In their annual tropical cyclone report for 1989, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center regarded the season as one of the most challenging and unique years in their history.

During much of the year, a very broad monsoon trough was present and resulted in significant diurnal fluctuations in convective activity that inhibited rapid development of many disturbances.

Tropical Storm Roger developed near the Ryukyu Islands a few days after 19W dissipated and rapidly tracked northeastward through Japan.

[3] Heavy rains alongside several typhoons between June and September resulted in deadly flooding across parts of Anhui, Hebei, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Sichuan, and Zhejiang provinces in China.

Thereafter, Andy recurved to the northeast and steadily weakened due to increased vertical wind shear out of the west, dissipating as a tropical cyclone on April 24.

[23] Tropical Storm Ellis produced rain over much of Japan, with the heaviest falling around Tokyo where rainfall rates reached 53 mm (2.1 in) per hour.

[25] Originating from a single cluster of thunderstorms on July 9, Gordon developed into a tropical depression near the Northern Mariana Islands and quickly intensified as it tracked west-southwestward.

Hope moved approximately 100 miles (160 km) south of Okinawa and then strengthened to a peak of 65 mph (105 km/h) while nearing the China coastline.

[32] Following on the heels of Typhoon Gordon, Hope enhanced monsoonal rainfall over the Philippines, exacerbating ongoing floods and hampering relief efforts.

[32] Striking Vietnam as a strong tropical storm, Irving brought widespread heavy rain that caused damaging floods.

Striking Kyushu on July 27, interaction with the island's mountainous terrain caused Judy to quickly weaken as it neared South Korea.

[46] TD 12W developed out of an active monsoon trough and moved westward for the duration of its existence, never attaining tropical storm status due to high wind shear.

[49] Striking the Chinese coastline near Shanghai, rains from Tropical Storm Ken–Lola caused the Huangpu River to rise above its warning level; however, no damage was reported.

On August 16, a large area of low pressure centered about 335 km (208 mi) northwest of Okinawa began to show signs of possible tropical cyclogenesis.

[32] Tropical Storm Roger produced significant rainfall across the majority of Japan, affecting areas from the Ryukyu Islands to Hokkaido.

[56] While the typhoon meandered near the Philippines, it brought several days of heavy rain to much of Luzon, triggering extensive flash flooding.

[27] Striking Taiwan as a strong typhoon, Sarah caused widespread wind damage that left approximately 840,000 residents without power.

[21][61] Tip formed along the eastern portion of the monsoon trough, and tracked northeast until the subtropical ridge blocked its motion in that direction.

The system tracked east-northeast for several days, passing over South Korea and northern Japan before moving over north Pacific Ocean.

Vera was last noted as a powerful system near the International Date Line on September 19 with a central pressure of 964 mbar (hPa; 28.47 inHg).

[21][76] Originating from an area of low pressure associated with a monsoon trough in late-September, Brian quickly organized into a tropical storm over the South China Sea.

Tracking along a general west-southwest to westerly course, the storm attained typhoon status on October 1 before making landfall along the southern coast of Hainan Island the following day.

After briefly crossing land, the storm moved into the Gulf of Tonkin and ultimately struck Vietnam on October 3 before dissipating the next day over Laos.

[80] After crossing the Philippines, the typhoon emerged into the South China Sea and reached its peak intensity, with sustained 10-minute winds of 140 km/h (85 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 960 mbar (hPa; 28.35 inHg).

[80] Across Vietnam, heavy rains from Dan exacerbated ongoing floods and caused further damage to areas recovering from Typhoons Angela and Brian.

[80] A powerful Category 5 super typhoon, Elsie formed out of a tropical disturbance on October 13, and initially moved relatively slowly in an area of weak steering currents.

After taking a due west track towards the northern Philippines, the storm intensified further, becoming a Category 5 super typhoon hours before making landfall in Luzon.

The worst typhoon to affect the Malay Peninsula in thirty-five years, Gay originated from a monsoon trough over the Gulf of Thailand in early November.

On December 25, a level two tropical cyclone condition of readiness was issued for Guam as Typhoon Jack stalled about 320 km (200 mi) east of the territory.

[86] On December 26, several B-52s were relocated from Anderson Air Force Base to Okinawa and the United States Navy ordered vessels to ride out the storm at sea.