TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Typhoons typically form in the Pacific Ocean in April and May, but this year no typhoons have been observed.

While there have been several tropical disturbances, none have reached typhoon strength. The Central Weather Administration said the last time a typhoon failed to form until June was 2016, per Liberty Times.

CWA meteorologist Lin Ding-yi (林定宜) added there are currently no signs of any typhoon formation. Judging from past data, the average number of typhoons formed from January to June is 4.27.

Lin said a strong high-pressure system in the western Pacific Ocean and strong easterly winds have caused southwest winds to come in more slowly. As a result, the convection in the Philippine Sea is not as strong, so the number of typhoons this year is less.

Lin said that in the next eight to 10 days, tropical disturbances are not forecast in the South China Sea. Lin said the CWA is continuing to monitor the situation as conditions evolve.

Meteorologist Lin De-en (林得恩) said in a social media post that data from the past 67 years showed that 70 typhoons were generated in the western Pacific and South China Sea in May. Lin said May typhoons account for 4% of typhoons for the whole year.

Observation of historical typhoon paths shows that only nine typhoons have directly hit Taiwan in May. Lin attributes the small number of typhoons that impact Taiwan in May to a weak Pacific high-pressure system.

The first typhoon of 2016 was Typhoon Nepartak, which did not form until July 2. It developed quickly into a super typhoon with a clearly defined eye and structure and struck Taiwan on July 8.

Typhoon Nepartak made landfall in Taimali, Taitung, and headed out to sea from Tainan's Jiangjun District later in the afternoon of the same day. During the impact period, strong gusts of wind reached level 17 in Taitung, causing three deaths, 311 injuries, and agricultural losses of more than NT$600 million (US$20 million) across Taiwan.