2009 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 2009 West Pacific typhoon season produced 23 named storms, 15 typhoons and 7 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 278, 97% of the average.
Named storms
23
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
15
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
7
Including 4 Category 5
Accumulated energy
97% of normal
ACE 278 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
Loading map…
Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C4C5
2009 season at a glance
- Named storms: 23 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 15 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 7, including 4 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 277.9, 97% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 119.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Kujira, May 2.
- First typhoon: Kujira, May 4.
- First major storm: Kujira, May 4.
- Last storm to dissipate: Tropical Storm 28W, December 5.
- All systems tracked: 30, including 7 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 2009 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kujira | – | C4 | 937 mb | — |
| Chan-Hom | – | C2 | 956 mb | Buguias, Philippines |
| Linfa | – | C1 | 967 mb | Jinjiang, China |
| Nangka | – | TS | 988 mb | Pagsanghan, Philippines |
| Soudelor | – | TS | 996 mb | Xucheng, China |
| TD 6W | – | TD | 1000 mb | Yujing, Taiwan |
| Molave | – | C1 | 974 mb | Longgang, China |
| Goni | – | TS | 988 mb | Taishan, China |
| Morakot | – | C1 | 954 mb | Hualien City, Taiwan |
| Etau | – | TS | 992 mb | — |
| Vamco | – | C4 | 933 mb | — |
| Krovanh | – | C1 | 974 mb | — |
| Dujuan | – | TS | 980 mb | — |
| Mujigae | – | TD | 998 mb | Haikou, China |
| Koppu | – | C1 | 967 mb | Tangping, China |
| Choi-Wan | – | C5 | 918 mb | — |
| Ketsana | – | C2 | 955 mb | General Tinio, Philippines |
| TD 18W | – | TD | 999 mb | — |
| Parma | – | C4 | 922 mb | Tuguegarao, Philippines |
| Melor | – | C5 | 911 mb | Shima, Japan |
| Nepartak | – | TS | 982 mb | — |
| Lupit | – | C5 | 918 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Mirinae | – | C2 | 956 mb | Silang, Philippines |
| TD 24W | – | TD | 1004 mb | — |
| TD 25W | – | TS | 989 mb | — |
| TD 27W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Nida | – | C5 | 907 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| TD 28W | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
- Kujira: Kujira formed in the West Pacific in April 2009 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 937 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Chan-Hom: Chan-Hom formed in the West Pacific in May 2009 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 landfall near Buguias, Philippines. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Linfa: Linfa formed in the West Pacific in June 2009 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 3 landfalls, first near Jinjiang, China and last near Wenling, China. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Nangka: Nangka formed in the West Pacific in June 2009 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near Pagsanghan, Philippines and last near Danshui, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Soudelor: Soudelor formed in the West Pacific in July 2009 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It made landfall near Xucheng, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- TD 6W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 2009 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 Yujing, Taiwan and last near Dazuocun, China. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Molave: Molave formed in the West Pacific in July 2009 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 974 mb. It made landfall near Longgang, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Goni: Goni formed in the West Pacific in July 2009 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It made landfall near Taishan, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Morakot: Morakot formed in the West Pacific in August 2009 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 954 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Hualien City, Taiwan and last near Xiabaishi, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Etau: Etau formed in the West Pacific in August 2009 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 9 days.
- Vamco: Vamco formed in the West Pacific in August 2009 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 933 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Krovanh: Krovanh formed in the West Pacific in August 2009 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 974 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Dujuan: Dujuan formed in the West Pacific in September 2009 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.
- Mujigae: Mujigae formed in the West Pacific in September 2009 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Haikou, China and last near Thị Trấn Sao Vàng, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Koppu: Koppu formed in the West Pacific in September 2009 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 Tangping, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Choi-Wan: Choi-Wan formed in the West Pacific in September 2009 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Ketsana: Ketsana formed in the West Pacific in September 2009 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near General Tinio, Philippines and last near Núi Thành, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 18W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 2009 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Parma: Parma formed in the West Pacific in September 2009 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 made 5 landfalls, first near Tuguegarao, Philippines and last near Thái Bình, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 18 days.
- Melor: Melor formed in the West Pacific in September 2009 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 911 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Shima, Japan and last near Shinshiro, Japan. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Nepartak: Nepartak formed in the West Pacific in October 2009 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.
- Lupit: Lupit formed in the West Pacific in October 2009 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 17 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2009. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Mirinae: Mirinae formed in the West Pacific in October 2009 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 Silang, Philippines and last near Tu Bông, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 24W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2009 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1004 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- TD 25W: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 2009 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 27W: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 2009 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.
- Nida: Nida formed in the West Pacific in November 2009 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 907 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 2009. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- TD 28W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 2009 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.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2009
Super Typhoon Nida was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 180 mph (285 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 907 mb, on November 25. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 18 matched it. It produced 16% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2009
14 of the season’s 30 systems made landfall, 2 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- May 7: Chan-Hom near Buguias, Philippines, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- June 21: Linfa near Jinjiang, China, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- June 22: Linfa near Fuding, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- June 22: Linfa near Wenling, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- June 23: Nangka near Pagsanghan, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- June 23: Nangka near Puro, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- June 24: Nangka near Canubing No 2, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- June 26: Nangka near Danshui, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- July 12: Soudelor near Xucheng, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 13: TD 6W near Yujing, Taiwan, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 13: TD 6W near Dazuocun, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- July 18: Molave near Longgang, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 5: Goni near Taishan, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 7: Morakot near Hualien City, Taiwan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 9: Morakot near Xiabaishi, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- September 10: Mujigae near Haikou, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- September 12: Mujigae near Thị Trấn Sao Vàng, Vietnam, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- September 15: Koppu near Tangping, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- September 26: Ketsana near General Tinio, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- September 29: Ketsana near Núi Thành, Vietnam, 80 mph (Category 1)
- October 3: Parma near Tuguegarao, Philippines, 90 mph (Category 1)
- October 6: Parma near Claveria, Philippines, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- October 7: Melor near Shima, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- October 7: Melor near Shinshiro, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- October 8: Parma near Ilagan, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- October 12: Parma near Qionghai, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- October 14: Parma near Thái Bình, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- October 30: Mirinae near Silang, Philippines, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- November 2: Mirinae near Tu Bông, Vietnam, 65 mph (tropical storm)
How 2009 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 32nd of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 5 other seasons), 27th for typhoons (tied with 4 other seasons) and 21st for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
2009 storm names
The 2009 season used 22 names: Kujira, Chan-Hom, Linfa, Nangka, Soudelor, Molave, Goni, Morakot, Etau, Vamco, Krovanh, Dujuan, Mujigae, Koppu, Choi-Wan, Ketsana, Parma, Melor, Nepartak, Lupit, Mirinae, Nida.
8 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2009 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2009?
The 2009 West Pacific typhoon season had 23 named storms, 15 typhoons and 7 major typhoons, from 30 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 28W.
What was the strongest storm of 2009?
Super Typhoon Nida. It peaked at 180 mph (285 km/h, 155 kt) with a lowest pressure of 907 mb on November 25. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 16% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2009 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2009 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Tropical Storm 28W, dissipated on December 5. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.