The 2019 Pacific typhoon season was a devastating season that became the costliest on record, mainly due to the catastrophic damage wrought by typhoons Lekima, Faxai, and Hagibis. The season was the fifth and final consecutive to have above average tropical cyclone activity that produced a total of 29 named storms, 17 typhoons, and 5 super typhoons. The season ran throughout 2019, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and November. The season's first named storm, Pabuk, reached tropical storm status on January 1, becoming the earliest-forming tropical storm of the western Pacific Ocean on record, breaking the previous record that was held by Typhoon Alice in 1979. The season's first typhoon, Wutip, reached typhoon status on February 20. Wutip further intensified into a super typhoon on February 23, becoming the strongest February typhoon on record, and the strongest tropical cyclone recorded in February in the Northern Hemisphere. The season's last named storm, Phanfone, dissipated on December 29 after it made landfall in the Philippines.
In early August, Typhoon Lekima made landfall in China's Zhejiang province as a powerful typhoon, producing extensive rainfall and landslides that warranted over $9 billion worth of damages, making it, at the time, the second-costliest storm in Chinese history. September saw Typhoon Faxai brush Japan's Kantō region as a strong typhoon, causing extensive destruction. One month later, in early October, Typhoon Hagibis made landfall just west—at Shizuoka—as a large typhoon, causing extensive damages worth over $17 billion, making it, at that time, the costliest Pacific typhoon on record (unadjusted for inflation), until Typhoon Doksuri surpassed it four years later. The Philippines saw two destructive storms wreak havoc across the nation in December. Typhoon Kammuri made landfall in Bicol Region as a large, powerful Category 4-equivalent typhoon in early December, while Typhoon Phanfone made landfall in the central region of the country three weeks later, causing at least 50 deaths.
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, two separate agencies 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, while 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–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
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 included the Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) Consortium of University College London, PAGASA and Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau.
The first forecast of the year was released by PAGASA on February 7, within its seasonal climate outlook for the period January–June. The outlook noted that one to two tropical cyclones were expected between January and March, while two to four were expected to develop or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility between April and June. Moreover, PAGASA predicts an 80% chance of a weak El Niño presence during February–March–April period. On May 7, the TSR issued their first forecast for the season, predicting that the 2019 season would be a slightly above average season, producing 27 named storms, 17 typhoons, and ten intense typhoons. One of the factors behind this is due to the possible development of a moderate El Niño anticipated within the third quarter of the year.
On July 5, the TSR released their second forecast for the season, now lowering their numbers and predicting that the season would be a below-average season with 25 named storms, 15 typhoons, and eight intense typhoons. The PAGASA issued their second forecast for the season on July 15, predicting six to nine tropical cyclones expected to develop or enter their area between July and September and about three to five tropical cyclones by September to December. The agency also predicted that the weak El Niño was expected to weaken towards neutral conditions by August and September 2019. On August 7, the TSR released their final forecast for the season, predicting a near-normal season with 26 named storms, 16 typhoons and eight intense typhoons.
Season summary
2019 was a fairly-above average season. It featured 50 tropical cyclones, 29 named storms, 17 that became typhoons and five became super typhoons. Throughout the year, there were at least 389 deaths from several storms, making the season the least deadly since 2015. A record of $34.14 billion in damages were recorded, making 2019 the costliest Pacific typhoon season on record, only surpassing with the previous season.
The first half of the season was considerably inactive, despite opening up with a developing area of low pressure which absorbed the remnants of Tropical Depression Usman from the 2018 season just to the south of Vietnam. The system, shortly thereafter, strengthened into Tropical Storm Pabuk, which became the first named storm of the season. Four days later, Pabuk make landfall in Thailand and exited the basin and into the Bay of Bengal. In that same month, Tropical Depression 01W (Amang) affected eastern Philippines bringing torrential rainfall. The next named storm, Typhoon Wutip, strengthened into a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon and became the most powerful February typhoon on record, surpassing Typhoon Higos in 2015. Several tropical depressions developed during the months of March and May, however none strengthened into named storms. The month of June was unusually quiet with two storms forming in total. June did include Tropical Storm Sepat, which affected mainland Japan bringing gusty winds and a tornado. Tropical Storm Sepat was only classified as a subtropical storm by the JTWC.
In July, four named storms developed and affected land: Mun, which affected South China, Danas and Nari, which affected mainland Japan, and Wipha which also affected South China. None of the storms, however, reached typhoon intensity, which is very rare for the month of July. By August, tropical activity began to increase with the development of three simultaneous typhoons. Typhoon Francisco affected Japan and the Korean Peninsula. Typhoon Lekima reached Category 4-equivalent super typhoon intensity east of Taiwan and made landfall in Zhejiang of eastern China. Lekima brought total damages of $9.28 billion, making it the fifth costliest typhoon and the costliest typhoon in China. Typhoon Krosa formed as a Category 3 typhoon and made landfall in Japan as a severe tropical storm. Tropical Storms Bailu and Podul impacted Taiwan and the Philippines respectively as well as southern China but caused minimal damage.
In September, five tropical cyclones formed, including Typhoon Faxai, which made landfall in Japan as a Category 4-equivalent typhoon on September 8 causing landslides and damage that left a total of $10 billion in damages and three fatalities. Typhoon Tapah killed three people in Japan, and damage left behind in South Korea reached a total of ₩2.96 billion (US$2.48 million) and Japan's agricultural damage was amounted to be ¥583 million (US$5.42 million). Typhoon Mitag caused havoc in Western China and Taiwan, claiming three lives. Mitag also caused fourteen fatalities as it impacted the Korean Peninsula. The typhoon caused a total of $816 million in damages. During October, four cyclones formed, including the fourth-strongest tropical cyclone worldwide in 2019, Typhoon Hagibis, formed on October 4 near the Marshall Islands, and soon became the second-strongest tropical cyclone of the season when it explosively intensified into a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon. Hagibis made landfall in Japan as a Category 2 typhoon, causing major damage in the country, killing 98 people and causing a total $18 billion in damage; making it the costliest typhoon at the time.
In the month of November, six named storms were recorded, which is the most active since 1991, including the most intense tropical cyclone of the season, Halong, formed on November 1 and became a Category 5 super typhoon four days later with 10-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h (134 mph) and with a minimum pressure of 905 millibars. In late-November, Kammuri formed and became a Category 4 typhoon on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale, and made landfall in the Philippines on November 30 causing 17 fatalities and dealing $130 million in damages. The month of December was quiet, however, another typhoon, Phanfone, formed on December 19. Phanfone made landfall in the Philippines on December 25 on Christmas Day as a Category 2 typhoon, the first storm to do so since Typhoon Nock-ten in 2016. Phanfone dissipated on December 29 after striking the Philippines, leaving a total of 50 people dead and causing $67.2 million in damages.
The Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index for the 2019 Pacific typhoon season as calculated by Colorado State University using data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center was 276.8 units. Broadly speaking, ACE is a measure of the power of a tropical or subtropical storm multiplied by the length of time it existed. It is only calculated for full advisories on specific tropical and subtropical systems reaching or exceeding wind speeds of 39 miles per hour (63 km/h).
Systems
Tropical Storm Pabuk
A tropical disturbance formed over the southern portion of the South China Sea on December 28, 2018, which absorbed the remnants of Tropical Depression 35W (Usman) on December 30. Under high vertical wind shear, the low-pressure area remained disorganized until December 31 when it was upgraded to a tropical depression by both the JMA and the JTWC. As it was designated 36W by the JTWC, it was unofficially the last system of the 2018 typhoon season. At around 06:00 UTC on January 1, 2019, the system was upgraded to the first tropical storm of the 2019 typhoon season and named Pabuk by the JMA, surpassing Typhoon Alice in 1979 to become the earliest-forming tropical storm in the northwest Pacific Ocean on record. At that time, Pabuk was about 650 km (400 mi) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and drifted westward slowly with a partially exposed low-level circulation center.
Under marginal conditions including warm sea surface temperatures, excellent poleward outflow but strong vertical wind shear, Pabuk struggled to intensify further for over two days until it accelerated west-northwestward and entered the Gulf of Thailand on January 3, where vertical wind shear was slightly weaker. It became the first tropical storm over the gulf since Muifa in 2004. Moreover, it tried to form an eye revealed by microwave imagery. On January 4, the Thai Meteorological Department reported that Pabuk had made landfall over Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat at 12:45 ICT (05:45 UTC), although other agencies indicated a landfall at peak intensity between 06:00 and 12:00 UTC. Pabuk became the first tropical storm to make landfall over southern Thailand since Linda in 1997. Shortly after 12:00 UTC, the JMA issued the last full advisory for Pabuk as it exited the basin into the North Indian Ocean.
In Vietnam, Pabuk caused one death, and the losses were estimated at ₫27.87 billion (US$1.2 million). Eight people in Thailand were killed, and the losses in the country were estimated to be 3 billion bahts (US$93.8 million). Pabuk also killed one person in Malaysia.
Tropical Depression 01W (Amang)
The JTWC upgraded a disturbance north of Bairiki to a tropical depression with the designation 01W late on January 4 and expected some intensification, but it failed to develop and the JTWC downgraded it back to a disturbance on January 6. The system continued drifting westwards for two weeks without development. On January 19, the JMA upgraded the low-pressure area to a tropical depression when it was already located about 200 km (120 mi) west of Palau. The tropical depression entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, being given the name Amang by PAGASA. Amang moved west-northwestward until it made landfall over Siargao at 11:00 Philippine Standard Time (PST), January 20. Amang changed course after the landfall, turning northward the next day until weakening over Samar the same day. Amang then weakened into a low pressure area before dissipating shortly afterwards, which then PAGASA issued their final advisories.
The depression indirectly triggered landslides and flash floods in Davao Oriental and Agusan del Norte, killing 10 people. Damage in Davao were at ₱318.99 million (US$6.04 million).
Typhoon Wutip (Betty)
A low-pressure area south of the Federated States of Micronesia intensified into Tropical Depression 02W on February 18. The system was later upgraded to a tropical storm the following day after improving its deep rainbands, earning the name Wutip. On February 20, its convection rapidly deepened, attaining severe tropical storm status from the JMA, before strengthening further into a typhoon the next day. It formed a central dense overcast, and an eye was detected on satellite imagery shortly thereafter on February 22. By the next day, Wutip underwent rapid intensification, reaching 1-minute winds of 270 km/h (165 mph), becoming the most powerful February typhoon on record, surpassing Typhoon Higos of 2015. Shortly afterward, an eyewall replacement cycle occurred, weakening the storm. Upon completion on February 24, Wutip again rapidly intensified into a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon on February 25. Wutip entered a hostile environment with increased wind shear and began to weaken, concurrently making another turn westward. On February 28, Wutip weakened into a tropical depression and lost most of its convection, and was given the name "Betty" by the PAGASA as the storm entered the Philippine Sea. The storm rapidly weakened until it dissipated on March 2.