A tropical disturbance was spotted south-southeast of Wake Island on November 10 close to the International Date Line and moved west.

Warm waters and weakened shear allowed the storm to organize into Tropical Depression 27W on November 14 near the Marianas Islands.

A strong ridge to its north forced it westward, where it upgraded to tropical storm status later on November 14, receiving the name Patsy.

Patsy continued to steadily intensify, reaching typhoon strength on November 16, 200 miles (322 km) northwest of Guam.

After crossing the Philippines and weakening to a Category 2, Patsy traversed the South China Sea, where cooler waters kept the system from strengthening.

The USS President Taft was separated from its anchorage and collided with the Alikimon, a Greek vessel, while in Manila Bay.