UNDERSTANDING

TYPHOONS
TYPHOON
Tropical cyclones are warm-core
low pressure systems associated
with a spiral inflow of mass at
the bottom level and spiral
outflow at the top level.
TYPHOON
They always form over oceans where sea surface temperature,
also air temperatures are greater than 26°C. Tropical cyclone is
defined as a non-frontal, synoptic-scale cyclone developing
over tropical and sub-tropical waters at any level and having a
definitely organized circulation.
TYPHOON
Names of tropical cyclones on different parts of the
world:
1. Hurricane – North Atlantic, Eastern North Pacific and
South Pacific Ocean
2. Cyclone – Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Western
South Indian Ocean
3. Willy-willy – eastern part of Southern Indian Ocean
4. Typhoon –Western North Pacific Ocean
TYPHOON
HOW IS TYPHOON FORMED?
Steps in Typhoon Development
➢Evaporation of water at ocean surface temperature of 26.5
degrees Celsius.
➢Warm, moist air rises upwards from the ocean surface, creating a
low-pressure area near the ocean.
HOW IS TYPHOON FORMED?
➢Air from the surrounding high-
pressure areas rushes towards the
low-pressure area. This air is initially
dry and cooler but near the ocean
surface, the air is heated and carries
more water vapor from continuous
evaporation.
➢As the warm air rises towards the
cooler parts of the upper atmosphere,
it cools off and the water vapor
begins to condense to form clouds.
HOW IS TYPHOON FORMED?
➢More clouds form and wind speed picks up as the Coriolis effect
causes the air to spiral as it rises. As the winds rotate faster, the
low-pressure area near the surface becomes a tropical depression
and may eventually turn into a typhoon.
CONDITIONS FOR TYPHOON FORMATION
1. Continuous Evaporation and Water
Cycle
➢Heat causes water to evaporate,
saturating the clouds and making them
heavy with moisture that will fall back as
rain.
CONDITIONS FOR TYPHOON FORMATION
2. Differences in Air Pressure
➢If the air pressure drops too low, a
strong storm will surely form with heavy
rains and strong winds. Air pressure
drops when air temperature increases
and air molecules collide with each
other. The cold air is pushed down and
hot air rises making a low-pressure area.
CONDITIONS FOR TYPHOON FORMATION
3. Convergent Winds
➢The difference between high and low
air pressure systems in the atmosphere
creates winds. The accumulation of high-
speed winds moving toward a particular
area is called convergent winds creating
an increase in air pressure.
WHY IS PHILIPPINES PRONE TO TYPHOON?
The Philippine archipelago is
strategically located within the typhoon
belt of the Pacific Ocean and lying
within the proximity of the Intertropical
Convergence Zone where trade winds
converge and storms commonly form
within the western Pacific.
Approximately, Philippines experiences
about 20 typhoons a year from June to
November.
CLASSIFICATION OF TYPHOON
1. TROPICAL DEPRESSION (TD) – a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained
winds of up to 62 kilometers per hour (kph) or less than 34 nautical miles
per hour (knots) .
2. TROPICAL STORM (TS) – a tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of
62 to 88 kph or 34 - 47 knots.
3. SEVERE TROPICAL STORM (STS) – a tropical cyclone with maximum wind
speed of 87 to 117 kph or 48 - 63 knots.
4. TYPHOON (TY) – a tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 118 to
184 kph or 64 - 99 knots.
5. SUPER TYPHOON (STY) – a tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed
exceeding 185 kph or more than 100 knots.
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNAL
TWCS WIND THREAT WARNING LEAD POTENTIAL IMPACTS
TIME
TWCS 1 39-61 km/h 36 hours • House of poor construction (e.g.,
wood frame, bamboo, makeshift), old
dilapidated structures, and other
structures made of light materials will
suffer minimal to minor damage.
• Some banana and similar plants are
tilted, while twigs of small trees may
sway with the wind. Rice crops,
especially those in flowering and
ripening stages, may suffer some
damage.
• Minimal disruption to public
transportation.
TWCS 2 62-88 km 24 hours • Minor to moderate damage may occur to
makeshift or old dilapidated structures, and
other structures made of light materials.
Houses of poor and average construction
(e.g., unreinforced CHB/masonry, mixed
timber-CHB) may receive minor roof
damage.
• Unsecured, exposed lightweight items may
become projectiles which may cause
additional damage.
• Some electrical wires may be blown down,
resulting in local power outages.
• Minor to moderate disruption to public
transportation.
• Most banana and similar plants are tilted,
with some stooped or downed. Some small
trees blow over, with twigs and branches
of frail trees broken. Considerable damage
is likely to rice and other similar crops,
especially those in flowering and ripening
stages.
TWCS 3 89-117 18 hours • Makeshift or old, dilapidated structures, and other structures made of
km/h light materials may suffer substantial damage. Houses of poor or
average construction will have considerate roof damage, some
blown-out windows, and/or partial wall damage. Well-constructed
houses (e.g., reinforced/pre-cast CHB, reinforced concrete moment
frame) may suffer minimal to minor roof damage.
• Warehouses and other buildings in industrial parks may suffer minor
to moderate damage.
• Unsecured, exposed outdoor items of light to moderate weight may
become projectiles, causing additional damage or injuries.
• Many areas may suffer power outages with numerous downed
power lines and posts.
• Minimal to minor disruption in telecommunications and potable
water supply.
• Moderate to significant disruption to public transportation
• Some small trees. most banana and similar plants, and a few large
trees are downed or broken. Rice and other similar crops, especially
those in flowering and ripening stages may suffer heavy damage.
TWCS 4 118-184 km/h 12 hours • Severe damage will occur to makeshift or old, dilapidated of light structures,
and other structures made of light materials. Houses of poor or average
construction may receive major damage, including complete roof failure and
possible wall collapse; a few may suffer severe damage.
• Most well-constructed houses may suffer minor to moderate roof damage,
with some houses experiencing major roof failure; blown out windows are
also likely.
• Failure of aluminum and steel roofs and coverings may occur in buildings at
industrial parks.
• Some glass in most high-rise office buildings may be blown out; a few of
these buildings may have minor to moderate damage and higher proportion
of blown-out windows due to swaying.
• Considerable airborne debris will be generated and may cause damage,
injury, and possible fatalities.
• Near total loss of power supply and telecommunications due to numerous
downed power lines, poles, and cellular towers.
• Diminished availability of potable water supply is also likely.
• Significant to severe disruption to public transportation.
• Significant damage to banana and similar plants. Most small tress and some
large trees will be broken, defoliated, or uprooted. Almost total damage to
rice and other crops.
TWCS 185 km/h or 12 • Severe to catastrophic damage is expected to houses of poor or average
5 higher hours construction, makeshift or old, dilapidated structures, and other structures
made of light materials. Well-constructed houses may suffer substantial
roof and wall failure or damage.
• Many industrial buildings will be destroyed, with only few receiving
partial roof and wall damage.
• Most windows will be blowdown out n high-rise office buildings;
Moderate structural damage is possible due to swaying.
• Extensive damage will be cause by airborne debris. People, pets, and
livestock exposed to the wind are at great risk of injury or death.
• Electricity, potable water supply, and telecommunications will be
unavailable for prolonged periods due to significant disruption in
infrastructure.
• Prolonged significant to severe disruption to public transportation.
• Vast majority of the trees will be broken, defoliated, or unrooted.
Banana and similar plants will be extensively damaged. Few trees,
plants, and crops will survive.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF TYPHOON
1. Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds
➢Rainfall associated with tropical
cyclones is both beneficial and harmful.
Although the rains contribute to the
water needs of the areas traversed by
the cyclones, the rains are harmful when
the amount is so large as to cause
flooding.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF TYPHOON
2. Landslide
➢Landslide is a movement of a mass of
rocks, debris, or soil down a slope. It is
mostly caused by the disturbances in the
natural stability of a slope like
earthquake, excessive rains and
volcanoes.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF TYPHOON
3. Storm Surge
➢The storm surge is an abnormal rise of
water due to a tropical cyclone and it is
an oceanic event responding to
meteorological driving forces. Potentially
disastrous surges occur along coasts with
low-lying terrain that allows inland
inundation, or across inland water bodies
such as bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF TYPHOON
4. Tornadoes
➢These are tropical cyclone spawned
which intensity is expected to be half of
a tropical storm intensity. These are
violently rotating column of air
extending from the base of the
thunderstorm down to the ground.
PREPARING FOR A TYPHOON
What to prepare before a typhoon?
1. Have a list of emergency numbers ready.
2. Have a list of contact numbers of family members.
3. Some cash, Vitamin C or medicine, raincoats
4. Solar charger, power bank
5. Drinking water and emergency food
6. Dry set of clothes.
 PREPARING FOR A TYPHOON
➢Know what possible disasters can affect your community so you can prepare against them.
➢Discuss disaster preparedness with your family.
➢Have a written guide on what to do and who will be in charge of turning off electricity
and gas.
➢Check your house whether it needs repair.
➢Be knowledgeable on who to call in case of a disaster.
➢Charge your cellphones and gadgets and invest in extra batteries.
➢Keep you vehicle’s fuel at least half-filled in case of evacuation.
➢Monitor rainfall and water levels in the stream nearest to you through the PAGASA.
➢Always have battery-operated radio with extra batteries so you can listen to news
updates even when the power is out.