1991 Pacific typhoon season
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Enrique formed in the eastern Pacific basin, where it reached it's peak intensity as a category 1 Hurricane, becoming Hurricane Enrique. Enrique lasted for 6 days before becoming a remnant low, shortly after entering in the central Pacific.
As Enrique approached the International Dateline, the system started to redevelop. Shortly after crossing the dateline, Enrique became a tropical storm again on August 1. It lasted for less than 24 hours before it lost its convection and thus the cyclone began to dissipate. No damages or casualties were caused by Enrique. It is one of only six tropical cyclones to exist in all three tropical cyclone basins in the Pacific Ocean. The others are 1986's Georgette, 1994's Li and John
, 1999's Dora
, and 2003's Jimena
.
, a depression formed on the 11th of August. The depression moved across northern Luzon Island, upon entering the South China Sea
the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fred. Fred reached typhoon intensity on the 14th of August as the storm moved south of Hong Kong. Typhoon Fred reached peak intensity of 110 mi/h shortly before moving across Hainan Island. Fred then turned to the southwest across the Gulf of Tonkin
and made a final landfall in northern Vietnam
before dissipating. As Typhoon Fred moved south of Hong Kong the oil rig support barge DB29 sank with 195 people on board; 22 people on board the ship were killed. On Hainan Island heavy flooding and landslides from Fred's rains killed 16 people.
on the 23rd. It caused more than 20 million yen
of damage in Japan, more than 270 million
won
of damage in South Korea, and in South Korea, it left 103 dead or missing and more than 20,000 homeless.
in the eastern Caroline Islands
. A tropical depression formed on the 2nd of September as the system moved towards the northwest, the next day the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Ivy. Ivy began to rapidly intensify and reached typhoon strength as the storm passed 130 miles (209.2 km) east of Tinian
and Saipan
in the Northern Mariana Islands
. On Saipan one drowning death was reported, but only minor damage was reported in the Northern Marianas. Typhoon Ivy continued on a northwesterly path and reached peak strength of 130 mi/h on the 7th of September prior to recurving to the northeast. Ivy paralleled the southeastern Japan coastline and turned extratropical 600 miles (965.6 km) to the east of Tokyo. As Typhoon Ivy made its closest approach to Honshū Island, Tokyo and surrounding areas were buffeted by high winds and heavy rains. Over 200 landslides were reported and one person was killed with 4 others missing.
a tropical depression began to organize on the 10th of September to the west of Guam
, Tropical Storm Kinna was named later the same day. As Kinna moved towards the northwest the storm began to gather strength and reached typhoon intensity on the 12th of September just prior to turning north threatening Japan. On the 12th Typhoon Kinna made a direct landfall on southern Okinawa Island at peak strength of 105 mi/h. Kinna maintained peak intensity after recurving to the north-northeast and making landfall on Kyūshū
Island. Typhoon Kinna's eyewall passed directly over Nagasaki and Sasebo
cities on the 13th of September, both cities reported wind gusts of 115 mi/h. Kinna continued moving across Japan and became extratropical near the northern coast of Honshū
Island. On Okinawa Kinna dropped more than 8 inches (203.2 mm) of rain, in Japan most of the damage occurred near Nagasaki. Throughout Japan and Okinawa 9 deaths were attributable to Typhoon Kinna's passage.
Island.
and Honshū
Islands. As Orchid brushed the islands 96 landslides and heavy flooding were reported in and around the Tokyo region, one person was reported killed due to flooding. Though a great distance away the waves from Orchid and Typhoon Pat combined to produced tremendous waves resulting in the deaths of 2 people on Guam
.
and Pohnpei
, as the disturbance moved on a westerly path a tropical depression formed on the 20th of October. Tropical Storm Ruth was named on the 21st as the storm moved to the southwest of Guam and began to steadily intensity. Ruth reached typhoon strength on the 22nd of October and became a Super Typhoon on the 24rd as the storm reached peak intensity of 165 mi/h. Super Typhoon Ruth began to slowly decline in strength as it neared the northern Philippines
. Typhoon Ruth made landfall on the 27th of October on northern Luzon
Island with winds of 115 mi/h before weakening to a tropical storm. Heavy flooding and numerous landslides were reported on Luzon Island as a result 12 people were killed. After departing Luzon Island Tropical Storm Ruth recurved south of Taiwan
and dissipated. Heavy seas caused the freighter Tung Lung to sink west of Taiwan, all 18 aboard were killed.
, bringing heavy flooding across the islands. Vertical shear weakened it as it continued westward, and it dissipated on November 8 just after hitting southern Vietnam
. Thelma, though a weak storm, caused dam failures, landslides, and flash flooding, resulting in a horrendous death toll of 6,000 people. Due to the massive casualties, the name Thelma was retired and replaced with Teresa.
, including the loss of a radio tower. In Guam
, the storm caused extensive beach erosion and destroyed between 60 and 350 buildings. There, damage totaled to $33 million (1991 USD). It is one of the most closely observed storms ever, Its eye was studied for research.
. The first storm of 1991 was named Sharon and the final one was named Zelda. The names Mireille and Thelma were retired after this season.
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Tropical Storm Enrique formed in the eastern Pacific basin, where it reached it's peak intensity as a category 1 Hurricane, becoming Hurricane Enrique. Enrique lasted for 6 days before becoming a remnant low, shortly after entering in the central Pacific.
As Enrique approached the International Dateline, the system started to redevelop. Shortly after crossing the dateline, Enrique became a tropical storm again on August 1. It lasted for less than 24 hours before it lost its convection and thus the cyclone began to dissipate. No damages or casualties were caused by Enrique. It is one of only six tropical cyclones to exist in all three tropical cyclone basins in the Pacific Ocean. The others are 1986's Georgette, 1994's Li and John
, 1999's Dora
, and 2003's Jimena
.
, a depression formed on the 11th of August. The depression moved across northern Luzon Island, upon entering the South China Sea
the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fred. Fred reached typhoon intensity on the 14th of August as the storm moved south of Hong Kong. Typhoon Fred reached peak intensity of 110 mi/h shortly before moving across Hainan Island. Fred then turned to the southwest across the Gulf of Tonkin
and made a final landfall in northern Vietnam
before dissipating. As Typhoon Fred moved south of Hong Kong the oil rig support barge DB29 sank with 195 people on board; 22 people on board the ship were killed. On Hainan Island heavy flooding and landslides from Fred's rains killed 16 people.
on the 23rd. It caused more than 20 million yen
of damage in Japan, more than 270 million
won
of damage in South Korea, and in South Korea, it left 103 dead or missing and more than 20,000 homeless.
in the eastern Caroline Islands
. A tropical depression formed on the 2nd of September as the system moved towards the northwest, the next day the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Ivy. Ivy began to rapidly intensify and reached typhoon strength as the storm passed 130 miles (209.2 km) east of Tinian
and Saipan
in the Northern Mariana Islands
. On Saipan one drowning death was reported, but only minor damage was reported in the Northern Marianas. Typhoon Ivy continued on a northwesterly path and reached peak strength of 130 mi/h on the 7th of September prior to recurving to the northeast. Ivy paralleled the southeastern Japan coastline and turned extratropical 600 miles (965.6 km) to the east of Tokyo. As Typhoon Ivy made its closest approach to Honshū Island, Tokyo and surrounding areas were buffeted by high winds and heavy rains. Over 200 landslides were reported and one person was killed with 4 others missing.
a tropical depression began to organize on the 10th of September to the west of Guam
, Tropical Storm Kinna was named later the same day. As Kinna moved towards the northwest the storm began to gather strength and reached typhoon intensity on the 12th of September just prior to turning north threatening Japan. On the 12th Typhoon Kinna made a direct landfall on southern Okinawa Island at peak strength of 105 mi/h. Kinna maintained peak intensity after recurving to the north-northeast and making landfall on Kyūshū
Island. Typhoon Kinna's eyewall passed directly over Nagasaki and Sasebo
cities on the 13th of September, both cities reported wind gusts of 115 mi/h. Kinna continued moving across Japan and became extratropical near the northern coast of Honshū
Island. On Okinawa Kinna dropped more than 8 inches (203.2 mm) of rain, in Japan most of the damage occurred near Nagasaki. Throughout Japan and Okinawa 9 deaths were attributable to Typhoon Kinna's passage.
Island.
and Honshū
Islands. As Orchid brushed the islands 96 landslides and heavy flooding were reported in and around the Tokyo region, one person was reported killed due to flooding. Though a great distance away the waves from Orchid and Typhoon Pat combined to produced tremendous waves resulting in the deaths of 2 people on Guam
.
and Pohnpei
, as the disturbance moved on a westerly path a tropical depression formed on the 20th of October. Tropical Storm Ruth was named on the 21st as the storm moved to the southwest of Guam and began to steadily intensity. Ruth reached typhoon strength on the 22nd of October and became a Super Typhoon on the 24rd as the storm reached peak intensity of 165 mi/h. Super Typhoon Ruth began to slowly decline in strength as it neared the northern Philippines
. Typhoon Ruth made landfall on the 27th of October on northern Luzon
Island with winds of 115 mi/h before weakening to a tropical storm. Heavy flooding and numerous landslides were reported on Luzon Island as a result 12 people were killed. After departing Luzon Island Tropical Storm Ruth recurved south of Taiwan
and dissipated. Heavy seas caused the freighter Tung Lung to sink west of Taiwan, all 18 aboard were killed.
, bringing heavy flooding across the islands. Vertical shear weakened it as it continued westward, and it dissipated on November 8 just after hitting southern Vietnam
. Thelma, though a weak storm, caused dam failures, landslides, and flash flooding, resulting in a horrendous death toll of 6,000 people. Due to the massive casualties, the name Thelma was retired and replaced with Teresa.
, including the loss of a radio tower. In Guam
, the storm caused extensive beach erosion and destroyed between 60 and 350 buildings. There, damage totaled to $33 million (1991 USD). It is one of the most closely observed storms ever, Its eye was studied for research.
. The first storm of 1991 was named Sharon and the final one was named Zelda. The names Mireille and Thelma were retired after this season.
{|width="90%"
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Tropical Storm Enrique formed in the eastern Pacific basin, where it reached it's peak intensity as a category 1 Hurricane, becoming Hurricane Enrique. Enrique lasted for 6 days before becoming a remnant low, shortly after entering in the central Pacific.
As Enrique approached the International Dateline, the system started to redevelop. Shortly after crossing the dateline, Enrique became a tropical storm again on August 1. It lasted for less than 24 hours before it lost its convection and thus the cyclone began to dissipate. No damages or casualties were caused by Enrique. It is one of only six tropical cyclones to exist in all three tropical cyclone basins in the Pacific Ocean. The others are 1986's Georgette, 1994's Li and John
, 1999's Dora
, and 2003's Jimena
.
, a depression formed on the 11th of August. The depression moved across northern Luzon Island, upon entering the South China Sea
the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fred. Fred reached typhoon intensity on the 14th of August as the storm moved south of Hong Kong. Typhoon Fred reached peak intensity of 110 mi/h shortly before moving across Hainan Island. Fred then turned to the southwest across the Gulf of Tonkin
and made a final landfall in northern Vietnam
before dissipating. As Typhoon Fred moved south of Hong Kong the oil rig support barge DB29 sank with 195 people on board; 22 people on board the ship were killed. On Hainan Island heavy flooding and landslides from Fred's rains killed 16 people.
on the 23rd. It caused more than 20 million yen
of damage in Japan, more than 270 million
won
of damage in South Korea, and in South Korea, it left 103 dead or missing and more than 20,000 homeless.
in the eastern Caroline Islands
. A tropical depression formed on the 2nd of September as the system moved towards the northwest, the next day the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Ivy. Ivy began to rapidly intensify and reached typhoon strength as the storm passed 130 miles (209.2 km) east of Tinian
and Saipan
in the Northern Mariana Islands
. On Saipan one drowning death was reported, but only minor damage was reported in the Northern Marianas. Typhoon Ivy continued on a northwesterly path and reached peak strength of 130 mi/h on the 7th of September prior to recurving to the northeast. Ivy paralleled the southeastern Japan coastline and turned extratropical 600 miles (965.6 km) to the east of Tokyo. As Typhoon Ivy made its closest approach to Honshū Island, Tokyo and surrounding areas were buffeted by high winds and heavy rains. Over 200 landslides were reported and one person was killed with 4 others missing.
a tropical depression began to organize on the 10th of September to the west of Guam
, Tropical Storm Kinna was named later the same day. As Kinna moved towards the northwest the storm began to gather strength and reached typhoon intensity on the 12th of September just prior to turning north threatening Japan. On the 12th Typhoon Kinna made a direct landfall on southern Okinawa Island at peak strength of 105 mi/h. Kinna maintained peak intensity after recurving to the north-northeast and making landfall on Kyūshū
Island. Typhoon Kinna's eyewall passed directly over Nagasaki and Sasebo
cities on the 13th of September, both cities reported wind gusts of 115 mi/h. Kinna continued moving across Japan and became extratropical near the northern coast of Honshū
Island. On Okinawa Kinna dropped more than 8 inches (203.2 mm) of rain, in Japan most of the damage occurred near Nagasaki. Throughout Japan and Okinawa 9 deaths were attributable to Typhoon Kinna's passage.
Island.
and Honshū
Islands. As Orchid brushed the islands 96 landslides and heavy flooding were reported in and around the Tokyo region, one person was reported killed due to flooding. Though a great distance away the waves from Orchid and Typhoon Pat combined to produced tremendous waves resulting in the deaths of 2 people on Guam
.
and Pohnpei
, as the disturbance moved on a westerly path a tropical depression formed on the 20th of October. Tropical Storm Ruth was named on the 21st as the storm moved to the southwest of Guam and began to steadily intensity. Ruth reached typhoon strength on the 22nd of October and became a Super Typhoon on the 24rd as the storm reached peak intensity of 165 mi/h. Super Typhoon Ruth began to slowly decline in strength as it neared the northern Philippines
. Typhoon Ruth made landfall on the 27th of October on northern Luzon
Island with winds of 115 mi/h before weakening to a tropical storm. Heavy flooding and numerous landslides were reported on Luzon Island as a result 12 people were killed. After departing Luzon Island Tropical Storm Ruth recurved south of Taiwan
and dissipated. Heavy seas caused the freighter Tung Lung to sink west of Taiwan, all 18 aboard were killed.
, bringing heavy flooding across the islands. Vertical shear weakened it as it continued westward, and it dissipated on November 8 just after hitting southern Vietnam
. Thelma, though a weak storm, caused dam failures, landslides, and flash flooding, resulting in a horrendous death toll of 6,000 people. Due to the massive casualties, the name Thelma was retired and replaced with Teresa.
, including the loss of a radio tower. In Guam
, the storm caused extensive beach erosion and destroyed between 60 and 350 buildings. There, damage totaled to $33 million (1991 USD). It is one of the most closely observed storms ever, Its eye was studied for research.
. The first storm of 1991 was named Sharon and the final one was named Zelda. The names Mireille and Thelma were retired after this season.
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As Enrique approached the International Dateline, the system started to redevelop. Shortly after crossing the dateline, Enrique became a tropical storm again on August 1. It lasted for less than 24 hours before it lost its convection and thus the cyclone began to dissipate. No damages or casualties were caused by Enrique. It is one of only six tropical cyclones to exist in all three tropical cyclone basins in the Pacific Ocean. The others are 1986's Georgette, 1994's Li and John
Hurricane John (1994)
Hurricane John formed during the 1994 Pacific hurricane season and became both the longest-lasting and the farthest-traveling tropical cyclone ever observed...
, 1999's Dora
Hurricane Dora (1999)
Hurricane Dora was the longest-lasting tropical cyclone of the 1999 Pacific hurricane season. The fourth named storm, third hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Dora developed on August 6 from a tropical wave to the south of Mexico...
, and 2003's Jimena
Hurricane Jimena (2003)
Hurricane Jimena was the tenth named storm and second hurricane of the 2003 Pacific hurricane season. Jimena formed on August 28 in the far Eastern Pacific Ocean as a tropical depression and moved westward where it rapidly became a hurricane the following day...
.
Typhoon Fred (Luding)
Typhoon Fred organized from a monsoon trough situated to the east of the Central PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, a depression formed on the 11th of August. The depression moved across northern Luzon Island, upon entering the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fred. Fred reached typhoon intensity on the 14th of August as the storm moved south of Hong Kong. Typhoon Fred reached peak intensity of 110 mi/h shortly before moving across Hainan Island. Fred then turned to the southwest across the Gulf of Tonkin
Gulf of Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin is an arm of the South China Sea, lying off the coast of northeastern Vietnam.-Etymology:The name Tonkin, written "東京" in Hán tự and Đông Kinh in romanised Vietnamese, means "Eastern Capital", and is the former toponym for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam...
and made a final landfall in northern Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
before dissipating. As Typhoon Fred moved south of Hong Kong the oil rig support barge DB29 sank with 195 people on board; 22 people on board the ship were killed. On Hainan Island heavy flooding and landslides from Fred's rains killed 16 people.
Typhoon Gladys
Minimal typhoon Gladys brushed by southern Japan on August 22. It moved to the northwest, and hit the Korean PeninsulaKorean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
on the 23rd. It caused more than 20 million yen
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
of damage in Japan, more than 270 million
Million
One million or one thousand thousand, is the natural number following 999,999 and preceding 1,000,001. The word is derived from the early Italian millione , from mille, "thousand", plus the augmentative suffix -one.In scientific notation, it is written as or just 106...
won
South Korean won
The won is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears only in foreign exchange rates...
of damage in South Korea, and in South Korea, it left 103 dead or missing and more than 20,000 homeless.
Typhoon Ivy
Typhoon Ivy formed from a broad monsoon trough situated near KosraeKosrae
Kosrae , formerly known as Kusaie, is an island in Micronesia. The State of Kosrae is one of four states of the Federated States of Micronesia, and includes, besides the island of Kosrae, about a dozen satellite islands and islets, the most significant of which is Lelu Island.-Geography:With a...
in the eastern Caroline Islands
Caroline Islands
The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia in the eastern part of the group, and Palau at the extreme western end...
. A tropical depression formed on the 2nd of September as the system moved towards the northwest, the next day the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Ivy. Ivy began to rapidly intensify and reached typhoon strength as the storm passed 130 miles (209.2 km) east of Tinian
Tinian
Tinian is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.-Geography:Tinian is about 5 miles southwest of its sister island, Saipan, from which it is separated by the Saipan Channel. It has a land area of 39 sq.mi....
and Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
in the Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
. On Saipan one drowning death was reported, but only minor damage was reported in the Northern Marianas. Typhoon Ivy continued on a northwesterly path and reached peak strength of 130 mi/h on the 7th of September prior to recurving to the northeast. Ivy paralleled the southeastern Japan coastline and turned extratropical 600 miles (965.6 km) to the east of Tokyo. As Typhoon Ivy made its closest approach to Honshū Island, Tokyo and surrounding areas were buffeted by high winds and heavy rains. Over 200 landslides were reported and one person was killed with 4 others missing.
Typhoon Kinna
Typhoon Kinna formed in a monsoon trough in the western Caroline IslandsCaroline Islands
The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia in the eastern part of the group, and Palau at the extreme western end...
a tropical depression began to organize on the 10th of September to the west of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Tropical Storm Kinna was named later the same day. As Kinna moved towards the northwest the storm began to gather strength and reached typhoon intensity on the 12th of September just prior to turning north threatening Japan. On the 12th Typhoon Kinna made a direct landfall on southern Okinawa Island at peak strength of 105 mi/h. Kinna maintained peak intensity after recurving to the north-northeast and making landfall on Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
Island. Typhoon Kinna's eyewall passed directly over Nagasaki and Sasebo
Sasebo, Nagasaki
is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park...
cities on the 13th of September, both cities reported wind gusts of 115 mi/h. Kinna continued moving across Japan and became extratropical near the northern coast of Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
Island. On Okinawa Kinna dropped more than 8 inches (203.2 mm) of rain, in Japan most of the damage occurred near Nagasaki. Throughout Japan and Okinawa 9 deaths were attributable to Typhoon Kinna's passage.
Tropical Storm Luke
Tropical Storm Luke formed from a disturbance that moved through the Northern Marianas and formed a depression on the 14th of September just to the west of the islands. The depression began to slowly intensify as it moved towards the west-northwest and Tropical Storm Luke was named on the 15th of September. Luke reached peak intensity of 60 mi/h prior to recurving to the northeast and weakening due to increased shear. Tropical Storm Luke then paralleled the southeastern Japan coastline, dropping heavy rains. The resulting flooding and landslides killed 8 people and left 10 others missing prior to Luke turning extratropical east of central HonshūHonshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
Island.
Super Typhoon Mireille (Oniang)
On September 13, Tropical Depression 21W developed over the open Western Pacific. It tracked westward under the influence of the Subtropical Ridge, slowly organizing until becoming a tropical storm on the 15th. A small storm, Mireille rapidly became a typhoon on the 16th, but larger Tropical Storm Luke to its north and Typhoon Nat to its west kept Mireille a minimal typhoon. When the other 2 storms were far enough away, Mireille rapidly intensified, reaching Super Typhoon strength on the 22nd with a peak of 150 mi/h winds. The storm recurved to the northeast, where it slowly weakened until hitting southwestern Japan on the 27th as a 105 mi/h typhoon. Mireille continued to the northeast, and became extratropical later that day, after causing 52 casualties and heavy crop damage amounting to $3 billion (1991 USD). The name Mireille was retired after this season and was replaced by Melissa.Typhoon Orchid (Rosing)
Typhoon Orchid formed from a broad monsoon trough that moved through the Northern Marianas and formed a depression on the 4th of October to the west of the islands. The depression moved on a westerly path and strengthened into Tropical Storm Orchid later the same day. Orchid then began to rapidly intensify and reach peak strength on 130 mi/h on the 7th of October prior to turning to the northeast and accelerating. Typhoon Orchid paralleled the southeast coast of ShikokuShikoku
is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...
and Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
Islands. As Orchid brushed the islands 96 landslides and heavy flooding were reported in and around the Tokyo region, one person was reported killed due to flooding. Though a great distance away the waves from Orchid and Typhoon Pat combined to produced tremendous waves resulting in the deaths of 2 people on Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
.
Typhoon Ruth (Sendang)
Super Typhoon Ruth formed from a tropical disturbance the originated between ChuukChuuk
Chuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia , along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's...
and Pohnpei
Pohnpei
Not to be confused with Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.Pohnpei "upon a stone altar " is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia , situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group...
, as the disturbance moved on a westerly path a tropical depression formed on the 20th of October. Tropical Storm Ruth was named on the 21st as the storm moved to the southwest of Guam and began to steadily intensity. Ruth reached typhoon strength on the 22nd of October and became a Super Typhoon on the 24rd as the storm reached peak intensity of 165 mi/h. Super Typhoon Ruth began to slowly decline in strength as it neared the northern Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Typhoon Ruth made landfall on the 27th of October on northern Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
Island with winds of 115 mi/h before weakening to a tropical storm. Heavy flooding and numerous landslides were reported on Luzon Island as a result 12 people were killed. After departing Luzon Island Tropical Storm Ruth recurved south of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and dissipated. Heavy seas caused the freighter Tung Lung to sink west of Taiwan, all 18 aboard were killed.
Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring)
50 mi/h Tropical Storm Thelma hit the central Philippines on November 4. It slowly tracked across the ArchipelagoArchipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
, bringing heavy flooding across the islands. Vertical shear weakened it as it continued westward, and it dissipated on November 8 just after hitting southern Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. Thelma, though a weak storm, caused dam failures, landslides, and flash flooding, resulting in a horrendous death toll of 6,000 people. Due to the massive casualties, the name Thelma was retired and replaced with Teresa.
Typhoon Yuri
Super Typhoon Yuri was the most powerful storm during the season, with winds reaching up to 150 knots (278 km/h), and a minimum recorded pressure of 885 mbar. This made Yuri the third most intense tropical cyclone on record at the end of 1991; it now ranks as the 11th most powerful. Yuri caused $3 million (1991 USD) in damage to PohnpeiPohnpei
Not to be confused with Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.Pohnpei "upon a stone altar " is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia , situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group...
, including the loss of a radio tower. In Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, the storm caused extensive beach erosion and destroyed between 60 and 350 buildings. There, damage totaled to $33 million (1991 USD). It is one of the most closely observed storms ever, Its eye was studied for research.
Storm names
Western North Pacific tropical cyclones were named by the Joint Typhoon Warning CenterJoint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
. The first storm of 1991 was named Sharon and the final one was named Zelda. The names Mireille and Thelma were retired after this season.
{|width="90%"
|
Tropical Storm Enrique formed in the eastern Pacific basin, where it reached it's peak intensity as a category 1 Hurricane, becoming Hurricane Enrique. Enrique lasted for 6 days before becoming a remnant low, shortly after entering in the central Pacific.
As Enrique approached the International Dateline, the system started to redevelop. Shortly after crossing the dateline, Enrique became a tropical storm again on August 1. It lasted for less than 24 hours before it lost its convection and thus the cyclone began to dissipate. No damages or casualties were caused by Enrique. It is one of only six tropical cyclones to exist in all three tropical cyclone basins in the Pacific Ocean. The others are 1986's Georgette, 1994's Li and John
Hurricane John (1994)
Hurricane John formed during the 1994 Pacific hurricane season and became both the longest-lasting and the farthest-traveling tropical cyclone ever observed...
, 1999's Dora
Hurricane Dora (1999)
Hurricane Dora was the longest-lasting tropical cyclone of the 1999 Pacific hurricane season. The fourth named storm, third hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Dora developed on August 6 from a tropical wave to the south of Mexico...
, and 2003's Jimena
Hurricane Jimena (2003)
Hurricane Jimena was the tenth named storm and second hurricane of the 2003 Pacific hurricane season. Jimena formed on August 28 in the far Eastern Pacific Ocean as a tropical depression and moved westward where it rapidly became a hurricane the following day...
.
Typhoon Fred (Luding)
Typhoon Fred organized from a monsoon trough situated to the east of the Central PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, a depression formed on the 11th of August. The depression moved across northern Luzon Island, upon entering the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fred. Fred reached typhoon intensity on the 14th of August as the storm moved south of Hong Kong. Typhoon Fred reached peak intensity of 110 mi/h shortly before moving across Hainan Island. Fred then turned to the southwest across the Gulf of Tonkin
Gulf of Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin is an arm of the South China Sea, lying off the coast of northeastern Vietnam.-Etymology:The name Tonkin, written "東京" in Hán tự and Đông Kinh in romanised Vietnamese, means "Eastern Capital", and is the former toponym for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam...
and made a final landfall in northern Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
before dissipating. As Typhoon Fred moved south of Hong Kong the oil rig support barge DB29 sank with 195 people on board; 22 people on board the ship were killed. On Hainan Island heavy flooding and landslides from Fred's rains killed 16 people.
Typhoon Gladys
Minimal typhoon Gladys brushed by southern Japan on August 22. It moved to the northwest, and hit the Korean PeninsulaKorean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
on the 23rd. It caused more than 20 million yen
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
of damage in Japan, more than 270 million
Million
One million or one thousand thousand, is the natural number following 999,999 and preceding 1,000,001. The word is derived from the early Italian millione , from mille, "thousand", plus the augmentative suffix -one.In scientific notation, it is written as or just 106...
won
South Korean won
The won is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears only in foreign exchange rates...
of damage in South Korea, and in South Korea, it left 103 dead or missing and more than 20,000 homeless.
Typhoon Ivy
Typhoon Ivy formed from a broad monsoon trough situated near KosraeKosrae
Kosrae , formerly known as Kusaie, is an island in Micronesia. The State of Kosrae is one of four states of the Federated States of Micronesia, and includes, besides the island of Kosrae, about a dozen satellite islands and islets, the most significant of which is Lelu Island.-Geography:With a...
in the eastern Caroline Islands
Caroline Islands
The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia in the eastern part of the group, and Palau at the extreme western end...
. A tropical depression formed on the 2nd of September as the system moved towards the northwest, the next day the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Ivy. Ivy began to rapidly intensify and reached typhoon strength as the storm passed 130 miles (209.2 km) east of Tinian
Tinian
Tinian is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.-Geography:Tinian is about 5 miles southwest of its sister island, Saipan, from which it is separated by the Saipan Channel. It has a land area of 39 sq.mi....
and Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
in the Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
. On Saipan one drowning death was reported, but only minor damage was reported in the Northern Marianas. Typhoon Ivy continued on a northwesterly path and reached peak strength of 130 mi/h on the 7th of September prior to recurving to the northeast. Ivy paralleled the southeastern Japan coastline and turned extratropical 600 miles (965.6 km) to the east of Tokyo. As Typhoon Ivy made its closest approach to Honshū Island, Tokyo and surrounding areas were buffeted by high winds and heavy rains. Over 200 landslides were reported and one person was killed with 4 others missing.
Typhoon Kinna
Typhoon Kinna formed in a monsoon trough in the western Caroline IslandsCaroline Islands
The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia in the eastern part of the group, and Palau at the extreme western end...
a tropical depression began to organize on the 10th of September to the west of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Tropical Storm Kinna was named later the same day. As Kinna moved towards the northwest the storm began to gather strength and reached typhoon intensity on the 12th of September just prior to turning north threatening Japan. On the 12th Typhoon Kinna made a direct landfall on southern Okinawa Island at peak strength of 105 mi/h. Kinna maintained peak intensity after recurving to the north-northeast and making landfall on Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
Island. Typhoon Kinna's eyewall passed directly over Nagasaki and Sasebo
Sasebo, Nagasaki
is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park...
cities on the 13th of September, both cities reported wind gusts of 115 mi/h. Kinna continued moving across Japan and became extratropical near the northern coast of Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
Island. On Okinawa Kinna dropped more than 8 inches (203.2 mm) of rain, in Japan most of the damage occurred near Nagasaki. Throughout Japan and Okinawa 9 deaths were attributable to Typhoon Kinna's passage.
Tropical Storm Luke
Tropical Storm Luke formed from a disturbance that moved through the Northern Marianas and formed a depression on the 14th of September just to the west of the islands. The depression began to slowly intensify as it moved towards the west-northwest and Tropical Storm Luke was named on the 15th of September. Luke reached peak intensity of 60 mi/h prior to recurving to the northeast and weakening due to increased shear. Tropical Storm Luke then paralleled the southeastern Japan coastline, dropping heavy rains. The resulting flooding and landslides killed 8 people and left 10 others missing prior to Luke turning extratropical east of central HonshūHonshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
Island.
Super Typhoon Mireille (Oniang)
On September 13, Tropical Depression 21W developed over the open Western Pacific. It tracked westward under the influence of the Subtropical Ridge, slowly organizing until becoming a tropical storm on the 15th. A small storm, Mireille rapidly became a typhoon on the 16th, but larger Tropical Storm Luke to its north and Typhoon Nat to its west kept Mireille a minimal typhoon. When the other 2 storms were far enough away, Mireille rapidly intensified, reaching Super Typhoon strength on the 22nd with a peak of 150 mi/h winds. The storm recurved to the northeast, where it slowly weakened until hitting southwestern Japan on the 27th as a 105 mi/h typhoon. Mireille continued to the northeast, and became extratropical later that day, after causing 52 casualties and heavy crop damage amounting to $3 billion (1991 USD). The name Mireille was retired after this season and was replaced by Melissa.Typhoon Orchid (Rosing)
Typhoon Orchid formed from a broad monsoon trough that moved through the Northern Marianas and formed a depression on the 4th of October to the west of the islands. The depression moved on a westerly path and strengthened into Tropical Storm Orchid later the same day. Orchid then began to rapidly intensify and reach peak strength on 130 mi/h on the 7th of October prior to turning to the northeast and accelerating. Typhoon Orchid paralleled the southeast coast of ShikokuShikoku
is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...
and Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
Islands. As Orchid brushed the islands 96 landslides and heavy flooding were reported in and around the Tokyo region, one person was reported killed due to flooding. Though a great distance away the waves from Orchid and Typhoon Pat combined to produced tremendous waves resulting in the deaths of 2 people on Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
.
Typhoon Ruth (Sendang)
Super Typhoon Ruth formed from a tropical disturbance the originated between ChuukChuuk
Chuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia , along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's...
and Pohnpei
Pohnpei
Not to be confused with Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.Pohnpei "upon a stone altar " is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia , situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group...
, as the disturbance moved on a westerly path a tropical depression formed on the 20th of October. Tropical Storm Ruth was named on the 21st as the storm moved to the southwest of Guam and began to steadily intensity. Ruth reached typhoon strength on the 22nd of October and became a Super Typhoon on the 24rd as the storm reached peak intensity of 165 mi/h. Super Typhoon Ruth began to slowly decline in strength as it neared the northern Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Typhoon Ruth made landfall on the 27th of October on northern Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
Island with winds of 115 mi/h before weakening to a tropical storm. Heavy flooding and numerous landslides were reported on Luzon Island as a result 12 people were killed. After departing Luzon Island Tropical Storm Ruth recurved south of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and dissipated. Heavy seas caused the freighter Tung Lung to sink west of Taiwan, all 18 aboard were killed.
Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring)
50 mi/h Tropical Storm Thelma hit the central Philippines on November 4. It slowly tracked across the ArchipelagoArchipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
, bringing heavy flooding across the islands. Vertical shear weakened it as it continued westward, and it dissipated on November 8 just after hitting southern Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. Thelma, though a weak storm, caused dam failures, landslides, and flash flooding, resulting in a horrendous death toll of 6,000 people. Due to the massive casualties, the name Thelma was retired and replaced with Teresa.
Typhoon Yuri
Super Typhoon Yuri was the most powerful storm during the season, with winds reaching up to 150 knots (278 km/h), and a minimum recorded pressure of 885 mbar. This made Yuri the third most intense tropical cyclone on record at the end of 1991; it now ranks as the 11th most powerful. Yuri caused $3 million (1991 USD) in damage to PohnpeiPohnpei
Not to be confused with Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.Pohnpei "upon a stone altar " is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia , situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group...
, including the loss of a radio tower. In Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, the storm caused extensive beach erosion and destroyed between 60 and 350 buildings. There, damage totaled to $33 million (1991 USD). It is one of the most closely observed storms ever, Its eye was studied for research.
Storm names
Western North Pacific tropical cyclones were named by the Joint Typhoon Warning CenterJoint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
. The first storm of 1991 was named Sharon and the final one was named Zelda. The names Mireille and Thelma were retired after this season.
{|width="90%"
|
Tropical Storm Enrique formed in the eastern Pacific basin, where it reached it's peak intensity as a category 1 Hurricane, becoming Hurricane Enrique. Enrique lasted for 6 days before becoming a remnant low, shortly after entering in the central Pacific.
As Enrique approached the International Dateline, the system started to redevelop. Shortly after crossing the dateline, Enrique became a tropical storm again on August 1. It lasted for less than 24 hours before it lost its convection and thus the cyclone began to dissipate. No damages or casualties were caused by Enrique. It is one of only six tropical cyclones to exist in all three tropical cyclone basins in the Pacific Ocean. The others are 1986's Georgette, 1994's Li and John
Hurricane John (1994)
Hurricane John formed during the 1994 Pacific hurricane season and became both the longest-lasting and the farthest-traveling tropical cyclone ever observed...
, 1999's Dora
Hurricane Dora (1999)
Hurricane Dora was the longest-lasting tropical cyclone of the 1999 Pacific hurricane season. The fourth named storm, third hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Dora developed on August 6 from a tropical wave to the south of Mexico...
, and 2003's Jimena
Hurricane Jimena (2003)
Hurricane Jimena was the tenth named storm and second hurricane of the 2003 Pacific hurricane season. Jimena formed on August 28 in the far Eastern Pacific Ocean as a tropical depression and moved westward where it rapidly became a hurricane the following day...
.
Typhoon Fred (Luding)
Typhoon Fred organized from a monsoon trough situated to the east of the Central PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, a depression formed on the 11th of August. The depression moved across northern Luzon Island, upon entering the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fred. Fred reached typhoon intensity on the 14th of August as the storm moved south of Hong Kong. Typhoon Fred reached peak intensity of 110 mi/h shortly before moving across Hainan Island. Fred then turned to the southwest across the Gulf of Tonkin
Gulf of Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin is an arm of the South China Sea, lying off the coast of northeastern Vietnam.-Etymology:The name Tonkin, written "東京" in Hán tự and Đông Kinh in romanised Vietnamese, means "Eastern Capital", and is the former toponym for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam...
and made a final landfall in northern Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
before dissipating. As Typhoon Fred moved south of Hong Kong the oil rig support barge DB29 sank with 195 people on board; 22 people on board the ship were killed. On Hainan Island heavy flooding and landslides from Fred's rains killed 16 people.
Typhoon Gladys
Minimal typhoon Gladys brushed by southern Japan on August 22. It moved to the northwest, and hit the Korean PeninsulaKorean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
on the 23rd. It caused more than 20 million yen
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
of damage in Japan, more than 270 million
Million
One million or one thousand thousand, is the natural number following 999,999 and preceding 1,000,001. The word is derived from the early Italian millione , from mille, "thousand", plus the augmentative suffix -one.In scientific notation, it is written as or just 106...
won
South Korean won
The won is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears only in foreign exchange rates...
of damage in South Korea, and in South Korea, it left 103 dead or missing and more than 20,000 homeless.
Typhoon Ivy
Typhoon Ivy formed from a broad monsoon trough situated near KosraeKosrae
Kosrae , formerly known as Kusaie, is an island in Micronesia. The State of Kosrae is one of four states of the Federated States of Micronesia, and includes, besides the island of Kosrae, about a dozen satellite islands and islets, the most significant of which is Lelu Island.-Geography:With a...
in the eastern Caroline Islands
Caroline Islands
The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia in the eastern part of the group, and Palau at the extreme western end...
. A tropical depression formed on the 2nd of September as the system moved towards the northwest, the next day the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Ivy. Ivy began to rapidly intensify and reached typhoon strength as the storm passed 130 miles (209.2 km) east of Tinian
Tinian
Tinian is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.-Geography:Tinian is about 5 miles southwest of its sister island, Saipan, from which it is separated by the Saipan Channel. It has a land area of 39 sq.mi....
and Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
in the Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
. On Saipan one drowning death was reported, but only minor damage was reported in the Northern Marianas. Typhoon Ivy continued on a northwesterly path and reached peak strength of 130 mi/h on the 7th of September prior to recurving to the northeast. Ivy paralleled the southeastern Japan coastline and turned extratropical 600 miles (965.6 km) to the east of Tokyo. As Typhoon Ivy made its closest approach to Honshū Island, Tokyo and surrounding areas were buffeted by high winds and heavy rains. Over 200 landslides were reported and one person was killed with 4 others missing.
Typhoon Kinna
Typhoon Kinna formed in a monsoon trough in the western Caroline IslandsCaroline Islands
The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia in the eastern part of the group, and Palau at the extreme western end...
a tropical depression began to organize on the 10th of September to the west of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Tropical Storm Kinna was named later the same day. As Kinna moved towards the northwest the storm began to gather strength and reached typhoon intensity on the 12th of September just prior to turning north threatening Japan. On the 12th Typhoon Kinna made a direct landfall on southern Okinawa Island at peak strength of 105 mi/h. Kinna maintained peak intensity after recurving to the north-northeast and making landfall on Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
Island. Typhoon Kinna's eyewall passed directly over Nagasaki and Sasebo
Sasebo, Nagasaki
is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park...
cities on the 13th of September, both cities reported wind gusts of 115 mi/h. Kinna continued moving across Japan and became extratropical near the northern coast of Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
Island. On Okinawa Kinna dropped more than 8 inches (203.2 mm) of rain, in Japan most of the damage occurred near Nagasaki. Throughout Japan and Okinawa 9 deaths were attributable to Typhoon Kinna's passage.
Tropical Storm Luke
Tropical Storm Luke formed from a disturbance that moved through the Northern Marianas and formed a depression on the 14th of September just to the west of the islands. The depression began to slowly intensify as it moved towards the west-northwest and Tropical Storm Luke was named on the 15th of September. Luke reached peak intensity of 60 mi/h prior to recurving to the northeast and weakening due to increased shear. Tropical Storm Luke then paralleled the southeastern Japan coastline, dropping heavy rains. The resulting flooding and landslides killed 8 people and left 10 others missing prior to Luke turning extratropical east of central HonshūHonshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
Island.
Super Typhoon Mireille (Oniang)
On September 13, Tropical Depression 21W developed over the open Western Pacific. It tracked westward under the influence of the Subtropical Ridge, slowly organizing until becoming a tropical storm on the 15th. A small storm, Mireille rapidly became a typhoon on the 16th, but larger Tropical Storm Luke to its north and Typhoon Nat to its west kept Mireille a minimal typhoon. When the other 2 storms were far enough away, Mireille rapidly intensified, reaching Super Typhoon strength on the 22nd with a peak of 150 mi/h winds. The storm recurved to the northeast, where it slowly weakened until hitting southwestern Japan on the 27th as a 105 mi/h typhoon. Mireille continued to the northeast, and became extratropical later that day, after causing 52 casualties and heavy crop damage amounting to $3 billion (1991 USD). The name Mireille was retired after this season and was replaced by Melissa.Typhoon Orchid (Rosing)
Typhoon Orchid formed from a broad monsoon trough that moved through the Northern Marianas and formed a depression on the 4th of October to the west of the islands. The depression moved on a westerly path and strengthened into Tropical Storm Orchid later the same day. Orchid then began to rapidly intensify and reach peak strength on 130 mi/h on the 7th of October prior to turning to the northeast and accelerating. Typhoon Orchid paralleled the southeast coast of ShikokuShikoku
is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...
and Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
Islands. As Orchid brushed the islands 96 landslides and heavy flooding were reported in and around the Tokyo region, one person was reported killed due to flooding. Though a great distance away the waves from Orchid and Typhoon Pat combined to produced tremendous waves resulting in the deaths of 2 people on Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
.
Typhoon Ruth (Sendang)
Super Typhoon Ruth formed from a tropical disturbance the originated between ChuukChuuk
Chuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia , along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's...
and Pohnpei
Pohnpei
Not to be confused with Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.Pohnpei "upon a stone altar " is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia , situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group...
, as the disturbance moved on a westerly path a tropical depression formed on the 20th of October. Tropical Storm Ruth was named on the 21st as the storm moved to the southwest of Guam and began to steadily intensity. Ruth reached typhoon strength on the 22nd of October and became a Super Typhoon on the 24rd as the storm reached peak intensity of 165 mi/h. Super Typhoon Ruth began to slowly decline in strength as it neared the northern Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Typhoon Ruth made landfall on the 27th of October on northern Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
Island with winds of 115 mi/h before weakening to a tropical storm. Heavy flooding and numerous landslides were reported on Luzon Island as a result 12 people were killed. After departing Luzon Island Tropical Storm Ruth recurved south of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and dissipated. Heavy seas caused the freighter Tung Lung to sink west of Taiwan, all 18 aboard were killed.
Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring)
50 mi/h Tropical Storm Thelma hit the central Philippines on November 4. It slowly tracked across the ArchipelagoArchipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
, bringing heavy flooding across the islands. Vertical shear weakened it as it continued westward, and it dissipated on November 8 just after hitting southern Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. Thelma, though a weak storm, caused dam failures, landslides, and flash flooding, resulting in a horrendous death toll of 6,000 people. Due to the massive casualties, the name Thelma was retired and replaced with Teresa.
Typhoon Yuri
Super Typhoon Yuri was the most powerful storm during the season, with winds reaching up to 150 knots (278 km/h), and a minimum recorded pressure of 885 mbar. This made Yuri the third most intense tropical cyclone on record at the end of 1991; it now ranks as the 11th most powerful. Yuri caused $3 million (1991 USD) in damage to PohnpeiPohnpei
Not to be confused with Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.Pohnpei "upon a stone altar " is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia , situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group...
, including the loss of a radio tower. In Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, the storm caused extensive beach erosion and destroyed between 60 and 350 buildings. There, damage totaled to $33 million (1991 USD). It is one of the most closely observed storms ever, Its eye was studied for research.
Storm names
Western North Pacific tropical cyclones were named by the Joint Typhoon Warning CenterJoint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
. The first storm of 1991 was named Sharon and the final one was named Zelda. The names Mireille and Thelma were retired after this season.
{|width="90%"
|
- AngelaBrianColleenDanElsieForrestGayHuntIrmaJackKorynLewisMarianNathanOfeliaPercyRobynSteveTashaVernonWinonaYancyZola
|- AbeBeckyCecilDotEdFloGeneHattieIraJeanaKyleLolaMannyNellOwenPageRuss
- Sharon 1W
- Tim 2W
- Vanessa 3W
- Walt 4W
- Yunya 5W
- Zeke 6W
|- Amy 7W
- Brendan 8W
- Caitlin 9W
- Doug 10W
- Ellie 11W
- Fred 12W
- Gladys 14W
- Harry 16W
- Ivy 17W
- Joel 18W
- Kinna 19W
- Luke 20W
- MireilleTyphoon MireilleSuper Typhoon Mireille was one of the deadliest typhoons of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season as it crossed Japan in September.-Meteorological history:A poorly organized area of convection was first noted in the monsoon trough...
21W - Nat 22W
- Orchid 23W
- Pat 24W
- Ruth 25W
- Seth 26W
- ThelmaTropical Storm ThelmaTropical Storm Thelma was the deadliest tropical storm of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season, killing between 5,101 to 8,100 people as it crossed the Philippines.-Meteorological history:A tropical disturbance developed over the eastern Caroline Islands in late October...
27W - Verne 28W
- Wilda 29W
- Yuri 30W
- Zelda 31W
|- AxelBobbiChuckDeannaEliFayeGaryHelenIrvingJanisKentLoisMarkNinaOmarPollyRyanSibylTedValWardYvetteZack
|}
Philippines
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services AdministrationPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services AdministrationThe Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is a Philippine national institution dedicated to provide flood and typhoon warnings, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, climatological, and other specialized information and...
(PAGASA) used its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones within its area of responsibility. Lists were recycled every four years. This was the list set for 1991. This is the same list used for the 1987 season1987 Pacific typhoon seasonThe 1987 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1987, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern...
, with the exception of Karing, Helming and Sendang which replaced Katring, Herming and Sisang. The name Uring was retired after this year and was replaced by Ulding.
{| width="90%"
|- Auring 1W
- Bebeng 3W
- Karing 4W
- Diding 5W
- Etang 6W
|- Gening 7W
- Helming 8W
- Ising 9W
- Luding 12W
- Mameng 11W
|- Neneng 18W
- OniangTyphoon MireilleSuper Typhoon Mireille was one of the deadliest typhoons of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season as it crossed Japan in September.-Meteorological history:A poorly organized area of convection was first noted in the monsoon trough...
21W - Pepang 22W
- Rosing 23W
- Sendang 25W
|- Trining 26W
- UringTropical Storm ThelmaTropical Storm Thelma was the deadliest tropical storm of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season, killing between 5,101 to 8,100 people as it crossed the Philippines.-Meteorological history:A tropical disturbance developed over the eastern Caroline Islands in late October...
27W - Warling 30W
- Yayang (unused)
- Ading (unused)
|- Barang (unused)
- Krising (unused)
- Dadang (unused)
- Erling (unused)
- Goying (unused)
|}
See also
- 1991 Pacific hurricane season1991 Pacific hurricane seasonThe 1991 Pacific hurricane season was an event in tropical cyclone meteorology. The worst storm this year was Tropical Depression Five-E, which killed one person in Mexico. Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Ignacio injured forty people in Mexico, and Hurricane Fefa caused flooding in Hawaii...
- 1991 Atlantic hurricane season1991 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1991 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season in over 24 years in which no hurricanes developed from tropical waves, which are the source for most North Atlantic tropical cyclones. The hurricane season officially began on June 1, and ended on November 30. It was the least...
- 1991 North Indian cyclone season
- 1991-92 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
External links
- Japan Meteorological Agency
- Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
- China Meteorological Agency
- National Weather Service Guam
- Hong Kong Observatory
- Macau Meteorological Geophysical Services
- Korea Meteorological Agency
- Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
- Taiwan Central Weather Bureau
- Satellite movie of 1991 Pacific typhoon season
