2006 Western North Pacific Ocean Tropical Cyclones

Tropical Cyclone Cyclogenesis Date Cyclolysis Date Highest Saffir-Simpson Category Maximum 6-hr Sustained Wind (kt) Maximum 6-hr Wind Gust (kt) Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE*) Index (kt2) Landfall Information (date, location and sustained winds)
01W 3/4/06 3/5/06 TS 35 45 0.7350 x 104
Chanchu 5/8/06 5/18/06 Cat 4 135 165 24.0900 x 104 5/11/06 - Philippines (Cat 1 - 75 kt)
5/11/06 - China (Cat 1 - 75 kt)
Jelawat 6/27/06 6/28/06 TS 45 55 1.0550 x 104
Ewiniar 6/30/06 7/11/06 Cat 4 130 160 28.3880 x 104 7/10/06 - South Korea (TS - 40 kt)
Bilis 7/09/06 7/14/06 TS 55 70 4.183 x 104 7/13/06 - Taiwan (TS - 55 kt)
7/14/06 - Southern China (TS - 55 kt)
Kaemi 7/18/06 7/25/06 Cat 2 90 110 13.9750 x 104 7/25/06 - Taiwan (Cat 1 - 65 kt)
7/25/06 - Southern China (TS - 50 kt)
Prapiroon 8/01/06 8/04/06 Cat 1 70 80 4.1650 x 104 8/3/06 - Southern China (Cat 1 - 70 kt)
Saomai 8/05/06 8/10/06 Cat 5 140 170 19.0200 x 104 8/10/06 - Southern China (Cat 4 - 130 kt)
Maria 8/06/06 8/09/06 Cat 1 65 80 3.8225 x 104
Bopha 8/06/06 8/09/06 TS 50 65 2.0300 x 104 8/08/06 - Taiwan (TS - 45 kt)
Wukong 8/12/06 8/18/06 TS 50 65 4.0750 x 104 8/18/06 - Western Island of Kyushu (TS - 35 kt)
Sonamu 8/13/06 8/15/06 TS 45 55 1.0075 x 104
Ioke 8/27/06 9/5/06 Cat 5 140 170 51.9088 x 104
Shanshan 9/10/06 9/18/06 Cat 4 115 140 24.3475 x 104 9/17/06 - Southwestern Japan (Cat 1 - 65 kt)
Yagi 9/17/06 9/25/06 Cat 4 130 160 28.9625 x 104 9/17/06 - Island of Kyushu (Cat 1 - 65 kt)
Xangsane 9/25/06 10/01/06 Cat 4 125 150 21.8025 x 104 9/27/06 - Northern Philippines (Cat 4 - 115 kt)
Bebinca 10/02/06 10/05/06 TS 45 55 1.9175 x 104
Rumbia 10/05/06 10/05/06 TS 35 45 .2450 x 104
Soulik 10/09/06 10/16/06 Cat 2 90 110 12.0306 x 104
Cimaron 10/27/06 11/03/06 Cat 5 140 170 23.8763 x 104 10/29/06 - Northern Philippines (Cat 5 - 140 kt)
Chebi 11/09/06 11/14/06 Cat 4 115 140 9.9700 x 104
Durian 11/26/06 12/05/06 Cat 4 135 165 25.1926 x 104 11/30/06 - Northern Philippines (Cat 4 - 125 kt)
12/05/06 - Southern Vietnam (Cat 1 - 65 kt)
Utor 12/08/06 12/14/06 Cat 3 100 125 14.2263 x 104 12/09/06 - Eastern Philippines (Cat 1 - 65 kt)



*The Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) Index is calculated by summing the squares of the estimated 6-hourly maximum sustained wind speed in knots (Vmax2) for all periods in which the tropical cyclone is a tropical storm or greater intensity (sustained winds of 34 kt or greater). Note that the official NOAA definition of the ACE Index does not include those periods when the system is characterized as sub-tropical. However, we are including this information to allow for comparison between individual cyclones across all basins, many of which contain records which inadequately distinguish between tropical and subtropical cyclones. For a complete description of the ACE Index see Bell and Chelliah (2006), Journal of Climate (19) 590-612.


The Saffir-Simpson Scale for Tropical Cyclones

Category Miles Per Hour (mph) Knots (kt) Kilometers Per Hour (km hr-1)
Tropical Storm (TS)
 39-73 34-63 63-118
Cat 1
 74-95 64-82 119-153
Cat 2
 96-110 83-95 154-177
Cat 3
 111-130 96-113 178-209
Cat 4
 131-155 114-135 210-249
Cat 5
 156 or greater 136 or greater 250 or greater