Typhoons in the Philippines

The Philippine Area of Responsibility (red), Tropical Cyclone Advisory Domain (orange), and Tropical Cyclone Information Domain (purple).

The Philippines is a Typhoon (Tropical Cyclone)-prone country, with approximately 20 Tropical Cyclones entering its area of responsibility per year. Locally known generally as bagyo ([bɐgˈjoʔ]),^[3] typhoons regularly form in the Philippine Sea and less regularly, in the South China Sea, with the months of June to September being the most active, August being the month with the most activity. Each year, at least ten typhoons are expected to hit the island nation, with five expected to be destructive and powerful.^[4] In 2013, Time declared the country as the "most exposed country in the world to tropical storms".^[5]

Typhoons typically make an east-to-west route in the country, heading north or west due to the Coriolis effect. As a result, landfalls occur in the regions of the country that face the Pacific Ocean, especially Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, and northern Luzon,^[5] whereas Mindanao is largely free of typhoons. Climate change is likely to worsen the situation, with extreme weather events including typhoons posing various risks and threats to the Philippines.^[6]

Typhoon Yolanda, internationally known as Haiyan, is the deadliest typhoon to have affected the country in recorded history, killing more than 6,300 people as it crossed the Visayas region in November 2013. The strongest typhoon to make landfall in the country, as well as the strongest tropical cyclone landfall worldwide was Typhoon Rolly, internationally known as Goni, which struck Catanduanes in November 2020 with 1-minute sustained winds of 315 km/h (195 mph). The wettest known tropical cyclone to impact the archipelago was the July 14–18, 1911 cyclone which dropped over 2,210 millimetres (87 in) of rainfall within a 3-day, 15-hour period in the northern city of Baguio.^[7] Tropical cyclones usually account for at least 30 percent of the annual rainfall in the northern Philippines while being responsible for less than 10 percent of the annual rainfall in the southern islands. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in 2016, the number of destructive typhoons the country experienced annually have increased, but notes that it is too early to call it a trend.^[4]

PAGASA is the state weather agency of the Philippines. Yearly, the agency gives a local name to the typhoons that enter its area of responsibility in addition to the international name given by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The state agency also regularly issues weather bulletins and advisories to the public especially during typhoons. It uses a five-point warning scale that are issued to the entirety or parts of the provinces and localities affected by a typhoon.^[8][9]

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is the country's top agency for preparation and response to calamities and natural disasters, including typhoons. Additionally, each province and local government units has their own Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO). Each provincial and local government is required to set aside 5% of its annual budget for disaster risk reduction, preparations, and response.^[4]

The frequency of typhoons in the Philippines have made typhoons a significant part of everyday ancient and modern Filipino culture.^[5]