The 2007 Pacific typhoon season was a below average season which featured 24 named storms, fourteen typhoons, and five super typhoons. It was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation, in which tropical cyclones form in the western Pacific Ocean. The season ran throughout 2007, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and November. The season's first named storm, Kong-rey, developed on March 30, while the season's last named storm, Mitag, dissipated on November 27. The season's first typhoon, Yutu, reached typhoon status on May 18, and became the first super typhoon of the year on the next day.
The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, to the north of the equator between 100°E and the 180th meridian. Within the northwestern Pacific Ocean, there are two separate agencies that assign names to tropical cyclones, which can often result in a cyclone having two names. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) will name a tropical cyclone should it be judged to have 10-minute sustained wind speeds of at least anywhere in the basin. PAGASA assigns unofficial names to tropical cyclones which move into or form as a tropical depression in their area of responsibility, located between 115°E–135°E and between 5°N–25°N, regardless of whether or not a tropical cyclone has already been given a name by the JMA. Tropical depressions that are monitored by the United States' Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) are given a numerical designation with a "W" suffix.
Seasonal forecasts
City University of Hong Kong
Since the 2000 typhoon season, the Laboratory for Atmospheric Research (LAR), of the City University of Hong Kong have issued forecasts of activity for each upcoming typhoon season. Forecasts were released in April and June predicting how many tropical cyclones, tropical storms, and typhoons there will be during the season. During the season, the LAR is predicting a below average season with fewer than usual tropical cyclones. In its April forecast, the LAR predicted that 28 tropical cyclones, 25 tropical storms, and 14 typhoons before in its June forecast predicting 27 tropical cyclones, 24 tropical storms and 14 typhoons.
Tropical Storm Risk Consortium
Since the 2000 typhoon season, the Tropical Storm Risk Consortium (TSR) of the University College of London have issued forecasts of activity for each upcoming typhoon season. During 2007, forecasts were released in March, May, June, July and August predicting how many tropical cyclones, tropical storms, typhoons and intense typhoons there will be during a season. In its March forecast, TSR predicted that the season would be about 15% below average with 24 tropical storms, 15 typhoons and 7 intense typhoons. In its May forecast, TSR predicted that the season would now be near normal with 27 tropical storms, 17 typhoons and 8 intense typhoons forming during the season. Within their June July and August forecasts, TSR forecasted the season would be near normal with 27 tropical storms and 17 typhoons forming.
National meteorological service predictions
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), reported on January 27, 2007, that they were expecting 15–19 tropical cyclones to move through their area of responsibility, during the upcoming typhoon season. They also predicted that due to the weak El Niño event that was occurring the first tropical cyclone wouldn't move through their area of responsibility until May.
Seasonal summary
According to PAGASA, the Philippines had its second quietest season with 14 named storms since the 1998 season, with the 2010 being the most quiet season.
Systems
Typhoon Kong-rey
On March 26, the JTWC identified a broad area of low pressure in the Western North Pacific. It moved west-northwestward over the next few days, slowly gaining organization. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, it became a tropical depression on March 30. The next day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert due to an increased consolidation of the low-level circulation of the system. The JTWC issued its first warning on Tropical Depression 01W late that evening local time. As it continued to strengthen, the JTWC upgraded it to a tropical storm, the first of the season. The JMA followed suit, and named the system Kong-rey. The name was submitted by Cambodia, and refers to a character in a Khmer legend, which is also the name of a mountain.