1960 Pacific typhoon season

1960 Pacific typhoon season
Season summary map
First system formed January 28, 1960
Last system dissipated December 20, 1960
Strongest storm Shirley – 910 hPa (mbar), 250 km/h (155 mph)
Total depressions 38
Total storms 28
Typhoons 19
Super typhoons 2
Total fatalities >2,869
Total damage At least $69 million (1960 USD)
Pacific typhoon seasons
1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962

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.

Storms

Typhoon Karen

Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration April 21 – April 27
Peak intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min)  990 mbar (hPa)

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.

Tropical Storm Lucille

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration May 27 – June 2
Peak intensity 85 km/h (50 mph) (1-min)  985 mbar (hPa)

Lucille was identified as a weak tropical depression on May 25 to the east of the Philippines. Tracking northwestward, the system failed to develop and warnings on it were discontinued on May 27. At the same time, a second system began organizing along the west coast of Luzon. The two systems ultimately merged into one over the Philippines between May 28 and 29. Now tracking northeastward, the system re-intensified and became a tropical storm on May 30. Lucille attained its peak intensity later that day with winds of 85 km/h (50 mph). As it accelerated over open waters, the system brushed the islands of Iwo Jima and Chichi-jima before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone on June 1.[1] The remnants of Lucille were last noted on June 4 near the International Date Line.[2]

Between May 27 and 29, heavy rains fell across much of Luzon as Lucille developed. These rains, amounting to 406 mm (16 in) in the suburbs of Manila,[3] triggered destructive floods that left some areas under 4.6 m (15 ft) of water.[4] The worst of the floods took place during the overnight hours of May 28 to 29. During that time, hundreds of homes were swept away and an estimated 300–500 people, including at least 80 children, were killed.[4][5] Monetary losses from the floods exceeded $2 million.[6]

Typhoon Mary

Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration June 2 – June 11
Peak intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min)  980 mbar (hPa)

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 (since the worst typhoon on the record of Hong Kong hit on 2 September 1937). 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. An additional 1,600 people were killed following more landslides triggered by the remnants of the storm.[7]

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.

Tropical Storm Nadine

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration June 2 – June 11
Peak intensity 110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min)  985 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Olive

Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration June 21 – July 1
Peak intensity 230 km/h (145 mph) (1-min)  950 mbar (hPa)

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. Rains, amounting up to 203.2 mm (8 in) triggered flooding and numerous landslides. About 80 percent of the crops in southeast Luzon were destroyed by the flooding and 404 people were killed. At least 32,000 buildings were destroyed by the storm, resulting in $30 million in damages. In addition, nearly 60,000 people were left homeless in the period after the storm's passage. During rescue attempts, many coastal defense force ships were either sunk or ran aground due 7.3 m (24 ft) swell produced by Olive.[8]

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

Typhoon Polly

Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration July 17 – July 28
Peak intensity 215 km/h (130 mph) (1-min)  950 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Rose

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration July 24 – July 29
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Shirley

Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration July 27 – August 6
Peak intensity 260 km/h (160 mph) (1-min)  910 mbar (hPa)

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.

Typhoon Trix

Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 2 – August 13
Peak intensity 230 km/h (145 mph) (1-min)  930 mbar (hPa)

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.

JMA Tropical Storm Ten

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration August 6 – August 9
Peak intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Virginia

Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 7 – August 12
Peak intensity 155 km/h (100 mph) (1-min)  980 mbar (hPa)

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.[9]

Typhoon Wendy

Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 10 – August 13
Peak intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min)  990 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Agnes

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration August 10 – August 18
Peak intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min)  994 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Bess

Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 15 – August 26
Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (1-min)  980 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Carmen

Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 15 – August 23
Peak intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min)  975 mbar (hPa)

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.

Typhoon Della

Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 17 – August 30
Peak intensity 175 km/h (110 mph) (1-min)  970 mbar (hPa)

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 110 mph (180 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. Damages from the storm were estimated at $19 million.[10]

Typhoon Elaine

Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 18 – August 25
Peak intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min)  975 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Faye

Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 23 – August 31
Peak intensity 230 km/h (145 mph) (1-min)  945 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Gloria

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration August 30 – September 4
Peak intensity 85 km/h (50 mph) (1-min)  996 mbar (hPa)

JMA Tropical Storm Nineteen

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Duration August 31 – September 1
Peak intensity Winds unknown  1008 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Hester

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration September 4 – September 11
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Irma

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration September 11 – September 19
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min)  990 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Judy

Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration September 23 – October 1
Peak intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min)  980 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm 10B

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration September 30 – October 5 (crossed basin)
Peak intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min) 

Typhoon Kit

Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration October 3 – October 13
Peak intensity 165 km/h (105 mph) (1-min)  960 mbar (hPa)

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.

Typhoon Lola

Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration October 8 – October 17
Peak intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min)  970 mbar (hPa)

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.

Typhoon Mamie

Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration October 11 – October 20
Peak intensity 215 km/h (130 mph) (1-min)  940 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Mamie struck Iwo Jima with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) then passed to the southeast of Tokyo. No damage was reported.[9]

Typhoon Nina

Category 3 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration October 20 – October 28
Peak intensity 205 km/h (125 mph) (1-min)  950 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Ophelia

Category 4 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration November 25 – December 6
Peak intensity 250 km/h (155 mph) (1-min)  925 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Typhoon Ophelia

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 water, and they experienced severe damage from Ophelia's strong winds. The name Ophelia was retired after this storm. Over the course of Ophelia's life, it traveled 5,000 miles.[11]

Typhoon Phyllis

Category 3 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration December 11 – December 20
Peak intensity 195 km/h (120 mph) (1-min)  965 mbar (hPa)

Other storms

In addition to the storms listed above, the JTWC also monitored three other tropical depressions.

Track of the unnamed storm that became Cyclone 10B

The China Meteorological Administration also monitored a severe tropical storm and several other tropical depressions during the course of the season.

1960 storm names

See also: Tropical cyclone naming and List of retired Pacific typhoon names (JMA)

Since 1947, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center unofficially named typhoons in the Western Pacific Basin. This followed the widespread practice of naming storms during World War II map discussions after girlfriends. Prior to 1979, all names assigned to storms were female. Following the 1960 season, the names Lucille and Ophelia were retired. The former was removed in light of the considerable loss of life in the Philippines; the latter was stricken due to its unusually long track. These were the first two names to ever be removed from the rotating naming list in the basin, though they were not replaced.[5]

  • Ivy
  • Jean
  • Karen
  • Lucille
  • Mary
  • Nadine
  • Olive
  • Polly
  • Rose
  • Shirley
  • Trix
  • Virginia
  • Wendy
  • Agnes
  • Bess
  • Carmen
  • Della
  • Elaine
  • Faye
  • Gloria
  • Hester
  • Irma
  • Judy
  • Kit
  • Lola
  • Mamie
  • Nina
  • Ophelia
  • Phyllis

See also

References

Specific
General
  1. ↑ "Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Lucille" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. 1961. pp. 37–40. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ "1960 Lucille (1960146N08131)". International Best Track Archive. 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  3. ↑ Longshore, p. 400
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 United Press International (May 29, 1960). "Typhoon Leaves 250 Dead, Lost In Philippines' Worst Floods". The Milwaukee Sentinel (Manila, Philippines). p. 1. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Xiaotu Lei and Xiao Zhou (Shanghai Typhoon Institute of China Meteorological Administration) (February 2012). "Summary of Retired Typhoons in the Western North Pacific Ocean". Tropical Cyclone Research And Review 1 (1): 23–32. doi:10.6057/2012TCRR01.03. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  6. ↑ Associated Press (May 30, 1960). "150 Dead In Flood". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal (Manila, Philippines). p. 1. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  7. ↑ Longshore, p. 71
  8. ↑ Longshore, p. 253
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1
  10. ↑ Longshore, p. 93
  11. ↑ http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1960atcr/pdf/wnp/53.pdf
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Cyclones of 1960" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. 1961. pp. 14–15. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  13. ↑ "1960 Missing (1960175N13115)". International Best Track Archive. 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  14. ↑ "1960 Missing (1960211N15115)". International Best Track Archive. 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  15. ↑ "1960 Missing (1960218N18119)". International Best Track Archive. 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  16. ↑ "1960 Missing (1960226N20117)". International Best Track Archive. 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  17. ↑ "1960 Missing (1960260N14119)". International Best Track Archive. 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  18. ↑ "1960 Missing (1960267N18116)". International Best Track Archive. 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  19. ↑ "1960 10B (1960273N13117)". International Best Track Archive. 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  20. ↑ Reuters (October 18, 1960). "Relief Teams Work to Help East Pakistan". The Spokesman-Review (Dacca, East Pakistan). p. 2. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  21. ↑ "1960 Missing (1960313N10119)". International Best Track Archive. 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.

External links