Typhoon

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This article is about Northwestern Pacific tropical cyclones. For other uses,
see Typhoon (disambiguation). For other areas in which tropical cyclones occur,
see Tropical cyclone basins.
Not to be confused with Typhoo.

Satellite image of a typhoon (Typhoon Mangkhut)

Three different tropical cyclones active over the Western Pacific Ocean on August 7, 2006 (Maria, Bopha,
and Saomai). The cyclones on the lower and upper right are typhoons.

A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops between 180° and 100°E in

the Northern Hemisphere. This region is referred to as the Northwestern Pacific Basin,
[1]
 and is the most active tropical cyclone basin on Earth, accounting for almost one-third
of the world's annual tropical cyclones. For organizational purposes, the northern Pacific
Ocean is divided into three regions: the eastern (North America to 140°W), central
(140°W to 180°), and western (180° to 100°E). The Regional Specialized Meteorological
Center (RSMC) for tropical cyclone forecasts is in Japan, with other tropical cyclone
warning centers for the northwest Pacific in Hawaii (the Joint Typhoon Warning Center),
the Philippines and Hong Kong. While the RSMC names each system, the main name
list itself is coordinated among 18 countries that have territories threatened by typhoons
each year.[2]
Within the northwestern Pacific, there are no official typhoon seasons as tropical
cyclones form throughout the year. Like any tropical cyclone, there are few main
requirements for typhoon formation and development: (1) sufficiently warm sea surface
temperatures, (2) atmospheric instability, (3) high humidity in the lower to middle levels
of the troposphere, (4) enough Coriolis effect to develop a low pressure center, (5) a
pre-existing low level focus or disturbance, and (6) a low vertical wind shear. While the
majority of storms form between June and November, a few storms may occur between
December and May (although tropical cyclone formation is at a minimum during that
time). On average, the northwestern Pacific features the most numerous and intense
tropical cyclones globally. Like other basins, they are steered by the subtropical
ridge towards the west or northwest, with some systems recurving near and east
of Japan. The Philippines receive the brunt of the landfalls, with China and Japan being
less often impacted. However, some of the deadliest typhoons in history have struck
China. Southern China has the longest record of typhoon impacts for the region, with a
thousand-year sample via documents within their archives. Taiwan has received the
wettest known typhoon on record for the northwest Pacific tropical cyclone basins.

Contents

 1Nomenclature
o 1.1Etymology and usage
o 1.2Intensity classifications
 2Genesis
 3Frequency
 4Paths
 5Basin monitoring
o 5.1Name sources and name list
 6Records
 7See also
 8Notes
 9References
 10External links

Nomenclature[edit]
Panoramic cityscape skyline of Taipei, Taiwan during Typhoon Soudelor (2015)

Etymology and usage[edit]

The term typhoon is the regional name in the northwest Pacific for a severe (or
mature) tropical cyclone,[3] whereas hurricane is the regional term in the northeast
Pacific and northern Atlantic.[4] Elsewhere this is called a tropical cyclone, severe
tropical cyclone, or severe cyclonic storm.[5]
The French typhon is attested with the meaning of whirlwind or storm since 1504.
[6]
 The Oxford English Dictionary[7] cites Hindustani ṭūfān and Chinese tai fung giving rise
to several early forms in English. The earliest forms in English—"touffon", later "tufan",
"tuffon", and others—derive from Hindustani ṭūfān, with citations as early as 1588. From
1699 appears "tuffoon", later "tiffoon", derived from Chinese with spelling influenced by
the older Hindustani-derived forms. The modern spelling "typhoon" dates to 1820,
preceded by "tay-fun" in 1771 and "ty-foong", all derived from the Chinese tai fung.
The Hindustani source word ṭūfān ("violent storm"; Perso-
Arabic: ‫طوفان‬, Devanagari: तफ़ ू ान)[8] comes from the Persian tūfān (‫طوفان‬/‫ )توفان‬meaning
"storm" which comes from the verb tūfīdan (‫طوفیدن‬/‫)توفیدن‬, "to roar, to blow furiously".[citation
needed]
 The word ‫( طوفان‬ṭūfān) is also derived from Arabic as coming from ṭāfa, to turn
round.[7]
The Chinese source is the word tai fung or taifeng[8] (simplified Chinese: 台风; traditional
Chinese: 颱風; pinyin: táifēng). The modern Japanese word, 台風 (たいふう, taifuu); as
well as the modern Korean word 태풍 (taepung) are also derived from Chinese. The first
character is normally used to mean "pedestal" or "stand", but is actually a simplification
of the older Chinese character 颱, which means "typhoon"; thus the word originally
meant "typhoon wind".
The Ancient Greek Τυφῶν (Typhôn, "Typhon") is related and has secondarily
contaminated the word.[8] The Persian term may originally have been influenced by the
Greek word.[7][9]
Intensity classifications[edit]
See also: Tropical cyclone scales
RSMC Tokyo's Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale

Category Sustained winds

Violent Typhoon ≥105 knots

 ≥194 km/h

85–104 knots
Very Strong Typhoon
157–193 km/h

64–84 knots
Typhoon
118–156 km/h

48–63 knots
Severe Tropical Storm
89–117 km/h

34–47 knots
Tropical Storm
62–88 km/h

≤33 knots
Tropical Depression
≤61 km/h

A tropical depression is the lowest category that the Japan Meteorological Agency uses

and is the term used for a tropical system that has wind speeds not exceeding 33 knots
(38 mph; 61 km/h).[10] A tropical depression is upgraded to a tropical storm should
its sustained wind speeds exceed 34 knots (39 mph; 63 km/h). Tropical storms also
receive official names from RSMC Tokyo.[10] Should the storm intensify further and reach
sustained wind speeds of 48 knots (55 mph; 89 km/h) then it will be classified as
a severe tropical storm.[10] Once the system's maximum sustained winds reach wind
speeds of 64 knots (74 mph; 119 km/h), the JMA will designate the tropical cyclone as
a typhoon—the highest category on its scale.[10]
Since 2009 the Hong Kong Observatory has divided typhoons into three different
classifications: typhoon, severe typhoon and super typhoon.[11] A typhoon has wind
speed of 64–79 knots (73–91 mph; 118–149 km/h), a severe typhoon has winds of at
least 80 knots (92 mph; 150 km/h), and a super typhoon has winds of at least 100 knots
(120 mph; 190 km/h).[11] The United States' Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
unofficially classifies typhoons with wind speeds of at least 130 knots (67 m/s; 150 mph;
241 km/h)—the equivalent of a strong Category 4 storm in the Saffir-Simpson scale—
as super typhoons.[12] However, the maximum sustained wind speed measurements that
the JTWC uses are based on a 1-minute averaging period, akin to the U.S.' National
Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center. As a result, the JTWC's wind
reports are higher than JMA's measurements, as the latter is based on a 10-minute
averaging interval.[13]

Genesis[edit]

Depth of 26 °C isotherm on October 1, 2006

See also: Tropical cyclogenesis

There are six main requirements for tropical cyclogenesis: sufficiently warm sea surface
temperatures, atmospheric instability, high humidity in the lower to middle levels of
the troposphere, enough Coriolis force to develop a low pressure center, a pre-existing
low level focus or disturbance, and low vertical wind shear. While these conditions are
necessary for tropical cyclone formation, they do not guarantee that a tropical cyclone
will form. Normally, an ocean temperature of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) spanning through a
depth of at least 50 metres (160 ft) is considered the minimum to maintain the
special mesocyclone that is the tropical cyclone. These warm waters are needed to
maintain the warm core that fuels tropical systems. A minimum distance of 500 km
(300 mi) from the equator is normally needed for tropical cyclogenesis. [14] Whether it be a
depression in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) or monsoon trough, a
broad surface front, or an outflow boundary, a low level feature with
sufficient vorticity and convergence is required to begin tropical cyclogenesis. About 85
to 90 percent of Pacific typhoons form within the monsoon trough.[15] Even with perfect
upper-level conditions and the required atmospheric instability, the lack of a surface
focus will prevent the development of organized convection and a surface low. Vertical
wind shear of less than 10 m/s (20 kn, 33 ft/s) between the ocean surface and
the tropopause is required for tropical cyclone development. [14] Typically with Pacific
typhoons, there are two outflow jets: one to the north ahead of an upper trough in
the Westerlies, and a second towards the equator.[15]
In general, westerly wind increases associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation lead
to increased tropical cyclogenesis in all tropical cyclone basins. As the oscillation
propagates from west to east, it leads to an eastward march in tropical cyclogenesis
with time during that hemisphere's summer season.[16] On average, twice per year twin
tropical cyclones will form in the western Pacific Ocean, near the 5th parallel north and
the 5th parallel south, along the same meridian, or line of longitude. [17] There is an
inverse relationship between tropical cyclone activity in the western Pacific basin and
the north Atlantic basin, however. When one basin is active, the other is normally quiet,
and vice versa. The main reason for this appears to be the phase of the Madden–Julian
oscillation, or MJO, which is normally in opposite modes between the two basins at any
given time.[18]

Frequency[edit]
Storm Frequency
Tropical storms and Typhoons by month,
for the period 1959–2015 (Northwest Pacific)
Month Count Average
Jan 28 0.5
Feb 14 0.2
Mar 26 0.5
Apr 37 0.6
May 66 1.2
Jun 100 1.8
 Jul 221 3.9
Aug 310 5.4
Sep 280 4.9
Oct 228 4.0
Nov 139 2.4
Dec 69 1.2
Annual 1518 26.6
Source: JTWC[19]

Nearly one-third of the world's tropical cyclones form within the western Pacific. This
makes this basin the most active on Earth. [20] Pacific typhoons have formed year round,
with peak months from August to October. The peak months correspond to that of
the Atlantic hurricane seasons. Along with a high storm frequency, this basin also
features the most globally intense storms on record. One of the most recent busy
seasons was 2013. Tropical cyclones form in any month of the year across the
northwest Pacific Ocean, and concentrate around June and November in the northern
Indian Ocean. The area just northeast of the Philippines is the most active place on
Earth for tropical cyclones to exist.
Across the Philippines themselves, activity reaches a minimum in February, before
increasing steadily through June, and spiking from July through October, with
September being the most active month for tropical cyclones across the archipelago.
Activity falls off significantly in November, although Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest
Philippine typhoon on record, was a November typhoon. [21] The most frequently impacted
areas of the Philippines by tropical cyclones are northern and central Luzon and
eastern Visayas.[22] A ten-year average of satellite determined precipitation showed that
at least 30 percent of the annual rainfall in the northern Philippines could be traced to
tropical cyclones, while the southern islands receive less than 10 percent of their annual
rainfall from tropical cyclones.[23] The genesis and intensity of typhoons are also
modulated by slow variation of the sea surface temperature and circulation features
following a near-10-year frequency.[24]

Paths[edit]
See also: Hurricane Alley
Tracks of all tropical cyclones in the northernwestern Pacific Ocean between 1980 and 2005. The vertical line
to the right is the International Date Line.

Most tropical cyclones form on the side of the subtropical ridge closer to the equator,
then move poleward past the ridge axis before recurving north and northeast into the
main belt of the Westerlies.[25] Most typhoons form in a region in the northwest Pacific
known as typhoon alley, where the planet's most powerful tropical cyclones most
frequently develop.[26] When the subtropical ridge shifts due to El Niño, so will the
preferred tropical cyclone tracks. Areas west of Japan and Korea tend to experience
many fewer September–November tropical cyclone impacts during El Niño and neutral
years. During El Niño years, the break in the subtropical ridge tends to lie near 130°E,
which would favor the Japanese archipelago.[27] During La Niña years, the formation of
tropical cyclones, and the subtropical ridge position, shift westward across the western
Pacific Ocean, which increases the landfall threat to China and greater intensity
to Philippines.[27] Those that form near the Marshall Islands find their way to Jeju Island,
Korea.[28] Typhoon paths follow three general directions.[20]

 Straight track (or straight runner). A general westward path affects

the Philippines, southern China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
 A parabolic recurving track. Storms recurving affect eastern Philippines,
eastern China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East.
 Northward track. From point of origin, the storm follows a northerly direction,
only affecting small islands.
A rare few storms, like Hurricane John, were redesignated as typhoons as they
originated in the Eastern/Central Pacific and moved into the western Pacific.

Basin monitoring[edit]
Within the Western Pacific, RSMC Tokyo-Typhoon Center, part of the Japan
Meteorological Agency has had the official warning responsibility for the whole of the
Western Pacific since 1989,[29] and the naming responsibility for systems of tropical
storm strength or greater since 2000.[11] However each National Meteorological and
Hydrological Service within the western Pacific has the responsibility for issuing
warnings for land areas about tropical cyclones affecting their country, such as the Joint
Typhoon Warning Center for United States agencies, [30] the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for interests in the
island archipelago nation,[31] and the Hong Kong Observatory for storms that come close
enough to cause the issuance of warning signals.[32]
Name sources and name list[edit]
The list of names consists of entries from 14 southeast and east Asian nations and
regions and the United States who have territories directly affected by typhoons. The
submitted names are arranged into a list, the names on the list will be used from up to
down, from left to right. When all names on the list are used, it will start again from the
left-top corner. When a typhoon causes damage in a region, the affected region can
request for retiring the name in the next session of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon
Committee. A new name will be decided by the region whose name was retired. Unlike
tropical cyclones in other parts of the world, typhoons are not named after people.
Instead, they generally refer to animals, flowers, astrological signs, and a few personal
names. However, Philippines (PAGASA) retains its own naming list, which consists of
both human names and other things.[33] Storms that cross the date line from the central
Pacific retain their original name, but the designation of hurricane becomes typhoon.

List of Western Pacific tropical

Contributing n

List
 North  Hong  Macau,
 Cambodia  China  Japan  Laos  Ma
Korea Kong, China China

Damrey Haikui Kirogi Yun-yeung Koinu Bolaven Sanba Jelawat

1
Ampil Wukong Jongdari Shanshan Yagi Leepi Bebinca Pulasan

Kong-rey Yinxing Toraji Man-yi Usagi Pabuk Wutip Sepat

2
Krosa Bailu Podul Lingling Kajiki Nongfa Peipah Tapah

Nakri Fengshen Kalmaegi Fung-wong Koto Nokaen Vongfong[nb 1] Nuri

3
Maysak Haishen Noul Dolphin Kujira Chan-hom Linfa[nb 2] Nangka

Krovanh Dujuan Surigae Choi-wan Koguma Champi In-fa Cempak

4
Chanthu Dianmu Mindulle Lionrock Kompasu Namtheun Malou Nyatoh

5 Hinnamno
Trases Mulan Meari Ma-on Tokage Muifa Merbok
r

Nesat Haitang Nalgae Banyan Yamaneko Pakhar Sanvu Mawar

 References

Records[edit]
Total Tropical Super
Year Typhoons
storms storms typhoons
39 1964 13 19 7
1965 14 10 11
35 1967 15 16 4
1971 11 16 4
34 1994 14 14 6
33 1996 12 15 6
32 1974 16 16 0
1989 10 15 6
31 1992 13 17 5
2013 18 8 5
1962 7 17 6
1966 10 17 3
30 1972 8 20 2
1990 9 17 4
2004 10 13 7

The most active Western Pacific typhoon season was in 1964,[citation needed] when 39 storms of
tropical storm strength formed. Only 15 seasons had 30 or more storms developing
since reliable records began. The least activity seen in the northwest Pacific Ocean was
during the 2010 Pacific typhoon season, when only 14 tropical storms and seven
typhoons formed. In the Philippines, the most active season, since 1945, for tropical
cyclone strikes was 1993 when nineteen tropical cyclones moved through the country.
[36]
 There was only one tropical cyclone that moved through the Philippines in 1958.
The 2004 Pacific typhoon season was the busiest for Okinawa since 1957.
[37]
 Within Guangdong in southern China, during the past thousand years, the most active
decades for typhoon strikes were the 1660s and 1670s. [38]
The highest reliably-estimated maximum sustained winds on record for a typhoon was
that of Typhoon Haiyan at 314 km/h (195 mph) shortly before its landfall in the
central Philippines on November 8, 2013.[39] The most intense storm based on minimum
pressure was Typhoon Tip in the northwestern Pacific Ocean in 1979, which reached a
minimum pressure of 870 hectopascals (26 inHg) and maximum sustained wind speeds
of 165 knots (85 m/s, 190 mph, 310 km/h).[40] The deadliest typhoon of the 20th century
was Typhoon Nina, which killed nearly 100,000 in China in 1975 due to a flood that
caused 12 reservoirs to fail.[41] After Typhoon Morakot landed in Taiwan at midnight on
August 8, 2009, almost the entire southern region of Taiwan (Chiayi County/Chiayi
City, Tainan County/Tainan City (now merged as Tainan), Kaohsiung County/Kaohsiung
City (now merged as Kaohsiung), and Pingtung County) and parts of Taitung
County and Nantou County were flooded by record-breaking heavy rain. The rainfall
in Pingtung County reached 2,327 millimeters (91.6 in),[42] breaking all rainfall records of
any single place in Taiwan induced by a single typhoon, [43] and making the cyclone the
wettest known typhoon.