1972 Pacific typhoon season

1972 Pacific typhoon season
Season summary map
First storm formed January 5, 1972
Last storm dissipated December 19, 1972
Strongest storm Rita – 911 hPa (mbar), 270 km/h (165 mph) (1-minute sustained)
Total storms 31
Typhoons 22
Super typhoons 2
Total fatalities 748
Total damage $290 million (1972 USD)
Pacific typhoon seasons
1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974

The 1972 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1972, 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 1972 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 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

Storms

33 tropical depressions formed this year in the Western Pacific, of which 31 became tropical storms. 22 storms reached typhoon intensity, of which 2 reached super typhoon strength.[1]

Typhoon Kit (Asiang)

Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration January 5 – January 15
Intensity 220 km/h (140 mph) (1-min),  933 mbar (hPa)

A tropical disturbance generated by an upper tropospheric low in the mid-Pacific trough moved westward through the Caroline Islands, slowly organizing into Tropical Depression 1W on January 5. The depression quickly strengthened, reaching tropical storm status later that day and becoming a typhoon on the 6th as it neared the Philippines. Kit rapidly intensified on the 6th and 7th to a 140 mph (230 km/h) typhoon, the strongest ever in January, but its inflow was cut off to the west, weakening the typhoon as it continued westward. Kit hit the eastern Philippines as a 100 mph (200 km/h) typhoon on January 7, and turned north through the archipelago in response to a break in the subtropical ridge. This brought Kit eastward then southward, where after completing its large loop it dissipated on January 15, just 170 nautical miles (310 km) from its starting location. Typhoon Kit brought torrential rains and flooding, causing 204 fatalities and nearly $23 million in damage (1972 USD).

Tropical Depression Biring

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration January 9 – January 11
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min),  Unknown

Tropical Depression 02W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration March 30 – April 4
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min),  1001 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Lola

Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration May 28 – June 5
Intensity 195 km/h (120 mph) (1-min),  956 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Mamie

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration May 31 – June 4
Intensity 85 km/h (50 mph) (1-min),  989 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Nina

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration May 31 – June 8
Intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min),  Unknown

Typhoon Ora (Konsing)

Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration June 22 – June 27
Intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min),  971 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Typhoon Ora (1972)

Typhoon Ora, which formed on June 22, crossed the northern Philippines on the 24th and 25th as an 85 mph (137 km/h) typhoon. It weakened over land, but restrengthened in the South China Sea to a 90 mph (140 km/h) typhoon before hitting southern China on the 27th. Ora caused 131 casualties, with $15 million in damage (1972 USD). An unusual feature about Ora was while crossing the South China Sea, it never featured a wall cloud, even though it had winds of typhoon strength.

Tropical Depression Didang

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration June 28 – June 30
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min),  Unknown

Typhoon Phyllis

Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration July 5 – July 15
Intensity 220 km/h (140 mph) (1-min),  944 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Phyllis, which formed on July 5, quickly intensified from late on the 9th to early on the 11th to a 140 mph (230 km/h) typhoon. The typhoon turned to the northwest, steadily weakening as it approached Japan. Phyllis struck southeastern Japan on the 15th as a tropical storm, and became extratropical that night. Phyllis caused 3 deaths and moderate damage.

Super Typhoon Rita (Gloring)

Category 5 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration July 6 – July 26
Intensity 270 km/h (165 mph) (1-min),  911 mbar (hPa)

The near-equatorial trough spawned four tropical cyclones on July 5, one of which would become Super Typhoon Rita. Having originated over the open Western Pacific, the depression tracked westward, becoming a tropical storm on the 7th and a typhoon on the 8th. Rita quickly intensified, reaching super typhoon strength on the 10th and a peak of 165 mph (266 km/h) on the 11th. The typhoon stalled and weakened on the 12th and 13th as it headed to the northeast. On the 15th and 16th, Rita again stalled, weakening down to 75 mph (121 km/h). It then turned to the north, where it was able to become a Category 2 again. A building high pressure ridge forced the typhoon westward, where it executed a large loop from the 21st to the 25th. After looping and passing Okinawa, the typhoon continued to the northwest, passed by western South Korea, and weakened to a tropical storm on the 26th. Rita entered the Gulf of Chihli, hit northeastern China, and dissipated near Peking, China on the 27th. Rita directly caused 12 deaths, with 3 missing, and moderate to heavy damage on its path. In addition, Rita and Tropical Storm Susan's presence strengthened the southwest monsoon flow over Luzon, where torrential rains occurring between the 17th and 21st leading to disastrous flooding which left 214 dead, with over $150 million in damage.[2] Rita was the longest lasting Western Pacific tropical cyclone at the time.

Typhoon Susan (Edeng)

Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration July 5 – July 14
Intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (1-min),  980 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Tess

Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration July 7 – July 24
Intensity 230 km/h (145 mph) (1-min),  940 mbar (hPa)

The same near-equatorial trough that developed Rita also developed Typhoon Tess. Tess, having developed on July 7 near the Marshall Islands, tracked westward, reaching typhoon status on the 12th. On the 13th and 14th as Tess turned to the northwest, it rapidly intensified to a 145 mph (233 km/h) typhoon. Steadily weakening as it continued northwestward, Tess bent back to the west in response to the building of a high pressure cell over Japan. The Fujiwhara effect between Tess and Rita brought 75 mph (121 km/h) Typhoon Tess into Japan on the 23rd. It continued northward, and merged with a front over extreme eastern Russia on the 25th. Tess caused strong flooding, which in turn killed 29 people.

Tropical Storm Viola

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration July 23 – July 26
Intensity 110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min),  980 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Winnie

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration July 29 – August 2
Intensity 110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min),  971 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Alice

Category 2 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration July 29 – August 8
Intensity 165 km/h (105 mph) (1-min),  964 mbar (hPa)

Super Typhoon Betty (Maring)

Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration August 8 – August 17
Intensity 250 km/h (155 mph) (1-min),  910 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression Lusing

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration August 10 – August 13
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min),  Unknown

Tropical Storm Doris

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration August 24 – August 29
Intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (1-min),  986 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Cora

Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration August 24 – August 29
Intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (1-min),  976 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Elsie

Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration August 30 – September 4
Intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min),  974 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Flossie (Nitang)

Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration September 9 – September 18
Intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min),  975 mbar (hPa)

This became Tropical Cyclone 25-72 in the Bay of Bengal.

Tropical Storm Grace (Osang)

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration September 10 – September 19
Intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min),  989 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Helen (Paring)

Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration September 12 – September 18
Intensity 185 km/h (115 mph) (1-min),  957 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Typhoon Helen (1972)

Typhoon Helen, which formed on September 12 over the open West Pacific, struck southern Japan on the 16th. Helen looped in the Sea of Japan, and became extratropical on the 19th. Helen's heavy flooding and landslides killed 64 people, with $102 million in damage (1972 USD).

Tropical Depression 21W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration September 11 – September 13
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min),  Unknown

Tropical Depression Reming

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration September 17 – September 19
Intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min),  Unknown

Typhoon Ida

Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration September 17 – September 24
Intensity 205 km/h (125 mph) (1-min),  930 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm June

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration September 26 – September 28
Intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min),  Unknown

The name June was given to a storm that formed in the Central Pacific Ocean. Before 1982 all storms that formed within this basin were given names from the Western Pacific Typhoon Name List. [1]

Tropical Storm Kathy

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration September 29 – October 5
Intensity 110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min),  976 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Lorna

Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration September 26 – October 3
Intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min),  990 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Marie

Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration October 3 – October 11
Intensity 215 km/h (130 mph) (1-min),  936 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Nancy

Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration October 16 – October 21
Intensity 195 km/h (120 mph) (1-min),  945 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Olga

Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration October 19 – October 29
Intensity 195 km/h (120 mph) (1-min),  939 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Pamela (Toyang)

Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration November 2 – November 8
Intensity 205 km/h (125 mph) (1-min),  942 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Pamela struck Hong Kong killing one person.[3]

Typhoon Ruby

Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration November 12 – November 20
Intensity 205 km/h (125 mph) (1-min),  941 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Sally

Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration November 28 – December 5
Intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min),  984 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Therese (Undang)

Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration November 30 – December 10
Intensity 195 km/h (120 mph) (1-min),  944 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Therese, having developed on November 30, struck the Philippines on December 3. After crossing the islands, the typhoon reached a peak of 120 mph (190 km/h) winds in the South China Sea, a rare event for December. Therese's intensity fluctuated as it continued westward, and hit eastern Vietnam on the 9th as a 115 mph (185 km/h) typhoon. Therese dissipated on the 12th, after causing 90 deaths and extensive damage on its path.

Tropical Storm Violet

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration December 12 – December 19
Intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (1-min),  995 mbar (hPa)

1972 storm names

Western North Pacific tropical cyclones were named by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The first storm of 1972 was named Kit and the final one was named Violet.

  • Agnes
  • Bess
  • Carmen
  • Della
  • Elaine
  • Faye
  • Gloria
  • Hester
  • Irma
  • Judy
  • Kit 1W
  • Lola 3W
  • Mamie 4W
  • Nina 5W
  • Ora 6W
  • Phyllis 7W
  • Rita 8W
  • Susan 9W
  • Tess 10W
  • Viola 11W
  • Winnie 12W
  • Alice 13W
  • Betty 14W
  • Cora 15W
  • Doris 16W
  • Elsie 17W
  • Flossie 18W
  • Grace 19W
  • Helen 20W
  • Ida 22W
  • June 23C
  • Kathy 24W
  • Lorna 25W
  • Marie 26W
  • Nancy 27W
  • Olga 28W
  • Pamela 29W
  • Ruby 30C
  • Sally 31W
  • Therese 32W
  • Violet 33W
  • Wilda
  • Anita
  • Billie
  • Clara
  • Dot
  • Ellen
  • Fran
  • Georgia
  • Hope
  • Iris
  • Joan
  • Kate
  • Louise
  • Marge
  • Nora
  • Opal
  • Patsy
  • Ruth
  • Sarah
  • Thelma
  • Vera
  • Wanda
  • Amy
  • Babe
  • Carla
  • Dinah
  • Emma
  • Freda
  • Gilda
  • Harriet
  • Ivy
  • Jean
  • Kim
  • Lucy
  • Mary
  • Nadine
  • Olive
  • Polly
  • Rose
  • Shirley
  • Trix
  • Virginia
  • Wendy

Two Central Pacific system developed, Tropical Storms June and Ruby. The policy at the time was to use Western Pacific names the Central Pacific.

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.

  • Asiang
  • Biring
  • Konsing
  • Didang
  • Edeng
  • Gloring
  • Huaning
  • Isang
  • Lusing
  • Maring
  • Nitang
  • Osang
  • Paring
  • Reming
  • Seniang
  • Toyang
  • Undang
  • Welpring
  • Yoning
  • Aring
  • Basiang
  • Kayang
  • Dorang
  • Enang
  • Grasing

See also

References

  1. ^ a b 1972 ATCR TABLE OF CONTENTS
  2. ^ Philippine Weather Bureau (April 1973). Report No. 25 UDC 551.515.2 (914) Tropical Cyclones of 1972. National Weather Service. pp. 12–14. 
  3. ^ Historical Information

External links

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