Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | June 29,2015 |
Dissipated | July 13,2015 |
Very strong typhoon | |
10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 935 hPa (mbar);27.61 inHg |
Category 4-equivalent typhoon | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 220 km/h (140 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 933 hPa (mbar);27.55 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 18 |
Damage | $1.59 billion (2015 USD) |
Areas affected | Guam,Northern Mariana Islands,Philippines,Japan,Taiwan,China,Korea,Russian Far East |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2015 Pacific typhoon season |
Typhoon Chan-hom,known in the Philippines as Typhoon Falcon,was a large,powerful and long-lived tropical cyclone that affected most countries in the western Pacific basin. The ninth named storm of the 2015 Pacific typhoon season,Chan-hom developed on June 29 from a westerly wind burst that also spawned Tropical Cyclone Raquel in the southern hemisphere. Chan-hom slowly developed while moving to the northwest,aided by warm waters but disrupted by wind shear. The storm meandered near the Northern Marianas Islands,passing over the island of Rota before beginning a steady northwest track. While near the island,the storm dropped heavy rainfall on neighboring Guam,causing flooding and minor power outages. Chan-hom intensified into a typhoon on July 7,and two days later passed between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako-jima. There,strong winds left 42,000 people without power,while 27 people were injured. Around that time,the storm caused a surge in the monsoon trough,in conjunction with Tropical Storm Linfa,which caused flooding and killed 16 people in the Philippines.
After passing by Okinawa,the typhoon reached peak winds of 165 km/h (103 mph),according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. It passed north of Taiwan,where it brought beneficial rainfall that replenished reservoirs. On July 11,Chan-hom became the strongest typhoon to make landfall in the Chinese province of Zhejiang in the month of July. About 1.1 million people were evacuated ahead of the storm,and across the country,the storm left ¥9.84 billion (US$1.58 billion) in damage,as well as one death. Later,the storm turned to the northeast toward the Korean Peninsula. Jeju Island offshore South Korea recorded 1,250 mm (49 in) of rainfall,and one person died due to a thunderstorm in the country. On July 12,the storm struck the Ongjin peninsula in North Korea,and became an extratropical cyclone shortly thereafter. The remnants later caused flooding and power outages in the Russian Far East.
During June 2015, a near record strength pulse in the Madden–Julian oscillation, lead to a period of significant weather across the Western Pacific. [1] [2] This significant weather included a major westerly wind burst during late June, which caused a set of twin tropical cyclones to develop. [3] The first tropical cyclone developed in the Southern Hemisphere during June 28, before it later developed into Tropical Cyclone Raquel during June 30. [3] The second tropical cyclone was first noted by the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) as a tropical disturbance during June 25, while it was located about 345 km (215 mi) to the south-southeast of Pohnpei State in the Federated States of Micronesia. [4] [nb 1]
Drifting generally northward, the disturbance slowly organized within a region of low to moderate wind shear and favorable outflow aloft. The circulation was enhanced by a surge of westerly winds to the south. [5] At 06:00 UTC on June 29, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) [nb 2] classified the system as a tropical depression. [7] Following further organization, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert that day at 22:30 UTC with the system located about 345 km (214 mi) northeast of Pohnpei. [8] Convection steadily deepened over the center and banding features began consolidating around the periphery. [9] On June 30, the JMA upgraded the cyclone to Tropical Storm Chan-hom. [7] [10] [nb 3] The JTWC assessed Chan-hom to be slightly weaker at this time, initiating it as a tropical depression. [9]
Situated along the southern periphery of a subtropical ridge, Chan-hom moved steadily to the west. [9] Upper-level ventilation allowed for growth of the cyclone, [12] but moderate wind shear displaced the center from the deepest convection for much of July 1. [13] That day, the JMA upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm. [7] Early on July 2, the large circulation of Chan-hom absorbed a smaller disturbance to its southeast, [14] and the storm turned to the west-southwest. Dvorak satellite classifications indicated that the system reached typhoon intensity following an expansion of the central dense overcast; the JTWC classified Chan-hom as such by 15:00 UTC, [15] although the JMA maintained it as a severe tropical storm. [7] Shortly thereafter, strong wind shear from a tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT) cell to the northeast dramatically weakened the storm. Convection was stripped away from Chan-hom's center and the storm's forward motion abruptly slowed. [16] [17] Alongside the shear, subsidence over the cyclone, a trough to the north, and a remnant vortex to the northeast all served to suppress convection. [18] By 12:00 UTC on July 3, Chan-hom had weakened to a tropical storm with winds of 85 km/h (53 mph). [19]
Coinciding with Chan-hom's abrupt collapse on July 3, the system turned northeast as it entered a weakness in the steering ridge. [16] [18] Later that day, the broad circulation turned north-northwest. [20] Wind shear eased early on July 4 as the TUTT cell retreated to the north and the subtropical ridge steadily re-established itself. Convection started redeveloping over the tropical storm. [21] Late on July 4 into July 5, the center of Chan-hom skirted the southern coast of Rota in the Mariana Islands. [22] [23] While near the island, Chan-hom executed an unusual counter-clockwise loop owing to interaction with a monsoon trough. [24] [25] Once clear of the Mariana Islands, steady development ensued owing to low wind shear and good outflow. [26] Early on July 7, Chan-hom attained typhoon intensity according to the JMA, [7] following to a burst in central convection. [27] [28] Microwave satellite imagery indicated the formation of an eye as convection deepened and banding features tightened around the circulation. [29]
On July 7, the typhoon entered the Philippine area of Responsibility and was assigned the local name Falcon. [30] Chan-hom's eye briefly improved in structure before entering a state of flux and collapsing later that day; convection on the northern side of the storm diminished simultaneously. [31] [32] The 65 km (40 mi) wide eye soon re-established itself and slowly contracted to a diameter of 40 km (25 mi) by July 8. [33] [34] A large storm, gale-force winds extended 445 km (277 mi) from Chan-hom's center on July 9. [35] Late on July 9 into July 10, Chan-hom passed between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako-jima. [36] The typhoon reached its peak strength during this time with estimated winds of 165 km/h (103 mph) and a barometric pressure of 935 mbar (hPa; 27.61 inHg). [37] Featuring multiple intense feeder bands and a well-defined 27 km (17 mi) eye, the JTWC assessed Chan-hom to have peaked as a Category 4-equivalent typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale with one-minute sustained winds of 220 km/h (140 mph). [38]
An eyewall replacement cycle and weakening convection along the northern side resulted in steady weakening starting on July 10. [39] [40] Increasing wind shear prevented the system from reorganizing as it neared East China. [41] Early on July 11, the typhoon reached the southwestern edge of the subtropical ridge and began turning to the north and later north-northeast. [42] Chan-hom made landfall in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, or roughly 140 km (87 mi) south-southeast of Shanghai, around 08:40 UTC. [43] The JMA assessed the storm to have had winds of 140 km/h (87 mph) while the JTWC estimated one-minute sustained winds at 155 km/h (96 mph). [42] [44] Based on the JTWC estimate, Chan-hom was the strongest typhoon to pass within 160 km (99 mi) of Shanghai in at least 35 years, [43] and it was the strongest landfall in Zhejiang in the month of July since recordkeeping began in 1949. [45] Thereafter the storm accelerated north-northeast and moved over the cool waters of the Yellow Sea, prompting further degradation of its structure. [46] Chan-hom weakened below typhoon-force around 18:00 UTC on July 11. [7] The system's low-level center completely exposed on July 12 as it approached the Korean Peninsula. [47] [48] Around 18:00 UTC, Chan-hom moved ashore on the Ongjin peninsula in North Korea, southwest of the capital Pyongyang, with winds of 85 km/h (53 mph). [49] [50] By 00:00 UTC on July 13 the system transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while retaining gale-force winds, [51] and six hours later the system dissipated over north-central North Korea. [7]
Due to the typhoon, about 1.1 million people evacuated from areas along the coast. [50] Nearly 30,000 ships were called back to port, and 600 flights were canceled within the area. [52] Over 100 train rides were also canceled, [50] and portions of the Shanghai Metro was shut down. [53] The storm caused a concert for Chinese singer Wang Feng to be canceled. [54]
While moving over eastern China, Chan-hom produced sustained winds of 119 km/h (74 mph) and gusts to 177 km/h (110 mph), both at a station south of Shanghai called Shipu. Shanghai Pudong International Airport recorded wind gusts of 90 km/h (56 mph). [50] Gusts were strongest along the coast and along offshore islands. Rainfall from the storm peaked at 531 mm (20.9 in) in Yuyao, Ninghai, and Xiangshan, all parts of Ningbo city within Zhejiang. [45] The rains caused widespread flooding in eastern China; [50] 11 rivers in Zhejiang surpassed the warning level of 1.91 m (6.3 ft). The storm produced high waves from Fujian to Jiangsu provinces, [45] reaching five storeys high in Wenling, washing fish ashore and flooding the coast. [55]
Winds from Chan-hom were strong enough to knock down street signs across Zhejiang, as well as destroying an unoccupied building in Cixi City. [56] The storm's heavy rainfall caused a landslide in Ningbo and necessitated flood gates to be opened. [57] Also in the city, storm rains caused a hotel roof to collapse, killing one person and injuring two. [58] Throughout Zhejiang, Chan-hom wrecked 700 homes and damaged another 1,400. In neighboring Jiangsu, 300 homes were damaged or destroyed, causing ¥120 million (US$19.3 million) in economic losses. [59] The storm wrecked greenhouses and irrigation systems while also damaging crops. [60] Storm impacts mostly affected agriculture and transportation in the country; [61] over 200,000 ha (490,000 acres) of crop fields were impacted. [62] In the Nanhui District of Shanghai, 20% of peaches and 40% of pears were lost after being damaged by the storm's winds. [63] In Shanghai, the winds knocked down over 3,000 trees. [53] The high agriculture damage – estimated at ¥3.62 billion (US$583 million) – was mostly due to the typhoon's concurrence with the local harvesting of vegetables and melons. [53] Overall, Chan-hom affected 3.9 million people in eastern China, causing about ¥9.84 billion (US$1.58 billion) in damage. [45]
Before the storm affected the Marianas Islands, the National Weather Service issued a typhoon watch and tropical storm warning for Guam and Rota, as well as a typhoon warning for Tinian, and Saipan. The United States Department of Defense issued a Condition of Readiness 3. [64] While looping near Rota, Chan-hom produced gusts of 60 km/h (37 mph). [50] On the other side of the Rota Channel, Andersen Air Force Base on northern Guam recorded wind gusts of 117 km/h (73 mph). Rainfall on the island totaled over 300 mm (12 in), based on radar estimates from the University of Guam, [65] and possibly as high as 410 mm (16 in). [50] On Guam, the storm caused minor power outages and flooding. [64]
Although Chan-hom did not directly affect the Philippines, both Chan-hom and Tropical Storm Linfa enhanced the monsoon for several days, which caused severe flooding throughout the country. [66] Heavy rains impacted portions of Luzon and the Western Visayas, with various events resulting in five deaths. Four people also went missing when their boat sank amid strong winds off the coast of Pangasinan. A brief tornado caused minor damage in Iba, Zambales. Nearly 34,000 people were affected by the monsoon event, which killed 16 people and caused ₱3.9 million (US$86,000) in agricultural losses. [67]
On July 9, the outer rainbands of Chan-hom began affecting the Japanese island of Okinawa. [50] Between July 9 and 10, 326 flights were canceled at Naha Airport, affecting more than 32,000 people. A total of 176 people sought refuge in public shelters. American military bases on the island were placed under Condition of Readiness 1, the highest level. [64] Early on July 10, a station near the southern end of Okinawa recorded peak wind gusts of 179.6 km/h (111.6 mph), along with sustained winds of 118.8 km/h (73.8 mph). Strong winds affected other Japanese islands in the region, and Miyako-jima recorded peak gusts of 118.8 km/h (73.8 mph). [50] The storm dropped heavy rainfall, peaking at 230 mm (9.1 in) in Nago, Okinawa. [68] At the height of the storm, 42,000 people lost power across Okinawa Prefecture. [64] The storm injured 27 people in Okinawa, [50] three seriously. [64] Two buildings were damaged. Agricultural damage across Okinawa reached ¥524 million (US$4.27 million), most of which was sustained by the mango crop. [69]
Passing north of Taiwan, the threat of Chan-hom caused the Taiwan Stock Exchange and other public buildings to close, as well as canceling several flights. [70] The storm brought ultimately heavy rainfall, reaching 388.5 mm (15.30 in) in Taipei. [50] The Shihmen Dam, which had dropped to 55% capacity before the storm, rose to 90.26% of its capacity due to the storm's rains. [71]
In South Korea, 574 flights were canceled and 163 boats were forced to remain at port. [72] The large circulation of the storm dropped heavy rainfall throughout the Korean Peninsula, beneficial in easing drought conditions. Notably, Mount Halla on the offshore Jeju Island recorded 1,250 mm (49 in) of rainfall during Chan-hon's passage. [73] Wind gusts reached 76 km/h (47 mph) in Muan County in southwestern South Korea. [50] Thunderstorms killed one person in the country. [72] Losses in South Jeolla Province were confirmed to be ₩4.8 billion (US$4.22 million). [74] When Chan-hom made landfall along North Korea, winds were generally less than 40 km/h (25 mph), [50] with gusts reaching up to 54 km/h (34 mph). The storm dropped heavy rainfall, reaching over 300 mm (12 in) in North Hamgyong Province along the east coast. Flooding was limited, as most of the country received about 102 mm (4.0 in) of rainfall from the storm. [49]
The remnants of Chan-hom later impacted southern areas of Khabarovsk Krai, producing heavy rain and high winds, peaking at 79 km/h (49 mph). [75] The winds downed numerous trees, some of which fell on cars, [76] and uprooted tombs in a graveyard in Khabarovsk. [77] The towns of Bikin, Sovetskaya Gavan, and Vyazma, saw 40 to 80 mm (1.6 to 3.1 in) of rain or roughly 60–70 percent of their average monthly precipitation for July during the storm's passage. [75] [76] Flooding affected dozens of homes in the region as rivers rose by 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft). [75] Power and telephone service was lost in 34 communities. [78] Ferry service between Vanino and Kholmsk was suspended, temporarily stranding 1,300 passengers. [76] Damages in Khabarovsk Krai reached ₽87 million (US$1.54 million). [79]
The 2012 Pacific typhoon season was a slightly above average season that produced 25 named storms, fourteen typhoons, and four intense typhoons. It was a destructive and the second consecutive year to be the deadliest season, primarily due to Typhoon Bopha which killed 1,901 people in the Philippines. It was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation, in which tropical cyclones form in the western Pacific Ocean. The season ran throughout 2012, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and October. The season's first named storm, Pakhar, developed on March 28, while the season's last named storm, Wukong, dissipated on December 29. The season's first typhoon, Guchol, reached typhoon status on June 15, and became the first super typhoon of the year on June 17.
The 2015 Pacific typhoon season was a slightly above average season that produced twenty-seven tropical storms, eighteen typhoons, and nine super typhoons. The season ran throughout 2015, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and November. The season's first named storm, Mekkhala, developed on January 15, while the season's last named storm, Melor, dissipated on December 17. The season saw at least one named tropical system forming in each of every month, the first time since 1965. Similar to the previous season, this season saw a high number of super typhoons. Accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) during 2015 was extremely high, the third highest since 1970, and the 2015 ACE has been attributed in part to anthropogenic warming, and also the 2014-16 El Niño event, that led to similarly high ACE values in the East Pacific.
The 2016 Pacific typhoon season is considered to have been the fourth-latest start for a Pacific typhoon season since reliable records began. It was an average season, with a total of 26 named storms, 13 typhoons, and six super typhoons. The season ran throughout 2016, though typically most tropical cyclones develop between May and October. The season's first named storm, Nepartak, developed on July 3, while the season's last named storm, Nock-ten, dissipated on December 28.
Typhoon Soulik, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Huaning, was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused widespread damage in Taiwan and East China in July 2013. The storm originated from an upper-level cold-core low well to the northeast of Guam on July 6. Gaining tropical characteristics, the system soon developed a surface low and became a tropical depression early on July 7. Tracking generally westward, a motion it would retain for its entire existence, the depression underwent a period of rapid intensification starting on July 8 that culminated in Soulik attaining its peak strength early on July 10. At that time, the system had sustained winds estimated at 185 km/h (115 mph) and barometric pressure of 925 mbar. Thereafter, an eyewall replacement cycle and cooler waters weakened the system. Though it passed over the warm waters of the Kuroshio Current the following day, dry air soon impinged upon the typhoon. Soulik later made landfall late on July 12 in northern Taiwan before degrading to a tropical storm. Briefly emerging over the Taiwan Strait, the storm moved onshore for a second time in Fujian on July 13. The system was last noted as a tropical depression early on July 14.
Typhoon Usagi, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Odette, was a violent tropical cyclone which affected Taiwan, the Philippines, China, and Hong Kong in September 2013. Usagi, or which means the constellation Lepus in Japanese, was the fourth typhoon and the nineteenth tropical storm in the basin. Developing into a tropical storm east of the Philippines late on September 16, Usagi began explosive intensification on September 19 and ultimately became a violent and large typhoon. Afterwards, the system weakened slowly, crossed the Bashi Channel on September 21, and made landfall over Guangdong, China on September 22.
Typhoon Krosa, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Vinta, was a typhoon that made landfall in the northern Philippines in late October 2013. Forming on October 27 near Guam, the storm slowly intensified while moving westward. Krosa developed an eye and became a typhoon before striking Luzon on October 31. The storm weakened over land, but re-intensified over the South China Sea, reaching peak winds of 150 km/h (93 mph) on November 2 off the southeast coast of China. Typhoon Krosa stalled and encountered unfavorable conditions, resulting in quick weakening. By November 3, it had weakened to tropical storm status, and was no longer being warned on by the next day. In northern Luzon, Krosa damaged 32,000 houses, including 3,000 that were destroyed, and caused four fatalities. High winds and rainfall left ₱277 million in damage.
Typhoon Haiyan's meteorological history began with its origins as a tropical disturbance east-southeast of Pohnpei and lasted until its degeneration as a tropical cyclone over southern China. The thirteenth typhoon of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season, Haiyan originated from an area of low pressure several hundred kilometers east-southeast of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia on November 2. Tracking generally westward, environmental conditions favored tropical cyclogenesis and the system developed into a tropical depression the following day. After becoming a tropical storm and attaining the name Haiyan at 0000 UTC on November 4, the system began a period of rapid intensification that brought it to typhoon intensity by 1800 UTC on November 5. By November 6, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) assessed the system as a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale; the storm passed over the island of Kayangel in Palau shortly after attaining this strength.
Typhoon Francisco, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Urduja, was a powerful typhoon that strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The 25th named storm and the 10th typhoon of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season, Francisco formed on October 16 east of Guam from a pre-existing area of convection. With favorable conditions, it quickly intensified into a tropical storm before passing south of Guam. After stalling to the southwest of the island, Francisco turned to the northwest into an environment of warm waters and low wind shear, becoming a typhoon. The JTWC upgraded it to super typhoon status on October 18, while the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) estimated peak 10-minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (121 mph). Gradual weakening ensued, and after the typhoon turned to the northeast, Francisco deteriorated into a tropical storm on October 24. Passing southeast of Okinawa and mainland Japan, the storm accelerated and became extratropical on October 26, dissipating later that day.
Hurricane Genevieve, also referred to as Typhoon Genevieve, was the first tropical cyclone to track across all three northern Pacific basins since Hurricane Dora in 1999. Genevieve developed from a tropical wave into the eighth tropical storm of the 2014 Pacific hurricane season well east-southeast of Hawaii on July 25. However, increased vertical wind shear caused it to weaken into a tropical depression by the following day and degenerate into a remnant low on July 28. Late on July 29, the system regenerated into a tropical depression, but it weakened into a remnant low again on July 31, owing to vertical wind shear and dry air.
This timeline documents all of the events of the 2015 Pacific typhoon season. Most of the tropical cyclones formed between May and November. The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator between 100°E and the International Date Line. This area, called the Western Pacific basin, is the responsibility of the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA). They host and operate the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC), located in Tokyo. The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) is also responsible for assigning names to all tropical storms that are formed within the basin. However, any storm that enters or forms in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) will be named by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) using a local name. Also of note - the Western Pacific basin is monitored by the United States' Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), which gives all Tropical depressions a number with a "W" suffix.
Severe Tropical Storm Mekkhala, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Amang, was an early-season tropical cyclone that made landfall over the Philippines in January 2015. Mekkhala killed three people in the Bicol Region and caused light crop damage. Notably, the storm disturbed Pope Francis’ visit to the country after the victims of Typhoon Haiyan on November 8, 2013. Although the storm also caused an airplane crash in Tacloban, nobody was hurt in the incident.
Typhoon Noul, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Dodong, was a relatively small but powerful tropical cyclone that affected several areas but caused minor damage. The sixth named storm and third typhoon of the annual typhoon season, Noul formed as a tropical depression over the eastern Caroline Islands on May 2, 2015. It moved generally to the west and west-northwest, gradually intensifying into a tropical storm and later typhoon. On May 9, Noul began rapid deepening as it developed a well-defined eye. Early the next day, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) estimated peak 10 minute sustained winds of 205 km/h (125 mph), while the American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated peak 1 minute winds of 260 km/h (160 mph), equivalent to Category 5 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Noul struck northeastern Luzon in the Philippines at that intensity and greatly weakened. After passing east of Taiwan, the typhoon accelerated to the northeast and weakened due to unfavorable conditions. On May 12, Noul became extratropical south of Japan, and the remnants continued to the northeast for several days, dissipating on May 16.
Typhoon Dolphin was a powerful tropical cyclone that produced the first typhoon-force winds on Guam since Typhoon Pongsona in 2002. The seventh named storm of the 2015 Pacific typhoon season, Dolphin formed on May 6 in the vicinity of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Moving eastward at first, the storm slowly organized before beginning a north and west-northwest trajectory. Dolphin intensified into a typhoon before passing between Guam and Rota on May 15, producing typhoon-force winds on both islands. It later rapidly intensified as it curved to the north. The American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) designated Dolphin as a super typhoon, while the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) estimated 10 minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). Dolphin turned to the northeast and weakened, becoming extratropical on May 20 and exiting the western Pacific basin on May 24.
Severe Tropical Storm Linfa, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Egay, was a tropical cyclone that affected the northern Philippines, Taiwan and southern China in early July 2015. The tenth named storm of the annual typhoon season, Linfa developed on July 1 over in the Philippine Sea. It moved erratically westward toward the Philippines, eventually striking the island of Luzon on July 4. Linfa weakened across the island, but reorganized over the South China Sea. It turned northward and strengthened to near typhoon intensity, or winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), but weakened as it curved to the northwest toward southern China. On July 9, the storm made landfall along the Chinese province of Guangdong, dissipating the next day west of Hong Kong.
Typhoon Nangka was a large and powerful tropical cyclone that impacted central Japan in mid-July 2015. Nangka started its long-living journey as a tropical disturbance over the Marshall Islands and west of the International Dateline, becoming the eleventh named storm of the annual typhoon season on July 3. It quickly intensified while moving to the west-northwest, attaining typhoon status on July 6. Nangka moved through the Northern Marianas Islands, passing directly over the uninhabited island of Alamagan. Shortly thereafter, the typhoon attained peak winds; the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) estimated 10‑minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), while the unofficial Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated 1‑minute winds of 250 km/h (155 mph), making it a super typhoon. Nangka later weakened as it curved to the north, moving across central Japan on July 16 as a minimal typhoon. The storm weakened soon after, dissipating in the Sea of Japan on July 18.
Typhoon Soudelor, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Hanna, was the third most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2015 after Hurricane Patricia and Cyclone Pam as well as the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2015 Pacific typhoon season. Soudelor had severe impacts in the Northern Mariana Islands, Taiwan, and eastern China, resulting in 40 confirmed fatalities. Lesser effects were felt in Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. The thirteenth named storm of the annual typhoon season, Soudelor formed as a tropical depression near Pohnpei on July 29. The system strengthened slowly at first before entering a period of rapid intensification on August 2. Soudelor made landfall on Saipan later that day, causing extensive damage. Owing to favorable environmental conditions, the typhoon further deepened and reached its peak intensity with ten-minute maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h (134 mph) and a central atmospheric pressure of 900 hPa on August 3. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center assessed one-minute sustained winds at 285 km/h (177 mph), making Soudelor a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon. Steady weakening ensued thereafter as the storm moved generally west-northwest. Soudelor made landfall over Hualien, Taiwan, late on August 7 and emerged over in the Taiwan Strait early the next day. The typhoon soon moved inland over eastern China and degraded to a tropical depression by August 9.
Typhoon Goni, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Ineng, was a powerful tropical cyclone that affected much of East Asia in late August 2015. Developing in tandem with Typhoon Atsani to its east, Goni formed on August 13, and passed through the Mariana Islands two days later. By that time, radar imagery showed a formative eye, signaling an rapidly intensifying storm. Goni evolved into an intense typhoon in the Philippine Sea before weakening and stalling north of Luzon. The typhoon re-intensified and attained peak winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) on August 23 while moving through the southern Ryukyu Islands. Goni weakened slightly and moved across the Japanese island of Kyushu. The tropical cyclone transitioned into an extratropical cyclone in the Sea of Japan on August 25, crossed into eastern Russia and China a day later, and dissipated on August 30.
Typhoon Meranti, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Ferdie, was one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record. Impacting the Batanes in the Philippines, Taiwan, as well as Fujian Province in September 2016, Meranti formed as a tropical depression on September 8 near the island of Guam. Tracking to the west northwest, Meranti gradually intensified until September 11, at which point it began a period of rapid intensification. Continuing to rapidly intensify, it became a super typhoon early on September 12, as it passed through the Luzon Strait, ultimately reaching its peak intensity on September 13 with 1-minute sustained winds of 315 km/h (195 mph). Shortly afterwards, it passed directly over the island of Itbayat. Meranti passed to the south of Taiwan as a super typhoon, and began weakening steadily as a result of land interaction. By September 15, it struck Fujian Province as a Category 2-equivalent typhoon, becoming the strongest typhoon on record to impact the province. Upon moving inland, rapid weakening ensued and Meranti became extratropical the next day, dissipating shortly afterwards after it passed to the south of the Korean Peninsula.
The 2021 Pacific typhoon season was the second consecutive to have below average tropical cyclone activity, with twenty-two named storms, and was the least active since 2011. Nine became typhoons, and five of those intensified into super typhoons. This low activity was caused by a strong La Niña that had persisted from the previous year. The season's first named storm, Dujuan, developed on February 16, while the last named storm, Rai, dissipated on December 21. The season's first typhoon, Surigae, reached typhoon status on April 16. It became the first super typhoon of the year on the next day, also becoming the strongest tropical cyclone in 2021. Surigae was also the most powerful tropical cyclone on record in the Northern Hemisphere for the month of April. Typhoons In-fa and Rai are responsible for more than half of the total damage this season, adding up to a combined total of $2.02 billion.
Typhoon Prapiroon, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Florita, was a Category 1 typhoon that worsened the floods in Japan and also caused impacts in neighboring South Korea. The storm formed from an area of low pressure near the Philippines and strengthened to a typhoon before entering the Sea of Japan. The seventh named storm and the first typhoon of the annual annual typhoon season. Prapiroon originated from a low-pressure area far off the coast of Northern Luzon on June 28. Tracking westwards, it rapidly upgraded into a tropical storm, receiving the name Prapiroon due to favorable conditions in the Philippine Sea on the next day.
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