The system tracked in a general westward direction and relocated itself further south during this period in response to Typhoon Joan wake to the northwest.

During this time, sustained winds increased from 140 to 215 km/h (87 to 134 mph), ranking Kate as a Category 4 typhoon on the modern day Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale.

Although winds were still increasing, the lowest pressure recorded in relation to Kate was measured at this time at 940 mbar (hPa; 27.7 inHg).

[4] On October 20, decreased interaction with land allowed Kate to re-attain typhoon status just before passing over Busuanga Island.

Late on October 21, the JTWC assessed the storm to have re-attained Category 4 intensity;[5] however, post-storm analysis indicated that sustained winds did not exceed 195 km/h (121 mph).

When Kate made landfall in southern Mindanao, the large loss of life from the typhoon is thought to be related to the lack of tropical cyclone experience for its residents.

[2] In southern Mindanao, over 5,000 houses and other such structures were damaged or destroyed by storm surge, heavy rains and strong winds produced by Typhoon Kate.

A total of 631 people were confirmed to have been killed by the storm and 284 others were listed as missing, ranking Kate as one of the deadliest typhoons to strike the Philippines at the time.

The level of fighting during Kate's passage was regarded as one of the lowest during the Vietnam War as most tactical bombing missions were canceled.

[11] Although damage estimates and reports of deaths are scarce out of Vietnam, floodwaters, considered the worst since 1964, affected an area nearly 140 square miles (360 km2) south of Da Nang.