When is Zhejiang's Typhoon Season? How Many Typhoons Typically Occur Per Year?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Regional Typhoons · 更新 at 2026-10-18
Zhejiang's "Golden Window" for Typhoon Defense: From Mid-Summer to Early Autumn
For residents of Zhejiang, typhoons are not a distant meteorological concept but a normalized challenge faced annually. Although tropical cyclones can form in the Northwest Pacific throughout the year, typhoons affecting Zhejiang follow a strong seasonal pattern. July to September is the absolute "main battlefield," with these three months accounting for the vast majority of landfalls and severe wind and rain events. August, in particular, is often the peak month for typhoon activity.
However, defense efforts should not be limited to mid-summer. May and June may see early typhoons or "pre-typhoon rains" brought by outer cloud bands. Meanwhile, "autumn typhoons" in October and even early November should not be underestimated. Autumn typhoons often interact with cold air moving south, easily triggering sharp temperature drops and persistent heavy rainfall. Their paths tend to be more erratic and unpredictable. Therefore, it is advisable to consider May to October as the general typhoon preparedness period, maintaining the highest level of vigilance from July to September and closely monitoring meteorological updates.
Decoding the Data: How Many Typhoons Arrive Each Year?
A common public misconception is that "no landfall means no risk." It is crucial to distinguish between "formation," "impact," and "landfall." The Northwest Pacific sees an average of 25–27 tropical cyclones form annually, but only 1–2 directly make landfall in Zhejiang on average, with some years seeing zero.
This does not imply safety. On average, 3–5 typhoons significantly impact Zhejiang each year. These typhoons may make landfall in neighboring Fujian or Shanghai, or merely pass close offshore. Nevertheless, their extensive circulation systems can transport large amounts of moisture into Zhejiang, causing gale-force winds, heavy rain, and even storm surges. For instance, after a typhoon makes landfall in a neighboring province, its residual circulation often penetrates inland, bringing extreme rainfall to Zhejiang's mountainous areas and triggering flash floods and geological disasters. Therefore, risk assessment should not rely solely on "whether it makes landfall" but should focus on wind and rain impact forecasts issued by meteorological authorities.
Scientific Response: From Warning Identification to Action Guidelines
When facing a typhoon, precise response is more important than blind stockpiling. China's typhoon warning system consists of four levels: Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Red, with Red being the highest. When warnings are upgraded, please strictly adhere to the following measures:
- Home Reinforcement: Clear flower pots and debris from balconies and windowsills in advance. Check the sealing of doors and windows, and use tape to reinforce glass if necessary.
- Safety Principles: Minimize outdoor activities during warning periods. Stay away from billboards, large trees, temporary structures, and low-lying areas prone to flooding. If you are in a dilapidated house or an area at risk of geological disasters, evacuate in advance as instructed.
- Policy Compliance: Specific implementation standards for school suspensions, work stoppages, and transport halts (the "Three Stoppages") will be issued by local governments based on real-time wind and rain conditions. Please refer to announcements from local authorities and official media. Do not trust unofficial rumors on social media to avoid unnecessary panic or delays in evacuation.
Typhoon defense is a race against time. Maintaining access to information and stocking essential supplies (such as drinking water, emergency lights, and common medications) are basic skills every resident should possess. For more detailed data and real-time typhoon tracks, visit TaifengSays (taifengshuo.com).
This article is original educational content from TyphoonSays. Please refer to the latest official announcements from local governments for policy standards.