![]() Typhoon Hato at peak intensity near Macau on 23 August | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 19,2017 |
Dissipated | August 25,2017 |
Typhoon | |
10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
Highest winds | 140 km/h (85 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 965 hPa (mbar);28.50 inHg |
Category 3-equivalent typhoon | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 948 hPa (mbar);27.99 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 24 total |
Damage | $6.41 billion (2017 USD) |
Areas affected | Hong Kong,Macau,Philippines,South China,Taiwan,Vietnam |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2017 Pacific typhoon season |
Typhoon Hato,known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Isang,was a strong tropical cyclone that struck South China in August 2017. [nb 1] The thirteenth named storm and the fourth typhoon of the Pacific typhoon season,Hato formed as a tropical depression over the east of Luzon on 19 August. The system further developed and became a tropical storm the next day. On 21 August,Hato emerged over the northern portion of the South China Sea and reached typhoon intensity. Rapid intensification ensued on 23 August,and Hato became a Category 3-equivalent typhoon before making landfall over Jinwan,Zhuhai. The storm further weakened over land and dissipated on 24 August.
One of the strongest typhoons to impact Macau and Hong Kong in the past 50 years,Hato caused significant damage totaling US$6.82 billion along its path. The bulk of the losses were incurred in Mainland China,where Hato brought a storm surge that caused severe flooding in several provinces along the Pearl River,in addition to wind gusts that reached 240 km/h (150 mph). Both Hong Kong and Macau had their tropical cyclone signals raised to the highest category in anticipation of the storm,which inflicted more than US$1 billion worth of damage in each of those areas. Also,while weakening,Hato brought heavy rain and a tornado to Vietnam. A total of 24 fatalities occurred due to Hato.
Hato made landfall along the southern coast of Zhuhai with a Category-3 intensity (both 1-min and 2-min sustained wind speed of 185 km/h),strong but not stronger than other more powerful storms. Three other major typhoons,Wanda (1962),Ruby (1964),and Vicente (2012),followed a similar trajectory as that of Hato (from ESE to WNW),making landfall on slightly different parts of the coast. Hato's forward speed was the fastest of these typhoons,reaching 32.5 km/h (20.2 mph),nearly twice as fast as the speed of Wanda. [1]
During the late hours of 18 August, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) started to monitor a tropical disturbance that had developed about 1,495 km (930 mi) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan. [2] By 19 August, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) began to monitor the area of low-pressure as a tropical depression. [3] Around the same time, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA), [4] while the JMA initiated advisories as it was determined that the system had 10-minute sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph). [5] By 03:00 UTC on 20 August, the JTWC began issuing advisories, designating the system as a tropical depression with the numerical designation of 15W. [6] The PAGASA named 15W as Isang, as system was already a tropical cyclone and was located within their area of responsibility. [7] Six hours later, the JMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm, assigning the name Hato. [8]
At 15:00 UTC of 20 August, the JTWC upgraded Hato to a tropical storm after the storm further organized. [9] By this time, Hato was located in a favorable environment with low vertical wind shear and sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) of 30 °C (86 °F). [10] Hato failed to strengthen throughout most of 21 August due to a partially exposed low-level circulation center (LLCC) with sheared convection. [11] Several hours later, the system's LLCC became broad as convection began to develop. [12] By 22 August, SSTs near the storm rose to 31 °C (87.8 °F), [13] therefore the JMA had upgraded Hato to a severe tropical storm. [14] The system had rapidly consolidated as it formed a 20-nm diameter eye, including a significant improved convective structure with tightly curved banding flowing into the systems LLCC. [15] Both agencies upgraded Hato to a typhoon six hours later, [16] despite its eye losing its structure. [17]
Early on 23 August, the JTWC upgraded Hato to a Category 2 typhoon after its eye began to reform with a central dense overcast. [18] Hato reached its peak intensity as a Category 3-equivalent typhoon with Dvorak estimates reaching T5.5. [2] The JMA estimated peak 10-minute sustained winds of 150 km/h (90 mph) with a minimum barometric pressure of 960 hPa, which was revised to 140 km/h and 965 hPa during post-analysis. [19] However, a minimum pressure of 945 hPa was recorded in Macau, and the CMA estimated a minimum pressure of 935 hPa, suggesting that its intensity was higher. [20] Hato made landfall over the southern coast of Zhuhai, Guangdong at 12:50 CST (04:50 UTC). [21] About three hours later, the JTWC issued its final warning on Hato as the storm moved further inland. [22] Six hours later, the JMA downgraded Hato to a severe tropical storm, [23] then to a tropical storm. [24] The JMA continued to track Hato until 06:00 UTC on 24 August. [25]
Country/region | Fatalities | Damage (2017 USD) | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Death | Injured | |||
Mainland China | 11 | 523 | $4.34 billion | [26] [27] |
Hong Kong | 0 | 129 | $511 million | [28] [29] [30] |
Macau | 10 | 244 | $1.56 billion | [31] [32] |
Vietnam | 1 | 1 | $1.36 million | [33] |
Totals: | 24 | 845 | $6.41 billion |
A storm surge of 500–1,300 mm (20–51 in) from the Pearl River inundated the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Fujian and Guizhou. [27] Peak winds of 66.9 m/s (241 km/h) were observed in the city of Guishan, Zhuhai, the strongest wind ever recorded there. [27] 267 people were hurt and sent to hospital, including 10 people who sustained serious injuries. [27] 256 members of the public were stranded and had to be rescued. [27] In total, 32 people were killed while total damages in Mainland China were counted to CN¥28.91 billion (US$4.34 billion). [34]
For the first time in five years, since Typhoon Vicente in 2012, the Hong Kong Observatory issued the Hurricane Signal, No.10, which is the highest level of tropical cyclone warning signals in Hong Kong. [35] Owing to the typhoon, the Hong Kong Observatory recorded a record-breaking temperature of 36.6 °C (97.9 °F). It is the highest record in 132 years. [36] The Air Quality Health Index has also reached level 8 in a lot of Air Quality Monitoring Stations. [37] Consequently, Hong Kong saw the closure of businesses, government offices, schools, courts and the stock market. At least 121 cases of injury were reported due to the passage of the storm. [29] Major damage to property, such as broken windows and collapsed scaffolding, were widely reported, with more than 692 reports of fallen trees, debris, displaced bins, and glass shards littering the pavements and major roads. [38] Serious flooding were reported in low-lying areas, such as Heng Fa Chuen on Hong Kong Island, Lei Yue Mun and Tai O due to storm surge. [39] More than 450 flights were cancelled or delayed at Hong Kong International Airport and public transport was brought to a standstill. [40] The estimated economic cost was around HK$4 billion (US$511 million). [28]
The storm was the strongest to have hit Macau in 53 years, according to Macau's Chief Executive Fernando Chui, and it was the first time in 18 years that the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau hoisted a No. 10 tropical cyclone signal. [41] Maximum hourly mean winds of 132 km/h (82 mph) and gusts of 217 km/h (135 mph) were the highest on record in Macau. [42] Most areas of the territory was hit by major flooding and property damages, with citywide power and water outage lasting for at least 24 hours after the passage of the storm. Overall, 10 deaths and at least 200 injuries were reported. [32] The head of the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau resigned due to criticisms by the Macanese public that officials failed to predict the ferocity of the storm. The Corruption Agency is investigating The Meteorology Bureau's forecasting procedures and management, including the former director Fong Soi-Kun. [43] The Macau SAR Government also announced 1.3 billion Macanese patacas would be set aside for those affected by the typhoon, with families of victims to get up to 300,000 patacas (US$37 thousand) each. [44] In total, Macau suffered an economic loss of 12.55 billion patacas (US$1.56 billion). [31]
There were shortages of basic supplies locally due to residents buying up remaining stocks in response to the utilities shortages and flooding. [45] At the request of the local government, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Macau Garrison was deployed to assist in disaster relief and cleaning up for the first time in Macau history. [46] About 1,000 troops were called in to help remove debris and clear roads.[ citation needed ] Macau police arrested two people for using phone to spread unverified information alleging that the authorities had sought to cover up the discovery of bodies in a car park during Typhoon Hato. [47]
A typhoon and storm surge coupling model demonstrated that the maximum storm surge height reached nearly 2.5 m (8.2 ft) along the coast of Macau, while that in Hong Kong was slightly below 2 m (6.6 ft). Furthermore, a field survey of urban flooding revealed evidence of a 2.25-m inundation in downtown Macau and a 0.55-m inundation on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, which were likely exacerbated by a combination of storm surge, heavy rainfall, and surface water runoff over a complex hilly terrain. [1]
Despite passing well to the north of Vietnam, the storm triggered heavy rainfall and a tornado in Lào Cai, Vietnam on 23 August. More than 754 houses were damaged in Sa Pa, which injured one person. [48] Strong winds damaged about 90 ha (220 acres) of rice crops which included 37 ha (91 acres) of corn. [48] [49] The storm killed one person and total damage reached 7 billion₫ (US$308 thousand). [48] Total damage in Vietnam from the remnants of Hato reached 31 billion₫ (US$1.36 million). [33]
Due to the extensive damage and high death toll in South China, the name Hato was officially retired during the 50th annual session of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee in February 2018. In February 2019, the Typhoon Committee subsequently chose Yamaneko as its replacement name. [50]
Typhoon Neoguri, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Ambo, was the earliest tropical cyclone on record to strike China. The first named storm in the 2008 Pacific typhoon season, named after the Korean word for raccoon dog, it formed from a low pressure area on April 13 to the east of the Philippine island of Mindanao, and after crossing the island it intensified into a tropical storm in the South China Sea. Environmental conditions allowed for quick strengthening, with Neoguri attaining typhoon status on April 16. The typhoon reached its peak intensity on April 18 as it approached the island of Hainan, and subsequently it turned northward. Due to increased wind shear and cooler waters, Neoguri rapidly weakened and made landfall as a minimal tropical storm in southern China on April 19.
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 2013 Pacific typhoon season was the most active Pacific typhoon season since 2004, and the deadliest since 1975. It featured Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms and one of the strongest landfalling tropical cyclones in history. It was an above-average season with 31 named storms, 13 typhoons, and five super typhoons. The season's first named storm, Sonamu, developed on January 4 while the season's last named storm, Podul, dissipated on November 15. Despite the activity, most of the first seventeen named storms before mid-September were relatively weak, as only two of them reached typhoon intensity. Total damage amounted to at least $26.41 billion (USD), making it at the time the costliest Pacific typhoon season on record; it is currently the fourth costliest, behind the 2018, 2019 and 2023 seasons.
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.
The 2017 Pacific typhoon season was a below-average season in terms of accumulated cyclone energy and the number of typhoons and super typhoons, and the first since the 1977 season to not produce a Category 5-equivalent typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The season produced a total of 27 named storms, 11 typhoons, and only two super typhoons, making it an average season in terms of storm numbers. It was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation, in which tropical cyclones form in the western Pacific Ocean. The season runs throughout 2017, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and October. The season's first named storm, Muifa, developed on April 25, while the season's last named storm, Tembin, dissipated on December 26. This season also featured the latest occurrence of the first typhoon of the year since 1998, with Noru reaching this intensity on July 23.
The 2018 Pacific typhoon season was at the time, the costliest Pacific typhoon season on record, until the record was beaten by the following year. The season was well above-average, producing twenty-nine storms, thirteen typhoons, seven super typhoons and six Category 5 tropical cyclones. The season ran throughout 2018, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and October. The season's first named storm, Bolaven, developed on January 3, while the season's last named storm, Man-yi, dissipated on November 28. The season's first typhoon, Jelawat, reached typhoon status on March 29, and became the first super typhoon of the year on the next day.
Typhoon Kai-tak, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Helen, was a mild tropical cyclone that affected China, Vietnam and Laos. It was the seventh typhoon and the thirteenth named storm of the 2012 Pacific typhoon season. The storm killed 41 people and caused a sum of US$765 million in losses. Kai-tak can be tracked back to the broad area of disturbance embedded in a monsoonal trough that was first spotted, early on August 10. It was only at midnight, on August 16, when the JMA officially declared Kai-tak a typhoon. On the morning of August 17, the windspeed dropped to 60 knots and was no longer a typhoon. The typhoon caused heavy damage in China's two provinces killing four people and causing huge economic loss. Kai-Tak slammed the northern Philippines triggering flash floods and landslides and killing at least ten people, one week after deadly monsoon rains battered the country. In Vietnam, Kai-Tak has stormed across the country's north bringing high winds and floods to several areas including the capital Hanoi.
Severe Tropical Storm Rumbia, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Gorio, was a tropical cyclone that brought widespread flooding in areas of the Philippines and China late June and early July 2013. The sixth internationally named storm of the season, Rumbia formed from a broad area of low pressure situated in the southern Philippine Sea on June 27. Steadily organizing, the initial tropical depression moved towards the northwest as the result of a nearby subtropical ridge. On June 28, the disturbance strengthened to tropical storm strength, and subsequently made its first landfall on Eastern Samar in the Philippines early the following day. Rumbia spent roughly a day moving across the archipelago before emerging into the South China Sea. Over open waters, Rumbia resumed strengthening, and reached its peak intensity with winds of 95 km/h (50 mph) on July 1, ranking it as a severe tropical storm. The tropical cyclone weakened slightly before moving ashore the Leizhou Peninsula late that day. Due to land interaction, Rumbia quickly weakened into a low pressure area on July 2 and eventually dissipated soon afterwards.
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.
This timeline documents all of the events of the 2012 Pacific typhoon season. The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator between 100°E and the International Date Line. During the season, 34 systems were designated as tropical depressions by either the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), or other National Meteorological and Hydrological Services such as the China Meteorological Administration and the Hong Kong Observatory. Since the JMA runs the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for the Western Pacific, they assigned names to tropical depressions which developed into tropical storms in the basin. PAGASA also assigned local names to systems which are active in their area of responsibility; however, these names are not in common use outside of the Philippines.
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.
Typhoon Haima, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Lawin, was the third most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2016. It was the twenty-second named storm and the eleventh typhoon of the annual typhoon season. Impacting the Philippines less than 3 days after Typhoon Sarika, Haima formed out of a tropical disturbance southwest of Chuuk on October 14, it developed into a tropical storm the next day. Steady strengthening occurred over the next day or two as it tracked westward towards the Philippines. After forming an eye shortly after it was upgraded to a typhoon, Haima began to rapidly strengthen and eventually became a super typhoon on October 18. It later attained its peak intensity as a Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone before weakening slightly. Haima later made landfall in Peñablanca, Cagayan late on October 19 as a Category 4-equivalent storm. Rapid weakening occurred as it interacted with the landmasses until it entered the Southern China Sea as a weak typhoon. It formed a large ragged eye once again and remained steady in intensity until making landfall in China on October 21. It weakened below typhoon intensity and became extratropical on October 22. The cyclone drifted northeastwards and later eastwards before emerging over water again, but eventually dissipated by October 26.
Typhoon Nock-ten, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Nina, was the strongest Christmas Day tropical cyclone worldwide in terms of 1-minute sustained winds. Forming as a tropical depression southeast of Yap and strengthening into the twenty-sixth tropical storm of the annual typhoon season on December 21, 2016, Nock-ten intensified into the thirteenth typhoon of the season on December 23. Soon afterwards, the system underwent explosive intensification and became a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon early on December 25. Nock-ten weakened shortly afterwards before making eight landfalls over the Philippines. The typhoon weakened rapidly due to the landfalls as it entered the South China Sea on December 26, turned southwest, and ultimately dissipated on December 28 due to the winter monsoon.
Typhoon Nesat, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Gorio, was a strong tropical cyclone that impacted Taiwan and Fujian, China. It was the ninth named storm and the second typhoon of the annual typhoon season. After consolidating slowly for several days, Tropical Storm Nesat developed east of the Philippines on July 25. While experiencing favorable environmental conditions such as very warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, Nesat strengthened into a typhoon and reached its peak intensity on July 28. On July 29, the typhoon made landfall near the Taiwanese city of Yilan, before weakening to a severe tropical storm and making landfall again near Fuqing on China's east coast late the same day. Moving into July 30, Nesat continued to weaken under the effects of land interaction.
Severe Tropical Storm Pakhar, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Jolina, was a strong tropical storm that impacted South China during late August 2017. This storm followed Typhoon Hato which affected the area a few days prior. Pakhar was the fourteenth named storm of the Pacific typhoon season. Pakhar developed from a tropical depression to the east of Luzon during August 24, and intensified into a tropical storm later that day. Pakhar made landfall over in Aurora on August 25. Pakhar gradually intensified and peaked as a severe tropical storm by August 27, making landfall over Taishan, Jiangmen in Southern China.
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.
The 2022 Pacific typhoon season was the third consecutive season to have below average tropical cyclone activity, with twenty-five named storms forming. Of the tropical storms, ten became typhoons, and three would intensify into super typhoons. The season saw near-average activity by named storm count, although many of the storms were weak and short-lived, particularly towards the end of the season. This low activity was caused by an unusually strong La Niña that had persisted from 2020. The season's first named storm, Malakas, developed on April 6, while the last named storm, Pakhar, dissipated on December 12. The season's first typhoon, Malakas, reached typhoon status on April 12. The season ran throughout 2022, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and October. Tropical storms Megi and Nalgae were responsible for more than half of the casualties, while typhoons Hinnamnor and Nanmadol both caused $1 billion in damages.
Typhoon Jongdari was a strong, long-lived and erratic tropical cyclone that impacted Japan and East China in late July and early August 2018. Formed as the twelfth named storm of the 2018 typhoon season near Okinotorishima on July 24, Jongdari gradually intensified and developed into the fourth typhoon of the year on July 26. Influenced by an upper-level low and a subtropical ridge, Jongdari executed a rare counter-clockwise southeast of Japan on the next day. At that time, it also reached peak intensity. The typhoon made landfall in Kii Peninsula, over Mie Prefecture of Japan locally early on July 29.
Severe Tropical Storm Merbok was a weak tropical cyclone that brought significant impacts to southern China in June 2017. Merbok developed out of a tropical depression which was first monitored by the JMA while it was west of Manila, Philippines, on June 10. The system would later be named 04W by the JTWC. The depression then strengthened into Tropical Storm Merbok before making landfall in eastern Shenzhen, China. Merbok would rapidly weaken inland, dissipating over Southern China on June 13.