1996 Pacific typhoon season

1996 Pacific typhoon season
Season summary map
First system formed February 24, 1996
Last system dissipated December 29, 1996
Strongest storm Herb – 925 hPa (mbar), 175 km/h (110 mph) (10-minute sustained)
Total depressions 43
Total storms 31
Typhoons 16
Super typhoons 6
Total fatalities 873
Total damage $6.87 billion (1996 USD)
Pacific typhoon seasons
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

The 1996 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1996, 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 1996 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.

Season summary

Storms

The 1996 season was very active. Forty-three tropical cyclones formed this year, of which 34 became tropical storms. Fifteen storms reached typhoon intensity, of which six reached super typhoon strength.

Tropical Storm 01W (Asiang)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration February 24 – March 2
Peak intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min)  998 mbar (hPa)

On February 23, a large area of convection developed south of the Philippines Sea. The convection developed into a low pressure area and was at first bombarded by wind shear, but conditions soon turned favorable which allowed it to strengthen rapidly on February 27 before becoming a Tropical depression later that day. The JMA upgraded 01W into a Tropical Storm before it drifted over the Philippines on February 29, and weakened slightly due to land interaction.[2][3] On March 1, a cold front brought cold, dry air and vertical wind shear which pushed the system south caused the system's low level circulation center to become exposed. The exposed remnants of 01W continued to drift south, before being completely absorbed by the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

Tropical Storm Ann (Biring)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration March 30 – April 10
Peak intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 03W

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration April 25 – April 26
Peak intensity 45 km/h (30 mph) (1-min)  1002 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Bart (Konsing)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration May 8 – May 18
Peak intensity 175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min)  930 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Cam (Ditang)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration May 18 – May 23
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  994 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Dan

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration July 5 – July 11
Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  970 mbar (hPa)

Super Typhoon Eve

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration July 12 – July 19
Peak intensity 155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min)  940 mbar (hPa)

A Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough spawned Tropical Depression 7W on July 10 over the open Western Pacific. It tracked generally west-northwestward, strengthening to a tropical storm on the 14th. On the 15th Eve became a typhoon, which was followed by a period of explosive deepening to a 100 mph Typhoon, with a pressure drop of 40 mb from early on the 15th to early on the 16th. An eyewall replacement cycle weakened Eve to a 95 mph typhoon, but as the outer eyewall contracted, the storm again reached wind speeds of 97 mph before hitting southern Japan on the 18th. Rapidly weakening over the mountains, Eve turned eastward over the islands and the last warning was issued on the 20th. It restrengthened to a tropical storm east of Japan, and continued northeastward until dissipation on the 27th. Eve, despite being a Category 4 at landfall, caused no reported deaths and only 9 injuries.[4]

Typhoon Frankie (Edeng)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration July 19 – July 25
Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  955 mbar (hPa)

An active monsoon trough over the Western Pacific Ocean developed 3 typhoons; Frankie, Gloria, and Herb. The first, Frankie, developed in the South China Sea on July 19. It tracked west-northwestward and became a tropical storm on the 21st. After crossing the island of Hainan Frankie rapidly intensified to a 100 mph typhoon, 945 millibar over the Gulf of Tonkin. It northern Vietnam on the 23rd, and dissipated 2 days later over China. 104 people were reported killed or missing in association with Frankie, and damage figures are estimated at over $200 million (1996 US Dollars).[4]

Typhoon Gloria (Gloring)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration July 19 – July 28
Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  965 mbar (hPa)

The same monsoon trough that spawned Frankie also spawned a tropical depression on July 19 east of the Philippines. It headed northwestward, slowly organizing into a tropical storm on the 22nd. The next day Gloria reached typhoon strength, and a day later it reached its peak of 100 mph winds. Gloria brushed the northern coast of the Philippines and turned northward to hit Taiwan on the 26th. After crossing the island and the Taiwan Straight, Gloria hit China where she dissipated on the 27th. Gloria caused 23 casualties, 20 of which were in the northern Philippines. In addition, damage was estimated at $20 million (1996 USD).[4]

Super Typhoon Herb (Huaning)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration July 23 – August 4
Peak intensity 175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min)  925 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Typhoon Herb

Super Typhoon Herb was the strongest and the largest storm of 1996. Herb struck Ryūkyū Islands, Taiwan and People's Republic of China. Maximum sustained winds of the cyclone reached 160 miles per hour (260 km/h) over the open ocean. The system led to 590 casualties and US$5 billion in damage (1996 dollars).[4]

Tropical Storm Ian

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration July 27 – July 31
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min)  1002 mbar (hPa)

Severe Tropical Storm Joy

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration July 29 – August 6
Peak intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min)  980 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Kirk (Isang)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration July 30 – August 16
Peak intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min)  955 mbar (hPa)

A monsoon depression developed on July 28 over the open Pacific Ocean. It headed northwestward, slowly consolidating to become a tropical storm on the 5th. While south of Japan, Kirk drifted to the southeast and looped back to the west, strengthening to a typhoon on the 8th while looping. It continued slowly northwestward, and while curving to the northeast Kirk reached a peak of 110 mph winds. The typhoon struck southwestern Japan at that intensity on the 14th. It weakened over the country, and dissipated on the 16th over the northern Pacific. Kirk caused heavy flooding, resulting in at least 2 deaths and moderate damage.[4]

Tropical Storm Lisa

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration August 4 – August 9
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  996 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 15W

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration August 11 – August 17
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Marty

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration August 12 – August 15
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min)  998 mbar (hPa)

The monsoon trough spawned a tropical depression over southern China on August 11. It drifted southwestward, entering the Gulf of Tonkin on the 12th. An extremely small cyclone, it reached tropical storm strength on the 13th and a peak of 60 mph on the 14th. Marty made landfall on the 14th on northern Vietnam, where it dissipated 3 days later. Though small and somewhat weak, Marty managed to cause moderate damage and flooding, amounting to the deaths of 125 with 107 people missing.[4]

Tropical Depression 17W

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration August 13 – August 16
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Niki (Lusing)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 16 – August 24
Peak intensity 120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min)  965 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Orson

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 20 – September 3
Peak intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min)  955 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Piper

Tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration August 22 – August 26
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  996 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 21W

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration August 25 – August 29
Peak intensity 45 km/h (30 mph) (1-min)  1002 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Rick

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration August 27 – September 3
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min)  1006 mbar (hPa)

Super Typhoon Sally (Maring)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration September 2 – September 10
Peak intensity 155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min)  940 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Typhoon Sally (1996)

On September 2, a tropical depression developed well east of the Philippines. It headed west-northwestward, reaching tropical storm strength on the 5th and typhoon strength on the 6th. On the 7th Sally rapidly intensified to a 160 mph Super Typhoon while passing just north of the Philippines. It weakened slightly yet steadily to a 115 mph typhoon over the South China Sea, hitting the Luichow Peninsula of China on the 9th, and dissipated the next day over the country. Sally brought heavy rain and damage to China, causing 114 casualties, 110 people missing, and economic losses estimated at $1.5 billion (1996 USD).[4]

Tropical Storm 24W (Ningning)

Tropical storm (PAGASA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration September 9 – September 15
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  995 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Tom

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration September 11 – September 21
Peak intensity 130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min)  965 mbar (hPa)

Super Typhoon Violet (Osang)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration September 11 – September 23
Peak intensity 165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min)  935 mbar (hPa)

Severe Tropical Storm Willie

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration September 16 – September 23
Peak intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min)  985 mbar (hPa)

An active monsoon trough that also developed Typhoons Tom (25W) and Violet (26W) spawned a tropical depression in the Gulf of Tonkin on September 16. It moved counter-clockwise around Hainan Island, becoming a tropical storm on the 17th and a typhoon on the 19th. It crossed the narrow Hainan Strait between Hainan and China, and continued west-southwestward across the Gulf of Tonkin. Willie made landfall on Vietnam on the 22nd, and dissipated the next day. The typhoon resulted in 38 fatalities from flooding.[4]

Super Typhoon Yates (Paring)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration September 19 – October 1
Peak intensity 165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min)  935 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Zane (Reming)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration September 23 – October 3
Peak intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min)  950 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Abel (Seniang)

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration October 10 – October 17
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

In the Philippines, Abel killed eight people, left seven others missing and caused $4.3 million (1996 USD, $6.4 million 2013 USD[5]) in damages.

Tropical Depression 31W

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration October 13 – October 17
Peak intensity 45 km/h (30 mph) (1-min)  1002 mbar (hPa)

Severe Tropical Storm Beth

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration October 11 – October 22
Peak intensity 110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min)  975 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Carlo

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration October 20 – October 26
Peak intensity 130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min)  965 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 34W

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration October 27 – October 31
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 35W

Tropical depression (HKO)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration November 1 – November 3
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min)  996 mbar (hPa)

35W killed 60 people and caused $138 million in damages.[6]

Super Typhoon Dale (Ulpiang)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration November 4 – November 14
Peak intensity 165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min)  930 mbar (hPa)

A cluster of thunderstorm activity formed southeast of Guam on November 2. The system slowly organized, becoming a tropical depression on November 4. Remaining nearly stationary, the depression intensified into a tropical storm late in the day. The cyclone then turned westward, becoming a typhoon by November 7. Late in the day, Dale passed south of Guam bringing winds as high as 74 knots (137 km/h) and high seas which overtopped cliffs 30 metres (98 ft) high. Damage on the island totaled US$3.5 million (1996 dollars.) Continuing to intensify, Dale became a supertyphoon in the Philippine Sea on November 9. On November 10, Dale turned north, recurving east of the Philippines. On November 14, Dale accelerated east-northeast at more than 60 knots (110 km/h) as it became an extratropical cyclone.[4]

Tropical Storm Ernie (Toyang)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration November 4 – November 17
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min)  992 mbar (hPa)

In the Philippines, Ernie killed 24 people, left 12 others missing and caused $5.1 million in damages.

Tropical Storm 38W

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration November 4 – November 12
Peak intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min)  992 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 39W

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration November 8 – November 9
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 40W

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration November 25 – November 30
Peak intensity 45 km/h (30 mph) (1-min)  1002 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 41W

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration December 14 – December 20
Peak intensity 55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Severe Tropical Storm Fern

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration December 19 – December 29
Peak intensity 110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min)  975 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Greg

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration December 21 – December 27
Peak intensity 45 km/h (30 mph) (10-min)  998 mbar (hPa)

Two active monsoon troughs that also developed Typhoon Fern and Southern Hemisphere Cyclones Ophelia, Phil, and Fergus spawned Tropical Depression 43W in the South China Sea on December 21. Due to the troughs' nature, the depression headed east-southeastward, where it strengthened into the final tropical storm of the year on the 24th; Greg. After reaching a peak of 45 knots (83 km/h) winds it crossed the northern part of Borneo on the 25th. It continued east-southeastward until dissipation on the 27th, south of the Philippines. Greg caused extensive property damage on Borneo from torrential flooding, resulting in 127 deaths and 100 people missing.[4]

Storm names

In 1996, western North Pacific tropical cyclones were named by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The first storm of 1996 was named Ann and the final one was named Greg.

  • Ann (9602)
  • Bart (9603)
  • Cam (9604)
  • Dan (9605)
  • Eve (9606)
  • Frankie (9607)
  • Gloria (9608)
  • Herb (9609)
  • Ian
  • Joy (9610)
  • Kirk (9612)
  • Lisa (9611)
  • Marty
  • Niki (9613)
  • Orson (9614)
  • Piper (9615)
  • Rick
  • Sally (9616)
  • Tom (9618)
  • Violet (9617)
  • Willie (9619)
  • Yates (9620)
  • Zane (9621)
  • Abel
  • Beth (9622)
  • Carlo (9623)
  • Dale (9624)
  • Ernie (9625)
  • Fern (9626)
  • Greg

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. This is the same list used for the 1992 season.

  • Asiang
  • Biring (9602)
  • Konsing (9603)
  • Ditang (9604)
  • Edeng (9607)
  • Ningning
  • Osang (9617)
  • Paring (9620)
  • Reming (9621)
  • Seniang
  • Toyang (9625)
  • Ulpiang (9624)
  • Welpring (unused)
  • Yerling (unused)
  • Aring (unused)
  • Basiang (unused)
  • Kayang (unused)
  • Dorang (unused)
  • Enang (unused)
  • Grasing (unused)

See also

References

External links