2015 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 2015 West Pacific typhoon season produced 26 named storms, 19 typhoons and 16 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 426, 149% of the average.
Named storms
26
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
19
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
16
Including 5 Category 5
Accumulated energy
149% of normal
ACE 426 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C3C4C5
2015 season at a glance
- Named storms: 26 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 19 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 16, including 5 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 425.8, 149% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 177.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Mekkhala, January 15.
- First typhoon: Mekkhala, January 16.
- First major storm: Higos, February 10.
- Last storm to dissipate: Tropical Depression 29W, December 19.
- All systems tracked: 29, including 3 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 2015 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mekkhala | – | C1 | 970 mb | Oras, Philippines |
| Higos | – | C4 | 926 mb | — |
| Bavi | – | TS | 985 mb | — |
| Maysak | – | C5 | 911 mb | San Mariano, Philippines |
| Haishen | – | TS | 989 mb | — |
| Noul | – | C5 | 918 mb | — |
| Dolphin | – | C5 | 918 mb | — |
| Kujira | – | TS | 985 mb | Wanning, China |
| Chan-Hom | – | C4 | 933 mb | — |
| Linfa | – | C1 | 967 mb | Tuguegarao, Philippines |
| Nangka | – | C4 | 922 mb | Muroto-misakicho, Japan |
| TD 12W | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| Soudelor | – | C5 | 907 mb | Puli, Taiwan |
| TD 14W | – | TD | 1000 mb | — |
| Molave | – | TS | 986 mb | — |
| Goni | – | C4 | 933 mb | — |
| Atsani | – | C5 | 918 mb | — |
| Etau | – | TS | 978 mb | Gujō, Japan |
| Vamco | – | TS | 996 mb | Đông Phú, Vietnam |
| Krovanh | – | C3 | 948 mb | — |
| Dujuan | – | C4 | 926 mb | Puli, Taiwan |
| Mujigae | – | C3 | 937 mb | Alfonso Castañeda, Philippines |
| Choi-Wan | – | C1 | 952 mb | — |
| Koppu | – | C4 | 926 mb | Maria Aurora, Philippines |
| Champi | – | C4 | 929 mb | — |
| TD 26W | – | TD | 996 mb | — |
| In-Fa | – | C4 | 933 mb | — |
| Melor | – | C4 | 929 mb | Irosin, Philippines |
| TD 29W | – | TD | 1004 mb | — |
- Mekkhala: Mekkhala formed in the West Pacific in January 2015 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Oras, Philippines and last near Tiwi, Philippines. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Higos: Higos formed in the West Pacific in February 2015 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Bavi: Bavi formed in the West Pacific in March 2015 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 11 days.
- Maysak: Maysak formed in the West Pacific in March 2015 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 landfall near San Mariano, Philippines. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Haishen: Haishen formed in the West Pacific in April 2015 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 5 days.
- Noul: Noul formed in the West Pacific in May 2015 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 14 days.
- Dolphin: Dolphin formed in the West Pacific in May 2015 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 18 days.
- Kujira: Kujira formed in the West Pacific in June 2015 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 Wanning, China and last near Thành Phố Uông Bí, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Chan-Hom: Chan-Hom formed in the West Pacific in June 2015 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 14 days.
- Linfa: Linfa formed in the West Pacific in July 2015 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 Tuguegarao, Philippines and last near Wangyao, China. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Nangka: Nangka formed in the West Pacific in July 2015 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 landfall near Muroto-misakicho, Japan. The system was tracked for 16 days.
- TD 12W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 2015 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.
- Soudelor: Soudelor formed in the West Pacific in July 2015 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 2 landfalls, first near Puli, Taiwan and last near Tuzhai, China. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- TD 14W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2015 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.
- Molave: Molave formed in the West Pacific in August 2015 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 986 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Goni: Goni formed in the West Pacific in August 2015 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 17 days.
- Atsani: Atsani formed in the West Pacific in August 2015 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 15 days.
- Etau: Etau formed in the West Pacific in September 2015 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 Gujō, Japan. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Vamco: Vamco formed in the West Pacific in September 2015 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 Đông Phú, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Krovanh: Krovanh formed in the West Pacific in September 2015 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Dujuan: Dujuan formed in the West Pacific in September 2015 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 Puli, Taiwan and last near Ximeicun, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Mujigae: Mujigae formed in the West Pacific in September 2015 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 937 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Alfonso Castañeda, Philippines and last near Zhanjiang, China. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Choi-Wan: Choi-Wan formed in the West Pacific in October 2015 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 952 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Koppu: Koppu formed in the West Pacific in October 2015 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 Maria Aurora, Philippines. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Champi: Champi formed in the West Pacific in October 2015 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 14 days.
- TD 26W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2015 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 3 days.
- In-Fa: In-Fa formed in the West Pacific in November 2015 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.
- Melor: Melor formed in the West Pacific in December 2015 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 929 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Irosin, Philippines and last near Canubing No 2, Philippines. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- TD 29W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 2015 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 6 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2015
Super Typhoon Soudelor was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 180 mph (285 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 907 mb, on August 3. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 18 matched it. It produced 8% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2015
12 of the season’s 29 systems made landfall, 5 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- January 17: Mekkhala near Oras, Philippines, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- January 18: Mekkhala near Tiwi, Philippines, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- April 5: Maysak near San Mariano, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- June 22: Kujira near Wanning, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- June 24: Kujira near Thành Phố Uông Bí, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 5: Linfa near Tuguegarao, Philippines, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- July 9: Linfa near Wangyao, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- July 16: Nangka near Muroto-misakicho, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 8: Soudelor near Puli, Taiwan, 110 mph (Category 2)
- August 8: Soudelor near Tuzhai, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- September 9: Etau near Gujō, Japan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 14: Vamco near Đông Phú, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- September 28: Dujuan near Puli, Taiwan, 115 mph (Category 3)
- September 29: Dujuan near Ximeicun, China, 75 mph (Category 1)
- October 1: Mujigae near Alfonso Castañeda, Philippines, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- October 4: Mujigae near Zhanjiang, China, 120 mph (Category 3)
- October 18: Koppu near Maria Aurora, Philippines, 120 mph (Category 3)
- December 14: Melor near Irosin, Philippines, 130 mph (Category 4)
- December 15: Melor near Canubing No 2, Philippines, 115 mph (Category 3)
How 2015 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 20th of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 3 other seasons), 10th for typhoons (tied with 2 other seasons) and 4th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
2015 storm names
The 2015 season used 25 names: Mekkhala, Higos, Bavi, Maysak, Haishen, Noul, Dolphin, Kujira, Chan-Hom, Linfa, Nangka, Soudelor, Molave, Goni, Atsani, Etau, Vamco, Krovanh, Dujuan, Mujigae, Choi-Wan, Koppu, Champi, In-Fa, Melor.
4 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2015 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2015?
The 2015 West Pacific typhoon season had 26 named storms, 19 typhoons and 16 major typhoons, from 29 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 Mekkhala and the last was Melor.
What was the strongest storm of 2015?
Super Typhoon Soudelor. It peaked at 180 mph (285 km/h, 155 kt) with a lowest pressure of 907 mb on August 3. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 8% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2015 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2015 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Tropical Depression 29W, dissipated on December 19. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.