Typhoon Yuri

For the 1994 tropical storm, see Tropical Storm Yuri (1994).

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

In mid-November, the presence of low-level westerlies in the central Pacific provided suitable atmospheric conditions for tropical cyclogenesis. The rapid development of thunderstorm activity near the Marshall Islands on November 16 prompted the Joint Typhoon Warning Center  (JTWC) to monitor the area for signs of development. The disturbance tracked slowly in a counter-clockwise loop over the next few days as it slowly organized, ^[3] and at 0000  UTC on November 22, the Japan Meteorological Agency  (JMA) classified the system as a tropical depression, ^[4] with the JTWC following suit about a day later. Upon becoming classified as a tropical cyclone, the system underwent explosive intensification, reaching tropical storm strength based on the Dvorak technique on November 23. Yuri later reached typhoon intensity at 1200 UTC on November 24 located roughly 335 km (208 mi) east of Pohnpei while exhibiting an eye. ^[3]

At 0540 UTC on November 25, Yuri passed 85 km (53 mi) north of Pohnpei with winds of 140 km/h (87 mph). ^[4] During this time, the typhoon began a phase of unimpeded and steady intensification, contrary to most intense typhoons which typically strengthen dramatically in rapid deepening. Concurrently, Yuri expanded in size, reaching a maximum diameter of 600 km (370 mi) at one point. ^[3] At 0000 UTC on November 27, the JMA assessed the storm to have reached its peak intensity with 10-minute maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h (140 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 895 mbar (895 hPa; 26.4 inHg). ^[4] The JTWC analyzed winds at this time to have been equivalent to a Category 5 major hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale (SSHS). ^[3]

Rounding the western periphery of a subtropical ridge, Yuri began to take a more northerly course, bringing it within 100 km (62 mi) of Guam on November 27 as a strong typhoon. After passing south of the island, the typhoon weakened but continued to grow in size, reaching an estimated 900 km (560 mi) in diameter upon clearing the Northern Mariana Islands. After recurving towards the northeast the storm accelerated and began transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. Yuri weakened below typhoon status early on December 1 shortly before completing the transition. ^[3] The remnants restrengthened to a powerful hurricane-force cyclone due to baroclinic processes. Continuing to track northward, they were last noted on December 3. ^[4]

Impact

Pohnpei

On Pohnpei, the storm had caused a loss of a radio tower. The total damage on the island of Pohnpei totaled $3 million (1991 USD).

Guam

On the United States territory of Guam, the large yet particularly dangerous and destructive tropical cyclone passed this western Pacific island on November 27. The storm brought wind gusts of up to 115 mph to the territory. The storm caused 2,500 people into shelters. The storm also produced high waves as tall as a two-story building to the Guam shoreline. ^[5] The storm also managed to dump 4 inches of rain on the Territory. ^[6] As civil defense and other workers tried to recover from the 24-foot waves and 115 mph winds of Typhoon Yuri, about three-quarters of Guam remained without electricity on November 28. But Guam was spared the full brunt of Yuri. It missed the island by 50 miles. No deaths were reported from the storm. ^[7]

Nearly all of Guam (ninety percent of the 133,000 residents) remained without water and electricity on November 29, nearly two days after the powerful tropical cyclone passed Guam. 2,500 of the residents that took shelters were crammed into 12 school shelters on November 28. ^[8]

Overall, the storm caused the area $33 million (1991 USD). ^[3]

See also

• Tropical cyclones portal

• List of Equatorial tropical cyclones
• Other strong typhoons in the East Philippine Sea that had similar trajectories to Yuri:
  • Typhoon Pongsona (2002)
  • Typhoon Yagi (2006)
  • Typhoon Lekima (2013)
  • Typhoon Dolphin (2015)

References

1. "Typhoons of 1991" (PDF). Hong Kong Royal Observatory. 1991. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
2. Joint Typhoon Warning Center.“Super Typhoon Yuri” Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
3. Rudolph, Dieter K.; Guard, Charles P. (1991). "1991 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). Guam, Mariana Islands: Joint Typhoon Warning Center. pp. 140–45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
4. "JMA Best Track Data (1990–99)". Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. January 4, 1992. Archived from the original (TXT) on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
5. "BREAKINGNEWS:TYPHOON YURI PASSES GUAM". The Eugene-Register Guard. 1991.
6. "Guam still recovering from Yuri". The Rock Mountain News. 1991. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
7. "Typhoon Yuri passes Guam". Deseret News. November 28, 1991. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
8. YURI PASSES GUAM The Daily News. November 1991. Retrieved 11-12-28.

External links

• Digital Typhoon: Typhoon199128 (YURI) - National Institute of Informatics

Typhoon Yuri

Yuri near peak intensity on November 27

v t e Tropical cyclones of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season
	STS Sharon TY Tim TS Vanessa VSTY Walt TD TD TY Yunya TD TD TD TD TY Zeke VSTY Amy TD TD STS Brendan TY Caitlin TD Enrique TD TD TD Doug TY Ellie TY Fred TD 13W STS Gladys TD TD TD 15W TS Harry VSTY Ivy TS Joel TY Kinna VSTY Mireille STS Luke TY Nat VSTY Orchid VSTY Pat VITY Ruth VSTY Seth TS Thelma STS Verne TS Wilda VITY Yuri STS Zelda
Category