2020 West Pacific typhoon season
All year · Season ended
The 2020 West Pacific typhoon season produced 23 named storms, 12 typhoons and 7 major typhoons, against a 1991–2020 average of 25.5, 15.8 and 9.0. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 153, 53% of the average.
Named storms
23
Avg 25.5 (1991–2020)
Typhoons
12
64 kt or stronger · avg 15.8
Major (Cat 3+)
7
Including 1 Category 5
Accumulated energy
53% of normal
ACE 153 vs 1991–2020 avg 286
Loading map…
Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C3C4C5
2020 season at a glance
- Named storms: 23 (1991–2020 average 25.5).
- Typhoons (64 kt+): 12 (average 15.8).
- Major, 96 kt+: 7, including 1 at Category 5 strength (average 9.0).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 152.9, 53% of the 286 average.
- Named-storm days: 81.0, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Vongfong, May 12.
- First typhoon: Vongfong, May 13.
- First major storm: Vongfong, May 13.
- Last storm to dissipate: Krovanh, December 25.
- All systems tracked: 28, including 5 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 2020 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vongfong | – | C3 | 961 mb | Arteche, Philippines |
| Nuri | – | TS | 995 mb | Yangjiang, China |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Sinlaku | – | TS | 989 mb | Sanya, China |
| Hagupit | – | C1 | 971 mb | Wenzhou, China |
| Jangmi | – | TS | 990 mb | Gyeongju, South Korea |
| Mekkhala | – | C1 | 980 mb | Shima, China |
| TD 6W | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Higos | – | TS | 988 mb | Jing’an, China |
| Bavi | – | C3 | 942 mb | Changyŏn, North Korea |
| Maysak | – | C4 | 930 mb | Miryang, South Korea |
| Haishen | – | C4 | 913 mb | Ulsan, South Korea |
| TD 12W | – | TD | 1004 mb | — |
| Noul | – | TS | 990 mb | Khe Sanh, Vietnam |
| Dolphin | – | TS | 983 mb | — |
| Kujira | – | C1 | 974 mb | — |
| Chan-Hom | – | C1 | 963 mb | — |
| Linfa | – | TS | 999 mb | Đức Phổ, Vietnam |
| Nangka | – | TS | 989 mb | Qionghai, China |
| Unnamed | – | TD | — | — |
| Saudel | – | C1 | 975 mb | Nagtipunan, Philippines |
| TD 20W | – | TD | 1001 mb | — |
| Molave | – | C3 | 952 mb | Victoria, Philippines |
| Goni | – | C5 | 884 mb | Virac, Philippines |
| Atsani | – | TS | 993 mb | — |
| Etau | – | TS | 995 mb | Ninh Hòa, Vietnam |
| Vamco | – | C4 | 945 mb | Umiray, Philippines |
| Krovanh | – | TD | 1001 mb | — |
- Vongfong: Vongfong formed in the West Pacific in May 2020 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 961 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Arteche, Philippines and last near San Andres, Philippines. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Nuri: Nuri formed in the West Pacific in June 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It made landfall near Yangjiang, China. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in July 2020. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Sinlaku: Sinlaku formed in the West Pacific in July 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Sanya, China and last near Thị Trấn Sao Vàng, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Hagupit: Hagupit formed in the West Pacific in July 2020 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 971 mb. It made landfall near Wenzhou, China. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Jangmi: Jangmi formed in the West Pacific in August 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made landfall near Gyeongju, South Korea. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Mekkhala: Mekkhala formed in the West Pacific in August 2020 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Shima, China. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- TD 6W: This system formed in the West Pacific in August 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Higos: Higos formed in the West Pacific in August 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It made landfall near Jing’an, China. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Bavi: Bavi formed in the West Pacific in August 2020 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 942 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Changyŏn, North Korea and last near Sakchu-ŭp, North Korea. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Maysak: Maysak formed in the West Pacific in August 2020 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Miryang, South Korea and last near Helong, China. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Haishen: Haishen formed in the West Pacific in August 2020 and peaked as a Category 4 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 913 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Ulsan, South Korea and last near Sŭngjibaegam, North Korea. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- TD 12W: This system formed in the West Pacific in September 2020 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.
- Noul: Noul formed in the West Pacific in September 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It made landfall near Khe Sanh, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Dolphin: Dolphin formed in the West Pacific in September 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 983 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Kujira: Kujira formed in the West Pacific in September 2020 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.
- Chan-Hom: Chan-Hom formed in the West Pacific in October 2020 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 16 days.
- Linfa: Linfa formed in the West Pacific in October 2020 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 Đức Phổ, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Nangka: Nangka formed in the West Pacific in October 2020 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 landfall near Qionghai, China. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Unnamed: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2020. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Saudel: Saudel formed in the West Pacific in October 2020 and peaked as a Category 1 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 975 mb. It made landfall near Nagtipunan, Philippines. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- TD 20W: This system formed in the West Pacific in October 2020 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 4 days.
- Molave: Molave formed in the West Pacific in October 2020 and peaked as a Category 3 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 952 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Victoria, Philippines and last near Quảng Ngãi, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Goni: Goni formed in the West Pacific in October 2020 and peaked as a Category 5 super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 195 mph (315 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 884 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Virac, Philippines and last near General Luna, Philippines. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Atsani: Atsani formed in the West Pacific in October 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Etau: Etau formed in the West Pacific in November 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 995 mb. It made landfall near Ninh Hòa, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Vamco: Vamco formed in the West Pacific in November 2020 and peaked as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Umiray, Philippines and last near Kỳ Anh, Vietnam. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Krovanh: Krovanh formed in the West Pacific in December 2020 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 8 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2020
Super Typhoon Goni was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 195 mph (315 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 884 mb, on October 31. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
No West Pacific storm since 1980 has peaked higher; 3 others matched it. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2020
18 of the season’s 28 systems made landfall, 8 of them at typhoon strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- May 14: Vongfong near Arteche, Philippines, 115 mph (Category 3)
- May 15: Vongfong near San Andres, Philippines, 75 mph (Category 1)
- June 14: Nuri near Yangjiang, China, 30 mph (tropical depression)
- August 1: Sinlaku near Sanya, China, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- August 2: Sinlaku near Thị Trấn Sao Vàng, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 3: Hagupit near Wenzhou, China, 70 mph (tropical storm)
- August 10: Jangmi near Gyeongju, South Korea, 40 mph (tropical storm)
- August 11: Mekkhala near Shima, China, 80 mph (Category 1)
- August 18: Higos near Jing’an, China, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 26: Bavi near Changyŏn, North Korea, 85 mph (Category 1)
- August 27: Bavi near Sakchu-ŭp, North Korea, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- September 2: Maysak near Miryang, South Korea, 85 mph (Category 1)
- September 3: Maysak near Helong, China, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- September 7: Haishen near Ulsan, South Korea, 85 mph (Category 1)
- September 7: Haishen near Sŭngjibaegam, North Korea, 40 mph (tropical depression)
- September 18: Noul near Khe Sanh, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- October 11: Linfa near Đức Phổ, Vietnam, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- October 13: Nangka near Qionghai, China, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- October 20: Saudel near Nagtipunan, Philippines, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- October 25: Molave near Victoria, Philippines, 90 mph (Category 1)
- October 28: Molave near Quảng Ngãi, Vietnam, 80 mph (Category 1)
- October 31: Goni near Virac, Philippines, 175 mph (Category 5)
- November 1: Goni near General Luna, Philippines, 85 mph (Category 1)
- November 10: Etau near Ninh Hòa, Vietnam, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- November 11: Vamco near Umiray, Philippines, 110 mph (Category 2)
- November 15: Vamco near Kỳ Anh, Vietnam, 60 mph (tropical storm)
How 2020 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 32nd of 47 West Pacific seasons since 1980 for named storms (tied with 5 other seasons), 35th for typhoons (tied with 4 other seasons) and 45th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 33 named storms, in 1994, and the highest ACE is 483, in 2004.
2020 storm names
The 2020 season used 23 names: Vongfong, Nuri, Sinlaku, Hagupit, Jangmi, Mekkhala, Higos, Bavi, Maysak, Haishen, Noul, Dolphin, Kujira, Chan-Hom, Linfa, Nangka, Saudel, Molave, Goni, Atsani, Etau, Vamco, Krovanh.
5 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.
2020 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2020?
The 2020 West Pacific typhoon season had 23 named storms, 12 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 Vongfong and the last was Vamco.
What was the strongest storm of 2020?
Super Typhoon Goni. It peaked at 195 mph (315 km/h, 170 kt) with a lowest pressure of 884 mb on October 31. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. No West Pacific storm since 1980 has peaked higher. It produced 17% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2020 season end?
The West Pacific has no official season, so the 2020 season is simply the calendar year: every storm that formed by December 31 counts. The last system, Krovanh, dissipated on December 25. Since 1980, 51 West Pacific storms reached tropical-storm strength in December.