Typhoon Gaos Forms as 8th Storm of 2026 Pacific Season

Typhoon Gaos (international designation: Higos), the eighth named storm of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season, formed on the morning of June 23 in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, according to China’s Central Meteorological Observatory. As of 8:00 a.m. CST, the storm was located approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Saipan, Guam, packing maximum sustained winds of Force 8 on the Beaufort scale (18 m/s, roughly 65 km/h) with a central pressure of 998 hPa.

Background and Trajectory

The storm, designated internationally as 2608 and identified by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center as 08W, is moving west-northwest at 15–20 km/h. By 11:00 a.m. CST, it had advanced to approximately 220 kilometers north-northeast of Hagåtña, Guam, with its forward speed increasing to 20–25 km/h. The name “Higos” was contributed by the United States and means “fig” in the Chamorro language of Guam, as documented by Baidu Baike.

The Central Meteorological Observatory forecasts that Gaos will maintain its current intensity or strengthen slightly before turning northeastward starting June 26. Critically, the agency has confirmed that the storm will have no impact on China’s sea areas, as Guangming Online reported, citing the National Emergency Broadcast.

A Dual Typhoon Situation

Typhoon Gaos has formed alongside Typhoon Mekkhala (米克拉), the seventh typhoon of 2026, which has intensified into a super typhoon equivalent to a Category 5 storm. Mekkhala boasts maximum sustained winds of 55 m/s and a central pressure of 930 hPa, and is currently approaching the southeastern waters of Taiwan. The Central Meteorological Observatory has issued a blue typhoon warning for Mekkhala’s approach.

The simultaneous presence of two tropical cyclones in the western Pacific creates what meteorologists describe as a “dual typhoon” pattern, which can produce complex interactions through the Fujiwhara effect. According to QQ News, both storms are expected to turn northward, with Mekkhala beginning its turn around June 24 and Gaos following on June 26.

The 2026 Typhoon Season Context

The 2026 Pacific typhoon season has been notably active, with tropical cyclones forming every month in the first half of the year. Prior to Gaos and Mekkhala, the season saw Typhoon Rose (蔷薇) in late May and Typhoon Hagupit (黑格比) in early May. The naming system, managed by the WMO Typhoon Committee, rotates through 140 names contributed by 14 member countries and regions across the Asia-Pacific.

While Gaos itself poses no direct threat to populated land areas, its formation highlights the active nature of this year’s typhoon season. The more immediate concern remains Super Typhoon Mekkhala, which threatens Taiwan and surrounding maritime regions.

What to Watch For

Meteorologists will be monitoring the Fujiwhara interaction between Gaos and Mekkhala over the coming days, as the two storms could influence each other’s trajectories. Gaos is expected to remain over open ocean throughout its lifespan, gradually weakening as it moves into cooler northern waters after June 26. Maritime traffic in the western Pacific should remain alert to the storm’s path, though no coastal warnings are currently in effect for any populated landmasses.

The broader context of an active typhoon season, combined with ongoing extreme weather events across southern China—including heavy rainfall and high-temperature warnings in Hainan—underscores the importance of continued meteorological monitoring as the region moves deeper into the peak typhoon months.