2013 Hypothetical Pacific typhoon season (Xtyphooncyclonex)

The 2013 (hypothetical) typhoon season was an event in which tropical cyclones formed in the western Pacific Ocean. The season ran throughout 2013, although most tropical cyclones typically developed between May and October. 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.

The season was the most active since 1994, and is the most active ever recorded, based on Accumulated Cyclone Energy. The season was the first to have the naming system similar to the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, and had similarities to the naming system in the Western Pacific used before the year 2000. The season had a record high 12 super typhoons, a record high amount of damages and one of the highest fatalities ever recorded in a typhoon season. In this season, there were 2 storms which had originated outside of the Western Pacific, and of which both retained their names.

Seasonal forecasts
During each season, 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 the University College London, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration  (PAGASA)  and the Vietnamese National Center for Hydro Meteorological forecasts (VNCHMF).

After a very early burst of activity, all of the above agencies had forecast an above-average activity for the Western Pacific basin, or, their respective areas of responsibility.

Season summary


The season started early, at the first day of the year, with the formation of Tropical Storm Alejandro; it concluded at the last day of the year, after TD 36W had dissipated. The season had systems existing over all months throughout the year, with August having the most named storms forming at six. There was a slight decrease in activity, however, there was another unusual burst of activity during November with five named storms and making that November the most active recorded in terms of tropical activity. The season had an observed 32 tropical storms but TD 03W was upgraded to a tropical storm in post analysis, making it 33; There were 25 typhoons, 18 major/intense typhoons and 12 super typhoons. The accumulated cyclone energy of the season after post-analysis was estimated to be from 527-540 units, one of the highest ever recorded.