The 2018 Pacific typhoon season was an event in the annual typhoon season in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The scope of this article is limited to the north of the equator between the 100th meridian east and the 180th meridian. The season had above-average activity, with 29 storms, 13 typhoons, and 7 super typhoons[nb 1] forming within the boundaries of the basin. The season has no official boundaries and storms can form year-round, however most storms typically form between May and November.[2]
02:45 UTC – the system makes its sixth and final landfall on Aborlan.[7]
January 3
00:00 UTC at 10°24′N116°00′E / 10.4°N 116.0°E / 10.4; 116.0 – the JMA upgrades a tropical depression to a tropical storm, assigning it the name Bolaven, estimating it has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 1002 hPa (mbar, 29.59 inHg).[8]
06:00 UTC at 6°48′N135°48′E / 6.8°N 135.8°E / 6.8; 135.8 – the JMA upgrades the tropical depression to a tropical storm east of the Palau islands, assigning it the name Sanba, assessing it has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 1000 hPa (mbar; 29.59 inHg).[8]
06:00 UTC at 16°12′N138°06′E / 16.2°N 138.1°E / 16.2; 138.1 – the JMA estimates that Jelawat has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 915 hPa (mbar; 27.02 inHg).[8]
06:00 UTC at 21°00′N111°24′E / 21.0°N 111.4°E / 21.0; 111.4 – the JMA estimates that Ewiniar has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 998 hPa (mbar; 29.47 inHg).[8]
00:00 UTC at 25°00′N130°42′E / 25.0°N 130.7°E / 25.0; 130.7 – the JMA estimates that Maliksi has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 970 hPa (mbar; 28.64 inHg).[8]
06:00 UTC at 26°48′N128°54′E / 26.8°N 128.9°E / 26.8; 128.9 – the JMA estimates that Gaemi has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (50 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 990 hPa (mbar; 29.23 inHg).[8]
21:00 UTC – the PAGASA assigned Maria the local name Gardo as it entered the PAR.[26]
July 9
00:00 UTC at 21°48′N133°30′E / 21.8°N 133.5°E / 21.8; 133.5 – the JMA estimates that Maria has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 915&nsp;hPa (mbar; 27.02 inHg).[8]
12:00 UTC at 19°00′N113°36′E / 19.0°N 113.6°E / 19.0; 113.6 – the JMA estimates that Son-Tinh has peaked in intensity for the first time with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 994 hPa (mbar; 29.35 inHg).[8]
18:00 UTC at 22°18′N131°12′E / 22.3°N 131.2°E / 22.3; 131.2 – the JMA upgrades Ampil to a severe tropical storm, assessing it has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 90 km/h (60 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 985 hPa (mbar; 29.09 inHg).[8]
06:00 UTC at 18°30′N119°30′E / 18.5°N 119.5°E / 18.5; 119.5 – the JMA estimates that 13W has peaked with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 996 hPa (mbar; 29.42 inHg).[40]
00:00 UTC at 32°42′N158°12′E / 32.7°N 158.2°E / 32.7; 158.2 – the JMA upgrades Wukong to a severe tropical storm, assessing it has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 990 hPa (mbar; 29.23 inHg).[8]
00:00 UTC at 25°00′N142°24′E / 25.0°N 142.4°E / 25.0; 142.4 – the JMA estimates that Jongdari has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 960 hPa (mbar; 28.35 inHg).[8]
06:00 UTC at 34°48′N148°36′E / 34.8°N 148.6°E / 34.8; 148.6 – the JMA estimates that 16W has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 1000 hPa (mbar; 29.53 inHg).[47]
18:00 UTC – Jongdari dissipates over Central China.[8]
18:00 UTC at 22°30′N147°42′E / 22.5°N 147.7°E / 22.5; 147.7 – the JMA estimates that Shanshan has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h (80 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 970 hPa (mbar; 28.64 inHg).[8]
00:00 UTC – the PAGASA upgrades 18W to a tropical depression, assigning it the local name Karding.[51]
06:00 UTC at 31°12′N143°54′E / 31.2°N 143.9°E / 31.2; 143.9 – the JTWC upgrades Shanshan to a Category 2-equivalent typhoon on the SSHWS, estimating maximum 1-minute sustained winds of 155 km/h (100 mph).[6]
12:00 UTC at 25°00′N126°48′E / 25.0°N 126.8°E / 25.0; 126.8 – the JMA estimates that Yagi has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 990 hPa (mbar; 29.23 inHg).[8]
06:00 UTC at 26°30′N138°36′E / 26.5°N 138.6°E / 26.5; 138.6 – the JMA upgrades Leepi to a severe tropical storm, estimating maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 994 hPa (mbar; 29.35 inHg).[8]
06:00 UTC – Yagi dissipates over northern China.[8]
06:00 UTC at 20°06′N107°54′E / 20.1°N 107.9°E / 20.1; 107.9 – the JMA estimates that Bebinca has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (50 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 985 hPa (mbar; 29.09 inHg).[8]
12:00 UTC at 30°30′N122°54′E / 30.5°N 122.9°E / 30.5; 122.9 – the JMA estimates that Rumbia has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (50 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 985 hPa (mbar; 29.09 inHg).[8]
18:00 UTC at 27°00′N133°18′E / 27.0°N 133.3°E / 27.0; 133.3 – the JMA estimates that Soulik has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h (100 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 950 hPa (mbar; 28.05 inHg).[8]
00:00 UTC at 24°12′N139°54′E / 24.2°N 139.9°E / 24.2; 139.9 – the JTWC upgrades Cimaron to a Category 4-equivalent typhoon on the SSHWS, estimating maximum 1-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h (130 mph).[6]
06:00 UTC at 25°30′N138°48′E / 25.5°N 138.8°E / 25.5; 138.8 – the JMA estimates that Cimaron has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h (100 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 950 hPa (mbar; 28.05 inHg).[8]
00:00 UTC at 22°18′N119°42′E / 22.3°N 119.7°E / 22.3; 119.7 – the JMA estimates that 24W has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 994 hPa (mbar; 29.35 inHg).[59]
12:00 UTC at 29°N125°E / 29°N 125°E / 29; 125 – the JMA estimates that the Philippine Sea tropical depression has peaked in intensity with a minimum central pressure of 1000 hPa (mbar; 29.53 inHg).[64]
00:00 UTC at 17°54′N144°12′E / 17.9°N 144.2°E / 17.9; 144.2 – the JMA estimates that Jebi has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 915 hPa (mbar; 27.02 inHg).[8]
00:00 UTC at 21°12′N129°12′E / 21.2°N 129.2°E / 21.2; 129.2 – the JMA estimates that the Philippine Sea tropical depression has peaked in intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 1004 hPa (mbar; 29.65 inHg).[71]
06:00 UTC at 20°42′N118°00′E / 20.7°N 118.0°E / 20.7; 118.0 – the JMA estimates that Barijat has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 998 hPa (mbar; 29.47 inHg).[8]
12:00 UTC at 13°42′N138°42′E / 13.7°N 138.7°E / 13.7; 138.7 – the JMA estimates that Mangkhut has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h (125 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 905 hPa (mbar; 26.72 inHg).[8]
18:00 UTC at 19°36′N129°06′E / 19.6°N 129.1°E / 19.6; 129.1 – the JMA estimates that Trami has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 915 hPa (mbar; 27.02 inHg).[8]
00:00 UTC at 27°48′N152°18′E / 27.8°N 152.3°E / 27.8; 152.3 – the JMA estimates that the tropical depression has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1008 hPa (mbar; 29.77 inHg).[82]
09:00 UTC – Kong-rey enters the PAR, prompting the PAGASA to assign it the local name Queenie.[85]
12:00 UTC at 16°48′N134°24′E / 16.8°N 134.4°E / 16.8; 134.4 – the JMA estimates that Kong-rey has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h (130 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 900 hPa (mbar; 26.58 inHg).[8]
00:00 UTC at 9°N109°E / 9°N 109°E / 9; 109 – the JMA begins tracking a tropical depression in the South China Sea, estimating a minimum central pressure of 1008 hPa (mbar; 29.77 inHg).[87]
12:00 UTC at 14°42′N146°12′E / 14.7°N 146.2°E / 14.7; 146.2 – the JMA estimates that Yutu has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h (130 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 900 hPa (mbar; 26.58 inHg).[8]
06:00 UTC at 10°54′N111°18′E / 10.9°N 111.3°E / 10.9; 111.3 – the JMA upgrades 32W to a tropical storm, assigning it the name Toraji and estimating maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 1004 hPa (mbar; 29.65 inHg).[8]
12:00 UTC – Man-yi enters the PAR, prompting the PAGASA to assign it the local name Tomas.[91]
November 24
00:00 UTC at 9°42′N109°30′E / 9.7°N 109.5°E / 9.7; 109.5 – the JMA estimates that Usagi has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 990 hPa (mbar; 29.23 inHg).[8]
12:00 UTC at 18°42′N136°12′E / 18.7°N 136.2°E / 18.7; 136.2 – the JMA estimates that Man-yi has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (90 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 960 hPa (mbar; 28.35 inHg).[8]
18:00 UTC at 10°42′N128°24′E / 10.7°N 128.4°E / 10.7; 128.4 – the JMA estimates that 35W has peaked in intensity with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 1000 hPa (mbar; 29.53 inHg).[98]
^Super typhoons are an unofficial classification given by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center for storms whose strength are 130 knots (240 km/h; 150 mph) or above.[1]
Two tropical waves in the Main Development region on August 15, 2017
The Main Development Region, also known as the MDR, is a region in the Atlantic Ocean where a majority of hurricanes form. Its bounds are generally accepted to be between the western coast of Africa and the Caribbean Sea.[mdr 1]
Hurricane Ivan as a Category 3 hurricane in the Main Development Region
A majority of all storms in the Northern Atlantic originate from the MDR.[mdr 2] Conditions in the MDR are generally conducive to tropical cyclone activity due to warm waters caused due to proximity to the equator and moisture caused by proximity to the intertropical convergence zone. During peak months, activity is highest due to higher sea surface temperatures, reduced wind shear, and weakening of the Saharan Air Layer.[mdr 3]