1948 Pacific typhoon season

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1948 Pacific typhoon season
1948 Pacific typhoon season summary.jpg
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJanuary 11, 1948
Last system dissipatedDecember 16, 1948
Strongest storm
NameLibby
  Maximum winds230 km/h (145 mph)
(1-minute sustained)
  Lowest pressure924 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total storms26
Typhoons15
Super typhoons1 (unofficial)
Total fatalitiesUnknown
Total damageUnknown
Related articles
Pacific typhoon seasons
1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950

The 1948 Pacific typhoon season was an average season. It had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1948, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

Contents

The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator and west of the International Date Line. Storms that form east of the date line and north of the equator are called hurricanes; see 1948 Pacific hurricane season. At the time, tropical storms that formed within this region of the western Pacific were identified and named by the United States Armed Services, and these names are taken from the list that USAS publicly adopted before the 1945 season started. [1] [2]

Season summary

Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale1948 Pacific typhoon season

Storms

Typhoon Karen

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Typhoon Karen's Weather map on January 16, 1948.png   Karen 1948 track.png
DurationJanuary 11 – January 19
Peak intensity240 km/h (150 mph) (1-min);
936 hPa (27.64 inHg)  hPa  (mbar)

Typhoon Karen, one of the earliest recorded super typhoons, developed on January 11, well west of the Philippines. It curved westward while slowly intensifying. After a prolonged period of slow intensification, the tropical cyclone began to rapidly strengthen. It became a super typhoon on January 16. Shortly after, it weakened and dissipated on January 19.

It struck Yap on January 14, damaging and destroying establishments and houses on the island. [3] It also wrecked the roofs of some U.S. warehouses and buildings, and downed power lines. [3] A food warehouse were washed out; however, some food supplies survived. [3]

After the typhoon, the navy transported some relief supplies to the populated island. [3] No deaths were reported. [3]

Typhoon Lana

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Typhoon Lana's Weather map on May 19, 1948.png   Lana 1948 track.png
DurationMay 16 – May 20
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min);
971  hPa  (mbar)

Typhoon Lana, the second system of the season, formed on May 16, west of the Philippines. It moved to the north-northeast while intensifying, reaching its peak intensity somewhere on May 18 and 19. It then weakened, until it was last noted on May 20 as it merged with a cold front.

Warnings were issued for Yap, Palau, Guam and Ulithi in preparations for the storm. [4] All ships in these islands were instructed to escape to Sangley Point due to the approaching typhoon. [5]

A plane in Guam encountered the strength of the typhoon; however, it escaped its fury. [5] Eighteen individuals were reported dead in Yap when their canoe sank during the storm. [5] The damage, however, was minimal. [5]

Typhoon Mabel

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Typhoon Mabel's Weather map on May 31, 1948.png   Mabel 1948 track.png
DurationMay 29 – June 2
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min);
964  hPa  (mbar)

Mabel formed east of the Philippines as a tropical storm. It moved north-northeast and quickly strengthened into a Category 1 typhoon.

Typhoon Nadine

Typhoon (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Nadine 1948 track.png
DurationJune 9 – June 11
Peak intensity110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min);
986  hPa  (mbar)

Nadine formed on June 9 east of the Philippines. It traveled north and weakened into a tropical depression before dissipating on June 11.

Tropical Storm Ophelia

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Ophelia 1948 track.png
DurationJune 10 – June 11
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min);
991  hPa  (mbar)

Ophelia formed on June 10 in the South China Sea. It moved west and struck southern China. It dissipated the next day, without attaining maximum sustained winds any higher than 45 miles per hour (72 km/h).

Typhoon Pearl

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Pearl 1948 track.png
DurationJuly 1 – July 8
Peak intensity165 km/h (105 mph) (1-min);
960  hPa  (mbar)

Pearl originated from a tropical depression located south of the Northern Mariana Islands on July 1. Developing into a tropical storm several hours later, further development occurred as Pearl tracked northwards, with it becoming a typhoon the next day. As a result, on July 4, Pearl peaked as a modern-day very strong typhoon with sustained winds of 90 knots (105 mph) Several days later, on July 6, Pearl made landfall 40 miles east of Shanghai, veering to the northwest. Weakening occurred after this landfall, and by the time Pearl struck what is now South Korea, it was a minimal tropical storm. A weakening Pearl tracked northwards before dissipating in Manchuria on July 8. [6]

As Pearl neared Shanghai, American officials took measures to safeguard their vessels in the harbor. [7] Once Pearl struck near the city, dozens were injured due to the typhoon's high winds. Despite not experiencing the typhoon's peak winds, suburbs in Shanghai still saw some damage due to receiving winds up to 70 knots (80 mph). Elsewhere, surge produced by Pearl killed ten people (one of them a missionary) when their boat, which was off the coast of Luzon, capsized. [8] [9]

Typhoon Rose

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Rose 1948 track.png
DurationJuly 23 – July 28
Peak intensity130 km/h (80 mph) (1-min);
981  hPa  (mbar)

Rose formed east of the Philippines on July 23. It strengthened into a Category 1 typhoon and made landfall in Luzon. The storm traveled north and hit China as a tropical storm, and later dissipated on July 28.

Typhoon Bertha

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Bertha 1948 track.png
DurationAugust 4 – August 6
Peak intensity130 km/h (80 mph) (1-min);
976  hPa  (mbar)

Bertha was a Category 1 typhoon. It formed south of Japan on August 4.

Tropical Storm Chris

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Chris 1948 track.png
DurationAugust 8 – August 14
Peak intensity95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min);
988  hPa  (mbar)

Chris was a tropical storm.

Typhoon Dolores–Eunice

Typhoon (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Dolores 1948 track.png
DurationAugust 10 – August 14
Peak intensity85 km/h (50 mph) (1-min);
990  hPa  (mbar)

Tropical Storm Dolores was tracked by the Air Weather Service located on Guam. At one point, a tropical storm was identified and assigned the name Eunice. The storm moved northwest and dissipated south of Japan. Post analysis showed that Tropical Storm Dolores was north of the forecast location and was synonymous with the system assigned Eunice. [10]

Typhoon Flo

Typhoon (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Flo 1948 track.png
DurationAugust 20 – August 23
Peak intensity95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min);
990  hPa  (mbar)

Flo hit China as a tropical storm.

Typhoon Gertrude

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Gertrude 1948 track.png
DurationAugust 27 – September 4
Peak intensity155 km/h (100 mph) (1-min);
976  hPa  (mbar)

Gertrude formed on August 27 east of the Philippines. It moved west while reaching peak intensity as a Category 2 typhoon. It later weakened and re-strengthened to a Category 1 typhoon. After passing Luzon, Gertrude moved west-northwest and hit China as a tropical storm. It dissipated on September 4.

Typhoon Hazel

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Hazel 1948 track.png
DurationSeptember 2 – September 7
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min);
966  hPa  (mbar)

Hazel hit Taiwan as a category 1 typhoon.

Typhoon Ione

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Ione 1948 track.png
DurationSeptember 11 – September 17
Peak intensity220 km/h (140 mph) (1-min);
925  hPa  (mbar)

A Tropical Storm formed on September 11 and soon turned toward Japan as it gained strength. Ione soon reached category 4 intensity on September 14. Ione then began to lose strength and became a category 1 on September 16. Then, Ione struck Japan in that day killing 838 people. [11] Ione further weakened and became a Tropical Storm on the 17th. Ione then dissipated.

Typhoon Jackie

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Jackie 1948 track.png
DurationSeptember 11 – September 18
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min);
962  hPa  (mbar)

Jackie hit China as a category 1 typhoon.

Typhoon Kit

Typhoon (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Kit 1948 track.png
DurationSeptember 24 – September 28
Peak intensity110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min);
989  hPa  (mbar)

Kit hit the Philippines and China as a tropical storm. After making landfall in China, the storm took an unusual track, moved south-southwest and struck Vietnam as a tropical depression.

Typhoon Libby

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Libby 1948 track.png
DurationSeptember 29 – October 7
Peak intensity230 km/h (145 mph) (1-min);
924  hPa  (mbar)

Libby formed southeast of Japan on September 29. The storm moved west as it quickly strengthened into a Category 4 typhoon. It later weakened and turned northeast.

Typhoon Martha

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Martha 1948 track.png
DurationOctober 4 – October 8
Peak intensity185 km/h (115 mph) (1-min);
943  hPa  (mbar)

Martha was a Category 3 typhoon that didn't affect land.

Typhoon Norma

Typhoon (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Norma 1948 track.png
DurationOctober 11 – October 12
Peak intensity95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min);
992  hPa  (mbar)

Norma was a short-lived tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Olga

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Olga 1948 track.png
DurationOctober 16 – October 19
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (1-min);
994  hPa  (mbar)

Olga formed in the South China Sea on October 16. It moved west and dissipated on October 19.

Typhoon Pat

Typhoon (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Pat 1948 track.png
DurationOctober 27 – October 31
Peak intensity110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min);
987  hPa  (mbar)

Pat was a tropical storm that stayed out at sea.

Typhoon Rita

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Rita 1948 track.png
DurationNovember 4 – November 11
Peak intensity185 km/h (115 mph) (1-min);
957  hPa  (mbar)

Rita was a category 3 typhoon that didn't make landfall.

Typhoon Agnes

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Agnes 1948 track.png
DurationNovember 13 – November 20
Peak intensity175 km/h (110 mph) (1-min);
939  hPa  (mbar)

Agnes hit Japan as a tropical storm.

Tropical Storm 24W

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   24W 1948 track.png
DurationNovember 29 – December 2
Peak intensity85 km/h (50 mph) (1-min);
997  hPa  (mbar)

24W hit the Philippines.

Typhoon Beverly

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   Beverly 1948 track.png
DurationDecember 2 – December 10
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min);
947  hPa  (mbar)

Beverly existed from December 2 to December 10. It hit the Philippines as a tropical

Tropical Storm 26W

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Temporary cyclone north.svg   26W 1948 track.png
DurationDecember 12 – December 16
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min);
997  hPa  (mbar)

26W hit the Philippines.

Other system

Between July 23 and August 4, the name Annabell was assigned to a North West Pacific system. The Air Weather Service issued a bulletin issued and tropical cyclone named on what was later determined to be "trough activity"

Storm names

Tropical storm names were assigned by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center since 1945.

  • Karen
  • Lana
  • Mabel
  • Nadine
  • Ophelia
  • Pearl
  • Rose
  • Annabell
  • Bertha
  • Chris
  • Dolores
  • Eunice
  • Flo
  • Gertrude
  • Hazel
  • Ione
  • Jackie
  • Kit
  • Libby
  • Martha
  • Norma
  • Olga
  • Pat
  • Rita
  • Agnes
  • Beverly


See also

References

  1. Landsea, Christopher W; Dorst, Neal M (June 1, 2014). "Subject: Tropical Cyclone Names: B1) How are tropical cyclones named?". Tropical Cyclone Frequently Asked Question. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Research Division. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018.
  2. Cry, George (July 1958). Bristow, Gerald C (ed.). "Naming hurricanes and typhoons". Mariners Weather Log. 2 (4): 109. hdl:2027/uc1.b3876059. ISSN   0025-3367. OCLC   648466886.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Yap Typhoon Veers North". The Lincoln Star. 1948-01-16. p. 5. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  4. "Typhoon Named Lana Moves Towards Guam And The Philippines". Rushville Republican. 1948-05-17. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "18 Islanders Die As Typhoon Roars". The Tampa Times. 1948-05-17. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-04-14.
  6. "1948 Typhoon PEARL (1948183N11145)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  7. "Preparing for typhoon". Sidney Daily News. 6 July 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  8. "Typhoon Veers". St. Joseph Gazette. United Press International. 7 July 1948. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  9. "Shanghai Hit By 80-Mile Winds From Typhoon". Athol Daily News. The Associated Press. 6 July 1948. p. 2. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  10. Air Weather Service "Report on the Typhoon Post-Analysis Program (1948-1949) of the North Pacific Typhoon Warning System"
  11. Translate.google.com