Following the extratropical transition of Typhoon Gay on May 26, a spring-like weather pattern returned to the West Pacific, including a tropical upper-tropospheric trough (TUTT) and a strong ridge, which extended from the International Date Line to the Malay Peninsula.

Although most of the convection was initially displaced from the center, the system began to show signs of organization on June 15.

Three days later, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) for the disturbance.

[2] On June 19, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) first identified the system;[3][nb 1] however, strong wind shear caused all the deep convection to become displaced to the south of the center.

[2][nb 2] Early the next day, the JMA classified Hal as a severe tropical storm.

[3] Around this time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration also monitored the storm and assigned it with the local name Kuring.

[2] At 1200 UTC on June 20, both the JTWC and the JMA estimated that Hal attained typhoon strength.

However, both the JTWC and its primary tropical cyclone forecast model predicted Hal to move northward, and re-curve northeast.

[2] Late on June 21, the JMA estimated that Hal attained its peak intensity, with winds of 145 km/h (90 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 960 mbar (28 inHg).

[3] Five hours later, Hal moved ashore about 150 km (95 mi) northeast of Hong Kong at the same intensity.

[6] When it became apparent that the storm posed a threat to the Philippines, typhoon alerts were issued for much of Luzon, including the nation's capital city of Manila.

[7] Although Hal ultimately passed north of the Philippines, Luzon bore the brunt of the typhoon, enduring widespread flooding and significant crop damage.

[2] Forty-six people were killed in the Philippines:[8] fatalities included two individuals who drowned when a river overflowed its banks in the Zambales province;[9] a 24-year-old man electrocuted in Manila;[10] a man who became entrapped in a vehicle;[11] three people caught in a landslide; three civilians and a soldier swept down a torrential river;[12] and ten fisherman aboard a stricken ship.

Another boat, USB Oldendorf, sustained significant damage due to the heavy seas,[2] and 22 of its occupants required rescue.

[2] Hal brought heavy rains to much of Taiwan especially along the eastern portion of the island nation, where 9 in (230 mm) of precipitation was measured.

[15] After passing near the Philippines and Taiwan, Hal threatened southern China,[2] becoming the first significant tropical cyclone to do so since Typhoon Ellen in 1983.