2020 Pacific typhoon season

2020 Pacific typhoon season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	May 8, 2020
Last system dissipated	Season ongoing
Strongest storm
Name	Haishen
• Maximum winds	185 km/h (115 mph) (10-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	920 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions	15
Total storms	11
Typhoons	5
Super typhoons	1 (unofficial)
Total fatalities	46 total
Total damage	$836 million (2020 USD)
Related articles
2020 Atlantic hurricane season 2020 Pacific hurricane season 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 2020 Pacific typhoon season is a late-starting, below average event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation in which tropical cyclones form in the western Pacific Ocean. The season runs throughout the year, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and October. The season has been unusually quiet, with only 13 systems forming as of September 5. Additionally, the JTWC recorded no tropical cyclone development in the month of July, the first such occurrence since reliable records began. The season's first tropical cyclone developed on May 8, making it the sixth-latest start in the basin on record, slightly behind 1973, and the first to start this late since 2016. The Pacific typhoon season during the year is so far in fact less active than the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, the only such occurrence other than 2010 and 2005.

The season's first named storm, Vongfong (Ambo), developed east of Mindanao and rapidly intensified to become a Category 3 typhoon at peak intensity, undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle and made landfall on Samar Island, causing US$31.1 million damage to the Philippines, while in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean to the north of the equator between 100°E and 180th meridian. Within the northwestern Pacific Ocean, there are two separate agencies that assign names to tropical cyclones which can often result in a cyclone having two names. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) will name a tropical cyclone should it be judged to have 10-minute sustained wind speeds of at least 65 km/h (40 mph) anywhere in the basin, whilst the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) assigns names to tropical cyclones which move into or form as a tropical depression in their area of responsibility located between 135°E and 115°E and between 5°N–25°N regardless of whether or not a tropical cyclone has already been given a name by the JMA. Tropical depressions that are monitored by the United States' Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) are given a number with a "W" suffix.

Seasonal forecasts

TSR forecasts Date	Tropical storms	Total Typhoons	Intense TCs	ACE	Ref.
Average (1965–2019)	26	16	9	294
May 21, 2020	26	15	8	258
July 9, 2020	26	14	7	216
August 6, 2020	21	13	5	157
Other forecasts Date	Forecast Center	Period		Systems	Ref.
January 22, 2020	PAGASA	January–March		0–4 tropical cyclones
January 22, 2020	PAGASA	April–June		2–5 tropical cyclones
June 24, 2020	PAGASA	July–September		6–10 tropical cyclones
June 24, 2020	PAGASA	October–December		4–7 tropical cyclones
2020 season	Forecast Center	Tropical cyclones	Tropical storms	Typhoons	Ref.
Actual activity:	JMA	15	11	5
Actual activity:	JTWC	13	12	6
Actual activity:	PAGASA	12	8	4

During the year several national meteorological services and scientific agencies forecast how many tropical cyclones, tropical storms, and typhoons will form during a season and/or how many tropical cyclones will affect a particular country. These agencies include the Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) Consortium of University College London, PAGASA and Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau. The first forecast for the year was released by PAGASA on January 22 predicting the first half of 2020, within its monthly seasonal climate outlook. The PAGASA predicts that only 0–4 tropical cyclones are expected to form or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility between January and March, while 5–8 tropical cyclones are expected to form between April and June. This was due to the fact that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation was seeing neutral conditions across the Pacific, and could persist until midyear. On May 21, the TSR issued their extended-range forecast for 2020, forecasting tropical activity below the average normal, with 26 tropical storms, 15 typhoons and 8 intense typhoons. These numbers were supported by the current values from the Indian Ocean Dipole, the Accumulated Cyclone Energy index and the sea-surface temperatures in the Niño 3.75 region, leading to a stronger than normal trade windspeed throughout much of the Western Pacific.

On June 24, the PAGASA issued a climate forecast, predicting the number of tropical cyclones for the second half of the season. They predicted that 6–10 tropical cyclones are expected to form between the months of July and September, while 4–7 tropical cyclones are expected to form between the months of October and December. On July 9, TSR issued their forecast for the season, predicting a well-below average season with 26 named storms, 14 typhoons and only 7 intense typhoons. On August 6, TSR issued their third and final forecast for the season, lowering their numbers to 21 named storms, 13 typhoons and 5 intense typhoons. They mentioned that the 2020 season is expected to be one of the "least active typhoon seasons on record", with a predicted ACE index barely half of the normal and a 96% probability of being a below-average season.

Season summary

The first few months of 2020 were empty, with no tropical systems developing from January to April. On May 8, the season saw its first tropical system with the development of Tropical Depression 01W (Ambo), making it the sixth-latest starting season on record, as well as the latest since 2016. 2 days later, the system strengthened to the first officially named tropical storm of the season, Vongfong. Tropical Storm Vongfong then intensified immediately into a significant typhoon and struck the central part of the Philippines on May 14, first making its landfall in San Policarpo, Eastern Samar, crossing 4 more islands and hit mainland Luzon.

After Vongfong, a month of inactivity ensued, and on June 10, a new tropical depression formed off the coast of Samar, Philippines, and was named Butchoy by the PAGASA a day later. Butchoy made landfall in the Philippines as the JTWC issued a TCFA for it. Once it exited Philippine landmass, Butchoy was upgraded into a tropical depression by the JTWC and all warnings issued by PAGASA was lowered, and Butchoy further intensified into a tropical storm in the West Philippine Sea and was named Nuri by the Japan Meteorological Agency. After Nuri dissipated over mainland China, the basin became quiet again for more than a month with only Tropical Depression Carina forming east of Luzon; this led to the first time that no tropical storms developed within the month of July since reliable records began. The activity in the West Pacific increased somewhat with the formation of Tropical Storm Sinlaku, and the formation and intensification of Hagupit for a typhoon, ending a fast of more than 2 months without any significant typhoon. Hagupit affected China as a mid-Category 1 storm and caused US$441 million in damage. The storm then transitioned to an Extratropical cyclone and affected North Korea and Russia. A few days later, a new tropical depression formed, and then intensified into Tropical Storm Jangmi. Just southwest of Jangmi, a disorganized low-pressure area formed and would soon become Severe Tropical Storm Mekkhala, reaching China. A few days later, a new tropical depression formed in the South China Sea, and PAGASA named the system as Helen. Shortly after, Helen intensified into a Severe Tropical Storm Higos, the 7th named storm on the 2020 typhoon season. Higos then went on to hit China. Soon after Higos dissipated, a new system formed in the east of the Philippines, and was named Igme. Igme then went on to become Tropical Storm Bavi and rapidly intensify in the coastal waters of Taiwan. In late August, Typhoon Maysak formed along Super Typhoon Haishen, with the systems reached Korean Peninsula and Japan, respectively.

September started with Maysak weakening on its way to Korea, while a new Tropical Storm Haishen formed in the open Pacific, threatening the same areas that Maysak and previously Bavi affected. Typhoon Maysak made landfalls in South Korea and North Korea, while Typhoon Haishen intensified into the first super typhoon of the season.

Systems

Typhoon Vongfong (Ambo)

Very strong typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration	May 8 – May 18
Peak intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min); 960 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Typhoon Vongfong (2020)

After 4 consecutive months of inactivity in the Western Pacific basin, a low-pressure area was first noted on May 9 by the JTWC near Micronesia and was given a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. The following day, the JMA declared that it had developed into a tropical depression to the east of Mindanao, Philippines and was expected to slowly move west. The JTWC then issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) for the embryonic system just hours later while convection began to gradually obscure the center. Later that day, the PAGASA followed suit and upgraded the system to a tropical depression, assigning it the name Ambo, as it became the first tropical cyclone to enter their area of responsibility for 2020.

The system began to slowly drift westwards throughout the following days, gradually intensifying with occasional convective bursts occurring near the slightly elongated circulation. On the next day, the JTWC upgraded Ambo into a tropical depression, designating it as 01W. The storm gradually intensified throughout the day, as signified by a well-defined rain band developing on the northwestern side, and began to turn north. At this time, the JMA upgraded 01W to a tropical storm and assigned it the first name of the year, Vongfong. Shortly after, the JTWC followed and upgraded the system to tropical storm intensity. Utilizing favorable conditions with low wind shear, 29-30 °C waters, and excellent outflow, Vongfong began to rapidly intensify by early May 13. Shortly after, the JMA upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm. Soon after, the JTWC upgraded the storm to a Category 1 typhoon with 1-minute sustained winds of 130 km/h (80 mph) as the structure quickly improved. The PAGASA and JMA would then upgrade the system to a typhoon later in the day, with the JTWC quickly upgrading the system to a Category 2 typhoon as the eye became clearer. A few hours later, Vongfong intensified to a category 3-equivalent typhoon. Then, the storm later went an eyewall replacement cycle, quickly finishing the cycle while fluctuating in intensity. At 12:15 pm PST on May 14, Vongfong made its first landfall in San Policarpo, Eastern Samar. Vongfong gradually weakened shortly after, crossing over the Ticao Pass as it moved further inland. By the succeeding day, PAGASA recorded five more landfalls: hitting the islands of Dalupiri Island, Capul Island, Ticao Island, Burias Island, and San Andres, Quezon in Luzon Island's Bondoc Peninsula. Ambo weakened into a Category 1 storm due to these multiple landfalls, although the storm was situated in favorable atmospheric conditions. The system further weakened on May 15, and was downgraded by both the JMA and PAGASA to a severe tropical storm, with the JTWC downgrading it to a tropical storm as well. Then, Vongfong made its 7th landfall in Real, Quezon, and began to head further inland into Luzon. Vongfong then further weakened and was downgraded by the JMA and the PAGASA into a tropical storm. The weakening trend continued, and by May 16, Vongfong emerged into the Luzon Strait as a low-end tropical storm, with the storm's center exposed as the result of the mountainous terrains of the Luzon landmass. After emerging, 6 hours later, the JTWC downgraded Vongfong into a tropical depression, and issued their final warning. Soon after, PAGASA followed suit, and the JMA as well. The remnants of the storm fully dissipated by May 17, with PAGASA downgrading the storm's remains into an low-pressure area.

In preparation for the incoming typhoon, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) #3 warnings were issued for Northern Samar and the northern portion of Eastern Samar. According to the NDRRMC, Typhoon Vongfong (Ambo) left ₱1.57 billion (US$31.1 million) worth of damages in agriculture, and left 5 dead, as of May 27. With the multi-billion peso damages in the Philippines, the name Ambo was retired by the PAGASA and will be replaced with a new name for the 2024 Pacific typhoon season.

Tropical Storm Nuri (Butchoy)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	June 10 – June 14
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min); 996 hPa (mbar)

On June 10, the JMA began monitoring on a weak tropical depression that had developed to the east of the Philippine island of Samar in Visayas. During the next day, the PAGASA began tracking the system, giving the local name Butchoy. The storm then made its first landfall in Polillo Island in Quezon at 5:30pm PHT, and making its second landfall in Infanta, Quezon shortly thereafter. Soon after, the JTWC issued an Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert for the storm.

Afterwards, the JTWC officially upgraded Butchoy to a tropical depression, and designated it as 02W. With an favorable environment with low vertical wind shear, moderate equatorial outflow and 30-31 °C sea surface temperatures, Butchoy started to intensify in the West Philippine Sea, becoming a tropical storm and receiving the name Nuri from the JMA later on the same day. Then, PAGASA issued their final warning on Nuri as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

By the next day, Nuri intensified further and subsequently peaked in intensity, with the JMA analysing the storm's peak winds of 75 km/h (45 mph). Six hours later, the JTWC upgraded Nuri to a tropical storm. However, later in the same day, the JTWC downgraded Nuri into a tropical depression, citing that the storm has drifted into high vertical wind shear. The JMA followed suit, downgrading Nuri into a depression. The JTWC issued their final warning on Nuri as the storm subsequently made landfall in Yanjiang, China. The JMA followed suit six hours later, issuing their final warning on the system.

The PAGASA issued Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 1 for western Mindanao, southern Luzon, and Visayas on June 11 as Butchoy neared the Philippines. The combination of the system and prevailing southwesterly winds brought showers and thunderstorms across the Philippines. Heavy rainfall in Albay led to the activation of disaster risk management officials and other emergency assets. The rains from the tropical depression prompted PAGASA to declare the start of the rainy season in the Philippines on June 12, 2020, which was also during the country's Independence Day. In Hong Kong, Nuri brought heavy rain. One person also drowned due to rough waters.

Tropical Depression Carina

Tropical depression (JMA)
Duration	July 11 – July 15
Peak intensity	<55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min); 1004 hPa (mbar)

After about one month of inactivity, on July 11, the JMA designated an low-pressure area near Luzon as a tropical depression. The next day, the JTWC designated the depression as an invest and was given a low chance of developing, and later upgraded to a medium chance. On the following day, the PAGASA upgraded the low-pressure system to a tropical depression and named it Carina.

Over an environment favorable for further development, with low vertical wind shear, established equatorial outflow and 28–29 °C sea surface temperatures, Carina generally moved north-northwest until midday (12:00 UTC) on July 14, when Carina rapidly weakened into a low-pressure area, due to unfavorable environment of strong wind shear and diffluent easterly flow. PAGASA then issued their final advisory to Carina, and the remnants dissipated on July 15.

As the low-pressure system was named Carina, PAGASA immediately hoisted Signal #1, the lowest of their storm warning signals, to Batanes, Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of Cagayan. Due to heavy rainfall caused by Carina, the storm caused some minimal damage on Ilocos Norte, Abra and Isabela.

Tropical Storm Sinlaku

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	July 31 – August 3
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min); 992 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Tropical Storm Sinlaku (2020)

On July 29, a tropical disturbance formed and was situated a couple hundred miles east of Manila, Philippines. Struggling to consolidate, the disturbance crossed Luzon with little to no organization and began organizing in the South China Sea. Environmental conditions became conducive for development, and the JMA declared that a tropical depression had formed in the early hours of July 31. Then early on August 1, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Sinlaku. The storm failed to intensity much afterward, and during the following day, Sinlaku made landfall on northern Vietnam. Shortly thereafter, both agencies issued final advisories on the storm.

Sinlaku produced heavy rain across central and northern Vietnam, resulting in significant flooding. Two people died, one from a collapsed embankment and the other from flash flooding. Thousands of homes were inundated and crops suffered extensive damage. Damage in the nation was about nearly 5.4 billion đồng (US$232,900). Flash floods across Thailand also killed two people.

The remnants of Sinlaku emerged in the Indian Ocean and intensified into a well marked low pressure area between August 5–8, recreating a lot of torrential rain in portions of India.

Typhoon Hagupit (Dindo)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration	July 31 – August 5
Peak intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min); 975 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Typhoon Hagupit (2020)

On July 31, JMA began monitoring a weak tropical depression that developed in the Philippine Sea. Later, PAGASA later named the depression "Dindo". By the next day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center designated Dindo as 03W. With favorable conditions of low vertical wind shear, strong equatorial outflow and 31 °C sea surface temperatures, Dindo intensified into a tropical storm on midday of the same time, and the Japan Meteorological Agency named it as Hagupit. Hagupit then began intensifying in the Philippine Sea, and by August 2, Hagupit was upgraded into a typhoon by the JTWC. The JMA later upgraded Hagupit to a severe tropical storm late on August 2. As Hagupit exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the PAGASA issued its final bulletin on the system. Hagupit was then upgraded into typhoon status by the JMA on August 3, and will later peak in intensity with a pressure of 975 hPa. At around 19:30 UTC, Hagupit made landfall in Wenzhou, China, with winds of 85 mph and pressure of 975 mbar (hPa). After its landfall, Hagupit gradually weakened over China, and by early August 4, the JTWC downgraded the typhoon into a tropical storm. Around midday of the same day, JTWC downgraded Hagupit into a tropical depression and later issued their final advisories on the storm, but the JMA still monitored Hagupit as a tropical storm. The system later will undergo an extratropical transition, a process which got completed on August 6, and the JMA issued their final advisory on the extratropical Hagupit.

In advance of Hagupit, Chinese officials ordered the evacuation of areas vulnerable to flooding. Hagupit caused torrential rainfall over portions of China peaking at 13.11 inches (333 mm) in the Jingshan district of Wenzhou. 15 people were reported dead across South Korea, 6 of them following a landslide in South Chungcheong Province, 11 people were reported missing, and 7 people were injured.

Tropical Storm Jangmi (Enteng)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	August 7 – August 11
Peak intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min); 996 hPa (mbar)

On August 6, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration started to monitor a low-pressure area that developed well east of Virac, Catanduanes. On the next day, the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the low-pressure area as a weak tropical depression. Despite a broad and elongated low-level circulation center, it gradually organized, prompting the Joint Typhoon Warning Center to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the depression. On the next day, the PAGASA upgraded it to a depression as it moved into its area of responsibility and named it Enteng. Some time later, the JTWC issued a TCFA. But, near end on the same day, the Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded Enteng (05W) to a tropical storm, receiving the international name Jangmi. As such, Jangmi became the fifth named tropical storm of the 2020 typhoon season.Jangmi was a fast-moving system, quickly exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility and heading northwards, and affected South Korea. The final advisory was issued on Jangmi by 1:00 UTC on August 11.

Jangmi dropped drenching rainfall through the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, with a peak amount of 2.2 inches (55.8 mm) recorded on the island of Kumejima. In South Korea, Jangmi dropped up to 2.6 inches (66.04 mm) of precipitation, in an area already hard hit by flooding in the months previous to Jangmi.

Tropical Depression 06W (Gener)

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	August 9 – August 13
Peak intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min); 1012 hPa (mbar)

A hybrid system formed on August 7 south of Japan. It slowly moved westwards over the next couple of days, and on August 9, it transitioned into a tropical cyclone.

Due to the fact that the disturbance already had tropical-storm-force winds, it was immediately declared a tropical storm by the JTWC on August 9. The next day, the tropical depression reached its peak intensity of 35 mph with an unusually high pressure of 1012 mbar. Soon afterwards 06W began to gradually weaken, and at 15:00 UTC on August 10, the JTWC downgraded 06W to a tropical depression.

Tropical Depression 06W then ceased to be monitored by the JMA on August 12 due to collapses in the convective activity, dry upper-level air intake, and other factors and ending its official monitoring, yet the JTWC still continued to issue updates normally for 06W even though the system had little signs of activity.

After moving generally westward, the system began to move to the southwest and, at 20:00 UTC (4:00 am, August 13 PST), it entered the Philippine's area of responsibility and was given the name Gener by PAGASA. At 03:00 UTC on August 13, the JTWC issued its final warning on 06W, ending the monitoring of agency and global agencies.

Severe Tropical Storm Mekkhala (Ferdie)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration	August 9 – August 11
Peak intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min); 992 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Tropical Storm Mekkhala (2020)

Another area of persistent convection formed within the proximity of the trough that would also spawn Tropical Storm Jangmi On August 7, west of Luzon. As Jangmi became the dominant system in the area, this low-pressure area remained disorganized. However, on the next day, as Jangmi moved away from the area, the system began to organize, and on August 9, the JTWC upgraded the storm to a Tropical Depression. Soon after, at 8:00 p.m. PST, the PAGASA followed and upgraded the storm and gave it the name Ferdie. By the next day, the JTWC upgraded Ferdie into a tropical storm. The PAGASA then issued its last warning as Ferdie exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Then soon, the JMA followed suit and upgraded Ferdie to a tropical storm, giving it the international name Mekkhala. At 07:30 CST on August 11 (23:30 UTC on August 10), Mekkhala made landfall at Zhangpu County in Fujian, China shortly after peak intensity.

Mekkhala forced a Signal No. 1 warning to be placed for the Ilocos region in the Philippines. Mekkhala brought monsoonal conditions to portions of Luzon, shortly after its formation. Although remain well offshore Taiwan, the storm still brought heavy rainfall to the island.

In China, local officials suspended ferry services and told ships to return to port, in preparation for Mekkhala. The China Meteorological Administration issued a Level III emergency response, while flood control workers were sent to areas which were hit by Mekkhala. Mekkhala dropped torrential rainfall over China with amounts of up to 7.874 inches (200 mm) reported in some areas. Train services were halted and flights were cancelled at local airports as Mekkhala moved onshore. In Zhangzhou, Fujian, damage from the storm reached 1.1 billion yuan (US$159 million).

Severe Tropical Storm Higos (Helen)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	August 16 – August 20
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min); 992 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Tropical Storm Higos (2020)

A new tropical depression formed from the Intertropical Convergence Zone east of Luzon on August 16. At 15:00 UTC, the PAGASA named the system "Helen" and began issuing severe weather bulletins for the tropical depression, but dropped the alerts as Helen left the Philippine area of responsibility after 4 hours. By the next day, Helen intensified into a tropical storm, being given the name Higos by the JMA. Later in the day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center also upgraded Higos into a tropical storm. JMA eventually upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm by evening that day. The Hong Kong Observatory and Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau upgraded Higos into a marginal typhoon prior to landfall, with sustained hurricane-force winds in Macau indicating such an intensity. Higos made landfall over Zhuhai, Guangdong at peak intensity at around 06:00 CST on August 19 (22:00 UTC on August 18).

In preparation for Higos, the Hong Kong Observatory raised the number 9 tropical cyclone warning signal in Hong Kong to warn of the possibility of hurricane-force winds. Winds generally reached gale to storm force over the southern part of Hong Kong under the influence of Higos' small circulation. The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau issued the number 10 signal, the highest signal, at 05:00 am local time. Over 65,000 people evacuated and schools were closed across these areas. Although heavily populated areas of China were directly hit by Higos, damage was mostly limited to downed trees and power outages. Two campers who were unaware of the approaching storm had to be rescued from Tap Mun Island after arriving on August 14. The storm also left 7 deaths and 45 billion đồng (US$2 million) in damages in Vietnam.

Typhoon Bavi (Igme)

Very strong typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration	August 21 – August 27
Peak intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min); 950 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Typhoon Bavi (2020)

On August 19, the JTWC began monitoring a broad area of low pressure situated a couple hundred miles northeast of the Philippine archipelago. By the next day, the system rapidly organised, and the JTWC subsequently issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA). On August 21, the area of low pressure became Tropical Depression 09W. At 15:00 UTC, the PAGASA named the system "Igme" and issued a severe weather bulletin for it. By the next day, Igme intensified into a tropical storm, according to the JMA and was given the name Bavi, subsequently prompting the JTWC to follow suit and upgrade 09W from a tropical depression to a tropical storm. Favorable conditions allowed Bavi to rapidly intensify, and by 12:00 UTC on August 22, the system became a severe tropical storm. As the system left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the PAGASA stopped issuing weather bulletins for the severe tropical storm. Bavi's period of rapid intensification was brief, and it began a slow intensification phase on August 23.

On August 24, Bavi slowly intensified, and it was later upgraded by the JMA into a typhoon. Later on that day, it became a Category 2 typhoon. By the next day, Bavi intensified even more to become a major Category 3 typhoon. As Bavi moved closer to the Korean peninsula, one person died in Jeju island on August 25. At around 00:30 UTC on August 27, Bavi made landfall over North Pyongan Province, North Korea. After that, Typhoon Bavi transitioned into an extratropical storm in Manchuria, China.

Typhoon Maysak (Julian)

Very strong typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration	August 27 – September 3
Peak intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min); 935 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Typhoon Maysak (2020)

A low-pressure area east of the Philippines consolidated into a tropical depression on August 27, and simultaneously, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert was issued for the system. Early on August 28, PAGASA upgraded it to a tropical depression with the local name Julian, shortly before the JMA upgraded it to a tropical storm and assigned the international name Maysak. Subsequently, the JTWC upgraded Maysak to a tropical storm too, and then the JMA upgraded it to a severe tropical storm despite its elongated LLCC. At 19:00 UTC August 29, the system was upgraded to a typhoon by the JMA and two hours later, PAGASA followed and also upgraded the system to typhoon status. Later on that day, it became a Category 2 typhoon. By the next day, Maysak intensified even more to become a major Category 3 typhoon. Then later on afternoon, it was upgraded to a Category 4 typhoon. Soon, Maysak began to weaken bit-by-bit as it passed the East China Sea, slowing back down to a Category 3 storm.

Typhoon Maysak then made landfall near Busan, South Korea at 02:20 KST on September 3 (17:20 UTC on September 2), with 10-minute maximum sustained winds at 155 km/h (100 mph) and the central pressure at 950 hPa (28.05 inHg). equivalent to a Category 2 typhoon. After that, it crossed the Sea of Japan and hitting North Korea into Jilin, Manchuria in China. Soon after, Typhoon Maysak degenerated into an extratropical low in northeast China.

On September 2, the Panamanian-registered animal transport ship Gulf Livestock 1 transmitted a Mayday and launched lifeboats, at least one of which was found. The ship was west of Japan's Amami Ōshima Island. The Japan Coast Guard has said that the freighter was carrying a crew including 39 Filipinos, 2 Australians, and 2 New Zealanders when it disappeared. The cargo was 5,867 cattle, loaded in Napier, New Zealand, and bound for the port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China. Two fatalities occurred in South Korea where also 120,000 households lost power. In North Korea, Maysak dropped 15.157 inches (385 mm) of precipitation in Wonsan.

Typhoon Haishen (Kristine)

Very strong typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration	August 31 – September 7
Peak intensity	185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min); 920 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Typhoon Haishen (2020)

On August 29, the JTWC began tracking a very disorganized tropical disturbance situated a couple hundred miles northeast of Guam, noting that no major models but the European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasting's ECMWF model had forecasted for any significant development. By the next day, the disturbance had quickly organized, and the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) for the low-pressure area, and by the next day, it intensified into Tropical Depression 11W. Traversing generally southwestward, the depression quickly intensified into a tropical storm. The JMA soon followed and upgraded the system into a tropical storm as well, and gave the storm the international name Haishen. Later that day, Haishen became a severe tropical storm as it headed southwest into the Philippine Sea. Intensification on September 3 was significant, with Typhoon Haishen acquiring a pinhole eye early in the day, but underwent a merger eyewall replacement cycle due to the eyewall being inertially unstable. This allowed the eyewall to be more robust and stable, and continual rapid intensification continued throughout the day.

Upon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geological and Atmospheric Services Administration (PAGASA) named the system Kristine. Early on September 4, the JTWC assessed that Haishen became a Category 4-equivalent super typhoon - with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 135 kt (155 mph; 250 km/h), with a clear, symmetrical eye visible on satellite imagery. On September 5, as Haishen's latitude increased, the ocean heat content in the area decreased, which disrupted the system's core and caused its eye to appear ragged on satellite imagery, subsequently indicating weakening, and dropping below super typhoon status. Later that day, the system left the PAR and PAGASA issued its last bulletin on the typhoon.

As the system continued its northward track toward the Japanese archipelago, it continued to weaken and became a category 3 typhoon, and not too long after it dropped to a category 2 typhoon as it neared the Southern Ryukyu Islands of Japan. A mandatory evacuation order was issued for western Japan as millions of people evacuated accordingly. Haishen made landfall in Ulsan, South Korea at around 09:00 KST (00:00 UTC) on September 7, with 10-minute maximum sustained winds at 140 km/h (85 mph) and the central pressure at 955 hPa (28.20 inHg).

Haishen caused two fatalities in Japan, while four others went missing after a mudslide occurred in Miyazaki Prefecture. Two more fatalities occurred in South Korea and widespread flooding occurred in neighboring North Korea.

Tropical Depression 12W

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration	September 10 – September 12
Peak intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min); 1006 hPa (mbar)

On September 10, the JMA began tracking a tropical disturbance to the north-northwest of Iwo-To, Japan. At 15:00 UTC that day, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system. By 3:00 UTC on September 12, the JTWC declared the system as a Tropical Depression 12W. However, the JTWC issued its final warning on the system later that day.

Tropical Storm Noul (Leon)

Noul
Current storm status Tropical storm  (JMA)
Current storm status Tropical storm (1-min mean)
Satellite image Forecast map
As of:	21:00 UTC, September 15
Location:	14.3°N 114.7°E / 14.3; 114.7 (Noul) 416 nmi (770 km; 480 mi) ESE of Da Nang, Vietnam
Sustained winds:	45 knots (85 km/h; 50 mph) (10-min mean) 45 knots (85 km/h; 50 mph) (1-min mean) gusting to 65 knots (120 km/h; 75 mph)
Pressure:	994 hPa (29.35 inHg)
Movement:	WNW at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
See more detailed information.

In the morning of September 15 UTC, the JTWC issued a tropical cyclone formation alert for a tropical system forming in the Philippine Sea. Later that day, the JMA upgraded the system to a tropical depression and assigned it the international name Noul. The JTWC later followed at 15:00 UTC as they issued their first warning on the system as Tropical Depression 13W. Since the depression formed inside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the PAGASA immediately issued a severe weather bulletin on the storm and named the system Leon. At 21:00 on September 16, the storm left the PAR and PAGASA issued its final warning on the system.

Current storm information

As of 21:00 UTC September 15, Tropical Storm Noul is located near 14.3°N 114.7°E / 14.3; 114.7 (13W), also about 416 nautical miles (770 km; 480 mi) east-southeast of Da Nang, Vietnam. Maximum 10-minute sustained winds are at 45 knots (85 km/h; 50 mph), while maximum 1-minute sustained winds are at 45 knots (85 km/h; 50 mph), with gusts up to 65 knots (120 km/h; 75 mph). The minimum central barometric pressure is 994 hPa (29.35 inHg), and the system is moving west-northwestward at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph).

For the latest official information, see:

• JMA's Tropical Cyclone Information on Tropical Storm 2011 (Noul)
• JTWC's Tropical Cyclone Warning Text on Tropical Storm 13W (Noul)

Other systems

Late on July 27, the JMA began to track a weak tropical depression in the open Western Pacific. Later on the following day, the system was unofficially classified as a subtropical depression by the JTWC, when it has been given a low-chance of transitioning to a tropical cyclone. On a marginal environment with cyclonic easterly flow, moderate to strong wind shear and 28–30 °C sea surface temperatures, the system was expected to recurve poleward and was to be absorbed by an approaching frontal system. The depression, however, dissipated on July 30.

Storm names

See also: Tropical cyclone naming and History of tropical cyclone naming

Within the Northwest Pacific Ocean, both the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) assign names to tropical cyclones that develop in the Western Pacific, which can result in a tropical cyclone having two names. The Japan Meteorological Agency's RSMC Tokyo — Typhoon Center assigns international names to tropical cyclones on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization's Typhoon Committee, should they be judged to have 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 65 km/h (40 mph). PAGASA assigns names to tropical cyclones which move into or form as a tropical depression in their area of responsibility located between 135°E and 115°E and between 5°N and 25°N even if the cyclone has had an international name assigned to it. The names of significant tropical cyclones are retired, by both PAGASA and the Typhoon Committee. Should the list of names for the Philippine region be exhausted then names will be taken from an auxiliary list of which the first ten are published each season. Unused names are marked in gray.

International names

Main article: List of retired Pacific typhoon names

A tropical cyclone is named when it is judged to have 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 65 km/h (40 mph). The JMA selected the names from a list of 140 names, that had been developed by the 14 members nations and territories of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. Retired names, if any, will be announced by the WMO in 2021; replacement names will be announced in 2022. The next 28 names on the naming list are listed here along with their international numeric designation, if they are used.

Vongfong (2001) Nuri (2002) Sinlaku (2003) Hagupit (2004) Jangmi (2005) Mekkhala (2006) Higos (2007)

Bavi (2008) Maysak (2009) Haishen (2010) Noul (2011) (active) Dolphin (unused) Kujira (unused) Chan-hom (unused)

Linfa (unused) Nangka (unused) Saudel (unused) Molave (unused) Goni (unused) Atsani (unused) Etau (unused)

Vamco (unused) Krovanh (unused) Dujuan (unused) Surigae (unused) Choi-wan (unused) Koguma (unused) Champi (unused)

Philippines

Main article: List of retired Philippine typhoon names

This season, PAGASA will use its own naming scheme for storms that will either develop within or move into their self-defined area of responsibility. The names are taken from a list of names that were last used during 2016 and are scheduled to be used again during 2024. All of the names are the same except Kristine, Leon, and Nika, which replaced the names Karen, Lawin, and Nina after they were retired. The names Kristine and Leon were used for the first time.

Ambo (2001) Butchoy (2002) Carina Dindo (2004) Enteng (2005)

Ferdie (2006) Gener Helen (2007) Igme (2008) Julian (2009)

Kristine (2010) Leon (2011) (active) Marce (unused) Nika (unused) Ofel (unused)

Pepito (unused) Quinta (unused) Rolly (unused) Siony (unused) Tonyo (unused)

Ulysses (unused) Vicky (unused) Warren (unused) Yoyong (unused) Zosimo (unused)

Auxiliary list

Alakdan (unused) Baldo (unused)

Clara (unused) Dencio (unused)

Estong (unused) Felipe (unused)

Gomer (unused) Heling (unused)

Ismael (unused) Julio (unused)

Retirement

During the season, PAGASA announced that the name Ambo will be removed from their naming lists after this typhoon caused nearly ₱1.6 billion in damage on its onslaught in the country. A replacement name will be chosen in 2021.

Season effects

This table summarizes all the systems that developed within or moved into the North Pacific Ocean, to the west of the International Date Line during 2020. The tables also provide an overview of a system's intensity, duration, land areas affected and any deaths or damages associated with the system.

Name	Dates	Peak intensity			Areas affected	Damage (USD)	Deaths	Refs
		Category	Wind speed	Pressure
Vongfong (Ambo)	May 8 – 18	Typhoon	155 km/h (100 mph)	960 hPa (28.35 inHg)	Palau, Philippines, Taiwan	$31.1 million	5
Nuri (Butchoy)	June 10 – 14	Tropical storm	75 km/h (45 mph)	996 hPa (29.41 inHg)	Philippines, South China	Unknown	1
Carina	July 11 – 15	Tropical depression	Not specified	1004 hPa (29.65 inHg)	Philippines, Taiwan	Minimal	1
TD	July 27 – 29	Tropical depression	Not specified	1010 hPa (29.83 inHg)	None	None	None
Sinlaku	July 31 – August 3	Tropical storm	65 km/h (40 mph)	992 hPa (29.29 inHg)	South China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar	$232.9 million	6
Hagupit (Dindo)	July 31 – August 5	Typhoon	130 km/h (80 mph)	975 hPa (28.79 inHg)	Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, East China, Korean Peninsula, Kamchatka Peninsula	$411 million	17
Jangmi (Enteng)	August 7 – 11	Tropical storm	85 km/h (50 mph)	996 hPa (29.41 inHg)	Philippines, Ryukyu Islands, Korean Peninsula	Minimal	None
06W (Gener)	August 9 – 13	Tropical depression	55 km/h (35 mph)	1012 hPa (29.88 inHg)	Bonin Islands, Ryukyu Islands	None	None
Mekkhala (Ferdie)	August 9 – 11	Severe tropical storm	95 km/h (60 mph)	992 hPa (29.29 inHg)	Philippines, Taiwan, East China	$159 million	None
Higos (Helen)	August 16 – 20	Severe tropical storm	100 km/h (65 mph)	992 hPa (29.29 inHg)	Philippines, South China	$2 million	7
Bavi (Igme)	August 21 – 27	Typhoon	155 km/h (100 mph)	950 hPa (28.05 inHg)	Philippines, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Korean Peninsula, North China, Northeast China	Minimal	1
Maysak (Julian)	August 27 – September 3	Typhoon	175 km/h (110 mph)	935 hPa (27.61 inHg)	Philippines, Japan, Korean Peninsula, Northeast China	Unknown	4
Haishen (Kristine)	August 31 – September 9	Typhoon	185 km/h (115 mph)	920 hPa (27.17 inHg)	Mariana Islands, Northeast China, Japan, Korean Peninsula	None	4
12W	September 10 – 12	Tropical depression	55 km/h (35 mph)	1006 hPa (29.71 inHg)	Japan	None	None
Noul (Leon)	September 14 – Present	Tropical storm	85 km/h (40 mph)	994 hPa (29.59 inHg)	Philippines	None	None
Season aggregates
15 systems	May 8 – Season ongoing		185 km/h (115 mph)	920 hPa (27.17 inHg)		$836 million	46

See also

• Tropical cyclones in 2020
• Pacific typhoon season
• 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
• 2020 Pacific hurricane season
• 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2019–20, 2020–21
• Australian region cyclone seasons: 2019–20, 2020–21
• South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2019–20, 2020–21

External links

• China Meteorological Agency
• Digital Typhoon
• Hong Kong Observatory
• Japan Meteorological Agency
  • Multilingual Tropical Cyclone Information
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center
• Korea Meteorological Administration
• Malaysian Meteorological Department
• National Weather Service Guam
• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
• Taiwan Central Weather Bureau
• TCWC Jakarta
• Thai Meteorological Department
• Typhoon2000
• Vietnam's National Hydro-Meteorological Service