Pacific ENSO Update

1st Quarter, 2005 Vol. 11 No. 1

TROPICAL CYCLONE ACTIVITY

The tropical cyclone activity over the entire western North Pacific was above normal during 2004 with 32 numbered tropical cyclones (the average is 31) according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). Twenty-one of these became typhoons (the average is 18), and seven became super typhoons (the average is 4). The number of typhoons in 2004 is the highest since 1997.

Several tropical cyclones affected the islands of Micronesia during 2004. Substantial property damage, injuries, or fatalities occurred in association with three of these: Sudal, Tingting, and Chaba. On April 9, 2004 Typhoon Sudal hit Yap Island directly, causing much damage. During the last week of June, Typhoon Tingting was responsible for an extreme rain event on Guam. Flooding was extensive, and caused much property damage. High surf generated by this tropical cyclone caused 7 deaths by drowning (all in the few days after the typhoon had moved away from Guam). On the night of August 22, 2004 the center of Typhoon Chaba passed close to the island of Rota in the CNMI. Major damage to vegetation, property and infrastructure occurred on that island. Yap Island was almost run over by Typhoon Nanmadol on the 30th of November. This typhoon passed just to the north of Yap Island, and the island was spared another round of destruction. On the night of the 10th of December, Tropical Storm Talas passed just south of Kwajalein Atoll. Coconut fronds were strewn about, and some broadleaf trees were uprooted by winds that gusted to 65 mph. In American Samoa, Hurricane Heta passed close during the first week of January 2004 causing power outages, damage to trees and flooding rains.

One of the biggest weather stories of 2004 was the record number of tropical cyclones that made landfall in the main islands of Japan. A total of ten tropical cyclones of tropical storm intensity (39 mph maximum wind speed) or greater made landfall there, some causing many deaths and injuries. The previous record of six tropical cyclones making landfall in one year occurred during 1990 and 1993 (recording period began in 1951). Though not officially recognized as a typhoon when it hit the Japan, the post-tropical remnants of Typhoon Nanmadol passed across Japan in early December bringing wind gusts of 100 mph to some locations; In Tokyo the temperature rose to 77° F in warm down-slope wind conditions in the wake of the passing storm system — this is the highest temperature ever recorded in Tokyo during December.

Condolences go out from PEAC to the residents of Japan and Micronesia who have suffered during this very active typhoon season.