What Are the Different Typhoon Categories and Their Relationship: Understanding Storm Strengths
The Philippines lies in the northwest Pacific, where powerful storms frequently develop and make landfall. On average, about 20 tropical cyclones pass through the country each year, some reaching destructive wind speeds and bringing severe rainfall. What are the different typhoon categories and their relationship is a topic that explains how these storms are grouped and how each category relates to intensity and potential impact. By looking at the typhoon categories, this article outlines the classification system, the connections between each level, and practical measures people can take during typhoon season in the Philippines.
What Is Typhoon?
A typhoon is a type of tropical cyclone that forms over the warm waters of the northwest Pacific Ocean. It begins when clusters of thunderstorms organize around a low-pressure center, drawing heat and moisture from the ocean to produce strong winds and intense rainfall. The name typhoon is used in this region, while the same weather system is called a hurricane in the Atlantic and northeast Pacific, and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.
In the Philippines, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is responsible for monitoring storms, forecasting their paths, and issuing timely warnings. PAGASA also defines the main types of typhoon based on wind speed, helping to classify storms from weaker systems to the most severe.
PAGASA Typhoon Classification Based on Wind Speed
The classification of tropical cyclones in the Philippines follows the standards set by PAGASA, using maximum sustained wind speed as the main basis. What are the different typhoon categories and their relationship can be better understood by looking at how these categories are defined:
Tropical Depression – Maximum sustained winds of up to 61 km/h. Usually brings moderate to heavy rain, with minimal wind damage but possible flooding.
Tropical Storm – Winds from 62 to 88 km/h. Capable of causing damage to light structures and uprooting small trees.
Severe Tropical Storm – Winds from 89 to 117 km/h. Can cause structural damage, power outages, and coastal flooding.
Typhoon – Winds from 118 to 184 km/h. Often results in severe damage to buildings, large-scale flooding, and dangerous storm surges.
Super Typhoon – Winds exceeding 185 km/h. Extremely destructive, with catastrophic damage and widespread power and communication outages.
Globally, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) use similar systems, also based on wind speed, but with slight differences in thresholds and naming conventions. For example, JMA classifies storms into tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, and typhoon, without the “super typhoon” category officially recognized by PAGASA.
Typhoon Category Relationships
How Categories Progress
What are the different typhoon categories and their relationship can be seen in how storms progress from one level to another as wind speed increases. Tropical cyclones typically intensify along a clear progression: tropical depression → tropical storm → severe tropical storm → typhoon → stronger typhoon classes. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) classification gives the usual thresholds (10-minute sustained winds): tropical depression is below ~34 knots (~63 km/h); tropical storm about 34–47 kt (≈63–87 km/h); severe tropical storm 48–63 kt (≈89–117 km/h); and typhoon at ≥64 kt (≈119 km/h+) — higher sub-classes (very strong / violent typhoon) mark still stronger systems. These wind thresholds track how a storm moves up the scale as sustained winds increase.
Why Each Step Matters
As a storm climbs categories the risks rise sharply: stronger sustained winds increase structural damage, heavier and longer rainfall raises flood and landslide risks, and larger, higher-energy storms can push bigger storm surges onto coasts. These combined hazards are why a category jump — even without direct landfall — can produce much worse outcomes for communities in a storm’s path. (For an extreme example, Super Typhoon Haiyan produced one-minute wind estimates well over 300 km/h at peak and catastrophic storm surge and loss in 2013.)
Safety Preparing for Typhoons Power Safety and What to Pack
Power & Backup Options
Many families in the Philippines still recall the long nights after Super Typhoon Haiyan, when power lines were down and streets were dark for days. In those moments, the challenge was not only staying safe from the storm but also keeping food from spoiling, charging phones to reach loved ones, and running basic lights or fans to stay comfortable. Having a portable power station can make a big difference in such situations by providing a steady source of electricity when the grid fails.
Modern solutions like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Portable Power Station can store enough power to keep refrigerators running, charge multiple devices at once, and operate small appliances for several days. This allows families to preserve fresh food, maintain communication, and create a safer environment indoors until services are restored.
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Portable Power Station
Household Readiness (Quick Checklist)
Have at least a three-day supply of drinking water and non-perishable food for each person in your household — NDRRMC and disaster-prep guidelines recommend 72 hours as the minimum.
Keep essential medicines, some cash, and all important documents sealed in waterproof containers to protect them from water damage.
Secure or bring indoors any loose outdoor items, clear out gutters, and check windows and doors for weak spots that could let water in or be damaged by strong winds.
Pack a “go bag” with basic supplies, including a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, so you can stay updated even if the power goes out.
After the Storm: Recovery & Community Resources
When waters recede, check on neighbours (especially the elderly), avoid wading through floodwater if possible, and report hazards (downed lines, blocked roads) to local authorities. Use community centres or LGU announcements for relief distribution and shelter information. If you rely on electricity for medical devices or refrigeration, prioritise contact with local relief teams so critical needs are logged and addressed.
Conclusion
The Philippines faces multiple types of typhoon each year, and knowing how these categories relate to wind speed, rainfall, and potential impact is key to minimizing risks. Recognizing the differences between each level helps communities understand what to expect and respond appropriately when storms approach. Preparedness should begin well before typhoon season, from securing food and water to safeguarding important documents and ensuring a backup power source is available. By combining awareness of typhoon classifications with early, practical preparation, households can stay safer and more resilient when severe weather strikes.
FAQs
What are the different typhoon categories in the Philippines and how are they classified?
In the Philippines, typhoon categories are defined by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) according to maximum sustained wind speed. The system begins with a tropical depression, which has winds up to 61 km/h, followed by a tropical storm with winds from 62 to 88 km/h. A severe tropical storm ranges from 89 to 117 km/h, while a typhoon reaches 118 to 184 km/h. The most powerful is the super typhoon, with winds exceeding 185 km/h. What are the different typhoon categories and their relationship can be seen in how each step up the scale represents not only an increase in wind speed but also a greater potential for heavy rainfall, flooding, and storm surges that can affect large parts of the country.
How do typhoon categories relate to the potential damage they can cause?
The connection between types of typhoon and their potential damage is direct and measurable. Tropical depressions often cause localized flooding and inconvenience to transportation but rarely major structural damage. Tropical storms can uproot small trees, damage crops, and disrupt electricity in some areas. As storms escalate into typhoons, they can tear roofs from houses, knock down large trees, and cause extensive coastal flooding. Super typhoons are capable of flattening entire communities, damaging even reinforced buildings, and cutting off access to basic services for weeks. When looking at what are the different typhoon categories and their relationship, it becomes evident that each increase in category multiplies the destructive capacity, often leaving long-lasting effects on infrastructure, livelihoods, and recovery efforts.
What type of portable power station is best for typhoon preparedness in the Philippines?
A portable power station for typhoon preparedness should be chosen based on capacity, reliability, and versatility. During powerful storms, especially those in higher typhoon categories, electricity outages can last from several hours to many days. A suitable unit should have enough storage to power essentials like refrigerators, lights, and communication devices throughout that period. Multiple output options for AC, DC, and USB connections make it easier to run different appliances at once. The ability to recharge via solar panels can extend usability if the power grid remains down for an extended time. In the Philippines, where strong storms are common, having a dependable portable power station ensures that families can maintain comfort, preserve food, and stay connected even when external resources are limited.