Super Typhoon NepartakWhat a way to start this record slowness. Coming off a Super nino, the WPAC was very quiet. In fact, it's so slow it didn't seem normal but then Nepartak developed within a broad monsoon trough. It consolidated further and became a TS on July 3 local time. It's the 2nd latest 1st named formation storm on record within a year since 1950. The record is 1998 when Nichole became a TS on July 8th.
Nepartak's upgrade also puts 2016 as the latest year on record since 1950 for tropical cyclones reaching 35 knots or greater at 199 days counting last year.

Nepartak peaking at 150 knots makes him the second strongest 1st name storm on record after Super Typhoon Damrey back in 2000 when it peaked at 155 knots. Interestingly, Damrey was also the first name to be used in the current naming system that began in 2000 so what a way to start it!


Nepartak's development also fits in climatology for named storm formation location for all NW Pacific TCs from 1985-2014 during July.

Years coming out from a Super nino sees a notable decline in long tracking TC's alright however following year they develop very near land and gathers steam. Philippines to Japan is at highest risk. I also noticed that as we head deeper in the season in those years. these storms become monsters especially Cat 5's hitting somewhere.