2002 Pacific typhoon season

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2002 Pacific typhoon season
First storm formed: January 10, 2002
Last storm dissipated: December 10, 2002
Strongest storm: Fengshen - 145 knots
Total storms: 24
Typhoons: 16
Super typhoons: 8
Total fatalities: 311
Pacific typhoon seasons
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

The 2002 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 2002, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. [1] These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator and west of the international date line. Storms that form east of the date line and north of the equator are called hurricanes; see 2002 Pacific hurricane season. Tropical Storms formed in the entire west pacific basin are assigned a name by the Tokyo Typhoon Center. Tropical depressions in this basin have the "W" suffix added to their number. Tropical depressions that enter or form in the Philippine area of responsibility are assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA. This can often result in the same storm having two names.

Contents

[edit] Notable Storms

Most of the 31 cyclones that developed this year either remained out at sea or were weak at landfall.

[edit] Tropical Depression 03W

When Tropical Depression 03W crossed the southern and central Philippines on March 21 and 22nd, it caused 35 casualties and $1.7 million in damage (2002 USD).

[edit] Super Typhoon Chataan

Satellite image
Storm track
Chataan satellite image and storm track.
Main article: Typhoon Chataan

On July 2, 55 mph Tropical Storm Chataan passed through Chuuk, causing numerous mudslides on the island. The storm continued to the northwest, passing close to Guam before reaching a peak of 150 mph winds on the 7th. Chataan turned to the northeast, and became extratropical on the 11th. Chataan killed 55 and $59.8 million in damage between Chuuk and Guam, making it the first typhoon to hit the area since Typhoon Paka in 1997.

[edit] Tropical Storm Kammuri (Lagalag)

Main article: Tropical Storm Kammuri (2002)
Satellite image
Storm track
Kammuri satellite image and storm track.

Kammuri was a name contributed by Japan which means 'crown'. Lagalag was a Filipino name and an adjective meaning 'wandering, or 'roving'.

Tropical Depression 16W formed at 0600 UTC on the August 2 as it tracked west-northwestward. The system turned northward the next day under the influence of a low to mid-level ridge over the East China Sea. The depression turned back to the west shortly later as it became less influenced by the southwesterly monsoon flow. The system was consolidating, and six hours later, the cyclone was upgraded to Tropical Storm Kammuri. Soon afterwards, a surge in the southwest monsoon was pushing Kammuri on an east-northeast and the cyclone started to lift out of the monsoon trough. Kammuri made landfall with winds of 60 mph (50 kts) at 2200 UTC, just east of Shanwei. The storm began to accelerate ahead of an approaching mid-latitude low-pressure system and was downgraded to a tropical depression at midday as it moved farther inland. The surface cyclone dissipated over the mountainous coastline of eastern China and its remnants linked up with a cold front by August 5.

107 people died because of Kammuri and the direct economic losses are estimated at 4.219 billion yuan. The reported number of collapsed houses was 20,182. [2]

[edit] Typhoon Rusa

Satellite image
Storm track
Rusa satellite image and storm track.
Main article: Typhoon Rusa

When 80 mph Typhoon Rusa, which peaked at 135 mph winds earlier in its lifetime, hit South Korea, it caused torrential flooding, causing 113 casualties (with 71 missing) and nearly $6 billion in damage (2002 USD). The name Rusa was retired after this year.

[edit] Hurricane/Typhoon Ele

Satellite image
Storm track
Ele satellite image and storm track.

An eastern extension of the monsoon trough south of Hawaii organized into Tropical Depression Two-C on August 27 and strengthened into Tropical Storm Ele six hours later. Despite the nearby presence of Alika, Ele developed rapidly and strengthened into a hurricane on August 28. After contributing to the demise of Alika, Ele continued strengthening. It reached Category 2 intensity late on August 28 and became a major hurricane 6 hours later. Ele then crossed the International Date Line and became a typhoon. Typhoon Ele turned to the northwest after crossing the dateline and continued to strengthen. It reached Category 4 before turning north and weakening again. After briefly restrengthening back into a Category 4, the typhoon declined and turned to the northwest. Ele fell to a tropical storm on September 7, a depression on September 9, and dissipated shortly after that. Ele was of no threat to land.[1]

[edit] Super Typhoon Higos

Satellite image
Storm track
Higos satellite image and storm path

Typhoon Higos, after weakening from a peak of 155 mph winds, hit near Tokyo, Japan on October 1 as a 90 mph typhoon, the 3rd strongest since 1945. 9 deaths and widespread flooding can be attributed to Higos.

[edit] Hurricane/Typhoon Huko

Typhoon Huko
Typhoon 03C
1
Hurricane Huko 2002.jpg Huko 2002 track.png
Duration October 24November 7
Intensity 70 kt (10-min), 965 hPa

An area of convection formed Tropical Depression Three-C on October 24. It drifted north, strengthened into a tropical storm, and was named Huko (Hawaiian for Hugo). On October 28, it became a hurricane. Due to the proximity of Lowell, shear weakened the cyclone. After Lowell's demise, Huko again became a hurricane. It crossed the dateline and became a typhoon. Huko eventually recurved and lasted until November 7. At that time, it went extratropical, having never threatened land. [2]

[edit] Typhoon Pongsona

Typhoon Pongsona
Super Typhoon 31W
4
Typhoon Pongsona (2002).JPG Pongsona 2002 track.png
Duration December 2December 11
Intensity 90 kt (10-min), 940 hPa
Main article: Typhoon Pongsona

Super Typhoon Pongsona was the third strongest typhoon to strike Guam in recorded history. Comparable to Typhoon Paka, it inflicted an estimated $700 million in damages, killed one and injured 163.

[edit] Storm names

Western North Pacific tropical cyclones are named by the RSMC Tokyo-Typhoon Center of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Names are selected from the following sequential list, there is no annual list. Names were contributed by 13 members of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, except for Singapore. The 13 nations or territories, along with Micronesia, each submitted 10 names, which are used in alphabetical order by the English name of the country. The first storm of 2002 was named Tapah and the final one was named Pongsona.

Contributing Nation Names
Cambodia Damrey Kong-rey Nakri 11W Krovanh Sarika
China Longwang Yutu Fengshen 12W Dujuan Haima
DPR Korea Kirogi Toraji Kalmaegi 15W Maemi Meari
Hong Kong Kai-Tak Man-yi Fung-wong 14W Choi-wan Ma-on
Japan Tenbin Usagi Kammuri 16W Koppu Tokage
Laos Bolaven Pabuk Phanfone 19W Ketsana Nock-ten
Macau Chanchu Wutip Vongfong 20W Parma Muifa
Malaysia Jelawat Sepat Rusa 21W Melor Merbok
Micronesia Ewinlar Fitow Sinlaku 22W Nepartak Nanmadol
Philippines Bilis Danas Hagupit 23W Lupit Talas
RO Korea Gaemi Nari Changmi Sudal Noru
Thailand Prapiroon Vipa Mekkhala 24W Nida Kulap
U.S.A. Maria Francisco Higos 25W Omais Roke
Vietnam Saomai Lekima Bavi 28W Conson Sonca
Cambodia Bopha Krosa Maysak 29W Chanthu Nesat
China Wukong Haiyan Haishen 30W Dianmu Haitang
DPR Korea Sonamu Podul Pongsona 31W Mindule Nalgae
Hong Kong Shanshan Lingling Yanyan Tingting Banyan
Japan Yagi Kajiki Kujira Kompasu Washi
Laos Xangsane Faxai Chan-hom Namtheun Matsa
Macau Bebinca Vamei Linfa Malou Sanvu
Malaysia Rumbia Tapah 01W Nangka Meranti Mawar
Micronesia Soulik Mitag 02W Soudelor Rananin Guchol
Philippines Cimaron Hagibis 05W Imbudo Malakas Talim
RO Korea Chebi Noguri 07W Koni Megi Nabi
Thailand Durian Rammasun 09W Morakot Chaba Khanun
U.S.A. Utor Chataan 08W Etau Aere Vicente
Vietnam Trami Halong 10W Vamco Songda Saola

Two central pacific storms, Hurricane Ele 02C and Hurricane Huko 03C, crossed into this basin. They became Typhoon Ele and Typhoon Huko keeping their original name and "C" suffix.

[edit] Philippines

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) uses its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones within its area of responsibility. Lists are recycled every four years.

  • Agaton 01W
  • Basyang 02W
  • Caloy 03W
  • Dagul 06W
  • Espada 07W
  • Florita 09W
  • Gloria 08W
  • Hambalos 11W
  • Inday 10W
  • Juan 13W
  • Kaka 14W
  • Lagalag 16W
  • Milenyo 20W
  • Neneng (unused)
  • Ompong (unused)
  • Paeng (unused)
  • Queenie (unused)
  • Reming (unused)
  • Seniang (unused)
  • Tomas (unused)
  • Usman (unused)
  • Venus (unused)
  • Waldo (unused)
  • Yayang (unused)
  • Zeny (unused)
  • Agila (unused)
  • Bagwis (unused)
  • Chito (unused)
  • Diego (unused)
  • Elena (unused)
  • Felino (unused)
  • Gundig (unused)
  • Harriet (unused)
  • Indang (unused)
  • Jessa (unused)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.typhoon2000.ph/garyp_mgtcs/may03sum.txt
  2. ^ http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2003/summ0208.txt

[edit] External links