2012 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 2012 West Pacific typhoon season produced 25 named storms, 15 typhoons and 10 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 302, 106% of the average.
Named storms
25
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
15
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
10
Including 3 Category 5
Accumulated energy
106% of normal
ACE 302 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
2012 season at a glance
- Named storms: 25 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 15 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 10, including 3 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 302.4, 106% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 142.3, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Pakhar, March 29.
- First typhoon: Sanvu, May 24.
- First major storm: Mawar, June 4.
- Last storm to dissipate: Wukong, December 29.
- All systems tracked: 27, including 2 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 2012 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD 1W | – | TD | 1004 mb | — |
| Pakhar | – | TS | 978 mb | Thị Trấn Ngải Giao, Vietnam |
| Sanvu | – | C1 | 963 mb | — |
| Mawar | – | C3 | 944 mb | — |
| Guchol | – | C4 | 926 mb | Shingū, Japan |
| Talim | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Doksuri | – | TS | 993 mb | Taishan, China |
| Khanun | – | TS | 982 mb | Mokpo, South Korea |
| Vicente | – | C4 | 937 mb | Taishan, China |
| Saola | – | C2 | 956 mb | Songcheng, China |
| Damrey | – | C1 | 963 mb | Lianyungang, China |
| Haikui | – | C1 | 974 mb | Ninghai, China |
| Kirogi | – | TS | 989 mb | Yes |
| Kai-Tak | – | C1 | 974 mb | Cabaritan East, Philippines |
| Tembin | – | C4 | 933 mb | Hengchun, Taiwan |
| Bolaven | – | C4 | 929 mb | Sakchu-ŭp, North Korea |
| Sanba | – | C5 | 907 mb | Chinju, South Korea |
| Jelawat | – | C5 | 918 mb | Kushimoto, Japan |
| Ewiniar | – | TS | 982 mb | — |
| Gaemi | – | TS | 982 mb | Phú Túc, Vietnam |
| Maliksi | – | TS | 960 mb | — |
| Prapiroon | – | C3 | 944 mb | — |
| Maria | – | TS | 982 mb | — |
| Son-Tinh | – | C3 | 944 mb | Ormoc, Philippines |
| TD 25W | – | TD | 1004 mb | — |
| Bopha | – | C5 | 911 mb | Baganga, Philippines |
| Wukong | – | TS | 996 mb | Baybay, Philippines |
- TD 1W: This system formed in the West Pacific in February 2012 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 7 days.
- Pakhar: Pakhar formed in the West Pacific in March 2012 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 978 mb. It made landfall near Thị Trấn Ngải Giao, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Sanvu: Sanvu formed in the West Pacific in May 2012 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 963 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Mawar: Mawar formed in the West Pacific in May 2012 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 944 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Guchol: Guchol formed in the West Pacific in June 2012 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 landfall near Shingū, Japan. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Talim: Talim formed in the West Pacific in June 2012 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Doksuri: Doksuri formed in the West Pacific in June 2012 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 Taishan, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Khanun: Khanun formed in the West Pacific in July 2012 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 Mokpo, South Korea and last near Asan, South Korea. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Vicente: Vicente formed in the West Pacific in July 2012 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 Taishan, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Saola: Saola formed in the West Pacific in July 2012 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 Songcheng, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Damrey: Damrey formed in the West Pacific in July 2012 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 963 mb. It made landfall near Lianyungang, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Haikui: Haikui formed in the West Pacific in August 2012 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 Ninghai, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Kirogi: Kirogi formed in the West Pacific in August 2012 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Kai-Tak: Kai-Tak formed in the West Pacific in August 2012 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 Cabaritan East, Philippines and last near Thị Trấn Ba Chẽ, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Tembin: Tembin formed in the West Pacific in August 2012 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 made 2 landfalls, first near Hengchun, Taiwan and last near Boseong, South Korea. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Bolaven: Bolaven formed in the West Pacific in August 2012 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 Sakchu-ŭp, North Korea. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Sanba: Sanba formed in the West Pacific in September 2012 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 made landfall near Chinju, South Korea. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Jelawat: Jelawat formed in the West Pacific in September 2012 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 Kushimoto, Japan and last near Toyokawa, Japan. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Ewiniar: Ewiniar formed in the West Pacific in September 2012 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.
- Gaemi: Gaemi formed in the West Pacific in September 2012 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 Phú Túc, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Maliksi: Maliksi formed in the West Pacific in September 2012 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Prapiroon: Prapiroon formed in the West Pacific in October 2012 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 944 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 19 days.
- Maria: Maria formed in the West Pacific in October 2012 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.
- Son-Tinh: Son-Tinh formed in the West Pacific in October 2012 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 944 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Ormoc, Philippines and last near Thái Bình, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 25W: This system formed in the West Pacific in November 2012 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.
- Bopha: Bopha formed in the West Pacific in November 2012 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 Baganga, Philippines and last near Roxas, Philippines. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Wukong: Wukong formed in the West Pacific in December 2012 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 3 landfalls, first near Baybay, Philippines and last near Taytay, Philippines. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2012
Super Typhoon Sanba was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 180 mph (285 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 907 mb, on September 13. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 18 matched it. It produced 9% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2012
18 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 1: Pakhar near Thị Trấn Ngải Giao, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- June 19: Guchol near Shingū, Japan, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- June 29: Doksuri near Taishan, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 18: Khanun near Mokpo, South Korea, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 18: Khanun near Asan, South Korea, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- July 23: Vicente near Taishan, China, 115 mph (Category 3)
- August 2: Damrey near Lianyungang, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 3: Saola near Songcheng, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- August 8: Haikui near Ninghai, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 10: Kirogi, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 15: Kai-Tak near Cabaritan East, Philippines, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 17: Kai-Tak near Zhanjiang, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- August 17: Kai-Tak near Thị Trấn Ba Chẽ, Vietnam, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 23: Tembin near Hengchun, Taiwan, 125 mph (Category 3)
- August 28: Bolaven near Sakchu-ŭp, North Korea, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 30: Tembin near Boseong, South Korea, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 17: Sanba near Chinju, South Korea, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 30: Jelawat near Kushimoto, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- September 30: Jelawat near Toyokawa, Japan, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- October 6: Gaemi near Phú Túc, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- October 24: Son-Tinh near Ormoc, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- October 25: Son-Tinh near Ligaya, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- October 28: Son-Tinh near Thái Bình, Vietnam, 90 mph (Category 1)
- December 3: Bopha near Baganga, Philippines, 155 mph (Category 4)
- December 5: Bopha near Roxas, Philippines, 90 mph (Category 1)
- December 25: Wukong near Baybay, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- December 26: Wukong near Passi, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- December 26: Wukong near Taytay, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
How 2012 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 24th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 5 other seasons), 27th for typhoons (tied with 4 other seasons) and 18th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
2012 storm names
The 2012 season used 25 names: Pakhar, Sanvu, Mawar, Guchol, Talim, Doksuri, Khanun, Vicente, Saola, Damrey, Haikui, Kirogi, Kai-Tak, Tembin, Bolaven, Sanba, Jelawat, Ewiniar, Gaemi, Maliksi, Prapiroon, Maria, Son-Tinh, Bopha, Wukong.
2 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2012 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2012?
The 2012 West Pacific typhoon season had 25 named storms, 15 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 Pakhar and the last was Wukong.
What was the strongest storm of 2012?
Super Typhoon Sanba. It peaked at 180 mph (285 km/h, 155 kt) with a lowest pressure of 907 mb on September 13. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 9% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2012 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2012 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Wukong, dissipated on December 29. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.