2018 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 2018 West Pacific typhoon season produced 32 named storms, 16 typhoons and 9 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 364, 127% of the average.
Named storms
32
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
16
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
9
Including 6 Category 5
Accumulated energy
127% of normal
ACE 364 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5
2018 season at a glance
- Named storms: 32 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 16 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 9, including 6 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 363.9, 127% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 154.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Bolaven, January 3.
- First typhoon: Jelawat, March 29.
- First major storm: Jelawat, March 30.
- Last storm to dissipate: Pabuk, January 7, 2019.
- All systems tracked: 36, including 4 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 2018 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaven | – | TS | 1001 mb | Tubay, Philippines |
| Sanba | – | TS | 999 mb | Tandag, Philippines |
| Jelawat | – | C4 | 926 mb | — |
| TD 4W | – | TS | 1004 mb | — |
| Ewiniar | – | TS | 996 mb | Xucheng, China |
| Maliksi | – | TS | 974 mb | — |
| TD 7W | – | TS | 993 mb | — |
| Gaemi | – | TS | 990 mb | Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| Prapiroon | – | C1 | 960 mb | — |
| Maria | – | C5 | 910 mb | Rong’an, China |
| Son-Tinh | – | TS | 989 mb | Wanning, China |
| Ampil | – | TS | 982 mb | Huilong, China |
| TD 13W | – | TS | 995 mb | — |
| Wukong | – | C1 | 974 mb | — |
| Jongdari | – | C2 | 950 mb | Nara-shi, Japan |
| TD 16W | – | TS | 996 mb | — |
| Shanshan | – | C2 | 953 mb | — |
| Yagi | – | TS | 983 mb | Wenling, China |
| Bebinca | – | TS | 979 mb | Xucheng, China |
| Leepi | – | C1 | 982 mb | Hyūga, Japan |
| Rumbia | – | TS | 978 mb | Jinshan, China |
| Soulik | – | C3 | 942 mb | Naju, South Korea |
| Cimaron | – | C4 | 936 mb | Kamikawa, Japan |
| TD 24W | – | TD | 997 mb | Fengshan, Taiwan |
| Jebi | – | C5 | 907 mb | Hiwasaura, Japan |
| Mangkhut | – | C5 | 896 mb | Lasam, Philippines |
| Barijat | – | TS | 996 mb | Lianjiang, China |
| Trami | – | C5 | 914 mb | Tanabe, Japan |
| TD 29W | – | TD | 1001 mb | — |
| Kong-Rey | – | C5 | 906 mb | Gyeongju, South Korea |
| Yutu | – | C5 | 904 mb | San Mariano, Philippines |
| Usagi | – | C2 | 971 mb | Phú Mỹ, Vietnam |
| Toraji | – | TD | 1000 mb | Khánh Hải, Vietnam |
| Man-Yi | – | C2 | 959 mb | — |
| TD 35W | – | TD | 998 mb | — |
| Pabuk | – | TS | 996 mb | Pak Phanang, Thailand |
- Bolaven: Bolaven formed in the West Pacific in December 2017 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1001 mb. It made landfall near Tubay, Philippines. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Sanba: Sanba formed in the West Pacific in February 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mb. It made landfall near Tandag, Philippines. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Jelawat: Jelawat formed in the West Pacific in March 2018 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 10 days.
- TD 4W: This system formed in the West Pacific in May 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1004 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Ewiniar: Ewiniar formed in the West Pacific in June 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Xucheng, China and last near Yangjiang, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Maliksi: Maliksi formed in the West Pacific in June 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 974 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 7W: This system formed in the West Pacific in June 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Gaemi: Gaemi formed in the West Pacific in June 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made landfall near Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Prapiroon: Prapiroon formed in the West Pacific in June 2018 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 960 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Maria: Maria formed in the West Pacific in July 2018 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 910 mb. It made landfall near Rong’an, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Son-Tinh: Son-Tinh formed in the West Pacific in July 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It made 5 landfalls, first near Wanning, China and last near Lianjiang, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Ampil: Ampil formed in the West Pacific in July 2018 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 Huilong, China. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- TD 13W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Wukong: Wukong formed in the West Pacific in July 2018 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 6 days.
- Jongdari: Jongdari formed in the West Pacific in July 2018 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near Nara-shi, Japan and last near Zhujing, China. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- TD 16W: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 2018 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.
- Shanshan: Shanshan formed in the West Pacific in August 2018 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 953 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Yagi: Yagi formed in the West Pacific in August 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 983 mb. It made landfall near Wenling, China. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Bebinca: Bebinca formed in the West Pacific in August 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 979 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Xucheng, China and last near Nghĩa Đàn, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Leepi: Leepi formed in the West Pacific in August 2018 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Hyūga, Japan and last near Gijang, South Korea. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Rumbia: Rumbia formed in the West Pacific in August 2018 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 landfall near Jinshan, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Soulik: Soulik formed in the West Pacific in August 2018 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 942 mb. It made landfall near Naju, South Korea. The system was tracked for 15 days.
- Cimaron: Cimaron formed in the West Pacific in August 2018 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 936 mb. It made landfall near Kamikawa, Japan. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 24W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2018 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It made landfall near Fengshan, Taiwan. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Jebi: Jebi formed in the West Pacific in August 2018 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 Hiwasaura, Japan. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Mangkhut: Mangkhut formed in the West Pacific in September 2018 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 896 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Lasam, Philippines and last near Taishan, China. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Barijat: Barijat formed in the West Pacific in September 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It made landfall near Lianjiang, China. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Trami: Trami formed in the West Pacific in September 2018 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 914 mb. It made landfall near Tanabe, Japan. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- TD 29W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 2018 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1001 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Kong-Rey: Kong-Rey formed in the West Pacific in September 2018 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 906 mb. It made landfall near Gyeongju, South Korea. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Yutu: Yutu formed in the West Pacific in October 2018 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 904 mb. It made landfall near San Mariano, Philippines. The system was tracked for 14 days.
- Usagi: Usagi formed in the West Pacific in November 2018 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 971 mb. It made landfall near Phú Mỹ, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 20 days.
- Toraji: Toraji formed in the West Pacific in November 2018 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 Khánh Hải, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Man-Yi: Man-Yi formed in the West Pacific in November 2018 and peaked as a Category 2 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 959 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- TD 35W: This system formed in the West Pacific in December 2018 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Pabuk: Pabuk formed in the West Pacific in December 2018 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. It made landfall near Pak Phanang, Thailand. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2018
Super Typhoon Mangkhut was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 180 mph (285 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 896 mb, on September 12. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 18 matched it. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2018
24 of the season’s 36 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 1: Bolaven near Tubay, Philippines, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- February 13: Sanba near Tandag, Philippines, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- June 6: Ewiniar near Xucheng, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- June 6: Ewiniar near Haikou, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- June 7: Ewiniar near Yangjiang, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- June 14: Gaemi near Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- July 11: Maria near Rong’an, China, 100 mph (Category 2)
- July 17: Son-Tinh near Wanning, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- July 18: Son-Tinh near Diễn Thành, Vietnam, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 22: Ampil near Huilong, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- July 22: Son-Tinh near Basuo, China, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- July 23: Son-Tinh near Xucheng, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 23: Son-Tinh near Lianjiang, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- July 28: Jongdari near Nara-shi, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- July 29: Jongdari near Fukuyama, Japan, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 29: Jongdari near Miyako, Japan, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- August 3: Jongdari near Zhujing, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 12: Yagi near Wenling, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 14: Leepi near Hyūga, Japan, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 15: Leepi near Gijang, South Korea, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- August 15: Bebinca near Xucheng, China, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- August 16: Rumbia near Jinshan, China, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- August 17: Bebinca near Nghĩa Đàn, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 23: TD 24W near Fengshan, Taiwan, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- August 23: Soulik near Naju, South Korea, 55 mph (tropical storm)
- August 23: Cimaron near Kamikawa, Japan, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- September 4: Jebi near Hiwasaura, Japan, 105 mph (Category 2)
- September 13: Barijat near Lianjiang, China, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- September 14: Mangkhut near Lasam, Philippines, 145 mph (Category 4)
- September 16: Mangkhut near Taishan, China, 90 mph (Category 1)
- September 30: Trami near Tanabe, Japan, 80 mph (Category 1)
- October 6: Kong-Rey near Gyeongju, South Korea, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- October 29: Yutu near San Mariano, Philippines, 115 mph (Category 3)
- November 18: Toraji near Khánh Hải, Vietnam, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- November 25: Usagi near Phú Mỹ, Vietnam, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- January 4, 2019: Pabuk near Pak Phanang, Thailand, 50 mph (tropical storm)
How 2018 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 2nd of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 2 other seasons), 20th for typhoons (tied with 6 other seasons) and 7th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
2018 storm names
The 2018 season used 29 names: Bolaven, Sanba, Jelawat, Ewiniar, Maliksi, Gaemi, Prapiroon, Maria, Son-Tinh, Ampil, Wukong, Jongdari, Shanshan, Yagi, Bebinca, Leepi, Rumbia, Soulik, Cimaron, Jebi, Mangkhut, Barijat, Trami, Kong-Rey, Yutu, Usagi, Toraji, Man-Yi, Pabuk.
7 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2018 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2018?
The 2018 West Pacific typhoon season had 32 named storms, 16 typhoons and 9 major typhoons, from 36 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 Bolaven and the last was Pabuk.
What was the strongest storm of 2018?
Super Typhoon Mangkhut. It peaked at 180 mph (285 km/h, 155 kt) with a lowest pressure of 896 mb on September 12. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 11 West Pacific storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 13% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2018 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2018 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Pabuk, dissipated on January 7, 2019. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.