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In our country prone to disasters, typhoons come and go. But some of these typhoons are not easily forgotten because of the havoc they’ve wreaked to lives and property.

One of which is Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) that made landfall last November 8, 2013. Considered as one of the planet’s most catastrophic storms, Yolanda affected millions of people, killing thousands, and destroying infrastructure worth billions of pesos in the Philippines alone. The typhoon also affected other countries, such as Micronesia, Palau, Southern China and Vietnam.

Typhoon Haiyan’s Landfall in the Philippines. (Source: Dr. Jeff Masters’ WunderBlog)
Typhoon Haiyan’s Landfall in the Philippines. (Source: Dr. Jeff Masters’ WunderBlog)
Typhoon Haiyan in Space (Photo Credit: Nasa Goddard MODIS Rapid response team)
Typhoon Haiyan in Space (Photo Credit: Nasa Goddard MODIS Rapid response team)

 

Because a typhoon can affect more than one country, an international name needs to be assigned for the easy reference and monitoring by various weather and media groups across the globe. An international name also creates recall among all nations, allowing for the easy identification of its strength and impact.

In the same way that the name Yolanda triggers a host of sad memories for us, Filipinos, the name Haiyan also conjures devastating images for the rest of humanity. According to Dr. Jeff Masters, Haiyan maintained winds of 190 to 195 miles per hour (mph) at landfall, making it the strongest tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in global history. The previous record was held by the Atlantic’s Hurricane Camille of 1969, which made landfall in Mississippi with wind speeds of 190 mph.

Typhoon Camille’s Landfall in Mississippi. (Source: coast.noaa.gov)
Typhoon Camille’s Landfall in Mississippi. (Source: coast.noaa.gov)

 

Listed below are some of the World’s Strongest Typhoons

Super Typhoon Nancy (1961), 215 mph winds, 882 mb. Made landfall as a Cat 2 in Japan, killing 191 people.
Super Typhoon Violet (1961), 205 mph winds, 886 mb pressure. Made landfall in Japan as a tropical storm, killing 2 people.
Super Typhoon Ida (1958), 200 mph winds, 877 mb pressure. Made landfall as a Cat 1 in Japan, killing 1269 people.
Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013), 195 mph winds, 895 mb pressure. Made landfall in the Philippines at peak strength.
Super Typhoon Kit (1966), 195 mph winds, 880 mb. Did not make landfall.
Super Typhoon Sally (1964), 195 mph winds, 895 mb. Made landfall as a Cat 4 in the Philippines.

In this regard, a new list of Asian names was contributed by all the member nations of the World Meteorological Organization‘s (WMO) Typhoon Committee in January 1, 2000. Majority of the names includes flowers, animals, birds, trees, food and adjectives. A typhoon name is retired when it has caused massive death and damages. Below is the list of names for developing tropical cyclones in the Northwest-Pacific basin within a six-year time frame. The assigned international names for 2016 typhoons can be found on column IV.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

 

The corresponding meanings of the names are listed below:

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

 

Sources:

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2573
http://coast.noaa.gov/hes/docs/postStorm/H_CAMILLE.pdf
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh
https://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/news/wmo-community-mobilizes-for-haiyan_en.html

unnamed

Aside from the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that shook Bohol last year, who could not forget Yolanda? Let’s look back on how it affected the country and how Filipinos unite in rising from the disaster.

Not an Ordinary Typhoon

Based on the climatological records of PAGASA, tropical cyclones that enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the month of November have higher chance of hitting the landmass; proven to be right when Yolanda traversed the country. Since the typhoon originated from the Pacific Ocean, Yolanda has gained so much strength as it headed towards the Philippines.

Yolanda, with an international name Haiyan, did not fail in taking a spot in the world’s most disastrous typhoons. Packing winds of up to 235 kilometers per hour and gustiness reaching 270 kilometers per hour, it ruined the country particularly the region of Visayas.

Within a day, six landfall activities were recorded by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). On November 8, 2013, Yolanda hit the following areas:

– Guiuan, Eastern Samar
– Tolosa, Leyte
– Daanbantayan, Cebu
– Bantayan Island, Cebu
– Concepcion, IloIlo
– Busuanga, Palawan

The Wrath of Yolanda

Yolanda exited the PAR on November 9, 2013, leaving a horrific view of Leyte and Samar. Aside from the flash floods and landslides, the intense winds of the typhoon triggered storm surges that devoured Leyte especially the city of Tacloban. Some Taclobanons said it was like the entire sea crawled over the land.

At least 6,000 people were reported dead while more than a thousand persons are still missing. More than 3 thousand families were affected on Regions IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI and CARAGA. The combined power of water and winds smashed almost 1.2 million houses.

Image

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has also recorded a total of almost 90 billion pesos cost of damage from Typhoon Yolanda. By virtue of Proclamation No.682, a state of national calamity was declared on November 11, 2013.

PanahonTV Special Report | Bakas ni Yolanda Part 1

Recovery and Rehabilitation

From the Barangay Captains to the officers of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), assessment operations and immediate response were done. It was a tough responsibility as they have experienced the rage of Yolanda themselves. Dead bodies, debris, uprooted trees and displaced electrical posts blanketed the streets after the passage of the powerful typhoon.

Thirst and hunger – these were the primary concerns of the survivors that time. People were begging for food and water. It seemed that Yolanda has left nothing but misery.

But like the pouring rain, many organizations whether local or international, began to offer help and assistance for the affected families. Relief goods and other necessities came and gradually relieved the situation.

December 3 last year, the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) was assigned to monitor Yolanda Reconstruction and Rehabilitation. The fund amounting to P167 billion pesos was allocated for the four primary rehabilitation areas: infrastructure, social services, resettlement and livelihood.

Recently on October 29, 2014, the comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery plan (CRRP) for the survivors of Yolanda was already approved by President Benigno Aquino III. This means a faster process of restoration through programs, plans and activities for the Yolanda-hit areas.

PanahonTV Special Report | Bakas ni Yolanda Part 2

Tacloban after a Year

Panahon TV team visited Tacloban to see how our Kababayans continue their lives after the massive destruction brought by Yolanda. We have witnessed an improvement compared to its state months after the onslaught of the typhoon.

A year after, many businesses re-operated, mass graves are more organized, trees have grown and the electricity and communication networks were re-connected. The classes resumed inside the temporary classrooms and tents donated by the international NGOs. While education is the key to a man’s success, preparedness is his key for survival. Teachers have begun integrating disaster preparedness in their curriculum.

Bunk houses and transitional shelters were also built for the affected families before they are transferred to the permanent houses. Residents regularly undergo debriefing activities and drills for natural disasters.

Aside from the structural improvement of the city, there’s more interesting in what we have observed – the optimistic attitude of the survivors. The smiles on their faces, the hope in their hearts and the undying faith in God will never be washed out by waves or carried away by strong winds. Tindog, Tacloban!

PanahonTV Special Report | Bakas ni Yolanda Part 3

Amor Larrosa is a Weather Reporter of Panahon.TV, aired daily at 5:00AM on the People’s Television (PTV). She goes by the title of Weather Lover and believes that “Ang taong handa at mahinahon, kayang lagpasan ang hamon ng panahon.” Follow her on Twitter.

Yolanda in the eye of PAGASA: Delubyo

Along Arnaldo blvd, Roxas City, Photo Taken around 3:45 PM Nov. 8, 2013
Along Arnaldo blvd, Roxas City, Photo Taken around 3:45 PM Nov. 8, 2013

Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) greatly devastated Eastern Visayas particularly the provinces of Tacloban, Leyte the Super Typhoon that claimed more than six thousand lives.

In a press conference held at PAGASA, one from the media asked the officials of the weather bureau if they are to describe in one word the typhoon, what would it be. Mr. Robert Sawi, OIC of Weather Division answered “delubyo”.

PAGASA, the official state weather bureau were tasked to monitor and gauge the possible threat of Yolanda.

Chronology of Events

November 01 2013: Typhoon Yolanda was first spotted as Low Pressure Area (LPA) over Caroline Island.

November 02 2013: the LPA has developed into Tropical Depression.

November 04 2013: It has intensified into Tropical Storm and was given an international name “Haiyan”.

November 06 2013: Though outside Philippine Area of Responisibility (PAR), PAGASA has included the typhoon in the 5am weather bulletin having a maximum sustained winds 120-kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150-kph with forecast movement speed of 30-kph westward.

November 07 2013: Press Conference and press briefings are done every six hours. PAGASA also provided hourly update regarding the location and intensity of Typhoon Yolanda.

November 08 2013: An auxiliary bulletin was issued at 2AM to include other areas in Central Visayas and Southern Luzon under Public Storm Warning Signal #4 due to acceleration of Yolanda.

At 4:40 AM, Yolanda has made landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar and at 11 PM, Yolanda exits the landmass of Northern Palawan after crossing Central Visayas and Southern Luzon.

November 09 2013: Public Storm Warning Signal #3 and #4 were lowered and final bulletin was issued at 3:30 PM as Typhoon Yolanda exit PAR.

According to the weather bureau, Typhoon Yolanda is the 24th tropical cyclone that entered PAR last year. The cloud bond of the typhoon is expanded up to 600 kilometer in diameter and it has made six landfalls.

SIX_LANDFALL

* Guiuan, Eastern Samar
* Tolosa, Leyte
* Daan, Bantayan Cebu
* Bantayan Island, Cebu
* Concepcion, Iloilo
* Busuanga, Palawan

Basing on the forecast and actual track of Yolanda, PAGASA has nearly made accurate information.

Source: PAGASA
Source: PAGASA

While typhoon Yolanda traverses the landmass of Visayas and Southern Luzon, the PAGASA stations have recorded different wind strength and gustiness.

Source: PAGASA
Source: PAGASA

In terms of rainfall, prior to the land falling Leyte has received 31 to 150 millimeters of rain in 24-hour period on November 7. While Leyte has only received 31 to 60 millimeters of rain in the same period of time during the passage of typhoon across the landmass on November 8. PAGASA weather forecaster Chris Perez explained, strong winds is one factor why lesser amount of rains were experienced during the passage of Yolanda across the landmass.

Source: PAGASA
Source: PAGASA

Communication is the Key

When typhoon Yolanda was monitored and still outside PAR, a series of meeting was held by PAGASA with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and Local Government Units (LGU’s). Hourly update and forecast position were discussed during the meeting. Storm surges of five to seven meters has been emphasized during the discussion and was expected to over the coastal areas of Surigao, Dinagat, Samar and Leyte, Sorsogon, Masbate and Northern Cebu.

Information from PAGASA was directly forwarded to Office of the President, Office of Civil Defense, PAGASA Regional Centers and National Media until it reaches the general public.

President Benigno Aquino III has formally announced on national television the danger of Yolanda, and even the hazard of storm surges was also mentioned.

communication_chart

Yolanda became our greatest teacher

Super typhoon Yolanda has been a great challenge to PAGASA. This paved way for a more keen approached in terms of weather forecasting.

Aside from releasing Public Storm Warning Signals (PSWS) along with its written impact, PAGASA is now looking into adding information such as the different impacts brought by storm surges.

The weather bureau will now also provide a 5 day forecast track instead of 3 day forecast track to NDRRMC for close monitoring of weather disturbances, and a series of press conference are being held for fast dissemination of information.

JESY BASCO is an Advocate of Responsible Media and a Weather Reporter at Panahon TV, aired daily at 5:00 AM on the People’s Television (PTV).

It came and went like scenes in a post-apocalyptic movie.

Damaged infrastructures. Destroyed homes. Roads and bridges impassable. Barangays inundated with water. No food to eat. No water to drink. No electricity to light the way in search of the missing ones. No medicine to counter the sickness setting in. No way of communicating to call for rescue. It was chaos all around and looting became the answer to the survivors left in its wake.

A year has gone since the world has born witness to the devastation typhoon Haiyan had wrought as it laid untold number of lives in the Philippines. Locally known as bagyong Yolanda, it was the 23rd tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) dating November 6-9, 2013

Government recorded casualties reaching up to more than 6,000 identified dead and a thousand more missing even as a year has passed as Haiyan plowed through the islands in central Visayas, affecting 44 provinces out of the country’s 81.

With record breaking winds, this has been cited as one of the deadliest and most historic cyclones in history, directly hitting Tacloban City with its full intensity, bringing enormous devastation to lands and lives in the country.

TYPHOON VS HURRICANE

Before you get yourself confused, let’s set things straight by defining the terms ‘typhoon’, ‘hurricane’, and ‘cyclone’.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these words are all the same weather phenomenon, just different names used depending on where they occur:

Weather Phenomenon

This weather disturbance is associated with heavy rains, strong winds, possible flooding and landslides as well as storm surges along coastal areas.

IN WORLD HISTORY

Countless articles online have consistently detailed the destruction Haiyan left, describing it one of the strongest cyclones in world history.

According to Jeff Masters, Director of Meteorology at Weather Underground, Haiyan may be the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall, however, in terms of wind speed, it unofficially ranks as the fourth strongest tropical cyclone recorded.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimates Haiyan’s maximum sustained winds at 315 kph and gustiness of up to 378 kph – an equivalent of a category 5 hurricane.

Experts say it is very rare for a tropical cyclone to cross over a landmass at its peak intensity. Haiyan did just that, making it the most powerful typhoon to hit land in history.

tYPHOON Haiyan

A storm surge is defined as an abnormal rise of sea water brought about by a severe storm or a typhoon with strong winds. In an archipelagic country like the Philippines, majority of the population live on coastal areas making them prone to storm surges which has the ability engulf low lying communities and bring massive destruction to lands and lives.

Much of the city and nearby settlements are low lying, sitting less than 16 feet above sea level that when Yolanda passes, it generated a storm surge in its wake, washing away barangays and leaving towns in shambles.

Infrastructures near the coast line were leveled by the storm surge. Homes were completely destroyed. Neighborhoods inundated with water. That when Haiyan left, and the surge has passed, it resulted to a grim scene of dead bodies in the water, in the streets forever caught on tape, in photos and in our memories.

A TIMELINE: FROM MICRONESIA TO CHINA

Going down history as one of the most catastrophic typhoons in the world, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) records show Haiyan had a lifetime of 174 hours or roughly 7.250 days.

[insert typhoon Haiyan track from Micronesia to China]

NOV 2 – JTWC begins to monitor a low pressure area (LPA) east of one of the states in Micronesia.

NOV 3 – JMA classifies the low into a tropical depression.

NOV4 – the name ‘Haiyan’ was assigned as it further intensified into tropical storm category.

NOV 5 – Haiyan, achieving typhoon status, forms an eye.

NOV 6 – JTWC estimates Haiyan into super typhoon status or equivalent to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
– It passed over the island of Kayangel in Palau.
– PAGASA gives local name of ‘Yolanda’ as it approaches the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)

NOV 7 – Yolanda enters PAR, prompting PAGASA to issue public storm warning signal #4 in the country on the path of the typhoon.

NOV 8 – Yolanda makes landfall, battering provinces in central Visayas
(Insert infogfx of landfall points)

NOV 9 – Yolanda exits PAR through the West Philippine Sea heading towards Vietnam and southern China.
– Haiyan gradually weakens as cool air joins the circulation.

NOV 10. – Crossing over the Gulf of Tonkin, Haiyan further weakens due to interaction with Hainan Island and Vietnam.
– Haiyan made landfall in Haiphong as a severe tropical storm.

NOV 11. – Haiyan dissipates as it moved Guangxi province in China.

THE WORLD UNITES

The world has monitored – on TV, on the radio, on the internet – as Haiyan lived its course from Micronesia to China. Though we had been warned of its possible impact, it had not been enough to minimize the damages it might have wrought.

It had been a difficult situation to start the rescue and relief operations towards those in the path of the typhoon especially in the remote communities isolated by debris and circumstances.

Appealing to the international community for assistance, the Philippines receive an influx of foreign assistance and aid coming from different countries, organizations and people of goodwill around the world reaching out to the Filipinos.

TYPHOON HAIYAN: A YEAR AFTER

It came and went like scenes in a post-apocalyptic movie.

Damaged infrastructures. Destroyed homes. Roads and bridges impassable. Barangays inundated with water. No food to eat. No water to drink. No electricity to light the way in search of the missing ones. No medicine to counter the sickness setting in. No way of communicating to call for rescue. Looting became the answer to the survivors left in its wake.

A year has gone since the world has born witness to the devastation typhoon Haiyan had wrought as it laid untold number of lives in the Philippines. Locally known as bagyong Yolanda, it was the 23rd tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) dating November 6-9, 2013

Government record casualties reaching up to more than 6,000 identified dead and a thousand more missing even as a year has passed as Haiyan plowed through the islands in central Visayas, affecting 44 provinces out of the country’s 81.

With record breaking winds, this has been cited as one of the deadliest and most historic cyclones in history, directly hitting Tacloban City with its full intensity, bringing enormous devastation to lands and lives in the country.

TYPHOON VS HURRICANE

Before you get yourself confused, let’s set things straight by defining the terms ‘typhoon’, ‘hurricane’, and ‘cyclone’.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these words are all the same weather phenomenon, just different names used depending on where they occur:

Weather Phenomenon

This weather disturbance is associated with heavy rains, strong winds, possible flooding and landslides as well as storm surges along coastal areas.

IN WORLD HISTORY

Countless articles online have consistently detailed the destruction Haiyan left, describing it one of the strongest cyclones in world history.

According to Jeff Masters, Director of Meteorology at Weather Underground, Haiyan may be the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall, however, in terms of wind speed, it unofficially ranks as the fourth strongest tropical cyclone recorded.

tYPHOON Haiyan

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimates Haiyan’s maximum sustained winds at 315 kph and gustiness of up to 378 kph – an equivalent of a category 5 hurricane.

Experts say it is very rare for a tropical cyclone to cross over a landmass at its peak intensity. Haiyan did just that, making it the most powerful typhoon to hit land in history.

PAGASA actual vs forecast track image
PAGASA actual vs forecast track image

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has closely monitored the movement of typhoon Yolanda resulting to accurate prediction of its track. Bulletins, advisories, and various updates through SMS, and social media platforms has been implemented by the weather bureau even before it threatened the country.

Regardless of the measures taken by the government to lessen the damage, the Philippines had not been anywhere close to being prepared for what actually Haiyan brought.

A DEADLY STORM SURGE

Yolanda, bringing a deluge of torrential rains, gusty winds and a 7-foot storm surge, left entire towns in ruin, drowning thousands of Filipinos in Tacloban City which caught the full force of the typhoon.

Source: PAGASA
Source: PAGASA

2013 Articles and Artworks
Yolanda’s Landfall- Island Facts

A storm surge is defined as an abnormal rise of sea water brought about by a severe storm or a typhoon with strong winds. In an archipelagic country like the Philippines, majority of the population live on coastal areas making them prone to storm surges which has the ability engulf low lying communities and bring massive destruction to lands and lives.

Much of the city and nearby settlements are low lying, sitting less than 16 feet above sea level that when Yolanda passes, it generated a storm surge in its wake, washing away barangays and leaving towns in shambles.

Infrastructures near the coast line were leveled by the storm surge. Homes were completely destroyed. Neighborhoods inundated with water. That when Haiyan left, and the surge has passed, it resulted to a grim scene of dead bodies in the water, in the streets forever caught on tape, in photos and in our memories.

A TIMELINE: FROM MICRONESIA TO CHINA

Going down history as one of the most catastrophic typhoons in the world, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) records show Haiyan had a lifetime of 174 hours or roughly 7.250 days.

[insert typhoon Haiyan track from Micronesia to China]

NOV 2 – JTWC begins to monitor a low pressure area (LPA) east of one of the states in Micronesia.

NOV 3 – JMA classifies the low into a tropical depression.

NOV4 – the name ‘Haiyan’ was assigned as it further intensified into tropical storm category.

NOV 5 – Haiyan, achieving typhoon status, forms an eye.

NOV 6 – JTWC estimates Haiyan into super typhoon status or equivalent to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
– It passed over the island of Kayangel in Palau.
– PAGASA gives local name of ‘Yolanda’ as it approaches the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)

NOV 7 – Yolanda enters PAR, prompting PAGASA to issue public storm warning signal #4 in the country on the path of the typhoon.

NOV 8 – Yolanda makes landfall, battering provinces in central Visayas
(Insert infogfx of landfall points)

NOV 9 – Yolanda exits PAR through the West Philippine Sea heading towards Vietnam and southern China.
– Haiyan gradually weakens as cool air joins the circulation.

NOV 10. – Crossing over the Gulf of Tonkin, Haiyan further weakens due to interaction with Hainan Island and Vietnam.
– Haiyan made landfall in Haiphong as a severe tropical storm.

NOV 11. – Haiyan dissipates as it moved Guangxi province in China.

THE WORLD UNITES

The world has monitored – on TV, on the radio, on the internet – as Haiyan lived its course from Micronesia to China. Though we had been warned of its possible impact, it had not been enough to minimize the damages it might have wrought.

It had been a difficult situation to start the rescue and relief operations towards those in the path of the typhoon especially in the remote communities isolated by debris and circumstances.

Appealing to the international community for assistance, the Philippines receive an influx of foreign assistance and aid coming from different countries, organizations and people of goodwill around the world reaching out to the Filipinos.

Typhoon Vongfong, locally named Ompong, has been classified under Category 5: Super Typhoon status by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Since Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, Ompong is the strongest tropical cyclone to approach Asia.

In comparison, Typhoon Yolanda, which remains the strongest tropical cyclone that recently battered the country in recent history (2013), reached maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometers per hour while Ompong’s peak is at 215 kilometers per hour.

Image from http://earth.nullschool.net/
Image from http://earth.nullschool.net/

In the Philippines, no Public Storm Warning Signal has been raised as the typhoon has no direct effect on the country, aside from enhancing the Northeasterly wind flow, bringing rough to very rough sea conditions in the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

Even while maintaining its impressive maximum sustained winds for days and going nowhere near the Philippine landmass after spending hours over the sea, Ompong is not intensifying because according to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio, cold and dry air from the higher latitudes are beginning to join in the cyclone’s circulation. Dry air is not conducive to cyclones as weather disturbances feed off warm and moist air to intensify.

Furthermore, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) states that tropical cyclones are strongest when in the tropics. As they move towards the subtropical region and the temperate zone, they start to gradually weaken.

Why Ompong is slow-moving

Aurelio says there are two High Pressure Areas (HPAs) on each side of the typhoon, its ridge hampering its northward movement. When the extension of the anti-cyclone recedes, Ompong will continue its sail towards Japan.

At 13 kilometers per hour moving northward, Bagyong ‘Ompong’ is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday.

Image from PAGASA Weather Bulletin No.5 Typhoon Ompong
Image from PAGASA Weather Bulletin No.7 Typhoon Ompong

Possible Scenarios

Currently, over open water, Ompong fails to have a major impact on the Philippines.

Over Taiwan, its southern portions, which are included in the Philippine Area of Responsibility, might experience strong winds and cloudy skies with light to moderate rains, Aurelio says.

However, Japan is another matter. While recovering from the recent cyclone Phanphone that slammed rains on Central Japan, Super Typhoon Vongfong threatens to make landfall in Japan in the following days.

According to JTWC, based on the current forecast track of Vongfong, the typhoon is moving near or over mainland Japan, which include Tokyo and other major cities. However, the typhoon may weaken considerably as it moves closer and begins to affect the country this weekend until early next week.

The strong winds of Vongfong might also batter Ryukyu Island, including Okinawa this weekend. Come Monday, effects will reach Kyushu, Shikoku and later in Honshu, including Tokyo and Osaka.

Typhoon Ompong is the 15th tropical cyclone this year, and the second this October.

The name Vongfong was contributed by Macau, China, which means wasp or putakti in Tagalog.

It has been used three times in tropical storm category in 2002 and 2008, and in typhoon category this year.

NASA Astronaut G. Reid Wiseman captured the amazing photo of Typhoon #OmpongPH (international name #Vongfong) from the International Space Station.
NASA Astronaut G. Reid Wiseman captured the amazing photo of Typhoon #OmpongPH (international name #Vongfong) from the International Space Station.

Sources: JMA, JTWC, PAGASA

 

Typhoon Ompong with international name Vongfong is tagged as the strongest typhoon in the world for 2014.

According to Meteorologist Jim Andrews of AccuWeather.com, “Vongfong is the strongest tropical cyclone we’ve had all year anywhere on Earth,” categorized as a super typhoon by the US Naval Observatory’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). Meanwhile the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) described its intensity from very strong to violent, with maximum winds of 215 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 250 kilometers per hour, moving towards Japan at 9 kilometers per hour.

The reason for its decrease in speed is caused by the intensity of rains it brings, and the presence of the High Pressure Area (HPA) in Japan. Still, the typhoon’s destructive winds and inundating rains are expected to hit Mainland Japan.

PH safe from Ompong

But the good news is PAGASA assured that the super typhoon will not directly affect any part of the country, and is expected to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday morning.

However, it may intensify winds from the northwest and southwest, creating wind convergence over Mindanao, where the Inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is located, which has been bringing rains over that area. Converging winds from different paths automatically create clouds that often lead to thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening. This weather system may bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains.

Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) will also experience light to moderate rains brought by northeast monsoon or the amihan.

Transition Period

During this period, the transition of winds from southwest to northeast is still happening. This is the reason why PAGASA has yet to officially declare the amihan season, associated with dry and cold air, because of the lingering presence of the weak southwest monsoon or habagat, associated with humid and warm air.

MTSAT Image from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
MTSAT Image from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
MTSAT Image from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
MTSAT Image from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
MTSAT Image from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
MTSAT Image from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

Sources: PAGASA | JTWC | JMA | NOAA | AccuWeather.com