MONTHLY GLOBAL TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY
SEPTEMBER, 2004
Second Installment
(For general comments about the nature of these summaries, as well as
information on how to download the tabular cyclone track files, see
the Author's Note at the end of this summary.)
SPECIAL NOTE: The September summary will be issued in three install-
ments. The first installment covered the Atlantic basin. This second
part covers the Northwest Pacific basin and an out-of-season South
Indian Ocean cyclone. The final installment will cover the Northeast
Pacific basin and will contain the Feature of the Month.
*************************************************************************
SPECIAL FEATURE - SOURCES OF TROPICAL CYCLONE INFORMATION
The purpose of this section is to list some websites where many and
varied types of tropical cyclone information are archived. Many readers
will know about these already, but for the benefit of those who don't,
I wanted to include them. After a couple of months, I will move this
note to the ending section of the summary.
(1) Aircraft Reconnaissance Information
---------------------------------------
Various types of messages from reconnaissance aircraft may be
retrieved from the following FTP site:
<ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/pub/products/nhc/recon/>
Information regarding how to interpret the coded reconnaissance
messages may be found at the following URL:
<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/reconlist.shtml>
Links are also included to websites with further information about the
U. S. Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and the NOAA Air-
craft Operations Center.
(2) Archived Advisories
-----------------------
All the advisory products (public advisories, forecast/advisories,
strike probabilities, discussions, various graphics) issued by TPC/NHC
are archived on TPC's website. For the current year (using 2004 as an
example), the archived products can be found at:
<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/index.shtml>
Links to tropical products archives for earlier years are available at
the following URL:
<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml>
JTWC warnings for past storms are archived on the NRL Monterry website:
<http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc_pages/tc_home.html>
On the NRL site, the link to past years can be found in the upper left
corner of the screen.
I am not aware at the moment of any other TCWC which archives all
its tropical cyclone warning/advisory products for public access, but
if I learn of any, I will add them to this list.
(3) Satellite Imagery
---------------------
Satellite images of tropical cyclones in various sensor bands are
available on the NRL Monterrey and University of Wisconsin websites,
courtesy of Jeff Hawkins and Chris Velden and their associates. The
links are:
<http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc_pages/tc_home.html>
<http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/tropic.html>
On the NRL site, the link to past years can be found in the upper left
corner of the screen. For the CIMSS site, a link to data archives is
located in the lower left portion of the screen.
I'm sure there are other sites with available imagery available, and
as I learn of them, I will add the links to this list.
*************************************************************************
SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
--> Two large, severe hurricanes pass through northern Bahamas and
strike same point on Florida's East Coast
--> Tropical storm rains cause catastrophic loss of life in Haiti
--> Long-lived intense hurricane causes great destruction on Grenada,
Jamaica, Cayman Islands, western Cuba, and north-central U. S.
Gulf Coast
--> Japan experiences yet another tropical cyclone strike
*************************************************************************
***** Feature of the Month for September *****
NOTE!!! The Feature of the Month will be contained in the third
installment of the September summary.
*************************************************************************
ACTIVITY BY BASINS
ATLANTIC (ATL) - North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico
Activity for September: 1 tropical depression
1 hurricane **
3 intense hurricanes
** - system actually reached hurricane intensity in early October
NOTE!!! The Atlantic basin was covered in the first installment of the
September summary.
*************************************************************************
NORTHEAST PACIFIC (NEP) - North Pacific Ocean East of Longitude 180
Activity for September: 1 hurricane
1 intense hurricane
NOTE!!! The Northeast Pacific basin will be covered in the third
installment of the September summary.
*************************************************************************
NORTHWEST PACIFIC (NWP) - North Pacific Ocean West of Longitude 180
Activity for September: 5 tropical depressions **
2 tropical storms ++
1 typhoon
** - none of these were classified as tropical depression by JTWC; two
were treated as tropical depressions by JMA only; two others by
JMA and NMCC; and another by JMA and PAGASA
++ - one of these was not classified as a tropical storm by JTWC, but was
by several of the Asian TCWCs
Sources of Information
----------------------
Most of the information presented below is based upon tropical
cyclone warnings and significant tropical weather outlooks issued
by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center of the U. S. Air Force and
Navy (JTWC), located at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In the companion
tropical cyclone tracks file, I normally annotate track coordinates
from some of the various Asian warning centers when their center
positions differ from JTWC's by usually 40-50 nm or more. All
references to sustained winds imply a 1-minute averaging period
unless otherwise noted.
Michael V. Padua of Naga City in the Philippines, owner of the
Typhoon 2000 website, normally sends me cyclone tracks based upon
warnings issued by the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the
Philippines' Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA). Also, Huang Chunliang of Fuzhou City, China,
sends data taken from synoptic observations around the Northwest
Pacific basin. A very special thanks to Michael and Chunliang for
the assistance they so reliably provide.
In the title line for each storm I have referenced all the cyclone
names/numbers I have available: JTWC's depression number, the
JMA-assigned name (if any), JMA's tropical storm numeric designator,
and PAGASA's name for systems forming in or passing through their
area of warning responsibility.
Northwest Pacific Tropical Activity for September
-------------------------------------------------
Tropical cyclone activity in the Northwest Pacific basin was decidedly
less than that seen in August. Three tropical cyclones were named by
JMA--one of these not considered a tropical storm by JTWC--and only one
system reached typhoon intensity. As the month opened, long-lived
Typhoon Songda was passing through the northern Mariana Islands on its
way to an eventual landfall in Japan, with a stopover in Okinawa along
the way. (The complete report on Songda may be found in the August
summary.) Early in the month Tropical Storm Sarika, like its two
predecessors (Chaba and Songda) passed through the northern Marianas,
but was much less intense than those typhoons had been in that region.
Sarika encountered cooler waters and hostile shear and weakened as it
was moving in the general direction of Japan. During the second week
of September, Tropical Storm Haima formed near southwestern Taiwan, moved
northeastward across the island, then turned northwestward and made
landfall in China south of Shanghai. Haima was classified as a tropical
storm by all the Asian TCWCs but not by JTWC. And late in the month,
Typhoon Meari became another in a series of tropical cyclones to affect
the Japanese islands this season.
Five systems were treated as tropical depressions by one or more of
the Asian warning centres. Two of these were weak and short-lived and
were classified as tropical depressions by JMA only. One was a weak
LOW just east of Taiwan on 12 and 13 September, and the other occurred
on 20 September deep in the tropics around 160E. No tracks were given
for these systems in the companion tropical cyclone tracks file.
Short reports follow for the other three tropical depressions. Huang
Chunliang sent some meteorological observations for these systems, so
I have included very brief histories of these three depressions. Also,
standard reports follow for Tropical Storms Sarika and Haima and for
Typhoon Meari/Quinta, all authored by Kevin Boyle.
TROPICAL STORM SARIKA
(TC-23W / STS 0419)
3 - 9 September
-----------------------------------------
Sarika: contributed by Cambodia, is a type of singing bird.
A. Storm Origins
----------------
As Super Typhoon Songda was approaching Okinawa, the next tropical
cyclone was already taking shape and was first mentioned in JTWC's STWO
at 0600 UTC 4 September when it was located approximately 440 nm east of
Saipan. At this time, animated multi-spectral imagery revealed that
convection had become consolidated around a LLCC. Also, satellite
imagery revealed the formation of both poleward and equatorward outflow
channels. An upper-level analysis indicated a TUTT cell situated 7 to 8
degrees to the northwest, light wind shear, and favourable diffluence.
In addition, 850-mb vorticity was elongated, stretching along a west-east
axis. Due to the rapid organization and already advanced stage of this
system, the potential was raised straight to 'fair'. This was upgraded
to 'good' and a TCFA issued at 04/1730 UTC after a spiral banding feature
appeared in enhanced infrared satellite imagery. The first warning was
issued six hours later, locating the centre 280 nm east-northeast of
Saipan. JMA had been classifying the storm as a tropical depression
since their first bulletin at 03/1800 UTC.
B. Synoptic History
-------------------
On the 4th of September the northern Marianas were facing the prospect
of a third tropical cyclone after only recently being pounded by Super
Typhoons Chaba and Songda. By 0126 UTC 5 September a typhoon warning
was in place for the island of Agrihan. Moving west-northwestwards along
the southern periphery of the subtropical ridge, Tropical Depression 23W
was upgraded to Tropical Storm Sarika by both JTWC and JMA at 05/0000
UTC. The two agencies estimated their respective MSWs at 45 kts (1-min
avg) and 50 kts (10-min avg). Multi-spectral satellite imagery revealed
organized convection over a possible banding eye at this time. An upper-
level LOW located to the southeast was providing an efficient eastern
outflow channel in addition to the decent equatorial outflow. It seemed
only a matter of time before Sarika would reach typhoon intensity,
especially considering the reputation that small tropical cyclones have
for rapid strengthening. Rapid intensification ensued for awhile with
the MSW rising to 55 kts at 05/0600 UTC and to 60 kts at 05/1200 UTC.
The strengthening phase then ended and 60 kts turned out to be the peak
intensity for Sarika.
At 1200 UTC 5 September Tropical Storm Sarika was moving west-
northwest at 17 kts and passing 220 nm north of Saipan. Shortly
afterward, the system's centre made its closest approach to Agrihan,
tracking 10 nm south of that island. Near-typhoon conditions occurred
on both Agrihan and Pagan while tropical storm-force winds were
experienced on Alamagan. At its peak Sarika possessed a very compact
wind field with gales extending no further than 90 nm from the centre
while the radius of strongest winds never exceeded 15 nm. While all
this was happening, microwave imagery showed no substantial increase in
deep convection. By 05/1800 UTC Sarika had turned westwards and was
maintaining 60-kt winds. At this time, the storm was centred about
100 nm west of Agrihan.
Tropical Storm Sarika was tracking west-northwest at 16 kts at 0000
UTC 6 September approximately 300 nm south-southeast of Iwo Jima. Its
intensity had changed little since the previous day and its peak MSW of
60 kts was further maintained until 16/1800 UTC when Sarika began to
weaken. The 06/1200 UTC prognosis had indicated no further strengthening
as the system was moving away from the upper-level LOW that had
accelerated the eastern outflow channel, and also because Sarika was
headed for a hostile shearing environment associated with Typhoon
Songda's outflow. This shearing had begun at 06/1800 UTC when microwave
imagery revealed a partially-exposed LLCC with the deep convection being
displaced to the southwest. The MSW had fallen to 50 kts by this time.
The prognostic reasoning message also forecast a change to a poleward
track as the subtropical ridge shifted eastwards. This started to occur
at 0000 UTC 7 September when Sarika turned to the north-northwest at a
slower pace of 8 kts, approximately 820 nm south of Tokyo, Japan. At
this time, microwave imagery revealed a fully-exposed LLCC. Sarika
accelerated to 14 kts while weakening to a 45-kt tropical storm. It
then slowed as it turned northward at 07/1200 UTC with winds further
decreasing to 35 kts. Associated deep convection had separated 90 nm
from the centre and Sarika was now struggling in the face of strong
shear, an unfavourably-placed TUTT cell, and cooler than normal SSTs due
to upwelling from Super Typhoons Chaba and Songda. It was downgraded to
a 30-kt tropical depression at 07/1800 UTC and JTWC issued the final
warning, locating the centre 645 nm south of Tokyo, Japan. JMA
maintained this system as a tropical storm until 08/0000 UTC when that
agency demoted Sarika to a depression.
JMA estimated a peak MSW of 55 kts and a CP of 980 mb while NMCC
classified Sarika as a 60-kt Severe Tropical Storm. The only other
Asian TCWC to issue bulletins on this system, CWB of Taiwan, estimated
a peak intensity of 55 kts.
C. Damage and Casualties
------------------------
There were no known damages or casualties associated with Tropical
Storm Sarika.
(Report written by Kevin Boyle)
TROPICAL DEPRESSION
(NMCC-TD04 / NRL Invest 96W)
8 - 11 September
------------------------------------------------
This tropical depression, designated TD-04 by the NMC of China,
formed on 8 September well to the east of Taiwan, just southeast of
the Sakishima Islands. The system moved slowly in a north-northwesterly
direction over the next couple of days, dissipating as it entered the
southern Yellow Sea east-northeast of Shanghai on the 11th. The system
was treated as a tropical depression by JMA, NMCC and the CWB of Taiwan.
JTWC issued a TCFA for the disturbance at 10/1400 UTC but cancelled it
24 hours later. The following brief report was compiled and sent by
Huang Chunliang.
(A) Report on Tropical Depression NMC04 from China
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1. Rainfall Obs
---------------
Linjiang, Jilin Province (WMO54374,41.72N/126.92E) 0.7 mm [12/00-13/00Z]
Ji'an, Jilin Province (WMO54377,41.10N/126.15E) 58.1 mm [12/00-13/00Z]
2. Wind Obs
-----------
Both Shengsi (WMO58472, 30.73N/122.45E, Alt 81m) and Dachen Dao
(WMO58666, 28.45N/121.90E, Alt 84m), Zhejiang Province reported sustained
winds of gale force on the 11th.
(B) Report on Tropical Depression NMC04 from Japan
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Naha,Okinawa Pref. (WMO47936,26.21N/127.69E) 3.5 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
Miyakojima,Okinawa Pref. (WMO47927,24.79N/125.28E) 51.0 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
(Report by Huang Chunliang)
TROPICAL STORM HAIMA
(TC-24W / TS 0420 / OFEL)
10 - 14 September
---------------------------------------------
Haima: contributed by China, is the sea horse
A. Storm History
----------------
An interim STWO was issued by JTWC at 10/1400 UTC mentioning an
area of convection which had persisted approximately 150 nm southwest
of Taipei, Taiwan. The convection was located along the southern
periphery of a possible LLCC. An upper-level analysis indicated
moderate vertical shear and favorable divergence. The development
potential was upgraded to 'fair' at 1700 UTC as the system continued
to slowly gain in organization. At 11/0600 UTC the system was centred
135 nm south-southwest of Taipei, Taiwan, tracking across the island,
and had lost much of its associated deep convection. However, the LLCC
was still intact east of Taiwan. JMA began classifying the storm as a
tropical depression at 11/0000 UTC, upgrading to a 35-kt tropical storm
at 11/1200 UTC and naming it Haima. At the same time, the system was
given the PAGASA name of Ofel when that agency began issuing warnings.
At 1900 UTC 11 September animated infrared satellite imagery showed
the LLCC approximately 55 nm southeast of Taipei, Taiwan, and embedded
in a longwave trough off the coast of China. Satellite analyses
indicated that the system exhibited subtropical characteristics with a
MSW of 30 to 35 kts while QuikScat depicted an elongated wind field,
also with a MSW of 30 to 35 kts. Upper-level conditions appeared
favourable but there was a strong vertical wind shear gradient associated
with the frontal boundary. However, the potential was there for the LLCC
to disengage from the frontal zone and become fully tropical. Therefore,
a TCFA was issued. At 12/0600 UTC Haima was centred 25 nm east-southeast
of Taipei and moving north-northwest at 6 kts. At this time multi-
spectral imagery indicated that the deep convection associated with the
LLCC had decreased. Radar showed that most of the convection was located
mainly in the western and southern quadrants. However, the possibility
of a tropical cyclone forming remained 'good'.
JTWC's first warning on Tropical Depression Haima was issued at 1800
UTC 12 September with the centre located approximately 100 nm north-
northeast of Taipei, Taiwan, and moving north-northwest at 5 kts. The
system then tracked northwestwards towards the southeast coast of China.
At 13/0000 UTC it was located 240 nm south of Shanghai, China. Haima
made landfall south of Shanghai at 13/0500 UTC before turning towards
the west-northwest six hours later. It then resumed its northwesterly
heading at 13/1800 UTC, the time of issuance of the final warning by
JTWC. At this time, satellite imagery revealed that Haima had become a
completely sheared system due to interaction with the baroclinic zone
located to its west and all its core convection had gone. JMA's last
mention of Haima was at 14/0000 UTC.
In JTWC's eyes, Haima's MSW (1-min avg) never exceeded 30 kts but
all Asian agencies regarded this system as a 35-kt tropical storm at
its peak. JMA estimated 40-kt winds and CP of 996 mb from 11/1800 UTC
to 12/0600 UTC while PAGASA classified Ofel as a 35-kt storm while it
was located within their AOR.
Editor's Note: The reason JTWC did not issue warnings on this system
on 11 September was that they considered it to be subtropical. STWOs
issued on the 11th and 12th acknowledged the existence of 35-kt winds,
but it was felt that the system was not fully tropical. There were
some who disagreed with this assessment. David Roth wrote in an e-mail:
"After checking the JTWC site and looking at the image from 1900 UTC,
I don't see anything subtropical about it. It has central convection
and looks like a TD or weak TS. There does seem to be a front draping
over it, but nothing more. Lots of TCs have fronts draping over the
system (in the Atlantic anyway)."
B. Huang Chunliang Reports
--------------------------
Following are reports compiled and sent by Huang Chunliang concerning
observations and storm effects in China, Japan and Korea, respectively.
A special thanks to Chunliang for sending the data. (To convert from
metres/second (m/s) to knots, divide m/s by 0.51444, or to approximate,
simply double the m/s value.)
(1) Report on Tropical Storm 0421 (Haima) from China
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
{Part I}. Landfall
==================
According to the NMC warnings, Tropical Storm 0421 (Haima) made
landfall in Yongqiang Town, Longwan District, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang
Province around 13/0400 UTC with a MSW of 18 m/s and a CP of 998 hPa.
{Part II}. Meteorological Obs from Taiwan
=========================================
1. Daily Rainfall [09/16-10/16Z] (only Top 5 listed)
----------------------------------------------------
Ranking Station ID City/County Rainfall (mm)
-------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------
01 CWB C0A88 Taipei County 290.0
02 CWB C0A89 Taipei County 208.5
03 CWB C1C48 Taoyuan County 202.5
04 WMO 46685 Taipei County 195.0
05 CWB C0A9G Taipei City 188.5
2. Daily Rainfall [10/16-11/16Z] (only Top 5 listed)
----------------------------------------------------
Ranking Station ID City/County Rainfall (mm)
-------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------
01 CWB C0A9G Taipei City 611.5
02 CWB C1A65 Taipei County 393.0
03 WMO 46685 Taipei County 388.0
04 CWB C1D48 Taoyuan County 386.0
05 CWB C1A64 Taipei County 383.5
3. Daily Rainfall [11/16-12/16Z] (only Top 5 listed)
----------------------------------------------------
Ranking Station ID City/County Rainfall (mm)
-------- ---------------- ---------------- -------------
01 CWB C1D40 Hsinchu County 371.0
02 CWB C0D36 Hsinchu County 333.5
03 CWB 01A21 Taipei County 291.0
04 CWB C1C46 Taoyuan County 289.5
05 CWB C1D42 Hsinchu County 283.0
4. Peak sustained winds & gusts
-------------------------------
Only those stations that reported peak gusts >= 24.5 m/s (i.e.,
Beaufort Force 10 or higher) are given:
Peak SW Peak Gust
Station (WMO ID) (mps/dir/Local Date) (mps/dir/Local Date)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lanyu (46762/59567, Alt 325m) 25.4/230/11th 35.9/220/11th
Dongshi (46730, Alt 45m) 19.4/ 50/11th 29.6/ 50/11th
An Bu (46691, Alt 1450m) 17.9/350/12th 28.4/ 20/12th
Wu-Chi (46777, Alt 5m) 14.6/350/11th 24.5/360/11th
{Part III}. Meteorological Obs from Mainland China
==================================================
1. Fuzhou City, Fujian Province
-------------------------------
Pingtan (WMO58944), Fuzhou City recorded a 24-hr rainfall amount of
250.8 mm [09/00-10/00Z], which turned out to be a new record of daily
rainfall for September for the station, the former one being 242.4 mm
recorded on Sep 5, 1958.
2. Zhejiang, Shandong, Jiangsu and Hebei Provinces
--------------------------------------------------
During the 72-hr period ending at 15/00Z, torrential rains were
reported by the provinces of Zhejiang, Shandong, Jiangsu and Hebei with
Fenghua, Zhejiang reporting the highest accumulation of 228 mm.
Coastal Zhejiang reported gusts of Beaufort Force 8 to 10 during the
storm with Kanmen reported the highest value of 27.5 m/s.
Coastal Qingdao City, Shandong Province reported a peak gust of
Beaufort Force 10 on the 14th.
{Part IV}. Damage
=================
1. Zhejiang
-----------
The storm damaged 7,800 ha. of farmland in Zhejiang Province, where
direct economic losses were estimated to have been over 53 million yuan.
2. Fuzhou, Fujian
-----------------
Floodings and landslides were reported in the county of Pingtan.
Preliminary statistics indicated that the torrential rains (Sep 7-10),
including those triggered by the monsoonal flow that gestated the
pre-Haima depression (i.e., TD-05 per NMC), had caused 54.6 million
yuan of direct economic losses in Pingtan County and Changle City
(also a sub-city of Fuzhou City).
(2) Brief Report on Typhoon 0420 (Haima) from Japan
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1. Ishigakijima, Okinawa (WMO47918, 24.34N 124.16 E, Alt 6m)
------------------------------------------------------------
Peak sustained wind: 16.7 m/s [11/2240Z]
Peak gust: 26.8 m/s [11/1225Z]
Peak hourly rainfall: 34.5 mm [12/10-12/11Z]
2. Yonagunijima, Okinawa (WMO47912, 24.47N 123.01E, Alt 30m)
------------------------------------------------------------
Peak sustained wind: 19.1 m/s [11/2120Z]
Peak gust: 31.1 m/s [11/2037Z]
Peak hourly rainfall: 54.0 mm [12/13-12/14Z]
3. Kabira, Okinawa (JMA94036, 24.46N 124.14E, Alt 7m)
-----------------------------------------------------
Peak hourly rainfall: 54.5 mm [12/10-12/11Z]
(3) Brief Report on Tropical Storm Haima - Rainfall Obs from Korea
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WANDO (34.40N 126.70E) 104.5 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
HEUKSANDO (34.68N 125.45E) 91.0 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
SEOSAN (36.77N 126.50E) 75.0 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
GWANGJU (35.17N 126.90E) 67.0 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
GUNSAN (35.98N 126.70E) 60.5 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
MUNSAN (37.88N 126.75E) 59.0 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
DONGDUCHEON (37.90N 127.07E) 58.5 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
INCHEON (37.48N 126.63E) 57.0 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
JEJU (33.52N 126.53E) 54.0 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
SUWON (37.27N 126.98E) 54.0 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
SEOUL (37.57N 126.97E) 52.5 mm [11/00-12/00Z]
(Section A written by Kevin Boyle; Section B by Huang Chunliang)
TROPICAL DEPRESSION PABLO
(NRL Invest 92W)
14 - 18 September
---------------------------------------------
This system was considered a tropical depression by JMA, PAGASA,
the CWB of Taiwan and the Thai Meteorological Department with PAGASA
assigning the name Pablo. JTWC released no warnings, but issued a
TCFA at 16/2030 UTC and a second alert 24 hours later. However,
the formation alert was cancelled at 18/2100 UTC. Tropical Depression
Pablo formed deep in the Philippine Sea east of Mindanao, moved west-
ward across that island, thence turning northwestward and emerging into
the South China Sea near the Calamian Group. After crossing the
Philippine Archipelago the depression began to slowly weaken but limped
across the South China Sea to near the central Vietnamese coastline
before dissipating on the 18th. The maximum winds estimated by any
agency were 30 kts. Following is a very brief report of some rainfall
observations compiled and sent by Huang Chunliang.
Brief Report on Tropical Depression Pablo
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rainfall Obs from Viet Nam & Thailand
=====================================
Vietnam
-------
THANH HOA (WMO48840,19.75N/105.78E) 134.5 mm [18/12-19/12Z]
VINH (WMO48845,18.67N/105.68E) 124.3 mm [18/12-19/12Z]
Thailand
--------
UBON RATCHATHANI (WMO48407,15.25N/104.87E) 103.5 mm [18/18-19/18Z]
(Report by Huang Chunliang)
TROPICAL DEPRESSION
(NMCC-TD06 / NRL Invest 93W)
15 - 16 September
------------------------------------------------
This tropical depression, designated TD-06 by the NMC of China,
formed in the northern South China Sea on 15 September well to the
southeast of Hong Kong and to the southwest of Taiwan. It moved
north-northeastward and was located along the coast of China south
of Fuzhou City early on the 16th when warnings were discontinued.
The remnants apparently continued northward, bringing moderate rain-
falls as far north as Korea. JMA, NMCC and the CWB of Taiwan all
treated this system as a tropical depression. JTWC did not issue
warnings nor a TCFA for the disturbance--it was assigned a 'fair'
potential for development on the 15th. The following brief report
was compiled and sent by Huang Chunliang.
(A) Report on Tropical Depression NMC06 from China
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
{Part I}. Landfall
==================
According to the NMC warnings, Tropical Depression 06 made landfall
in Jinjiang City (a sub-city of Quanzhou City), Fujian Province around
15/1900 UTC with a MSW of 15 m/s and a CP of 1004 hPa. Interestingly,
TD-06's track (SW-->NE) along the coastline of Fujian just looked like
the reverse of that followed earlier by Typhoon Aere (NE-->SW).
{Part II}. Meteorological Obs
=============================
1. Fujian (rain & wind)
-----------------------
During the 62-hr period ending at 16/14Z, rains >100 mm were recorded
in 26 cities/counties, 9 of which reported rains >200 mm. Huian County
and Jinjiang City reported rains exceeding 300 mm with the former
reporting the highest amount of 435 mm.
The center of the depression passed by very near Fuzhou on the 16th,
saturating the biggest island (Pingtan Dao) of Fuzhou with torrential
rains of 126 mm within 6 hours [16/00--16/06Z].
Coastal Fujian reported gusts of Beaufort Force 8 to 10. Significant
obs from insular automatic stations included: Nanri--27.7 m/s,
Weitou--20.6 m/s, etc.
2. Taiwan & Zhejiang (rain)
---------------------------
Dongshi (WMO46730), Taiwan 127 mm [14/16-15/16Z]
Kinmen (WMO46787), Taiwan 109 mm [14/16-15/16Z]
Banciao (WMO46688), Taiwan 100 mm [14/16-15/16Z]
Yuhuan (WMO58667), Zhejiang 106 mm [16/00-17/00Z]
Dachen Dao (WMO58666), Zhejiang 83 mm [16/18-17/06Z]
{Part III}. Damage and Casualties
=================================
Preliminary statistics indicated that the depression had caused
340 million yuan of direct economic losses and was responsible for six
deaths in the Fujian Province. TD-06 affected 1,269,000 residents of
147 towns of 3 cities in the province, where 1,400 houses were toppled,
123 embankments were damaged and some 92,000 people were evacuated.
Also, floodings and landslides were reported to have been triggered by
torrential rains in a few districts.
(B) Report on Tropical Depression NMC06 from Japan
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rainfall obs:
IZUHARA (34.20N/129.30E) 70.0 mm [17/00-18/00Z]
(C) Report on Tropical Depression NMC06 from Korea
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rainfall obs:
SEOGWIPO (33.25N/126.57E) 59.0 mm [17/00-18/00Z]
SEOGWIPO (33.25N/126.57E) 63.0 mm [17/12-18/12Z]
WANDO (34.40N/126.70E) 56.0 mm [17/00-18/00Z]
WANDO (34.40N/126.70E) 55.0 mm [17/12-18/12Z]
(Report by Huang Chunliang)
TYPHOON MEARI
(TC-25W / TY 0421 / QUINTA)
20 September - 1 October
-----------------------------------------------
Meari: contributed by DPR (North) Korea, means 'echo'
A. Storm Origins
----------------
At 1030 UTC 18 September an area of convection had persisted
approximately 510 nm east of Guam and was initially mentioned in a
STWO issued by JTWC at this time. Initially a 'poor' development
potential area, the rather disorganized system began to evolve with
deep convection consolidating over a possible LLCC. However, 'poor'
potential was maintained until 19/1300 UTC, when it was raised to
'fair'. A TCFA followed at 19/2000 UTC, and this was replaced by the
first warning at 20/0000 UTC. Tropical Depression 25W at this time
was located just 35 nm southeast of Guam. At the same time, JMA also
began writing bulletins, classifying the system as a 30-kt (10-min
avg) tropical depression. There was little change in intensity
during the 20th as dry air entrainment inhibited further development
and the MSW remained at 30 kts. Tropical Depression 25W turned more
westward and began to accelerate as it travelled along the southern
periphery of a mid-level steering ridge.
B. Synoptic History
-------------------
At 0000 UTC 21 September both JTWC and JMA upgraded Tropical
Depression 25W to a tropical storm, the latter agency assigning the
name Meari. At this time it was moving away from Guam, centred at
that time 180 nm to the west. Continuing west-northwest, Meari
turned towards the northwest as it intensified steadily. A 37-GHz
microwave image at 21/1200 UTC showed early indications of a banding-
type eye, and the MSW climbed to 55 kts at 21/1800 UTC. At 22/0000
UTC Meari was still heading in a northwesterly direction at around 7 kts
and was located approximately 320 nm west-northwest of Guam. The
system was upgraded to typhoon intensity at 22/1200 UTC after CI
estimates had reached 65 kts. Typhoon Meari possessed a very
asymmetric circulation. For example, the 22/1800 UTC JTWC warning
(#12) reported gales extending up to 50 nm in the southern semicircle
but to a distance of 150 nm in the northeast quadrant. Typhoon-force
winds covered an area 20 nm over the northern semicircle but only 5 nm
to the south.
Typhoon Meari began to intensify more rapidly on the 23rd. The storm
was still tracking towards the northwest and was centred approximately
475 nm south-southwest of Iwo Jima at 0000 UTC 23 September. The MSW
had increased to 75 kts at this time, and rose to 90 kts six hours later
when multi-spectral satellite imagery depicted a well-developed eye.
Meari became a strong 100-kt typhoon at 23/1200 UTC as it approached the
eastern boundary of PAGASA's area of responsibility. The storm then
changed onto a brief west-northwesterly heading as it crossed 135 degrees
longitude and was then assigned the name Quinta by PAGASA. After
reaching 120 kts at 24/0600 UTC, intensification slowed and this strength
was maintained for the rest of the day. Meari was still suffering from
the effects of dry air entrainment, and as a result, deep convection had
decreased in the northwest quadrant by 24/1800 UTC. The MSW began to
nudge downward through the day, during which time the storm continued on
a general northwesterly track, passing 70 nm south of Okinawa at
25/1800 UTC. Meari weakened to 90 kts at 26/0000 UTC as the storm
turned west-northwestward and decelerated. The storm then began to
re-intensify in a more favourable environment, reaching a secondary
peak of 105 kts at 26/1800 UTC.
Typhoon Meari ground to a halt at 0000 UTC 27 September while located
approximately 170 nm west of Okinawa as it became temporarily stuck
between two HIGHs. A shortwave trough moving eastward through China
was forecast to pick up the tropical cyclone and recurve it towards
Japan. A slow northward drift began at 27/0600 UTC and this motion
essentially carried the system into more hostile conditions to the
north. As a result, weakening began and the MSW dropped to 90 kts by
27/1200 UTC. Meari's deep convection decreased as the storm turned
northeast into an area of strong upper-level shearing associated with
the subtropical jet to the north. By 28/0000 UTC the intensity was
down to 75 kts when the typhoon was located 315 nm south-southwest of
Sasebo, Japan. But Meari managed to maintain this strength and even
appeared to get itself together a little at 28/0600 UTC when convection
began to increase. By 28/1800 UTC Meari was beginning its approach to
the Japanese island of Kyushu.
Multi-spectral satellite imagery and radar fixes indicated that
Typhoon Meari made landfall over the southern tip of Kyushu at 0000
UTC 29 August with a MSW of 70 kts. At this time, the centre of the
storm, having turned towards the east-northeast, was located 85 nm
south-southeast of Sasebo, Japan. Meari proceeded to weaken as it
tracked across land and was downgraded to a 60-kt tropical storm at
29/0600 UTC, based on CI estimates and synoptic observations from
Shikoku. The forward motion began to accelerate as Meari started to
interact with the westerlies, and the combination of dry air entrainment
and vertical wind shear sapped the tropical cyclone's strength further.
The MSW dropped to 35 kts at 29/1800 UTC, the time of the final warning
issued by JTWC. JMA followed the system until 30/0300 UTC, when it was
dropped as a tropical cyclone, but continued tracking the remnant LOW
eastwards into the Pacific via their routine shipping bulletins.
C. Damages and Casualties
-------------------------
News reports indicate that at least 18 people died with several more
reported missing as a result of Typhoon Meari. The worst affected
areas appeared to be the prefectures of Mie and Ehime where
torrential rains caused widespread flooding and mudslides destroyed
several homes. More than 350 flights were cancelled. Also, train
and ferry services were suspended, stranding thousands of people.
D. Huang Chunliang Report
-------------------------
I am expecting a report on Meari's effects in Japan from Huang
Chunliang, but have not received it yet. When I do receive the
report it will be included as an addendum to a later summary.
(Report written by Kevin Boyle)
ADDENDUM TO AUGUST TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY
-------------------------------------------
In the August summary I remarked on the unusually high level of
tropical cyclone activity in the Northwest Pacific basin during that
month, with 9 named tropical cyclones and 6 typhoons. (Four weak systems
were classified as tropical depressions by JMA only.) Mike Middlebrooke
at the NWS office in Guam sent me some statistics for past active Augusts
in that basin. Following are the numbers he sent:
Year August TCs Typhoons Tropical Storms Tropical Depressions
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1960 9 8 1 0
1962 8 7 0 1
1966 9 5 3 1
1967 10 3 4 3
1993 8 6 1 1
1994 9 6 3 0
1996 10 4 3 3
1997 8 6 1 1
1999 9 4 2 3
2000 9 4 3 2
2004 9 6 1 2
With 8 out of 9 TCs becoming typhoons, 1960 appears to have been the
most active. It is very interesting that no years in the 1970s nor
1980s had particularly notable Augusts. A special thanks to Mike for
sending me the information. (All the above statistics were gleaned
from JTWC's annual reports.)
*************************************************************************
NORTH INDIAN OCEAN (NIO) - Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea
Activity for September: 1 active monsoon depression
1 tropical depression **
** - this system was not classified as a tropical depression by JTWC
NOTE!!! The North Indian Ocean basin will be covered in the third
installment of the September summary.
*************************************************************************
SOUTHWEST INDIAN OCEAN (SWI) - South Indian Ocean West of Longitude 90E
Activity for September: 1 tropical depression
Southwest Indian Ocean Tropical Activity for September
------------------------------------------------------
The 2004-2005 Southern Hemisphere season got off to an early start
with the formation of a tropical depression (designated as Tropical
Depression 01) by Meteo France La Reunion. This system formed just
west of 90E and subsequently moved southeastward into Perth's AOR where
it became Tropical Cyclone Phoebe on 2 September (TC-01S per JTWC).
The report on Tropical Cyclone Phoebe is included in the following
section of this summary: Northwest Australia/Southeast Indian Ocean.
*************************************************************************
NORTHWEST AUSTRALIA/SOUTHEAST INDIAN OCEAN (AUW) - From 90E to 135E
Activity for September: 1 tropical cyclone of storm intensity
Sources of Information
----------------------
The primary sources of tracking and intensity information for
Northwest Australia/Southeast Indian Ocean tropical cyclones are
the warnings and advices issued by the Tropical Cyclone Warning
Centres at Perth, Western Australia, and Darwin, Northern Territory.
References to sustained winds imply a 10-minute averaging period
unless otherwise stated.
In the companion tropical cyclone tracks file, I occasionally
annotate positions from warnings issued by the Joint Typhoon Warning
Center (JTWC) of the U. S. Air Force and Navy, located at Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, when they differ from the Australian centres' coor-
dinates by usually 40-50 nm or more. The JTWC warnings are also the
source of the 1-minute average maximum sustained wind values included
in the tracks file. Additionally, information describing details of
satellite imagery and atmospheric circulation features included in
the narratives is often gleaned from the JTWC warnings.
Northwest Australia/Southeast Indian Ocean
Tropical Activity for September
------------------------------------------
A tropical LOW formed just east of longitude 90E at the end of August
and was designated Tropical Disturbance 01 by MFR. In early September
the LOW drifted southeastward into Perth's AOR and intensified into
Tropical Cyclone Phoebe on the 2nd. The cyclone's life was rather brief,
having dissipated by the 4th. The following report on Phoebe is one
which I received from Joe Courtney of the Severe Weather Section at BoM
Perth, and to which I have added a few geographical references. A very
special thanks to Joe for sending me the report.
TROPICAL CYCLONE PHOEBE
(TC-01S / MFR-01)
31 August - 4 September
-------------------------------------------
A LOW developed near 3S/88E on 30 August within an unseasonably active
monsoon band, coincident with a burst in the MJO. The LOW moved to the
southeast over the next few days, passing into the Perth TCWC area of
responsibility on 1 September. The system suffered from deep-level
shear--the 850-250 hPa shear exceeded 20 knots throughout its lifetime.
On 31 August an area of deep convection developed to the west/southwest
of the LLCC. This convection was to be persistent for the following
four days, although the LLCC remained exposed for almost all of that
time. MFR issued the first bulletin on Tropical Disturbance 01 at
0600 UTC on 31 August, locating the centre approximately 850 nm north-
west of the Cocos Islands. The MSW (10-minute mean) was estimated at
25 kts.
For most of the system's lifetime, the persistent deep convection was
typically within 3/4 of a degree to the west-southwest of the low-level
centre. On the 31st and 1st, the low-level centre was not well defined.
It is likely that gales were occurring under the deep convection but only
in one quadrant. Tropical cyclone intensity was estimated at 02/0000 UTC
when the LLCC was close to the deep convection and QuikScat identified
gale-force winds in more than one quadrant. Maximum estimated intensity
of 45 knots (10-minute mean) was reached late on the 2nd when the low-
level centre moved closer to the edge of the deep convection. Perth
upgraded the LOW to Tropical Cyclone Phoebe at 0400 UTC when the system
was centred about 430 nm west-northwest of the Cocos Islands. (JTWC
had initiated warnings on TC-01S at 02/0000 UTC.)
Phoebe showed weakening signs on the 3rd but convection again flared
near the centre a few hours later. QuikScat showed gales in southern
and western quadrants at 03/1200 UTC. However, on the 4th convection
subsided and the LLCC became less well-defined. Although convection
again developed by 1200 UTC, from this point on convection fluctuated
diurnally, suggesting continued weakening. Also, by this stage Phoebe
was moving over cooler waters on the order of 25 C, having originated
over SSTs of over 27 C. Perth issued their final gale warning on the
3rd, but JTWC continued to issue warnings until 04/1200 UTC, when the
final warning placed the weakening centre about 300 nm west-northwest
of the Cocos Islands. The peak intensity (1-minute mean) estimated by
JTWC was 55 kts at 03/0000 UTC.
Phoebe remained over open waters throughout its lifetime and there
were no known impacts.
(Report based on summary received from BoM Perth, with slight editing
and a few additions by Gary Padgett)
*************************************************************************
NORTHEAST AUSTRALIA/CORAL SEA (AUE) - From 135E to 160E
Activity for September: No tropical cyclones
*************************************************************************
SOUTH PACIFIC (SPA) - South Pacific Ocean East of Longitude 160E
Activity for September: 1 non-tropical depression
NOTE!!! The South Pacific basin will be covered in the third installment
of the September summary.
*************************************************************************
EXTRA FEATURE
In order to shorten the amount of typing in preparing the narrative
material, I have been in the habit of freely using abbreviations and
acronyms. I have tried to define most of these with the first usage
in a given summary, but I may have missed one now and then. Most of
these are probably understood by a majority of readers but perhaps a
few aren't clear to some. To remedy this I developed a Glossary of
Abbreviations and Acronyms which I first included in the August, 1998
summary. I don't normally include the Glossary in most months in
order to help keep them from being too long. If anyone would like to
receive a copy of the Glossary, please e-mail me and I'll be happy
to send them a copy.
*************************************************************************
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This summary should be considered a very preliminary
overview of the tropical cyclones that occur in each month. The cyclone
tracks (provided separately) will generally be based upon operational
warnings issued by the various tropical cyclone warning centers. The
information contained therein may differ somewhat from the tracking and
intensity information obtained from a "best-track" file which is based
on a detailed post-seasonal analysis of all available data. Information
on where to find official "best-track" files from the various warning
centers will be passed along from time to time.
The track files are not being sent via e-mail. They can be retrieved
from the archive sites listed below. (Note: I do have a limited e-mail
distribution list for the track files. If anyone wishes to receive
these via e-mail, please send me a message.)
Both the summaries and the track files are standard text files
created in DOS editor. Download to disk and use a viewer such as
Notepad or DOS editor to view the files.
The first summary in this series covered the month of October,
1997. Back issues can be obtained from the following websites
(courtesy of Michael Bath, Michael V. Padua, Michael Pitt, Chris
Landsea, and John Diebolt):
<http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/>
<http://www.typhoon2000.ph>
<http://mpittweather.com>
<ftp://ftp.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/pub/landsea/padgett/>
<http://www.tropicalcyclone2005.com/>
Another website where much information about tropical cyclones may
be found is the website for the UK Meteorological Office. Their site
contains a lot of statistical information about tropical cyclones
globally on a monthly basis. The URL is:
<http://www.met-office.gov.uk/sec2/sec2cyclone/sec2cyclone.html>
TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORTS AVAILABLE
JTWC now has available on its website the complete Annual Tropical
Cyclone Report (ATCR) for 2003 (2002-2003 season for the Southern
Hemisphere). ATCRs for earlier years are available also.
The URL is: <http://199.10.200.33/jtwc.html>
Also, TPC/NHC has available on its webpage nice "technicolor"
tracking charts for the 2003 Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific
tropical cyclones; also, storm reports for all the 2003 Atlantic
and Eastern North Pacific cyclones are now available, as well as
track charts and reports on storms from earlier years. Some of
the storm reports for 2004 cyclones are currently available as
well.
The URL is: <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov>
A special thanks to Michael Bath of McLeans Ridges, New South Wales,
Australia, for assisting me with proofreading the summaries.
PREPARED BY
Gary Padgett
E-mail: garyp@alaweb.com
Phone: 334-222-5327
Kevin Boyle (Eastern Atlantic, Western Northwest Pacific, South
China Sea)
E-mail: newchapelobservatory@btinternet.com
John Wallace (Assistance with Eastern North Pacific)
E-mail: dosidicus@aol.com
Huang Chunliang (Assistance with Western Northwest Pacific, South
China Sea)
E-mail: huangchunliang@hotmail.com
Simon Clarke (Northeast Australia/Coral Sea, South Pacific)
E-mail: saclarke@iprimus.com.au
*************************************************************************
*************************************************************************
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