1960 Pacific typhoon season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1960 Pacific typhoon season
First storm formed: April 22, 1960
Last storm dissipated: December 20, 1960
Strongest storm: Shirely and Ophelia - 135 knots, 904 mbar
Total storms: 27
Typhoons: 19
Super typhoons: 2
Total fatalities: 969+
Pacific typhoon seasons
1958 1959 1960 1961 1963

The 1960 Pacific typhoon season had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1960, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December. 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 1960 Pacific hurricane season. Tropical storms formed in the entire west Pacific basin were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Tropical depressions in this basin had the "W" suffix added to their number.

Contents

[edit] Storms

[edit] Investigation 01W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
{{{Image}}}
Duration January 30February 1
Intensity 45 km/h (30 mph) (1-min), 1004 hPa (mbar)

[edit] Tropical Depression Ivy

Tropical depression (SSHS)
{{{Image}}}
Duration January 30February 1
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min), 1000 hPa (mbar)

[edit] Tropical Depression Jean

Tropical depression (SSHS)
{{{Image}}}
Duration March 6March 8
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min), 1000 hPa (mbar)

[edit] Investigation 04W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
{{{Image}}}
Duration March 30April 1
Intensity 45 km/h (30 mph) (1-min), 1004 hPa (mbar)

[edit] Investigation 05W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
{{{Image}}}
Duration April 12April 18
Intensity 45 km/h (30 mph) (1-min), 1004 hPa (mbar)

[edit] Typhoon Karen

Typhoon Karen 1
{{{image}}}
Duration April 22April 26, 1960
Intensity 75 mph [1], 980 mbar[1]

An area of disturbed weather in the Philippine Sea moved westward, and organized into a tropical depression on April 22. It moved northwestward through the Philippines, strengthening quickly to a typhoon on the 24th due to its small size. Karen turned to the northeast, and in spite of favorable conditions, rapidly weakened until dissipation on the 26th. Karen left 56 dead in the Philippines, left 7,000 homeless, and caused $2 million (1960 USD) in crop and property damage.

[edit] Tropical Storm Lucille

Tropical Storm Lucille TS
{{{image}}}
Duration May 25June 01, 1960
Intensity 45 mph [1], 995 mbar[2]

On May 25, a tropical depression formed to the east of the Philippines, developing simultaneously with another low pressure system to the west. The depression moved to the northwest over the Philippines, and as a northeast turn occurred the 2 merged. The new system strengthened into Tropical Storm Lucille on the 30th, and became extratropical on June 1 as it raced northeastward. The precursor disturbance to Lucille caused flash flooding in Manila that killed nearly 300 people.

[edit] Typhoon Mary

Typhoon Mary 1
{{{image}}}
Duration June 03June 12, 1960
Intensity 90 mph [1], 965 mbar[1]

A trough of low pressure spawned a tropical depression in the South China Sea on June 3 and moved slowly westward. Favorable conditions allowed it to quickly strengthen into Tropical Storm Mary, and after turning northward it attained typhoon status on the 7th. Mary continued to intensify to a 90 mph (140 km/h) typhoon just before making landfall 20 miles (32 km) west of Hong Kong on the 8th. After weakening while moving northeastward over China, the storm restrengthened over the Western Pacific to a typhoon on the 10th. It passed near Okinawa, weakened, and accelerated to the east until it became extratropical on the 13th.

Also known as Bloody Mary, the typhoon was the worst to hit Hong Kong in 23 years. Its 14.12 inches (359 mm) of rain, mudslides and strong winds caused extreme damage across Hong Kong and southern China, leaving over 100 dead and over 18,000 homeless. The only positive aspect of the storm was its rainfall, which helped end a severe drought to the colony.

In addition to its impact in Hong Kong, Mary brought heavy rains and flooding in Taiwan, especially in the capital city of Taipei. Moderate crop damage was seen to the rice crop. Four fishermen drowned off the southern coast of the island, but there were no fatalities on the island. Despite its effects, the name Mary was not retired.

[edit] Tropical Storm Nadine

Tropical Storm Nadine TS
{{{image}}}
Duration June 03June 10, 1960
Intensity 70 mph [1], 989 mbar[1]

[edit] Typhoon Olive

Typhoon Olive 4
{{{image}}}
Duration June 23June 30, 1960
Intensity 145 mph [1], 950 mbar[1]

On June 23, a tropical depression developed to the east of the Philippines. It entered nearly ideal conditions as it moved to the west-northwest, and, just 42 hours after forming, reached peak intensity of 145 mph (233 km/h) winds. Due to lack of inflow from the archipelago to its west, Olive weakened to a 125 mph (201 km/h) typhoon at the time of its eastern Philippine landfall. It rapidly weakened while crossing to a tropical storm, but restrengthened to a typhoon in the South China Sea. It turned to the west, and struck southern China on the 29th as an 80 mph (130 km/h) typhoon. Olive rapidly weakened over land and the northern Gulf of Tonkin, and dissipated on the 30th.

A storm surge of 6-8 feet flooded much of Manila, causing extensive property and transportation damage. Heavy rainfall on southeast Luzon resulted on 80% crop losses, while over 104 people were killed elsewhere in the country. In addition, nearly 60,000 people were left homeless in the period after the storm's passage.

China and Hong Kong received heavy rainfall from Olive, causing moderate crop damage, though there were no reported casualties there.

[edit] Typhoon Polly

Typhoon Polly 2
{{{image}}}
Duration July 17July 29, 1960
Intensity 110 mph [1], 950 mbar[1]

[edit] Tropical Storm Rose

Tropical Storm Rose TS
{{{image}}}
Duration July 25July 28, 1960
Intensity 45 mph [3], 1000 mbar[2]

[edit] Super Typhoon Shirley

Super Typhoon Shirley 4
{{{image}}}
Duration July 29August 06, 1960
Intensity 155 mph [1], 910 mbar[2]

On July 29, a tropical depression formed to the east of northern Luzon. Moving to the northwest, it encountered favorable conditions for development, and rapidly intensified to a 155 mph (249 km/h) Super Typhoon just 48 hours after forming, with an eyewall only 7 miles (11 km) wide. Shirley continued to the northwest, and struck northeastern Taiwan as a slightly weaker 140 mph (230 km/h) typhoon on the 31st. The mountainous terrain ripped apart the typhoon's circulation, and after crossing the Formosa Strait it made landfall on southeastern China as a tropical storm. Shirley turned northward while inland, and dissipated on August 2. An unusual feature of the storm was the development of a secondary center while approaching Taiwan.

Shirley's 140 mph (230 km/h) winds and torrential rains devastated Taiwan, overflowing many rivers and trapping thousands. Nearly a foot of rain was reported on the island, causing extensive road and property damage. Little crop damage occurred due to Typhoon Mary destroying much of it months before. In all, Typhoon Shirley caused 104 fatalities, destroyed or damaged 9,890 houses, and left 50,194 people homeless.

[edit] Typhoon Trix

Typhoon Trix 4
{{{image}}}
Duration August 04August 10, 1960
Intensity 145 mph [1], 918 mbar[1]

Just one week after Shirley hit Taiwan, Typhoon Trix, which weakened from a peak of 145 mph (233 km/h), hit the northeastern part of the island with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). Trix left four more dead and brought more severe flooding to the typhoon-ravaged country.

[edit] Typhoon Virginia

Typhoon Virginia 2
{{{image}}}
Duration August 08August 13, 1960
Intensity 100 mph [1], 971 mbar[1]

Typhoon Virginia struck Shikoku and Honshū island in Japan with winds of 90 mph (140 km/h). 4 inches of rain fell over most of southern Japan. 2 people were killed and one was injured. [1]

[edit] Typhoon Wendy

Typhoon Wendy 1
{{{image}}}
Duration August 10August 13, 1960
Intensity 85 mph [1], 986 mbar[1]

[edit] Tropical Storm Agnes

Tropical Storm Agnes TS
{{{image}}}
Duration August 11August 16, 1960
Intensity 55 mph [3], 994 mbar[2]

[edit] Typhoon Bess

Typhoon Bess 1
{{{image}}}
Duration August 16August 25, 1960
Intensity 75 mph [1], 978 mbar[1]

[edit] Typhoon Carmen

Typhoon Carmen 1
{{{image}}}
Duration August 16August 24, 1960
Intensity 85 mph [1], 970 mbar[1]

A sharp trough of low pressure organized into a tropical depression on August 16. It moved northward, quickly strengthening to an 85 mph (137 km/h) typhoon. Carmen lost intensity as it continued to the north, and made landfall on South Korea as a 50 mph (80 km/h) tropical storm on the 23rd. The storm brought 50-foot (15 m) waves to the Korean peninsula, flooding coastal cities and sinking ships offshore. In all, Carmen caused 24 casualties and $2 million in damage (1960 USD).

Carmen is known for having the largest eye of any tropical cyclone in recorded history. Radar data from Okinawa, Japan indicated that it was more than 200 miles (320 km) across. [2]

[edit] Typhoon Della

Typhoon Della 2
{{{image}}}
Duration August 17August 31, 1960
Intensity 105 mph [1], 962 mbar[1]

The monsoon trough spawned a tropical storm in the open Western Pacific on August 20. Della moved to the northwest, strengthening to a typhoon on the 22nd before looping to the north-northwest. After peaking at 105 mph (169 km/h), Della weakened and hit southern Japan as a minimal typhoon. It accelerated to the northeast and became extratropical on the 31st. A landslide on Nishinomiya killed 38 road workers, while another 17 people were killed throughout the country from heavy flooding.

[edit] Typhoon Elaine

Typhoon Elaine 1
{{{image}}}
Duration August 19August 25, 1960
Intensity 85 mph [1], 976 mbar[1]

Typhoon Elaine struck Taiwan and dumped 8 inches (200 mm) of rain on the island. 280 homes were destroyed and 5 people were killed, 3 were left missing. [3]

[edit] Typhoon Faye

Typhoon Faye 4
{{{image}}}
Duration August 22September 01, 1960
Intensity 145 mph [1], 940 mbar[1]

[edit] Tropical Storm Gloria

Tropical Storm Gloria TS
{{{image}}}
Duration August 30September 04, 1960
Intensity 50 mph [3],  mbar

[edit] Tropical Storm Hester

Tropical Storm Hester TS
{{{image}}}
Duration September 04September 10, 1960
Intensity 45 mph [3], 1000 mbar[2]

[edit] Tropical Storm Irma

Tropical Storm Irma TS
{{{image}}}
Duration September 10September 19, 1960
Intensity 45 mph [3],  mbar

[edit] Tropical Storm Judy

Tropical Storm Judy TS
{{{image}}}
Duration September 24September 29, 1960
Intensity 45 mph [3], 980 mbar[2]

[edit] Typhoon Kit

Typhoon Kit 2
{{{image}}}
Duration October 02October 13, 1960
Intensity 100 mph [1], 966 mbar[1]

A large circulation over the Western Pacific organized into a tropical depression on October 2. It moved westward, steadily strengthening to a peak of 100 mph (160 km/h). Kit made landfall on the eastern Philippines at that intensity on the 6th, and quickly crossed the archipelago. It turned to the northwest over the South China Sea, and struck eastern Hainan Island on the 11th. Kit turned to the southwest, and after weakening hit northeastern Vietnam as a minimal tropical storm on the 13th. Kit dissipated shortly thereafter.

Many small and large boats sank from Kit's 1000+ mile wide circulation, with 149 fishermen missing. In the Philippines, Kit's extensive rainfall caused severe damage to property and transportation damage. Especially damaged was the rice crop, which was effected during the rice harvesting season. In all, Kit caused 149 casualties (with 149 missing) and $3 million in damage. Extensive crop damage occurred as well in China.

[edit] Typhoon Lola

Typhoon Lola 1
{{{image}}}
Duration October 08October 17, 1960
Intensity 80 mph [1], 978 mbar[1]

Typhoon Lola hit the Philippines just weeks after Kit made landfall, resulting in an additional $15 million in damage, much of it to the rice crop. 58 people were killed from the flooding, and heavy damage occurred to highways and communication systems.

[edit] Typhoon Mamie

Typhoon Mamie 3
{{{image}}}
Duration October 13October 21, 1960
Intensity 125 mph [1], 940 mbar[1]

Typhoon Mamie struck Iwo Jima with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) then passed to the southeast of Tokyo. No damage was reported. [4]

[edit] Typhoon Nina

Typhoon Nina 3
{{{image}}}
Duration October 23October 27, 1960
Intensity 115 mph [1], 957 mbar[1]

[edit] Super Typhoon Ophelia

Super Typhoon Ophelia 4
{{{image}}}
Duration November 21December 06, 1960
Intensity 155 mph [1], 928 mbar[1]

The most unusual tropical cyclone of the year began its life on November 21 in the open Western Pacific. The depression drifted, first to the west, then to the southeast, then back to the west, varying between a tropical depression and an open trough of low pressure. After a northward turn, it strengthened into a tropical storm on the 27th, and turned back to the southwest. Ophelia turned to a west drift, and under favorable conditions, intensified into a typhoon on the 29th. It continued to strengthen as it crossed over the Caroline Islands, and became a super typhoon on the 30th. A day later it reached a peak of 155 mph (249 km/h), but a northward turn weakened it to 150 mph (240 km/h). Ophelia remained a Category 4 typhoon until December 4, when it began accelerating to the northeast over unfavorable conditions. After weakening to a tropical storm on the 6th, Ophelia became extratropical over the Northern Pacific Ocean. As an extratropical storm, it persisted until dissipating south of Alaska on the 8th. Ophelia brought heavy rains to the Caroline Islands, killing 2 and injuring 4. Many of the islands were covered in up to 2 feet (0.61 m) of flooding, and they experienced severe damage from Ophelia's strong winds. The name Ophelia was retired after this storm.

[edit] Typhoon Phyllis

Typhoon Phyllis 3
{{{image}}}
Duration December 11December 20, 1960
Intensity 120 mph [1], 964 mbar[1]

[edit] 1960 Storm Names

The names Lucille and Ophelia were retired after this year.

  • Agnes 29W
  • Bess 30W
  • Carmen 31W
  • Della 32W
  • Elaine 33W
  • Faye 34W
  • Gloria 35W
  • Hester 36W
  • Irma 38W
  • Judy 44W
  • Kit 47W
  • Lola 48W
  • Mamie 50W
  • Nina 51W
  • Ophelia 53W
  • Phyllis 56W
  • Rita
  • Susan
  • Tess
  • Viola
  • Winnie
  • Alice
  • Betty
  • Cora
  • Doris
  • Elsie
  • Flossie
  • Grace
  • Helen
  • Ida
  • June
  • Kathy
  • Lorna
  • Marie
  • Nancy
  • Olga
  • Pamela
  • Ruby
  • Sally
  • Tilda
  • Violet
  • Wilda
  • Anita
  • Billie
  • Clara
  • Dot
  • Ellen
  • Fran
  • Georgia
  • Hope
  • Iris
  • Joan
  • Kate
  • Louise
  • Marge
  • Nora
  • Opal
  • Patsy
  • Ruth
  • Sarah
  • Thelma
  • Vera
  • Wanda
  • Amy
  • Babs
  • Charlotte
  • Dinah
  • Emma
  • Freda
  • Gilda
  • Harriet
  • Ivy 1W
  • Jean 2W
  • Karen 6W
  • Lucille 7W
  • Mary 8W
  • Nadine 9W
  • Olive 12W
  • Polly 19W
  • Rose 21W
  • Shirley 22W
  • Trix 24W
  • Virginia 27W
  • Wendy 28W

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Languages