When is Zhejiang's Typhoon Season? How Many Typhoons Typically Affect the Region Annually?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · District of Typhoon · 更新 at 2026-07-22
The Time Window of Zhejiang's Typhoon Season
For residents of Zhejiang, understanding the "schedule" of typhoons is the first step in disaster prevention. Although meteorologically speaking, typhoons can form in the Northwest Pacific Ocean year-round, those affecting Zhejiang exhibit distinct seasonal concentration. Generally, Zhejiang's active typhoon period is concentrated in July to September. These three months are high-frequency periods for typhoon landfalls or severe impacts on Zhejiang and are often referred to as the "main flood season."
However, this does not mean other months are risk-free. As early as May and June, occasional early-season typhoons may bring rainfall through their outer cloud bands. By October or even early November, "autumn typhoons" may still visit. Autumn typhoons often have erratic paths and can combine with cold air masses, resulting in more intense wind and rain. Therefore, the broader preparedness period for typhoons in Zhejiang is recommended from May to October, with the highest level of vigilance required during July to September.
Annual Number of Typhoons Affecting Zhejiang
Regarding the question "how many typhoons typically arrive each year," it is important to distinguish between "formation," "impact," and "landfall." On average, about 25–27 tropical cyclones form annually in the Northwest Pacific, but not all affect China, and certainly not all make landfall in Zhejiang.
Specifically for Zhejiang, influenced by its geographical location and atmospheric circulation, an average of 3–5 typhoons significantly affect the province each year (including landfalls, close passes, or significant wind and rain events). Among these, the number of typhoons making direct landfall on Zhejiang's coast is relatively low, averaging about 1–2 per year. In some years, no typhoons may make direct landfall, but this does not imply an absence of risk. For instance, a typhoon may make landfall in Fujian or Shanghai, yet its vast circulation system can still bring heavy rain and strong winds to Zhejiang. Therefore, "whether it makes landfall" should not be the sole criterion for assessing disaster risk.
Scientific Defense and Warning Response
When facing typhoons, scientific response is more important than blind panic. According to the Chinese national standard "Tropical Cyclone Grades" issued by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), tropical cyclones are classified into tropical storms, severe tropical storms, typhoons, severe typhoons, and super typhoons based on the maximum average wind speed near the center at lower levels. The public should closely monitor warning signals issued by meteorological authorities, which are typically categorized into four levels: blue, yellow, orange, and red, with red being the highest.
When high-level warnings are issued, please adhere to the following principles:
- Minimize Outdoor Activities: Avoid staying under billboards, large trees, or temporary structures.
- Home Safety: Check windows and doors, and clear balconies of potted plants or other items that could fall.
- Follow Official Guidelines: Specific regulations regarding school suspensions, work stoppages, and transport halts may vary by locality; please refer to announcements from local governments. Do not trust online rumors; obtain the latest instructions through official channels.
Although typhoons are powerful, they are preventable and manageable. Maintaining access to information and preparing emergency supplies are basic responsibilities for every resident. Real-time typhoon tracks can be queried at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com)
This article is typhoonsay's original copy content, and the local policy standards are based on the local government's latest release.