, on September 27. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 61 matched it. It produced 11% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

Landfalls in 2008

13 of the season’s 28 systems made landfall, 7 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.

April 14: Neoguri near Magsaysay, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
April 19: Neoguri near Yangjiang, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
May 17: Halong near Loacan, Philippines, 75 mph (Category 1)
June 20: Fengshen near Borongan, Philippines, 85 mph (Category 1)
June 21: Fengshen near Lucena, Philippines, 90 mph (Category 1)
June 24: Fengshen near Tai Mong Tsai, Hong Kong, 60 mph (tropical storm)
July 17: Kalmaegi near Xiulin, Taiwan, 105 mph (Category 2)
July 18: Kalmaegi near Shajiang, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
July 28: Fung-Wong near Chishang, Taiwan, 100 mph (Category 2)
July 28: Fung-Wong near Fuqing, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
August 6: Kammuri near Yangjiang, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
August 7: Kammuri near Jiangping, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
August 22: Nuri near Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, 50 mph (tropical storm)
September 13: Sinlaku near Yilan, Taiwan, 105 mph (Category 2)
September 24: Hagupit near Wuchuan, China, 120 mph (Category 3)
September 28: Jangmi near Xiulin, Taiwan, 100 mph (Category 2)
September 30: Mekkhala near Xuân Sơn, Vietnam, 55 mph (tropical storm)
September 30: Higos near Palapag, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
September 30: Higos near Goa, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
October 1: Higos near Cabuyao, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
October 3: Higos near Wenchang, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
October 4: Higos near Wuchuan, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
November 17: Noul near Ðà Lạt, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)

How 2008 ranks since 1980

The season ranks 13th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 5 other seasons), 35th for typhoons (tied with 4 other seasons) and 41st for accumulated cyclone energy.

The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.

2008 storm names

The 2008 season used 22 names: Neoguri, Rammasun, Matmo, Halong, Nakri, Fengshen, Kalmaegi, Fung-Wong, Kammuri, Phanfone, Vongfong, Nuri, Sinlaku, Hagupit, Jangmi, Higos, Mekkhala, Bavi, Maysak, Noul, Haishen, Dolphin.

6 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.

2008 season FAQ

How many named storms were there in 2008?

The 2008 West Pacific typhoon season had 28 named storms, 12 typhoons and 8 major typhoons, from 28 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 Dolphin.

What was the strongest storm of 2008?

Super Typhoon Jangmi. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 918 mb on September 27. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 11% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

When did the 2008 season end?

The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2008 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Dolphin, dissipated on December 18. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.