Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | May 2,2015 |
Extratropical | May 12,2015 |
Dissipated | May 16,2015 |
Violent typhoon | |
10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
Highest winds | 205 km/h (125 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 920 hPa (mbar);27.17 inHg |
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 918 hPa (mbar);27.11 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 2 indirect |
Damage | $23.8 million (2015 USD) |
Areas affected | Caroline Islands,Philippines,Taiwan,Japan |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2015 Pacific typhoon season |
Typhoon Noul (pronounced [no.ul] ), 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.
The typhoon first affected Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia, bringing 296 mm (11.65 in) of rainfall and causing about US$100,000 in damage. Noul forced 3,803 people to evacuate in the Philippines and stranded thousands others due to travel cancellations. Two people died while preparing for the storm. Its effects were limited to two provinces, amounting to ₱16.3 million (US$366,000) in damage. Later, heavy rainfall in Taiwan helped ease water restrictions. The storm caused heavy crop damage in the Miyako District of Okinawa, totaling ¥2.8 billion (US$23.3 million).
The origins of Noul were related to a strong westerly wind burst that also led to the formation of later Typhoon Dolphin. [1] By April 30, 2015, an area of convection, or thunderstorms, persisted and pulsed about 230 km (140 mi) west-southwest of Chuuk State within the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The system had a broad circulation amid an environment favorable for tropical cyclogenesis, including low to moderate wind shear. [2] The circulation slowly consolidated, [3] developing improved outflow and increasingly organized convection. [4] At 06:00 UTC on May 2, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) designated the system as a tropical depression about 850 km (530 mi) west-southwest of Chuuk. [5] At 00:00 UTC the next day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) classified the system as Tropical Depression 06W. [6]
The nascent tropical cyclone moved northwestward through a weakness in the subtropical ridge. [7] Aided by decreasing wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures, the convection organized into a central dense overcast. [8] At 18:00 UTC on May 3, the JMA upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Noul. [5] (Korean : 노을; literally: afterglow, red sky) [9] The strengthening ridge turned the storm to the west toward the Philippines. [10] On May 5, an eye developed in the center of the storm while Noul was near Yap State, prompting the JTWC to upgrade the storm to typhoon status. [11] At 18:00 UTC that day, the JMA upgraded Noul to a severe tropical storm, and later to typhoon status at 06:00 UTC on May 6. [5] The storm's spiral rainbands became increasingly organized, [12] although the eye initially remained cloud-filled. [13] Early on May 7, Noul crossed 135º E into the area of responsibility of PAGASA – the Philippines' weather bureau – who assigned the local name Dodong. [14]
Due to radial outflow, low vertical wind shear, and water temperatures above 30°C, Noul started rapid deepening on May 9 while approaching the Philippine island of Luzon, forming a sharply well-defined 35 km (22 mi) eye embedded in a deepening symmetric core; therefore, the JTWC upgraded it to a super typhoon late on the same day. [15] At 00:00 UTC on May 10, the JMA estimated peak 10 minute sustained winds of 205 km/h (125 mph). [5] At the same time, the JTWC estimated peak 1 minute sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph), equivalent to Category 5 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. [16] As the typhoon neared the northeast tip of Luzon, satellite imagery showed rapid deterioration of the storm's core structure and warming of the cloud tops. According to PAGASA, at around 08:45 UTC on May 10, Noul made landfall in the Philippines at Pananapan Point in Santa Ana, Cagayan. [17] However, the JMA and JTWC tracks do not show landfall, but instead show the center staying offshore. After its closest approach to Luzon, the storm's structure continued to deteriorate, becoming elongated and less organized due to increasing wind shear and land interaction. [18] By late on May 10, the eye largely disappeared from satellite imagery as Noul turned northward over water, steered around the subtropical ridge. [19] A large residual eye persisted in the center of the waning convection, [20] although stronger wind shear increasingly disrupted the storm's structure. An approaching trough steered Noul to the northeast, bringing it east of Taiwan on May 11. [21] By early on May 12, the storm had become increasingly elongated as dry air became entrained in the center, with the structure resembling a "comma"-shape, according to the JTWC. The agency downgraded it to a tropical storm at 00:00 UTC that day as the storm accelerated through Amami Ōshima. [22] Six hours later, the storm became extratropical off the southern coast of Japan. [5] [23]
The extratropical remnants of Noul continued to the northeast. Around 12:00 UTC on May 12, the storm passed through the Kantō region of southeastern Japan. The center quickly moved back over water and passed just east of Hokkaido on May 13. Noul slowed its forward motion while remaining south of the Kuril Islands and Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. At 06:00 UTC on May 16, the remnants of Noul dissipated near the International Date Line, [5] after being absorbed by another large extratropical storm. [24] [25]
Ahead of the storm's arrival, typhoon warnings were issued for Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). [26] In its formative stages, Noul caused minor damage to Fais Island and Ulithi Atoll. [27] On the island of Yap, the typhoon produced gusts to 116 km/h (72 mph) and 296 mm (11.65 in) of rainfall. Damage on the island was estimated at US$100,000. [28] The storm delayed a supply ship to outlying islands of the state that were previously affected by Typhoon Maysak a month prior. [27]
Typhoon Noul, known as Typhoon Dodong within the country, entered the Philippine area of Responsibility on May 7. In response to the storm, PAGASA raised warning signal 4, the highest level, for northeastern Cagayan as well as the offshore Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Neighboring provinces had lower warning signals. A total of 3,803 people evacuated their homes in Cagayan and Isabela to 27 storm shelters; families returned home by late on May 10 after the storm moved ashore without causing much damage. Flights and ferry routes were canceled, stranding 10,000 people. The Philippine Army deployed 18 soldiers to assist in storm preparations, utilizing boats and helicopters. [29] Fisherfolk were advised not to go out to sea east of Luzon. [30] People were also evacuated from the vicinity of Mount Bulusan after rains from Noul threatened to cause lahars and mudslides from ash of a recent eruption. [31] They were allowed to return after Noul recurved to the north and the threat did not materialize. [32] Two people in Cagayan died due to electrocution while attempting to fix their roofs ahead of the storm. [33] [34]
Upon striking the Philippines, the typhoon produced high winds and heavy rainfall to Luzon. [33] Noul knocked down trees and damaged houses, [35] resulting in power outages to seven communities; the power was restored within one day. [29] The storm's rains were beneficial to local farmers after an extended dry spell. [34] In Santa Ana where the storm moved ashore, the storm caused minor damage to seven schools. Across Cagayan, the storm damaged ₱2.7 million (US$61,000) worth of corn and rice crops, as well as minor damage to fisheries. There was minor infrastructure damage in neighboring Ilocos Norte. Overall, Noul caused ₱16.3 million (US$366,000) in damage. [29]
In Taiwan, domestic flights from mainland Taiwan to the outlying Green Island and Orchid Island were canceled for May 10. Also in the outlying islands, schools and offices were closed in anticipation of the storm, while boats sought shelter at harbors. [36] Heavy rains from the storm's outer bands and a frontal system brought much needed rain to areas of northern Taiwan suffering from a severe drought. A total of 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain fell at the Shihmen Dam, [37] amounting to an increase of approximately 7 million tonnes of water in the reservoir, [38] and bringing it to 30.5% capacity. [37] Several major cities were able to lift water rationing as a result. [38] Rainfall amounted to 69 mm (2.7 in) at the Baoshan Reservoir, 60.5 mm (2.38 in) at the Mingte Reservoir, and 52.5 mm (2.07 in) at the Feistui Reservoir. [37]
On May 11, Noul impacted the Ryukyu Islands of Japan as a weakening typhoon. The Yaeyama Islands experienced unexpectedly strong winds, with Ishigaki measuring its highest sustained winds during May on record at 104 km/h (65 mph); records there began in 1897. To the east, sustained winds of 131 km/h (81 mph) and gusts to 172 km/h (107 mph) were observed on Shimoji-shima. [39] Across Okinawa, the storm's high winds and waves damaged crops, [40] accounting for ¥2.8 billion (US$23.3 million) in crop damage. Most of the crop damage occurred in the Miyako District, [41] where the storm also caused power outages. [42] On Tokunoshima island, the storm damaged 13 houses and injured six people. [43] The typhoon also caused 47 flights to be canceled, stranding 4,300 people. Noul dropped heavy rainfall across Japan that set daily May records, including 143 mm (5.6 in) on Ishigaki Island. Rainfall also spread into the main islands of Japan, reaching 180 mm (7.1 in) in the Tōkai region. [44] One person in Kyoto sustained significant injuries after falling amid high winds. [45] The storm also delayed oil shipments from Japan's oil refineries. [46]
The remnants of Noul, in conjunction with later Typhoon Dolphin, shifted the broader weather pattern to bring record warmth to Alaska, making the temperatures warmer than that of Washington, D.C. [47]
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.
Tropical Storm Higos, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Pablo, was a tropical storm during the 2008 Pacific typhoon season. The name "Higos" is the Chamorro word for fig.
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 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.
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 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.
Typhoon Vongfong, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Ompong, was the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2014, and struck Japan as a large tropical system. It also indirectly affected the Philippines and Taiwan. Vongfong was the nineteenth named storm and the ninth typhoon of the 2014 Pacific typhoon season. Estimates assess damage from Vongfong to have been over US$160 million, mainly for striking mainland Japan. At least 9 people were killed along the path of the typhoon in those countries.
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 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 Dujuan, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Jenny, was the second most intense tropical cyclone of the Northwest Pacific Ocean in 2015 in terms of ten-minute maximum sustained winds, tied with Noul. The twenty-first named storm and the thirteenth typhoon of the 2015 Pacific typhoon season, Dujuan brought extremely powerful winds throughout the Yaeyama Islands and Taiwan in late September, causing 3 deaths in Taiwan. The typhoon also caused over ¥2.5 billion (US$392.9 million) damage in East China.
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.
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.
The 2021 Pacific typhoon season was the second consecutive season 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 2023 Pacific typhoon season was the fourth consecutive below-average season and became the third-most inactive typhoon season on record in terms of named storms, with just 17 named storms developing, only ahead of 2010 and 1998. Despite the season occurring during an El Niño event, which typically favors activity in the basin, activity was abnormally low. This was primarily due to a consistent period of negative PDO, which typically discourages tropical storm formation in this basin. The season was less active than the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season in terms of named storms, the fourth such season on record, after 2005, 2010 and 2020. The season's number of storms also did not exceed that of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season. Only ten became typhoons, with four strengthening further into super typhoons. However, it was very destructive, primarily due to Typhoon Doksuri which devastated the northern Philippines, Taiwan, and China in July, becoming the costliest typhoon on record as well as the costliest typhoon to hit mainland China, and Typhoon Haikui in September, which devastated China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The season was less active in Southeast Asia, with no tropical storm making landfall in mainland Vietnam.
Severe Tropical Storm Maliksi, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Domeng, was a tropical cyclone in June 2018 that brought rainfall to the Philippines and Japan. It caused 2 deaths and prompted the PAGASA to declare the beginning of the rainy season in the Philippines. The fifth named storm and 4th tropical cyclone in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it was first noted as an area of convection in the South of Palau on May 31.