A typhoon's category alone cannot tell you the risk at your location. The category measures wind strength, while actual impacts also depend on storm size, movement, rainbands, terrain, and marine conditions. This guide explains how to read each item on sanCheck's typhoon card.
In KMA and JMA usage, a tropical cyclone in the western North Pacific is treated as a typhoon when the maximum wind near its center reaches at least 17 m/s. KMA intensity uses the 10-minute mean maximum wind near the center.
Strong wind and heavy rain can occur far from the center when an area falls within the wind field or outer rainbands. Do not use the center line alone to decide whether a location is affected.
Starting with the first typhoon of 2026, KMA uses numerical intensity categories 1–5 instead of the previous wording. The category is based only on maximum wind near the center.
| Classification | Maximum wind near the center |
|---|---|
| Tropical depression | Under 17 m/s |
| Category 1 | 17 m/s to under 25 m/s |
| Category 2 | 25 m/s to under 33 m/s |
| Category 3 | 33 m/s to under 44 m/s |
| Category 4 | 44 m/s to under 54 m/s |
| Category 5 | 54 m/s or above |
A higher number means stronger wind, but a lower-category storm can still cause major impacts if it moves slowly or produces prolonged heavy rain.
Pressure at the storm center, shown in hPa. A low central pressure by itself does not determine wind or damage; read it together with maximum wind, wind radii, and storm movement.
The analyzed 10-minute mean maximum wind near the center. sanCheck's numerical category is based on this value. It is different from a short-lived gust observed at a specific location.
Gale radius describes the area with winds of at least 15 m/s; storm radius uses at least 25 m/s. Typhoons are not perfect circles, so the reach can differ by direction.
The direction and speed of the storm center. A slow-moving storm can prolong wind and rain over one area, while changing speed can shift expected arrival times.