2011 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 2011 West Pacific typhoon season produced 18 named storms, 10 typhoons and 7 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 193, 67% of the average.
Named storms
18
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
10
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
7
Including 3 Category 5
Accumulated energy
67% of normal
ACE 193 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C4C5
2011 season at a glance
- Named storms: 18 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 10 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 7, including 3 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 193.0, 67% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 100.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Aere, May 7.
- First typhoon: Songda, May 23.
- First major storm: Songda, May 25.
- Last storm to dissipate: Washi, December 19.
- All systems tracked: 28, including 10 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 2011 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| TD 2W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Aere | – | TS | 978 mb | Virac, Philippines |
| Songda | – | C5 | 918 mb | — |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Sarika | – | TD | 1000 mb | Huanggang, China |
| Haima | – | TS | 993 mb | Zhanjiang, China |
| Meari | – | TS | 982 mb | — |
| Ma-On | – | C4 | 937 mb | Muroto-misakicho, Japan |
| Tokage | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Nock-Ten | – | C1 | 974 mb | Santiago, Philippines |
| Muifa | – | C5 | 918 mb | Kuandian, China |
| Merbok | – | C1 | 967 mb | — |
| TD 13W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Nanmadol | – | C5 | 918 mb | Santa Ana, Philippines |
| Talas | – | TS | 982 mb | Aki, Japan |
| Noru | – | TS | 982 mb | — |
| Kulap | – | TS | 993 mb | — |
| Roke | – | C4 | 937 mb | Hamakita, Japan |
| Sonca | – | C2 | 956 mb | — |
| Nesat | – | C4 | 937 mb | Aglipay, Philippines |
| Haitang | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| Nalgae | – | C4 | 926 mb | Alicia, Philippines |
| Banyan | – | TD | 1000 mb | Abuyog, Philippines |
| TD 24W | – | TD | 1004 mb | — |
| TD 25W | – | TD | 1004 mb | — |
| TD 26W | – | TD | 1004 mb | — |
| Washi | – | TS | 985 mb | Bislig, Philippines |
- TD 1W: This system formed in the West Pacific in April 2011 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 3 days.
- TD 2W: This system formed in the West Pacific in April 2011 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.
- Aere: Aere formed in the West Pacific in May 2011 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 978 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Virac, Philippines and last near San Mariano, Philippines. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Songda: Songda formed in the West Pacific in May 2011 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 13 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in May 2011. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Sarika: Sarika formed in the West Pacific in June 2011 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 landfall near Huanggang, China. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Haima: Haima formed in the West Pacific in June 2011 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Zhanjiang, China and last near Thái Bình, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Meari: Meari formed in the West Pacific in June 2011 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 7 days.
- Ma-On: Ma-On formed in the West Pacific in July 2011 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Muroto-misakicho, Japan and last near Asso, Japan. The system was tracked for 20 days.
- Tokage: Tokage formed in the West Pacific in July 2011 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 3 days.
- Nock-Ten: Nock-Ten formed in the West Pacific in July 2011 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 3 landfalls, first near Santiago, Philippines and last near Phúc Sơn, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Muifa: Muifa formed in the West Pacific in July 2011 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 Kuandian, China. The system was tracked for 20 days.
- Merbok: Merbok formed in the West Pacific in August 2011 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 10 days.
- TD 13W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2011 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 7 days.
- Nanmadol: Nanmadol formed in the West Pacific in August 2011 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 2 landfalls, first near Santa Ana, Philippines and last near Chaozhou, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Talas: Talas formed in the West Pacific in August 2011 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 Aki, Japan and last near Akaiwa, Japan. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Noru: Noru formed in the West Pacific in September 2011 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Kulap: Kulap formed in the West Pacific in September 2011 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 5 days.
- Roke: Roke formed in the West Pacific in September 2011 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 made landfall near Hamakita, Japan. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Sonca: Sonca formed in the West Pacific in September 2011 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Nesat: Nesat formed in the West Pacific in September 2011 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 made 3 landfalls, first near Aglipay, Philippines and last near Haiphong, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Haitang: Haitang formed in the West Pacific in September 2011 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.
- Nalgae: Nalgae formed in the West Pacific in September 2011 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 926 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Alicia, Philippines and last near Baocheng, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Banyan: Banyan formed in the West Pacific in October 2011 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 Abuyog, Philippines and last near Ivisan, Philippines. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- TD 24W: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 2011 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 December 2011 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 2 days.
- TD 26W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 2011 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 4 days.
- Washi: Washi formed in the West Pacific in December 2011 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 landfall near Bislig, Philippines. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2011
Super Typhoon Songda was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 918 mb, on May 26. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 61 matched it. It produced 14% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2011
13 of the season’s 28 systems made landfall, 5 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- May 7: Aere near Virac, Philippines, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- May 9: Aere near San Mariano, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- June 11: Sarika near Huanggang, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- June 23: Haima near Zhanjiang, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- June 24: Haima near Thái Bình, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 19: Ma-On near Muroto-misakicho, Japan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- July 20: Ma-On near Asso, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- July 27: Nock-Ten near Santiago, Philippines, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- July 29: Nock-Ten near Jinjiang, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- July 30: Nock-Ten near Phúc Sơn, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- August 8: Muifa near Kuandian, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 27: Nanmadol near Santa Ana, Philippines, 140 mph (Category 4)
- August 28: Nanmadol near Chaozhou, Taiwan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- September 3: Talas near Aki, Japan, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- September 3: Talas near Akaiwa, Japan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 21: Roke near Hamakita, Japan, 85 mph (Category 1)
- September 27: Nesat near Aglipay, Philippines, 105 mph (Category 2)
- September 29: Nesat near Haikou, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- September 30: Nesat near Haiphong, Vietnam, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- October 1: Nalgae near Alicia, Philippines, 130 mph (Category 4)
- October 4: Nalgae near Baocheng, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- October 11: Banyan near Abuyog, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- October 12: Banyan near Ivisan, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- December 16: Washi near Bislig, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
How 2011 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 45th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms, 42nd for typhoons (tied with 3 other seasons) and 39th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
2011 storm names
The 2011 season used 21 names: Aere, Songda, Sarika, Haima, Meari, Ma-On, Tokage, Nock-Ten, Muifa, Merbok, Nanmadol, Talas, Noru, Kulap, Roke, Sonca, Nesat, Haitang, Nalgae, Banyan, Washi.
7 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2011 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2011?
The 2011 West Pacific typhoon season had 18 named storms, 10 typhoons and 7 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 Aere and the last was Washi.
What was the strongest storm of 2011?
Super Typhoon Songda. It peaked at 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kt) with a lowest pressure of 918 mb on May 26. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 63 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 14% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2011 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2011 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Washi, dissipated on December 19. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.