1994 Pacific typhoon season
Encyclopedia
The 1994 Pacific typhoon season was an active season in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone
formation
in the Western North Pacific, with a total of 41 tropical cyclones during the course of the season. The season had no official bounds and it ran year-round in 1994, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. Tropical storms that formed west of the date line were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
. The World Meteorological Organization
-designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre
for tropical cyclones for the region is the Japan Meteorological Agency
. Tropical depressions that entered or formed in the Philippine area of responsibility were assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
or PAGASA. This resulted in some storms having two names.
The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1, and ended near the end of the year when Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25. During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, killing over 2,400 people. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected Taiwan
, South Korea
and mainland China
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms —Russ and Sharon —caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
. This season, PAGASA named 25 systems and had to use an auxiliary list to name some of them after running out of names from their standard list. Of the 25, three systems were not tracked by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
There were 41 tropical cyclone
s during 1994 in the Western North Pacific; 39 formed within the area while two, Tropical Storm Li and Typhoon John
, formed in the Eastern North Pacific (east of longitude
140°W
) and crossed the date line to enter this basin. Of the 39, 34 became tropical storms and were named, of which 20 became typhoons. The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1. The season ended late in the year after Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25.
During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, with eight striking the Philippines
, eight moving into China
, six moving into Vietnam
, and three striking Taiwan
and China
. A total of over 2,400 people perished during the season. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected Taiwan
, South Korea and mainland China
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms — Russ and Sharon — caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
. Hong Kong received 28 percent of its annual rainfall from tropical cyclones this season, which was slightly above normal.
in the Caroline Islands
early on January 1. A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
(TCFA) was issued at 1400 UTC January 2 after a weather station at Chuuk
reported windspeeds of 55 km/h, (35 mph). However, the system was not able to sustain its convection during the daylight hours of January 3. Slow development began, and the system became a tropical depression on January 4 while the system was about 600 km, (370 mi), west of Yap
. Repeated new bursts of deep thunderstorm activity occurred, though the system experienced vertical wind shear
, with the low-level circulation centre located at the southeastern edge of the large cold cirrus cloud
shield the deep convection produced. Tropical Depression 01W was classified as a tropical storm by PAGASA, and named Akang.
Tropical Depression 01W made landfall on Samar Island
in the Philippines
on the evening of January 5, following which the depression started to weaken. The final warning was issued early on January 6 after the system lost all its deep convection. A total of 35 to 45 deaths were reported, with over 69 million Philippine peso
s (1994 pesos) or $2.4 million (1994 USD) in damage reported. It caused a major flood event in the Philippines. A total of at least 16,000 people had to take refuge in government-run shelters during and after the storm.
over Micronesia
. The disturbance was first mentioned by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
on March 29. By March 31, a distinct area within the trough showing signs of cyclonic spin appeared, and the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression 02W soon afterwards. Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency
classified the system as a tropical storm, Tropical Storm 9401. It was located about 420 kilometres (261 mi) west-northwest of Yap
.
Owen continued to strengthen, with the JMA classifying it a severe tropical storm on April 3. According to the JTWC, Owen reached typhoon intensity at the same time the JMA classified it a severe tropical storm. The storm tracked southwest to west-southwestward, and reached its peak intensity of 75 knots (147 km/h) from the JTWC (60 knots (117.6 km/h) from the JMA) on April 4, shortly before landfall between Leyte
and Mindanao
. A reading taken late on April 3 at Guiuan on Samar
reported sustained winds of 45 knots (88.2 km/h). It weakened to a tropical storm overland, before it restrengthened slightly after emerging into the South China Sea
. A drilling rig
reported 50 knots (98 km/h) sustained winds. Soon afterwards, the cyclone dissipated over water northwest of Luzon
on April 9.
Owen's west-southwestward track shortly before landfall was rare. Owen was one of just two April typhoons in the previous 36 years — the other being Typhoon Wanda of the 1971 season
- to make landfall while moving west-southwestward. Owen's later recurvature in the South China Sea was also unusual; it recurved at a latitude
of only about 13°N
, about 3° south of the average latitude for recurvature in the South China Sea in April.
Owen's impact on the Philippines
was widespread, with nine provinces being declared under a "state of calamity" by President of the Philippines
Fidel Ramos. At least 10 people were killed with 5 others missing, and a further 14 fishermen feared drowned. A total of 33 were reported wounded. Over 9000 families were affected by Owen. No damage was reported to the drilling rig in the South China Sea.
In Okinawa, heavy rains were reported on Yonaguni
, with a total reported precipitation amount of 313 millimetres (12.3 in). The peak winds measured at Yonaguni in association with Typhoon Owen were 32.4 kilometres per hour (16.5 kn).
s was noted in the eastern Caroline Islands
. By the next morning, visible satellite imagery showed an increase in organization of the deep convection associated with the system, and synoptic reports from buoys confirmed that a low-level circulation centre was present near 5°N 153°E. Slow development ensued, and the system was upgraded to a tropical depression on May 12. At the same time, the Japan Meteorological Agency
began tracking the system, about 510 kilometres (316.9 mi) west-southwest of Guam
.
Page moved on a northwestward track for the next couple days while slowly strengthening. Page was upgraded to a tropical storm by the JTWC late on May 12, when it was located 500 kilometres (310.7 mi) north of Yap
, while the JMA first considered the system a tropical storm on May 13. Late on May 13, Page suddenly slowed in forward speed and began turning to the northeast. On May 14, Page became a typhoon. However, the JMA did not follow suit until 30 hours later. Page reached its maximum intensity of 90 knots (176.4 km/h) and minimum pressure of 954 hectopascals (28.2 inHg) thirty hours after passing the point of recurvature. Final warnings were issued by both the JTWC and the JMA early on May 18, as it began extratropical transition around 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) east-southeast of Tokyo.
Page had the largest average track forecast errors of all the typhoons in 1994, mainly due to failures in expecting its recurvature. Furthermore, Page's late attainment of maximum intensity, at 30 hours after point of recurvature, is not common. Between 1978 and 1993, only seven of 77 typhoons attained peak intensity more than 24 hours after recurving.
Large waves and high tides generated by Page affected the western Mariana Islands
. A few tourists had to be rescued from high surf and strong currents on Guam
. Minimal rainfall was recorded in Japan, the highest recorded total was 29 millimetres (1.1 in) in Kumagaya, Saitama
. At Mount Tsukuba
, a maximum sustained wind speed of 58 kilometres per hour (29.6 kn) was recorded.
was mentioned in the JTWC's 0600 UTC Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. For the next five days, this weak circulation tracked west-northwestward in the direction of Guam
, before turning to the west-southwest, but convection failed to consolidate near the centre during this time. After passing close to Palau
on May 21, it turned northwest and entered the Philippine Sea
, and was named Deling by PAGASA early on May 23 local time. Shortly after, SSM/I imagery indicated the presence of a well-defined low-level circulation centre, and visible and infrared satellite images indicated an increase in organisation of the system and a consolidation of deep convection near the centre. Based on this, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
was issued by the JTWC at 0600 UTC.
The first warning was issued a day later when the amount of deep convection near the centre increased as the depression neared the Philippines
. While over the Philippine islands, a large Mesoscale Convective System
(MCS) developed near the centre of the tropical depression, something that would occur again later while the system was west of Luzon
. Soon after the second MCS weakened, the system made landfall in central Vietnam
on May 26, and quickly dissipated when inland. The Hong Kong Observatory
tracked this system as a weak tropical depression from May 25 UTC when it was about 520 km (323.1 mi) southeast of Xisha
for about 24 hours before it dissipated.
According to press reports, over 2,000 people were forced to evacuate from Davao City
, despite no reports of significantly high winds or low pressures, as the system caused heavy rainfall that produced heavy flooding that killed five people and left at least one person missing.
to raise Tropical Cyclone Signal #3 in the 1994 season. Russ was first spotted on June 2, about 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Hainan Island as a tropical disturbance. Deep convection over the circulation center soon improved, and the Hong Kong Observatory
had declared it a tropical depression on June 3 when it was located about 290 kilometres (180.2 mi) south of Hong Kong.
The system initially moved east to northeast while slowly strengthening. Russ became a tropical storm on the evening of June 4, passing just south of Dongsha
that night. PAGASA
then named the system Emang, shortly before it made a clockwise loop and started to move back towards the west-southwest, intensifying. Russ made landfall on June 8 on the northeastern Luichow Peninsula, and dissipated inland.
The maximum wind gust in Hong Kong was reported at Tai Mo Shan
, where a gust to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) was recorded on June 7. Maximum daily rainfall in the territory was recorded at Yuen Long
on June 8, when 41 millimetres (1.6 in) was reported. Russ killed at least 74 people in Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces and injured another 726 people. 16 others were reported missing. 702,430 hectare
s (7024 square kilometres, 2711 square miles) of farmland in the three provinces were destroyed by floods from Russ. Around 725,000 houses were destroyed. Total damage was estimated at 6.3 billion RMB
(1994 RMB), or $727.5 million (1994 USD).
within the near-equatorial trough
began to consolidate. The system moved west-northwest as it began to organize on June 20. Acquiring tropical depression strength on June 21, intensification halted due to vertical wind shear
. Subsequent weakened led to its dissipation as a tropical depression by June 22.
PAGASA
named the system Gading as it neared the Philippines
, and twelve hours after the final warning was issued, convection once again built up, and a new warning was issued. The Japan Meteorological Agency
issued their first warning on Tropical Storm 9404 a day later. As it crossed Luzon
, Sharon caused flooding and released mudflow
s from Mount Pinatubo
, killing two people. Traffic on two main highways near Manila
was disrupted by the mud.
After crossing Luzon, Sharon reached its peak, with vertical shear inhibiting further intensification. It made landfall on June 25 around 140 metre (0.086992183130973 mi) east-northeast of Zhanjiang
, or 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) east of where Tropical Storm Russ had made landfall just weeks before. Winds gusted to 52 knots (101.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong. Sharon claimed 11 lives in the seas off Hong Kong, and the combined flooding effects of Russ and Sharon reportedly left more than 1,400 people dead, and caused over $6 billion (1994 USD
) in damage.
on June 29, well east of the Philippines
. Warnings were initiated at 0000 UTC June 3 when the system was approximately 250 km (155.3 mi) southeast of Dongsha
. It reached its maximum intensity shortly before landfall on July 4. Flooding associated with Tropical Depression 07W in western Guangdong Province killed four people and left two others missing, and destroyed over 6,700 houses while leaving another 50,000 damaged. 120,000 hectare
s (1,200 square kilometres, 465 square miles) of farmland were ruined, and irrigation facilities were damaged. Total losses from the storm in Guangdong were estimated to be $114 million (1994 USD). In Guangxi Province, the storm killed six others, and left over 30,000 people homeless.
on July 5 south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
. The system organized into a tropical depression on the morning on July 6. Moving northwest, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm as it approached 130°E
on the morning of July 8. Rapid intensification ensued, with Tim reaching typhoon intensity late on July 8, peaking at 125 knots (245 km/h) on July 10.
From July 9 to July 11, Tim and Tropical Storm Vanessa engaged in a Fujiwara interaction, and Tim absorbed the smaller Vanessa into its southeastern quadrant. Late on July 10, Tim struck Taiwan
, bringing gusts of 98 knots (192.1 km/h) to Chengkung as it made landfall about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) south of Taipei
. Continuing northwest, Tim moved into mainland China as a weaker typhoon, crossing the coast about 150 kilometres (93.2 mi) south-southwest of Fuzhou
. It dissipated well inland on July 11.
Damage was widespread in Taiwan, where Tim killed at least 19 people and left another 11 missing, and where 67 people reported injuries. A freighter
with 97 mainland Chinese
on board ran aground near Suao. About 50,000 hectare
s (500 square kilometres, 195 square miles) of farmland was flooded, and more than 300 buildings collapsed during the storm. The bad weather also disrupted international flights, and knocked out electricity to over 2 million households. NT$2 billion (1994 TWD), or US$75 million (1994 dollars), was the reported cost of damage.
In Fujian Province, Typhoon Tim killed three people and flooded 140,000 hectares (1,400 km²., 540 sq. mi.) of farmland, with damages estimated at 1.5 billion renminbi
(1994 RMB), or $173.5 million (1994 USD). Tim was also blamed for 14 deaths and 6 injuries in the Philippines
(Pangasinan
, Ilocos Sur
and Ilocos Norte
provinces) as it passed near the area.
, a tropical disturbance in the South China Sea
began to show development. Becoming a tropical depression late on July 8, it strengthened into a tropical storm early on July 9, with both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
and the Japan Meteorological Agency
classifying it a tropical storm.
Vanessa made an anti-clockwise loop and then started to move northeastward under the steering influence of a monsoon flow and Typhoon Tim's circulation, reaching a peak intensity of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) west of Luzon
before it was absorbed by the larger typhoon. The final warning was issued on July 11 after it was determined that Vanessa's circulation had been absorbed. Vanessa was blamed for three deaths in the Philippines
, where it was known as Loleng.
when it was located in the South China Sea
as cloudiness in a reverse-oriented monsoon trough
. A weak low-level circulation was identified through animated satellite imagery and synoptic data early that morning. Moving east-northeast, the system strengthened into Tropical Depression 11W by July 18. At 0600 UTC that day, the Japan Meteorological Agency
declared the formation of Tropical Storm 9409. Yunya continued to undergo gradual strengthening, reaching its peak strength near landfall in northwest Luzon
on the morning of July 19.
As it tracked over land, it became disorganized and weakened to a minimal tropical storm. In the Philippine Sea
, Yunya briefly restrengthened and reached a secondary peak of 40 knots (78.4 km/h). The JMA discontinued warnings after it deemed Yunya to have dropped below tropical storm intensity at 1800 UTC that day, while the JTWC continued monitoring the tropical depression until convection decreased and the storm dissipated on July 21. During its life, Yunya had an unusual eastward motion, which was due to the reverse-oriented monsoon trough. Yunya was also a small system, and appeared to have been undergoing a period of rapid organisation of convection shortly before it made landfall.
Heavy rain from Yunya caused landslides of volcanic
debris
from Mount Pinatubo
. Coincidentally, a previous Typhoon Yunya in 1991 hit the Philippines the day of Mount Pinatubo's major eruption. Gusts were in excess of 60 knots (117.6 km/h) across Luzon. Yunya killed at least 11 people and injured at least 7 others, and affected over 420,000 people. A total of $37.6 million (1994 USD) in damage was reported in the Philippines
from Yunya.
. It dissipated the next day, east of the northernmost Mariana Islands
, about 250 km (155.3 mi) north of Guam. No deaths or damage were reported from the depression. On July 28, a subtropical cyclone
was noted southeast of Tokyo, and it is possible that this was a continuation of Tropical Depression 13W.
then reported that Tropical Storm 9410 had formed early that day, in the Gulf of Tonkin
west of Hainan. This was later designated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
as Tropical Depression 15W, and it was quickly upgraded to a tropical storm. It moved westward and started to weaken over water, making landfall south of Hanoi
before dissipating inland.
Tropical Storm Amy killed 15 and left over 32,000 people displaced in Thailand
and Cambodia
, and caused damage worth $8 million (1994 USD
).
on August 13. Ellie turned northward on August 14, clipping eastern China before making a final landfall within northeast China as a tropical storm on August 16.
issued the first advisory on Tropical Depression 08E on August 3. The tropical depression was upgraded to a tropical storm on August 8, and then to a hurricane at 1200 UTC August 12, just east of the International Date Line
. The CPHC issued its final warning at 1800 UTC as the storm started to cross the Dateline. The Japan Meteorological Agency
and Joint Typhoon Warning Center
both issued their first warnings at 0000 UTC August 13, with the JTWC downgrading Li to a tropical storm at the first warning.
Tropical Storm Li weakened steadily under the influence of strong upper-level westerly winds south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
which caused shearing
of the storm's convection, and it was downgraded to a tropical depression on August 16 as it took a turn to the northeast. The final warning on Li, which was the 59th in total from a United States tropical cyclone centre, was issued on August 18 as the storm dissipated over water. In total, Li travelled over 3600 nautical miles (6,667.2 km) (6670 km, 4170 miles) throughout its existence, starting from the disturbance stage.
The storm weakened to an 85 kn (166.6 km/h) typhoon before hitting eastern China on August 21. Significant infrastructure
damage occurred near the location of landfall. Unfortunately, the landfall coincided with an unusually high astronomical tide, resulting in extreme storm surge combined with heavy flooding, amounting to over 1,000 fatalities and significant damage totaling 7.5 billion RMB, or $874.4 million (1994 USD).
, the system became a tropical depression late on August 25 and a tropical storm on August 26. On the morning of August 27, the cyclone passed south of Hong Kong, bringing wind gusts to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) at Waglan Island and 76 knots (148.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shen in Hong Kong. Harry became a strong tropical storm before moving close to the Chinese coast. Total damage across China from Harry's heavy rainfall totaled 484 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $56.5 million (1994 USD). Weakening thereafter, the storm moved across the Gulf of Tonkin
into northern Vietnam, dissipating on August 29.
as it linked up with a cold front
.
, which had formed in the Eastern North Pacific, crossed the International Date Line
at 0900 UTC and became a typhoon. Shortly after crossing into the Western North Pacific, John reached its secondary peak of 105 knots (205.8 km/h). While west-southwest of Midway
John started to weaken. This marked the beginning of another intensification period, during which John recrossed the dateline, this time heading east, and out of the Western North Pacific. Two ship reports, at 1500 UTC and 1800 UTC on September 4, indicated that John had sustained winds of 55 knots (107.8 km/h). No damage from John was reported in the Western North Pacific, although damage was reported from John on Johnston Atoll
in the Central Pacific.
in the South China Sea
on August 30. At first, the disturbance moved east-northeastward, but turned toward the west-northwest on September 2. The disturbance organized into Tropical Depression 23W on September 3.
On the morning of September 5, upper-level winds which had affected the deep convection to the north of the depression's circulation centre began to weaken, allowing the convection to wrap around the north side of the system. Based on this, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Joel. The Japan Meteorological Agency
upgraded the storm to Tropical Storm 9422 early the next morning local time.
Joel then made a sharp turn towards the north, and made landfall on the southwestern corner of Hainan Island. During passage over land, Joel reached its peak of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) before turning to the northwest and exiting land into the Gulf of Tonkin
. A cloud-filled banding eye
then became apparent on visible satellite imagery. Joel made landfall on September 7 near Haiphong, Vietnam before dissipating inland west of Hanoi
. No significant deaths or damage was reported, aside from a few large trees that were knocked down in Hanoi.
on September 10. As it did so, Kinna became a typhoon on September 9. While recurving east of Japan
, Kinna brought wind gusts to 60 knots (117.6 km/h) at Hachijōjima
. By late on September 12, Kinna had transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.
. Damage across China totaled over 100 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $11.7 million (1994 USD). The cyclone moved ashore northern Vietnam on September 14 before dissipating.
and western Hokkaido
. Winds gusted to 92 knots (180.3 km/h) at Tanabe. Rainfall from Orchid across central Japan was beneficial, as it helped relieve drought conditions. Nine perished during Orchid's passage across Japan.
circulation separated from an upper-level trough
that was situated northwest of Hawaii, and began moving westward towards the International Date Line
. This Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
also had deep convection associated with low-level cloud lines, which suggested that a low-level circulation possibly existed. It crossed the Dateline on September 27, with the convection persisting. The system continued to organise and became a tropical depression the next day, despite lacking in deep convection. The depression never strengthened into a tropical storm, and lacked deep convection for most of its existence. It recurved eastward and weakened on October 3, and the final warning was issued. No damage or casualties were reported.
, moving westward in a regime which showed an atypically weak monsoon trough. On October 1, a low level circulation developed in association with the convection. Slow development occurred, and the system strengthened into a tropical depression on October 3. Winds gusted to 41 knots (80.4 km/h) as Seth passed south of Guam on October 5. Developing at a modest pace as it moved west-northwest, the cyclone strengthened into a typhoon on October 6. Seth strengthened into a strong typhoon on October 7, recurving around the periphery of the subtropical ridge, missing Taiwan to the east. Heavy rainfall and high winds across the island led to eight deaths, and NT$60 million (1994 dollars), or $2.3 million (1994 USD), in damage.
As it moved through the Ryuku Islands, winds gusted to 110 knots (215.6 km/h) Yonaguni Jima. The cyclone accelerated as it approached Korea as a typhoon which had begun to transition into a nontropical low. At Cheju Do, winds peaked at 78 knots (152.9 km/h) as Seth passed by. Rainfall amounts measured across South Korea were in excess of 300 millimetres (11.8 in). Although the rainfall generally relieved drought conditions, one person perished due to flooding in Samchok. Seth become an extratropical cyclone soon after crossing the peninsula on October 12.
s that existed simultaneously in the Western North Pacific, and it was the western-most of the four. This system was first noted as a tropical disturbance on October 15 while about 550 kilometres (341.8 mi) east of the southern Mariana Islands
. The system moved west and passed north of Guam
near Saipan
on October 16 at around 0600 UTC.
Slowly organizing, the system evolved into Tropical Depression 34W early on October 16, and a tropical storm later in the day. Teresa continued moving westward at a constant pace and intensified into a typhoon on October 19, reaching its peak intensity of 80 knots (156.8 km/h) that same day. Teresa crossed the central Philippines on a west-southwestward track, passing just south of Manila
. It had weakened to a severe tropical storm by the time it exited the Philippine islands. The storm continued on a southwestward motion, slowly re-intensifying, and it had regained typhoon strength by October 23. The storm then slowed and turned toward the west, and slowly weakened as it moved towards the coast of Vietnam
. The final warning was issued by the JTWC when Teresa was still a tropical storm, but weakening over water east of Vietnam. The remnants of Teresa made landfall in southern Vietnam late on October 26.
Teresa left at least 14 dead and 11 injured in the Philippines, and caused heavy damage to rice
and coconut
plantations. Electricity
was cut off in Manila and surrounding areas. Trees were also reported uprooted, and utility poles brought down. A Maltese
oil tanker located in the South China Sea
about 600 kilometres (372.8 mi) southeast of Hong Kong split into two and capsized, killing two and leaving 14 missing. The other crew members were rescued. Typhoon Teresa caused a total of $67.4 million (1994 USD) in damage in Laguna, Batangas
, Rizal
and Cavite
Provinces in the Philippines
.
. From late on October 24 through late on October 25, Wilda stalled 170 kilometres (105.6 mi) east-northeast of Saipan, slowly weakening. Up to 4.95 inches (125.7 mm) fell across the central portion of Guam while winds gusted to 74 knots (145 km/h) as Wilda stalled to the northeast. The system then turned northeast along the now reverse-oriented monsoon trough
due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge
to its north until October 28, before bending back to the north-northwest. Late on October 29, Wilda turned back to the northeast and began to accelerate, with the system evolving into an extratropical cyclone on November 1.
. Moving rapidly westward, the low-level circulation center associated with the convective clouds crossed the International Date Line
later that day. The first mention of this system by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
in their Significant Tropical Weather Advisory six hours later noted that the low-level circulation had been developing under the TUTT cell. Slowly developing, on October 23, the system organized into Tropical Depression 36W. The Japan Meteorological Agency
upgraded the system to Tropical Storm 9433 at 1200 UTC that day, shortly before the JTWC decided to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Yuri. The JTWC upgrade was based on a small area of deep convection which had formed to the southeast of the low-level centre, as well as a rapid low-level cloud motion of 40 knots (78.4 km/h) that was observed to the north of the circulation.
Yuri remained a minimal tropical storm for the next two days or so before it was downgraded to a tropical depression because of a lack of deep convection and a weakening in its appearance on satellite imagery. The final warning was issued a few hours later on October 25. There were no reports of damage or injuries. A weak wind of 11 knots (21.6 km/h) associated with the dissipating system was recorded at Chichi-jima
on October 25.
. On the 3rd the storm rapidly intensified to a 135 kn (264.6 km/h) super typhoon, and as it turned to the northeast it slowly weakened to a tropical storm on the 8th. On the 10th, Zelda dissipated, only 1700 kilometres (1,056.3 mi) from its start after following a several thousand mile track.
Axel moved south of Samar
in the Philippines, weakening as it moved through the archipelago. Sixteen perished as the typhoon moved through the country, with five deaths occurring in Bacolod City as heavy rains caused a dam break. High waves destroyed 163 homes on Mindinao. Entering the South China Sea as a tropical storm, the system briefly reintensified into a typhoon before vertical wind shear
substantially increased, which led to significant weakening of Axel. The tropical cyclone dissipated 370 kilometres (229.9 mi) southeast of Hong Kong on December 25.
, the system was slow to organize. The system organized into a tropical depression on December 18, and a tropical storm on December 19. The system recurved and dissipated as a tropical cyclone on December 25.
monitored a few systems designated as tropical depressions that were not warned on by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
or the Japan Meteorological Agency
.
. The first storm of 1994 was named Owen and the final one was named Bobbie.
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The 1994 Pacific typhoon season was an active season in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone
formation
in the Western North Pacific, with a total of 41 tropical cyclones during the course of the season. The season had no official bounds and it ran year-round in 1994, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. Tropical storms that formed west of the date line were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
. The World Meteorological Organization
-designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre
for tropical cyclones for the region is the Japan Meteorological Agency
. Tropical depressions that entered or formed in the Philippine area of responsibility were assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
or PAGASA. This resulted in some storms having two names.
The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1, and ended near the end of the year when Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25. During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, killing over 2,400 people. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected Taiwan
, South Korea
and mainland China
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms —Russ and Sharon —caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
. This season, PAGASA named 25 systems and had to use an auxiliary list to name some of them after running out of names from their standard list. Of the 25, three systems were not tracked by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
There were 41 tropical cyclone
s during 1994 in the Western North Pacific; 39 formed within the area while two, Tropical Storm Li and Typhoon John
, formed in the Eastern North Pacific (east of longitude
140°W
) and crossed the date line to enter this basin. Of the 39, 34 became tropical storms and were named, of which 20 became typhoons. The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1. The season ended late in the year after Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25.
During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, with eight striking the Philippines
, eight moving into China
, six moving into Vietnam
, and three striking Taiwan
and China
. A total of over 2,400 people perished during the season. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected Taiwan
, South Korea and mainland China
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms — Russ and Sharon — caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
. Hong Kong received 28 percent of its annual rainfall from tropical cyclones this season, which was slightly above normal.
in the Caroline Islands
early on January 1. A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
(TCFA) was issued at 1400 UTC January 2 after a weather station at Chuuk
reported windspeeds of 55 km/h, (35 mph). However, the system was not able to sustain its convection during the daylight hours of January 3. Slow development began, and the system became a tropical depression on January 4 while the system was about 600 km, (370 mi), west of Yap
. Repeated new bursts of deep thunderstorm activity occurred, though the system experienced vertical wind shear
, with the low-level circulation centre located at the southeastern edge of the large cold cirrus cloud
shield the deep convection produced. Tropical Depression 01W was classified as a tropical storm by PAGASA, and named Akang.
Tropical Depression 01W made landfall on Samar Island
in the Philippines
on the evening of January 5, following which the depression started to weaken. The final warning was issued early on January 6 after the system lost all its deep convection. A total of 35 to 45 deaths were reported, with over 69 million Philippine peso
s (1994 pesos) or $2.4 million (1994 USD) in damage reported. It caused a major flood event in the Philippines. A total of at least 16,000 people had to take refuge in government-run shelters during and after the storm.
over Micronesia
. The disturbance was first mentioned by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
on March 29. By March 31, a distinct area within the trough showing signs of cyclonic spin appeared, and the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression 02W soon afterwards. Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency
classified the system as a tropical storm, Tropical Storm 9401. It was located about 420 kilometres (261 mi) west-northwest of Yap
.
Owen continued to strengthen, with the JMA classifying it a severe tropical storm on April 3. According to the JTWC, Owen reached typhoon intensity at the same time the JMA classified it a severe tropical storm. The storm tracked southwest to west-southwestward, and reached its peak intensity of 75 knots (147 km/h) from the JTWC (60 knots (117.6 km/h) from the JMA) on April 4, shortly before landfall between Leyte
and Mindanao
. A reading taken late on April 3 at Guiuan on Samar
reported sustained winds of 45 knots (88.2 km/h). It weakened to a tropical storm overland, before it restrengthened slightly after emerging into the South China Sea
. A drilling rig
reported 50 knots (98 km/h) sustained winds. Soon afterwards, the cyclone dissipated over water northwest of Luzon
on April 9.
Owen's west-southwestward track shortly before landfall was rare. Owen was one of just two April typhoons in the previous 36 years — the other being Typhoon Wanda of the 1971 season
- to make landfall while moving west-southwestward. Owen's later recurvature in the South China Sea was also unusual; it recurved at a latitude
of only about 13°N
, about 3° south of the average latitude for recurvature in the South China Sea in April.
Owen's impact on the Philippines
was widespread, with nine provinces being declared under a "state of calamity" by President of the Philippines
Fidel Ramos. At least 10 people were killed with 5 others missing, and a further 14 fishermen feared drowned. A total of 33 were reported wounded. Over 9000 families were affected by Owen. No damage was reported to the drilling rig in the South China Sea.
In Okinawa, heavy rains were reported on Yonaguni
, with a total reported precipitation amount of 313 millimetres (12.3 in). The peak winds measured at Yonaguni in association with Typhoon Owen were 32.4 kilometres per hour (16.5 kn).
s was noted in the eastern Caroline Islands
. By the next morning, visible satellite imagery showed an increase in organization of the deep convection associated with the system, and synoptic reports from buoys confirmed that a low-level circulation centre was present near 5°N 153°E. Slow development ensued, and the system was upgraded to a tropical depression on May 12. At the same time, the Japan Meteorological Agency
began tracking the system, about 510 kilometres (316.9 mi) west-southwest of Guam
.
Page moved on a northwestward track for the next couple days while slowly strengthening. Page was upgraded to a tropical storm by the JTWC late on May 12, when it was located 500 kilometres (310.7 mi) north of Yap
, while the JMA first considered the system a tropical storm on May 13. Late on May 13, Page suddenly slowed in forward speed and began turning to the northeast. On May 14, Page became a typhoon. However, the JMA did not follow suit until 30 hours later. Page reached its maximum intensity of 90 knots (176.4 km/h) and minimum pressure of 954 hectopascals (28.2 inHg) thirty hours after passing the point of recurvature. Final warnings were issued by both the JTWC and the JMA early on May 18, as it began extratropical transition around 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) east-southeast of Tokyo.
Page had the largest average track forecast errors of all the typhoons in 1994, mainly due to failures in expecting its recurvature. Furthermore, Page's late attainment of maximum intensity, at 30 hours after point of recurvature, is not common. Between 1978 and 1993, only seven of 77 typhoons attained peak intensity more than 24 hours after recurving.
Large waves and high tides generated by Page affected the western Mariana Islands
. A few tourists had to be rescued from high surf and strong currents on Guam
. Minimal rainfall was recorded in Japan, the highest recorded total was 29 millimetres (1.1 in) in Kumagaya, Saitama
. At Mount Tsukuba
, a maximum sustained wind speed of 58 kilometres per hour (29.6 kn) was recorded.
was mentioned in the JTWC's 0600 UTC Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. For the next five days, this weak circulation tracked west-northwestward in the direction of Guam
, before turning to the west-southwest, but convection failed to consolidate near the centre during this time. After passing close to Palau
on May 21, it turned northwest and entered the Philippine Sea
, and was named Deling by PAGASA early on May 23 local time. Shortly after, SSM/I imagery indicated the presence of a well-defined low-level circulation centre, and visible and infrared satellite images indicated an increase in organisation of the system and a consolidation of deep convection near the centre. Based on this, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
was issued by the JTWC at 0600 UTC.
The first warning was issued a day later when the amount of deep convection near the centre increased as the depression neared the Philippines
. While over the Philippine islands, a large Mesoscale Convective System
(MCS) developed near the centre of the tropical depression, something that would occur again later while the system was west of Luzon
. Soon after the second MCS weakened, the system made landfall in central Vietnam
on May 26, and quickly dissipated when inland. The Hong Kong Observatory
tracked this system as a weak tropical depression from May 25 UTC when it was about 520 km (323.1 mi) southeast of Xisha
for about 24 hours before it dissipated.
According to press reports, over 2,000 people were forced to evacuate from Davao City
, despite no reports of significantly high winds or low pressures, as the system caused heavy rainfall that produced heavy flooding that killed five people and left at least one person missing.
to raise Tropical Cyclone Signal #3 in the 1994 season. Russ was first spotted on June 2, about 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Hainan Island as a tropical disturbance. Deep convection over the circulation center soon improved, and the Hong Kong Observatory
had declared it a tropical depression on June 3 when it was located about 290 kilometres (180.2 mi) south of Hong Kong.
The system initially moved east to northeast while slowly strengthening. Russ became a tropical storm on the evening of June 4, passing just south of Dongsha
that night. PAGASA
then named the system Emang, shortly before it made a clockwise loop and started to move back towards the west-southwest, intensifying. Russ made landfall on June 8 on the northeastern Luichow Peninsula, and dissipated inland.
The maximum wind gust in Hong Kong was reported at Tai Mo Shan
, where a gust to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) was recorded on June 7. Maximum daily rainfall in the territory was recorded at Yuen Long
on June 8, when 41 millimetres (1.6 in) was reported. Russ killed at least 74 people in Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces and injured another 726 people. 16 others were reported missing. 702,430 hectare
s (7024 square kilometres, 2711 square miles) of farmland in the three provinces were destroyed by floods from Russ. Around 725,000 houses were destroyed. Total damage was estimated at 6.3 billion RMB
(1994 RMB), or $727.5 million (1994 USD).
within the near-equatorial trough
began to consolidate. The system moved west-northwest as it began to organize on June 20. Acquiring tropical depression strength on June 21, intensification halted due to vertical wind shear
. Subsequent weakened led to its dissipation as a tropical depression by June 22.
PAGASA
named the system Gading as it neared the Philippines
, and twelve hours after the final warning was issued, convection once again built up, and a new warning was issued. The Japan Meteorological Agency
issued their first warning on Tropical Storm 9404 a day later. As it crossed Luzon
, Sharon caused flooding and released mudflow
s from Mount Pinatubo
, killing two people. Traffic on two main highways near Manila
was disrupted by the mud.
After crossing Luzon, Sharon reached its peak, with vertical shear inhibiting further intensification. It made landfall on June 25 around 140 metre (0.086992183130973 mi) east-northeast of Zhanjiang
, or 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) east of where Tropical Storm Russ had made landfall just weeks before. Winds gusted to 52 knots (101.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong. Sharon claimed 11 lives in the seas off Hong Kong, and the combined flooding effects of Russ and Sharon reportedly left more than 1,400 people dead, and caused over $6 billion (1994 USD
) in damage.
on June 29, well east of the Philippines
. Warnings were initiated at 0000 UTC June 3 when the system was approximately 250 km (155.3 mi) southeast of Dongsha
. It reached its maximum intensity shortly before landfall on July 4. Flooding associated with Tropical Depression 07W in western Guangdong Province killed four people and left two others missing, and destroyed over 6,700 houses while leaving another 50,000 damaged. 120,000 hectare
s (1,200 square kilometres, 465 square miles) of farmland were ruined, and irrigation facilities were damaged. Total losses from the storm in Guangdong were estimated to be $114 million (1994 USD). In Guangxi Province, the storm killed six others, and left over 30,000 people homeless.
on July 5 south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
. The system organized into a tropical depression on the morning on July 6. Moving northwest, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm as it approached 130°E
on the morning of July 8. Rapid intensification ensued, with Tim reaching typhoon intensity late on July 8, peaking at 125 knots (245 km/h) on July 10.
From July 9 to July 11, Tim and Tropical Storm Vanessa engaged in a Fujiwara interaction, and Tim absorbed the smaller Vanessa into its southeastern quadrant. Late on July 10, Tim struck Taiwan
, bringing gusts of 98 knots (192.1 km/h) to Chengkung as it made landfall about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) south of Taipei
. Continuing northwest, Tim moved into mainland China as a weaker typhoon, crossing the coast about 150 kilometres (93.2 mi) south-southwest of Fuzhou
. It dissipated well inland on July 11.
Damage was widespread in Taiwan, where Tim killed at least 19 people and left another 11 missing, and where 67 people reported injuries. A freighter
with 97 mainland Chinese
on board ran aground near Suao. About 50,000 hectare
s (500 square kilometres, 195 square miles) of farmland was flooded, and more than 300 buildings collapsed during the storm. The bad weather also disrupted international flights, and knocked out electricity to over 2 million households. NT$2 billion (1994 TWD), or US$75 million (1994 dollars), was the reported cost of damage.
In Fujian Province, Typhoon Tim killed three people and flooded 140,000 hectares (1,400 km²., 540 sq. mi.) of farmland, with damages estimated at 1.5 billion renminbi
(1994 RMB), or $173.5 million (1994 USD). Tim was also blamed for 14 deaths and 6 injuries in the Philippines
(Pangasinan
, Ilocos Sur
and Ilocos Norte
provinces) as it passed near the area.
, a tropical disturbance in the South China Sea
began to show development. Becoming a tropical depression late on July 8, it strengthened into a tropical storm early on July 9, with both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
and the Japan Meteorological Agency
classifying it a tropical storm.
Vanessa made an anti-clockwise loop and then started to move northeastward under the steering influence of a monsoon flow and Typhoon Tim's circulation, reaching a peak intensity of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) west of Luzon
before it was absorbed by the larger typhoon. The final warning was issued on July 11 after it was determined that Vanessa's circulation had been absorbed. Vanessa was blamed for three deaths in the Philippines
, where it was known as Loleng.
when it was located in the South China Sea
as cloudiness in a reverse-oriented monsoon trough
. A weak low-level circulation was identified through animated satellite imagery and synoptic data early that morning. Moving east-northeast, the system strengthened into Tropical Depression 11W by July 18. At 0600 UTC that day, the Japan Meteorological Agency
declared the formation of Tropical Storm 9409. Yunya continued to undergo gradual strengthening, reaching its peak strength near landfall in northwest Luzon
on the morning of July 19.
As it tracked over land, it became disorganized and weakened to a minimal tropical storm. In the Philippine Sea
, Yunya briefly restrengthened and reached a secondary peak of 40 knots (78.4 km/h). The JMA discontinued warnings after it deemed Yunya to have dropped below tropical storm intensity at 1800 UTC that day, while the JTWC continued monitoring the tropical depression until convection decreased and the storm dissipated on July 21. During its life, Yunya had an unusual eastward motion, which was due to the reverse-oriented monsoon trough. Yunya was also a small system, and appeared to have been undergoing a period of rapid organisation of convection shortly before it made landfall.
Heavy rain from Yunya caused landslides of volcanic
debris
from Mount Pinatubo
. Coincidentally, a previous Typhoon Yunya in 1991 hit the Philippines the day of Mount Pinatubo's major eruption. Gusts were in excess of 60 knots (117.6 km/h) across Luzon. Yunya killed at least 11 people and injured at least 7 others, and affected over 420,000 people. A total of $37.6 million (1994 USD) in damage was reported in the Philippines
from Yunya.
. It dissipated the next day, east of the northernmost Mariana Islands
, about 250 km (155.3 mi) north of Guam. No deaths or damage were reported from the depression. On July 28, a subtropical cyclone
was noted southeast of Tokyo, and it is possible that this was a continuation of Tropical Depression 13W.
then reported that Tropical Storm 9410 had formed early that day, in the Gulf of Tonkin
west of Hainan. This was later designated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
as Tropical Depression 15W, and it was quickly upgraded to a tropical storm. It moved westward and started to weaken over water, making landfall south of Hanoi
before dissipating inland.
Tropical Storm Amy killed 15 and left over 32,000 people displaced in Thailand
and Cambodia
, and caused damage worth $8 million (1994 USD
).
on August 13. Ellie turned northward on August 14, clipping eastern China before making a final landfall within northeast China as a tropical storm on August 16.
issued the first advisory on Tropical Depression 08E on August 3. The tropical depression was upgraded to a tropical storm on August 8, and then to a hurricane at 1200 UTC August 12, just east of the International Date Line
. The CPHC issued its final warning at 1800 UTC as the storm started to cross the Dateline. The Japan Meteorological Agency
and Joint Typhoon Warning Center
both issued their first warnings at 0000 UTC August 13, with the JTWC downgrading Li to a tropical storm at the first warning.
Tropical Storm Li weakened steadily under the influence of strong upper-level westerly winds south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
which caused shearing
of the storm's convection, and it was downgraded to a tropical depression on August 16 as it took a turn to the northeast. The final warning on Li, which was the 59th in total from a United States tropical cyclone centre, was issued on August 18 as the storm dissipated over water. In total, Li travelled over 3600 nautical miles (6,667.2 km) (6670 km, 4170 miles) throughout its existence, starting from the disturbance stage.
The storm weakened to an 85 kn (166.6 km/h) typhoon before hitting eastern China on August 21. Significant infrastructure
damage occurred near the location of landfall. Unfortunately, the landfall coincided with an unusually high astronomical tide, resulting in extreme storm surge combined with heavy flooding, amounting to over 1,000 fatalities and significant damage totaling 7.5 billion RMB, or $874.4 million (1994 USD).
, the system became a tropical depression late on August 25 and a tropical storm on August 26. On the morning of August 27, the cyclone passed south of Hong Kong, bringing wind gusts to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) at Waglan Island and 76 knots (148.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shen in Hong Kong. Harry became a strong tropical storm before moving close to the Chinese coast. Total damage across China from Harry's heavy rainfall totaled 484 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $56.5 million (1994 USD). Weakening thereafter, the storm moved across the Gulf of Tonkin
into northern Vietnam, dissipating on August 29.
as it linked up with a cold front
.
, which had formed in the Eastern North Pacific, crossed the International Date Line
at 0900 UTC and became a typhoon. Shortly after crossing into the Western North Pacific, John reached its secondary peak of 105 knots (205.8 km/h). While west-southwest of Midway
John started to weaken. This marked the beginning of another intensification period, during which John recrossed the dateline, this time heading east, and out of the Western North Pacific. Two ship reports, at 1500 UTC and 1800 UTC on September 4, indicated that John had sustained winds of 55 knots (107.8 km/h). No damage from John was reported in the Western North Pacific, although damage was reported from John on Johnston Atoll
in the Central Pacific.
in the South China Sea
on August 30. At first, the disturbance moved east-northeastward, but turned toward the west-northwest on September 2. The disturbance organized into Tropical Depression 23W on September 3.
On the morning of September 5, upper-level winds which had affected the deep convection to the north of the depression's circulation centre began to weaken, allowing the convection to wrap around the north side of the system. Based on this, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Joel. The Japan Meteorological Agency
upgraded the storm to Tropical Storm 9422 early the next morning local time.
Joel then made a sharp turn towards the north, and made landfall on the southwestern corner of Hainan Island. During passage over land, Joel reached its peak of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) before turning to the northwest and exiting land into the Gulf of Tonkin
. A cloud-filled banding eye
then became apparent on visible satellite imagery. Joel made landfall on September 7 near Haiphong, Vietnam before dissipating inland west of Hanoi
. No significant deaths or damage was reported, aside from a few large trees that were knocked down in Hanoi.
on September 10. As it did so, Kinna became a typhoon on September 9. While recurving east of Japan
, Kinna brought wind gusts to 60 knots (117.6 km/h) at Hachijōjima
. By late on September 12, Kinna had transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.
. Damage across China totaled over 100 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $11.7 million (1994 USD). The cyclone moved ashore northern Vietnam on September 14 before dissipating.
and western Hokkaido
. Winds gusted to 92 knots (180.3 km/h) at Tanabe. Rainfall from Orchid across central Japan was beneficial, as it helped relieve drought conditions. Nine perished during Orchid's passage across Japan.
circulation separated from an upper-level trough
that was situated northwest of Hawaii, and began moving westward towards the International Date Line
. This Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
also had deep convection associated with low-level cloud lines, which suggested that a low-level circulation possibly existed. It crossed the Dateline on September 27, with the convection persisting. The system continued to organise and became a tropical depression the next day, despite lacking in deep convection. The depression never strengthened into a tropical storm, and lacked deep convection for most of its existence. It recurved eastward and weakened on October 3, and the final warning was issued. No damage or casualties were reported.
, moving westward in a regime which showed an atypically weak monsoon trough. On October 1, a low level circulation developed in association with the convection. Slow development occurred, and the system strengthened into a tropical depression on October 3. Winds gusted to 41 knots (80.4 km/h) as Seth passed south of Guam on October 5. Developing at a modest pace as it moved west-northwest, the cyclone strengthened into a typhoon on October 6. Seth strengthened into a strong typhoon on October 7, recurving around the periphery of the subtropical ridge, missing Taiwan to the east. Heavy rainfall and high winds across the island led to eight deaths, and NT$60 million (1994 dollars), or $2.3 million (1994 USD), in damage.
As it moved through the Ryuku Islands, winds gusted to 110 knots (215.6 km/h) Yonaguni Jima. The cyclone accelerated as it approached Korea as a typhoon which had begun to transition into a nontropical low. At Cheju Do, winds peaked at 78 knots (152.9 km/h) as Seth passed by. Rainfall amounts measured across South Korea were in excess of 300 millimetres (11.8 in). Although the rainfall generally relieved drought conditions, one person perished due to flooding in Samchok. Seth become an extratropical cyclone soon after crossing the peninsula on October 12.
s that existed simultaneously in the Western North Pacific, and it was the western-most of the four. This system was first noted as a tropical disturbance on October 15 while about 550 kilometres (341.8 mi) east of the southern Mariana Islands
. The system moved west and passed north of Guam
near Saipan
on October 16 at around 0600 UTC.
Slowly organizing, the system evolved into Tropical Depression 34W early on October 16, and a tropical storm later in the day. Teresa continued moving westward at a constant pace and intensified into a typhoon on October 19, reaching its peak intensity of 80 knots (156.8 km/h) that same day. Teresa crossed the central Philippines on a west-southwestward track, passing just south of Manila
. It had weakened to a severe tropical storm by the time it exited the Philippine islands. The storm continued on a southwestward motion, slowly re-intensifying, and it had regained typhoon strength by October 23. The storm then slowed and turned toward the west, and slowly weakened as it moved towards the coast of Vietnam
. The final warning was issued by the JTWC when Teresa was still a tropical storm, but weakening over water east of Vietnam. The remnants of Teresa made landfall in southern Vietnam late on October 26.
Teresa left at least 14 dead and 11 injured in the Philippines, and caused heavy damage to rice
and coconut
plantations. Electricity
was cut off in Manila and surrounding areas. Trees were also reported uprooted, and utility poles brought down. A Maltese
oil tanker located in the South China Sea
about 600 kilometres (372.8 mi) southeast of Hong Kong split into two and capsized, killing two and leaving 14 missing. The other crew members were rescued. Typhoon Teresa caused a total of $67.4 million (1994 USD) in damage in Laguna, Batangas
, Rizal
and Cavite
Provinces in the Philippines
.
. From late on October 24 through late on October 25, Wilda stalled 170 kilometres (105.6 mi) east-northeast of Saipan, slowly weakening. Up to 4.95 inches (125.7 mm) fell across the central portion of Guam while winds gusted to 74 knots (145 km/h) as Wilda stalled to the northeast. The system then turned northeast along the now reverse-oriented monsoon trough
due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge
to its north until October 28, before bending back to the north-northwest. Late on October 29, Wilda turned back to the northeast and began to accelerate, with the system evolving into an extratropical cyclone on November 1.
. Moving rapidly westward, the low-level circulation center associated with the convective clouds crossed the International Date Line
later that day. The first mention of this system by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
in their Significant Tropical Weather Advisory six hours later noted that the low-level circulation had been developing under the TUTT cell. Slowly developing, on October 23, the system organized into Tropical Depression 36W. The Japan Meteorological Agency
upgraded the system to Tropical Storm 9433 at 1200 UTC that day, shortly before the JTWC decided to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Yuri. The JTWC upgrade was based on a small area of deep convection which had formed to the southeast of the low-level centre, as well as a rapid low-level cloud motion of 40 knots (78.4 km/h) that was observed to the north of the circulation.
Yuri remained a minimal tropical storm for the next two days or so before it was downgraded to a tropical depression because of a lack of deep convection and a weakening in its appearance on satellite imagery. The final warning was issued a few hours later on October 25. There were no reports of damage or injuries. A weak wind of 11 knots (21.6 km/h) associated with the dissipating system was recorded at Chichi-jima
on October 25.
. On the 3rd the storm rapidly intensified to a 135 kn (264.6 km/h) super typhoon, and as it turned to the northeast it slowly weakened to a tropical storm on the 8th. On the 10th, Zelda dissipated, only 1700 kilometres (1,056.3 mi) from its start after following a several thousand mile track.
Axel moved south of Samar
in the Philippines, weakening as it moved through the archipelago. Sixteen perished as the typhoon moved through the country, with five deaths occurring in Bacolod City as heavy rains caused a dam break. High waves destroyed 163 homes on Mindinao. Entering the South China Sea as a tropical storm, the system briefly reintensified into a typhoon before vertical wind shear
substantially increased, which led to significant weakening of Axel. The tropical cyclone dissipated 370 kilometres (229.9 mi) southeast of Hong Kong on December 25.
, the system was slow to organize. The system organized into a tropical depression on December 18, and a tropical storm on December 19. The system recurved and dissipated as a tropical cyclone on December 25.
monitored a few systems designated as tropical depressions that were not warned on by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
or the Japan Meteorological Agency
.
. The first storm of 1994 was named Owen and the final one was named Bobbie.
{| style="width:90%;"
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The 1994 Pacific typhoon season was an active season in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone
formation
in the Western North Pacific, with a total of 41 tropical cyclones during the course of the season. The season had no official bounds and it ran year-round in 1994, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. Tropical storms that formed west of the date line were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
. The World Meteorological Organization
-designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre
for tropical cyclones for the region is the Japan Meteorological Agency
. Tropical depressions that entered or formed in the Philippine area of responsibility were assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
or PAGASA. This resulted in some storms having two names.
The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1, and ended near the end of the year when Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25. During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, killing over 2,400 people. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected Taiwan
, South Korea
and mainland China
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms —Russ and Sharon —caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
. This season, PAGASA named 25 systems and had to use an auxiliary list to name some of them after running out of names from their standard list. Of the 25, three systems were not tracked by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
There were 41 tropical cyclone
s during 1994 in the Western North Pacific; 39 formed within the area while two, Tropical Storm Li and Typhoon John
, formed in the Eastern North Pacific (east of longitude
140°W
) and crossed the date line to enter this basin. Of the 39, 34 became tropical storms and were named, of which 20 became typhoons. The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1. The season ended late in the year after Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25.
During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, with eight striking the Philippines
, eight moving into China
, six moving into Vietnam
, and three striking Taiwan
and China
. A total of over 2,400 people perished during the season. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected Taiwan
, South Korea and mainland China
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms — Russ and Sharon — caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
. Hong Kong received 28 percent of its annual rainfall from tropical cyclones this season, which was slightly above normal.
in the Caroline Islands
early on January 1. A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
(TCFA) was issued at 1400 UTC January 2 after a weather station at Chuuk
reported windspeeds of 55 km/h, (35 mph). However, the system was not able to sustain its convection during the daylight hours of January 3. Slow development began, and the system became a tropical depression on January 4 while the system was about 600 km, (370 mi), west of Yap
. Repeated new bursts of deep thunderstorm activity occurred, though the system experienced vertical wind shear
, with the low-level circulation centre located at the southeastern edge of the large cold cirrus cloud
shield the deep convection produced. Tropical Depression 01W was classified as a tropical storm by PAGASA, and named Akang.
Tropical Depression 01W made landfall on Samar Island
in the Philippines
on the evening of January 5, following which the depression started to weaken. The final warning was issued early on January 6 after the system lost all its deep convection. A total of 35 to 45 deaths were reported, with over 69 million Philippine peso
s (1994 pesos) or $2.4 million (1994 USD) in damage reported. It caused a major flood event in the Philippines. A total of at least 16,000 people had to take refuge in government-run shelters during and after the storm.
over Micronesia
. The disturbance was first mentioned by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
on March 29. By March 31, a distinct area within the trough showing signs of cyclonic spin appeared, and the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression 02W soon afterwards. Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency
classified the system as a tropical storm, Tropical Storm 9401. It was located about 420 kilometres (261 mi) west-northwest of Yap
.
Owen continued to strengthen, with the JMA classifying it a severe tropical storm on April 3. According to the JTWC, Owen reached typhoon intensity at the same time the JMA classified it a severe tropical storm. The storm tracked southwest to west-southwestward, and reached its peak intensity of 75 knots (147 km/h) from the JTWC (60 knots (117.6 km/h) from the JMA) on April 4, shortly before landfall between Leyte
and Mindanao
. A reading taken late on April 3 at Guiuan on Samar
reported sustained winds of 45 knots (88.2 km/h). It weakened to a tropical storm overland, before it restrengthened slightly after emerging into the South China Sea
. A drilling rig
reported 50 knots (98 km/h) sustained winds. Soon afterwards, the cyclone dissipated over water northwest of Luzon
on April 9.
Owen's west-southwestward track shortly before landfall was rare. Owen was one of just two April typhoons in the previous 36 years — the other being Typhoon Wanda of the 1971 season
- to make landfall while moving west-southwestward. Owen's later recurvature in the South China Sea was also unusual; it recurved at a latitude
of only about 13°N
, about 3° south of the average latitude for recurvature in the South China Sea in April.
Owen's impact on the Philippines
was widespread, with nine provinces being declared under a "state of calamity" by President of the Philippines
Fidel Ramos. At least 10 people were killed with 5 others missing, and a further 14 fishermen feared drowned. A total of 33 were reported wounded. Over 9000 families were affected by Owen. No damage was reported to the drilling rig in the South China Sea.
In Okinawa, heavy rains were reported on Yonaguni
, with a total reported precipitation amount of 313 millimetres (12.3 in). The peak winds measured at Yonaguni in association with Typhoon Owen were 32.4 kilometres per hour (16.5 kn).
s was noted in the eastern Caroline Islands
. By the next morning, visible satellite imagery showed an increase in organization of the deep convection associated with the system, and synoptic reports from buoys confirmed that a low-level circulation centre was present near 5°N 153°E. Slow development ensued, and the system was upgraded to a tropical depression on May 12. At the same time, the Japan Meteorological Agency
began tracking the system, about 510 kilometres (316.9 mi) west-southwest of Guam
.
Page moved on a northwestward track for the next couple days while slowly strengthening. Page was upgraded to a tropical storm by the JTWC late on May 12, when it was located 500 kilometres (310.7 mi) north of Yap
, while the JMA first considered the system a tropical storm on May 13. Late on May 13, Page suddenly slowed in forward speed and began turning to the northeast. On May 14, Page became a typhoon. However, the JMA did not follow suit until 30 hours later. Page reached its maximum intensity of 90 knots (176.4 km/h) and minimum pressure of 954 hectopascals (28.2 inHg) thirty hours after passing the point of recurvature. Final warnings were issued by both the JTWC and the JMA early on May 18, as it began extratropical transition around 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) east-southeast of Tokyo.
Page had the largest average track forecast errors of all the typhoons in 1994, mainly due to failures in expecting its recurvature. Furthermore, Page's late attainment of maximum intensity, at 30 hours after point of recurvature, is not common. Between 1978 and 1993, only seven of 77 typhoons attained peak intensity more than 24 hours after recurving.
Large waves and high tides generated by Page affected the western Mariana Islands
. A few tourists had to be rescued from high surf and strong currents on Guam
. Minimal rainfall was recorded in Japan, the highest recorded total was 29 millimetres (1.1 in) in Kumagaya, Saitama
. At Mount Tsukuba
, a maximum sustained wind speed of 58 kilometres per hour (29.6 kn) was recorded.
was mentioned in the JTWC's 0600 UTC Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. For the next five days, this weak circulation tracked west-northwestward in the direction of Guam
, before turning to the west-southwest, but convection failed to consolidate near the centre during this time. After passing close to Palau
on May 21, it turned northwest and entered the Philippine Sea
, and was named Deling by PAGASA early on May 23 local time. Shortly after, SSM/I imagery indicated the presence of a well-defined low-level circulation centre, and visible and infrared satellite images indicated an increase in organisation of the system and a consolidation of deep convection near the centre. Based on this, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
was issued by the JTWC at 0600 UTC.
The first warning was issued a day later when the amount of deep convection near the centre increased as the depression neared the Philippines
. While over the Philippine islands, a large Mesoscale Convective System
(MCS) developed near the centre of the tropical depression, something that would occur again later while the system was west of Luzon
. Soon after the second MCS weakened, the system made landfall in central Vietnam
on May 26, and quickly dissipated when inland. The Hong Kong Observatory
tracked this system as a weak tropical depression from May 25 UTC when it was about 520 km (323.1 mi) southeast of Xisha
for about 24 hours before it dissipated.
According to press reports, over 2,000 people were forced to evacuate from Davao City
, despite no reports of significantly high winds or low pressures, as the system caused heavy rainfall that produced heavy flooding that killed five people and left at least one person missing.
to raise Tropical Cyclone Signal #3 in the 1994 season. Russ was first spotted on June 2, about 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Hainan Island as a tropical disturbance. Deep convection over the circulation center soon improved, and the Hong Kong Observatory
had declared it a tropical depression on June 3 when it was located about 290 kilometres (180.2 mi) south of Hong Kong.
The system initially moved east to northeast while slowly strengthening. Russ became a tropical storm on the evening of June 4, passing just south of Dongsha
that night. PAGASA
then named the system Emang, shortly before it made a clockwise loop and started to move back towards the west-southwest, intensifying. Russ made landfall on June 8 on the northeastern Luichow Peninsula, and dissipated inland.
The maximum wind gust in Hong Kong was reported at Tai Mo Shan
, where a gust to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) was recorded on June 7. Maximum daily rainfall in the territory was recorded at Yuen Long
on June 8, when 41 millimetres (1.6 in) was reported. Russ killed at least 74 people in Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces and injured another 726 people. 16 others were reported missing. 702,430 hectare
s (7024 square kilometres, 2711 square miles) of farmland in the three provinces were destroyed by floods from Russ. Around 725,000 houses were destroyed. Total damage was estimated at 6.3 billion RMB
(1994 RMB), or $727.5 million (1994 USD).
within the near-equatorial trough
began to consolidate. The system moved west-northwest as it began to organize on June 20. Acquiring tropical depression strength on June 21, intensification halted due to vertical wind shear
. Subsequent weakened led to its dissipation as a tropical depression by June 22.
PAGASA
named the system Gading as it neared the Philippines
, and twelve hours after the final warning was issued, convection once again built up, and a new warning was issued. The Japan Meteorological Agency
issued their first warning on Tropical Storm 9404 a day later. As it crossed Luzon
, Sharon caused flooding and released mudflow
s from Mount Pinatubo
, killing two people. Traffic on two main highways near Manila
was disrupted by the mud.
After crossing Luzon, Sharon reached its peak, with vertical shear inhibiting further intensification. It made landfall on June 25 around 140 metre (0.086992183130973 mi) east-northeast of Zhanjiang
, or 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) east of where Tropical Storm Russ had made landfall just weeks before. Winds gusted to 52 knots (101.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong. Sharon claimed 11 lives in the seas off Hong Kong, and the combined flooding effects of Russ and Sharon reportedly left more than 1,400 people dead, and caused over $6 billion (1994 USD
) in damage.
on June 29, well east of the Philippines
. Warnings were initiated at 0000 UTC June 3 when the system was approximately 250 km (155.3 mi) southeast of Dongsha
. It reached its maximum intensity shortly before landfall on July 4. Flooding associated with Tropical Depression 07W in western Guangdong Province killed four people and left two others missing, and destroyed over 6,700 houses while leaving another 50,000 damaged. 120,000 hectare
s (1,200 square kilometres, 465 square miles) of farmland were ruined, and irrigation facilities were damaged. Total losses from the storm in Guangdong were estimated to be $114 million (1994 USD). In Guangxi Province, the storm killed six others, and left over 30,000 people homeless.
on July 5 south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
. The system organized into a tropical depression on the morning on July 6. Moving northwest, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm as it approached 130°E
on the morning of July 8. Rapid intensification ensued, with Tim reaching typhoon intensity late on July 8, peaking at 125 knots (245 km/h) on July 10.
From July 9 to July 11, Tim and Tropical Storm Vanessa engaged in a Fujiwara interaction, and Tim absorbed the smaller Vanessa into its southeastern quadrant. Late on July 10, Tim struck Taiwan
, bringing gusts of 98 knots (192.1 km/h) to Chengkung as it made landfall about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) south of Taipei
. Continuing northwest, Tim moved into mainland China as a weaker typhoon, crossing the coast about 150 kilometres (93.2 mi) south-southwest of Fuzhou
. It dissipated well inland on July 11.
Damage was widespread in Taiwan, where Tim killed at least 19 people and left another 11 missing, and where 67 people reported injuries. A freighter
with 97 mainland Chinese
on board ran aground near Suao. About 50,000 hectare
s (500 square kilometres, 195 square miles) of farmland was flooded, and more than 300 buildings collapsed during the storm. The bad weather also disrupted international flights, and knocked out electricity to over 2 million households. NT$2 billion (1994 TWD), or US$75 million (1994 dollars), was the reported cost of damage.
In Fujian Province, Typhoon Tim killed three people and flooded 140,000 hectares (1,400 km²., 540 sq. mi.) of farmland, with damages estimated at 1.5 billion renminbi
(1994 RMB), or $173.5 million (1994 USD). Tim was also blamed for 14 deaths and 6 injuries in the Philippines
(Pangasinan
, Ilocos Sur
and Ilocos Norte
provinces) as it passed near the area.
, a tropical disturbance in the South China Sea
began to show development. Becoming a tropical depression late on July 8, it strengthened into a tropical storm early on July 9, with both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
and the Japan Meteorological Agency
classifying it a tropical storm.
Vanessa made an anti-clockwise loop and then started to move northeastward under the steering influence of a monsoon flow and Typhoon Tim's circulation, reaching a peak intensity of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) west of Luzon
before it was absorbed by the larger typhoon. The final warning was issued on July 11 after it was determined that Vanessa's circulation had been absorbed. Vanessa was blamed for three deaths in the Philippines
, where it was known as Loleng.
when it was located in the South China Sea
as cloudiness in a reverse-oriented monsoon trough
. A weak low-level circulation was identified through animated satellite imagery and synoptic data early that morning. Moving east-northeast, the system strengthened into Tropical Depression 11W by July 18. At 0600 UTC that day, the Japan Meteorological Agency
declared the formation of Tropical Storm 9409. Yunya continued to undergo gradual strengthening, reaching its peak strength near landfall in northwest Luzon
on the morning of July 19.
As it tracked over land, it became disorganized and weakened to a minimal tropical storm. In the Philippine Sea
, Yunya briefly restrengthened and reached a secondary peak of 40 knots (78.4 km/h). The JMA discontinued warnings after it deemed Yunya to have dropped below tropical storm intensity at 1800 UTC that day, while the JTWC continued monitoring the tropical depression until convection decreased and the storm dissipated on July 21. During its life, Yunya had an unusual eastward motion, which was due to the reverse-oriented monsoon trough. Yunya was also a small system, and appeared to have been undergoing a period of rapid organisation of convection shortly before it made landfall.
Heavy rain from Yunya caused landslides of volcanic
debris
from Mount Pinatubo
. Coincidentally, a previous Typhoon Yunya in 1991 hit the Philippines the day of Mount Pinatubo's major eruption. Gusts were in excess of 60 knots (117.6 km/h) across Luzon. Yunya killed at least 11 people and injured at least 7 others, and affected over 420,000 people. A total of $37.6 million (1994 USD) in damage was reported in the Philippines
from Yunya.
. It dissipated the next day, east of the northernmost Mariana Islands
, about 250 km (155.3 mi) north of Guam. No deaths or damage were reported from the depression. On July 28, a subtropical cyclone
was noted southeast of Tokyo, and it is possible that this was a continuation of Tropical Depression 13W.
then reported that Tropical Storm 9410 had formed early that day, in the Gulf of Tonkin
west of Hainan. This was later designated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
as Tropical Depression 15W, and it was quickly upgraded to a tropical storm. It moved westward and started to weaken over water, making landfall south of Hanoi
before dissipating inland.
Tropical Storm Amy killed 15 and left over 32,000 people displaced in Thailand
and Cambodia
, and caused damage worth $8 million (1994 USD
).
on August 13. Ellie turned northward on August 14, clipping eastern China before making a final landfall within northeast China as a tropical storm on August 16.
issued the first advisory on Tropical Depression 08E on August 3. The tropical depression was upgraded to a tropical storm on August 8, and then to a hurricane at 1200 UTC August 12, just east of the International Date Line
. The CPHC issued its final warning at 1800 UTC as the storm started to cross the Dateline. The Japan Meteorological Agency
and Joint Typhoon Warning Center
both issued their first warnings at 0000 UTC August 13, with the JTWC downgrading Li to a tropical storm at the first warning.
Tropical Storm Li weakened steadily under the influence of strong upper-level westerly winds south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
which caused shearing
of the storm's convection, and it was downgraded to a tropical depression on August 16 as it took a turn to the northeast. The final warning on Li, which was the 59th in total from a United States tropical cyclone centre, was issued on August 18 as the storm dissipated over water. In total, Li travelled over 3600 nautical miles (6,667.2 km) (6670 km, 4170 miles) throughout its existence, starting from the disturbance stage.
The storm weakened to an 85 kn (166.6 km/h) typhoon before hitting eastern China on August 21. Significant infrastructure
damage occurred near the location of landfall. Unfortunately, the landfall coincided with an unusually high astronomical tide, resulting in extreme storm surge combined with heavy flooding, amounting to over 1,000 fatalities and significant damage totaling 7.5 billion RMB, or $874.4 million (1994 USD).
, the system became a tropical depression late on August 25 and a tropical storm on August 26. On the morning of August 27, the cyclone passed south of Hong Kong, bringing wind gusts to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) at Waglan Island and 76 knots (148.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shen in Hong Kong. Harry became a strong tropical storm before moving close to the Chinese coast. Total damage across China from Harry's heavy rainfall totaled 484 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $56.5 million (1994 USD). Weakening thereafter, the storm moved across the Gulf of Tonkin
into northern Vietnam, dissipating on August 29.
as it linked up with a cold front
.
, which had formed in the Eastern North Pacific, crossed the International Date Line
at 0900 UTC and became a typhoon. Shortly after crossing into the Western North Pacific, John reached its secondary peak of 105 knots (205.8 km/h). While west-southwest of Midway
John started to weaken. This marked the beginning of another intensification period, during which John recrossed the dateline, this time heading east, and out of the Western North Pacific. Two ship reports, at 1500 UTC and 1800 UTC on September 4, indicated that John had sustained winds of 55 knots (107.8 km/h). No damage from John was reported in the Western North Pacific, although damage was reported from John on Johnston Atoll
in the Central Pacific.
in the South China Sea
on August 30. At first, the disturbance moved east-northeastward, but turned toward the west-northwest on September 2. The disturbance organized into Tropical Depression 23W on September 3.
On the morning of September 5, upper-level winds which had affected the deep convection to the north of the depression's circulation centre began to weaken, allowing the convection to wrap around the north side of the system. Based on this, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Joel. The Japan Meteorological Agency
upgraded the storm to Tropical Storm 9422 early the next morning local time.
Joel then made a sharp turn towards the north, and made landfall on the southwestern corner of Hainan Island. During passage over land, Joel reached its peak of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) before turning to the northwest and exiting land into the Gulf of Tonkin
. A cloud-filled banding eye
then became apparent on visible satellite imagery. Joel made landfall on September 7 near Haiphong, Vietnam before dissipating inland west of Hanoi
. No significant deaths or damage was reported, aside from a few large trees that were knocked down in Hanoi.
on September 10. As it did so, Kinna became a typhoon on September 9. While recurving east of Japan
, Kinna brought wind gusts to 60 knots (117.6 km/h) at Hachijōjima
. By late on September 12, Kinna had transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.
. Damage across China totaled over 100 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $11.7 million (1994 USD). The cyclone moved ashore northern Vietnam on September 14 before dissipating.
and western Hokkaido
. Winds gusted to 92 knots (180.3 km/h) at Tanabe. Rainfall from Orchid across central Japan was beneficial, as it helped relieve drought conditions. Nine perished during Orchid's passage across Japan.
circulation separated from an upper-level trough
that was situated northwest of Hawaii, and began moving westward towards the International Date Line
. This Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
also had deep convection associated with low-level cloud lines, which suggested that a low-level circulation possibly existed. It crossed the Dateline on September 27, with the convection persisting. The system continued to organise and became a tropical depression the next day, despite lacking in deep convection. The depression never strengthened into a tropical storm, and lacked deep convection for most of its existence. It recurved eastward and weakened on October 3, and the final warning was issued. No damage or casualties were reported.
, moving westward in a regime which showed an atypically weak monsoon trough. On October 1, a low level circulation developed in association with the convection. Slow development occurred, and the system strengthened into a tropical depression on October 3. Winds gusted to 41 knots (80.4 km/h) as Seth passed south of Guam on October 5. Developing at a modest pace as it moved west-northwest, the cyclone strengthened into a typhoon on October 6. Seth strengthened into a strong typhoon on October 7, recurving around the periphery of the subtropical ridge, missing Taiwan to the east. Heavy rainfall and high winds across the island led to eight deaths, and NT$60 million (1994 dollars), or $2.3 million (1994 USD), in damage.
As it moved through the Ryuku Islands, winds gusted to 110 knots (215.6 km/h) Yonaguni Jima. The cyclone accelerated as it approached Korea as a typhoon which had begun to transition into a nontropical low. At Cheju Do, winds peaked at 78 knots (152.9 km/h) as Seth passed by. Rainfall amounts measured across South Korea were in excess of 300 millimetres (11.8 in). Although the rainfall generally relieved drought conditions, one person perished due to flooding in Samchok. Seth become an extratropical cyclone soon after crossing the peninsula on October 12.
s that existed simultaneously in the Western North Pacific, and it was the western-most of the four. This system was first noted as a tropical disturbance on October 15 while about 550 kilometres (341.8 mi) east of the southern Mariana Islands
. The system moved west and passed north of Guam
near Saipan
on October 16 at around 0600 UTC.
Slowly organizing, the system evolved into Tropical Depression 34W early on October 16, and a tropical storm later in the day. Teresa continued moving westward at a constant pace and intensified into a typhoon on October 19, reaching its peak intensity of 80 knots (156.8 km/h) that same day. Teresa crossed the central Philippines on a west-southwestward track, passing just south of Manila
. It had weakened to a severe tropical storm by the time it exited the Philippine islands. The storm continued on a southwestward motion, slowly re-intensifying, and it had regained typhoon strength by October 23. The storm then slowed and turned toward the west, and slowly weakened as it moved towards the coast of Vietnam
. The final warning was issued by the JTWC when Teresa was still a tropical storm, but weakening over water east of Vietnam. The remnants of Teresa made landfall in southern Vietnam late on October 26.
Teresa left at least 14 dead and 11 injured in the Philippines, and caused heavy damage to rice
and coconut
plantations. Electricity
was cut off in Manila and surrounding areas. Trees were also reported uprooted, and utility poles brought down. A Maltese
oil tanker located in the South China Sea
about 600 kilometres (372.8 mi) southeast of Hong Kong split into two and capsized, killing two and leaving 14 missing. The other crew members were rescued. Typhoon Teresa caused a total of $67.4 million (1994 USD) in damage in Laguna, Batangas
, Rizal
and Cavite
Provinces in the Philippines
.
. From late on October 24 through late on October 25, Wilda stalled 170 kilometres (105.6 mi) east-northeast of Saipan, slowly weakening. Up to 4.95 inches (125.7 mm) fell across the central portion of Guam while winds gusted to 74 knots (145 km/h) as Wilda stalled to the northeast. The system then turned northeast along the now reverse-oriented monsoon trough
due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge
to its north until October 28, before bending back to the north-northwest. Late on October 29, Wilda turned back to the northeast and began to accelerate, with the system evolving into an extratropical cyclone on November 1.
. Moving rapidly westward, the low-level circulation center associated with the convective clouds crossed the International Date Line
later that day. The first mention of this system by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
in their Significant Tropical Weather Advisory six hours later noted that the low-level circulation had been developing under the TUTT cell. Slowly developing, on October 23, the system organized into Tropical Depression 36W. The Japan Meteorological Agency
upgraded the system to Tropical Storm 9433 at 1200 UTC that day, shortly before the JTWC decided to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Yuri. The JTWC upgrade was based on a small area of deep convection which had formed to the southeast of the low-level centre, as well as a rapid low-level cloud motion of 40 knots (78.4 km/h) that was observed to the north of the circulation.
Yuri remained a minimal tropical storm for the next two days or so before it was downgraded to a tropical depression because of a lack of deep convection and a weakening in its appearance on satellite imagery. The final warning was issued a few hours later on October 25. There were no reports of damage or injuries. A weak wind of 11 knots (21.6 km/h) associated with the dissipating system was recorded at Chichi-jima
on October 25.
. On the 3rd the storm rapidly intensified to a 135 kn (264.6 km/h) super typhoon, and as it turned to the northeast it slowly weakened to a tropical storm on the 8th. On the 10th, Zelda dissipated, only 1700 kilometres (1,056.3 mi) from its start after following a several thousand mile track.
Axel moved south of Samar
in the Philippines, weakening as it moved through the archipelago. Sixteen perished as the typhoon moved through the country, with five deaths occurring in Bacolod City as heavy rains caused a dam break. High waves destroyed 163 homes on Mindinao. Entering the South China Sea as a tropical storm, the system briefly reintensified into a typhoon before vertical wind shear
substantially increased, which led to significant weakening of Axel. The tropical cyclone dissipated 370 kilometres (229.9 mi) southeast of Hong Kong on December 25.
, the system was slow to organize. The system organized into a tropical depression on December 18, and a tropical storm on December 19. The system recurved and dissipated as a tropical cyclone on December 25.
monitored a few systems designated as tropical depressions that were not warned on by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
or the Japan Meteorological Agency
.
. The first storm of 1994 was named Owen and the final one was named Bobbie.
{| style="width:90%;"
|-
|
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
formation
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
in the Western North Pacific, with a total of 41 tropical cyclones during the course of the season. The season had no official bounds and it ran year-round in 1994, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. Tropical storms that formed west of the date line were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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 World Meteorological Organization
World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 189 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization , which was founded in 1873...
-designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre
Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre
A Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre is responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, and warnings regarding the specific program they have a part of, agreed by consensus at the World Meteorological Organization as part of the World Weather Watch.-Tropical...
for tropical cyclones for the region is the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
. Tropical depressions that entered or formed in the Philippine area of responsibility were assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
or PAGASA. This resulted in some storms having two names.
The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1, and ended near the end of the year when Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25. During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, killing over 2,400 people. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected 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...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms —Russ and Sharon —caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. This season, PAGASA named 25 systems and had to use an auxiliary list to name some of them after running out of names from their standard list. Of the 25, three systems were not tracked by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Season summary
There were 41 tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s during 1994 in the Western North Pacific; 39 formed within the area while two, Tropical Storm Li and Typhoon 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...
, formed in the Eastern North Pacific (east of longitude
Longitude
Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds, and denoted by the Greek letter lambda ....
140°W
140th meridian west
The meridian 140° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
) and crossed the date line to enter this basin. Of the 39, 34 became tropical storms and were named, of which 20 became typhoons. The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1. The season ended late in the year after Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25.
During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, with eight striking the 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...
, eight moving into China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, six moving into 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 –...
, and three striking 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 China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. A total of over 2,400 people perished during the season. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected 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...
, South Korea and mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms — Russ and Sharon — caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. Hong Kong received 28 percent of its annual rainfall from tropical cyclones this season, which was slightly above normal.
Tropical Depression 01W (Akang)
Tropical Depression 01W was first observed as a poorly organised area of clouds in a near-equatorial troughTrough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
in the 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...
early on January 1. A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
(TCFA) was issued at 1400 UTC January 2 after a weather station at Chuuk
Chuuk
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...
reported windspeeds of 55 km/h, (35 mph). However, the system was not able to sustain its convection during the daylight hours of January 3. Slow development began, and the system became a tropical depression on January 4 while the system was about 600 km, (370 mi), west of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
. Repeated new bursts of deep thunderstorm activity occurred, though the system experienced vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
, with the low-level circulation centre located at the southeastern edge of the large cold cirrus cloud
Cirrus cloud
Cirrus clouds are atmospheric clouds generally characterized by thin, wispy strands, giving them their name from the Latin word cirrus meaning a ringlet or curling lock of hair...
shield the deep convection produced. Tropical Depression 01W was classified as a tropical storm by PAGASA, and named Akang.
Tropical Depression 01W made landfall on Samar Island
Samar Island
Samar is an island in the Visayas, within the central Philippines. The island is divided into three provinces: Samar province, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. These three provinces, along with the provinces on the nearby islands of Leyte and Biliran are part of the Eastern Visayas region...
in the 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...
on the evening of January 5, following which the depression started to weaken. The final warning was issued early on January 6 after the system lost all its deep convection. A total of 35 to 45 deaths were reported, with over 69 million Philippine peso
Philippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
s (1994 pesos) or $2.4 million (1994 USD) in damage reported. It caused a major flood event in the Philippines. A total of at least 16,000 people had to take refuge in government-run shelters during and after the storm.
Typhoon Owen (Bising)
Typhoon Owen formed from a tropical disturbance which was originally identified within a near-equatorial troughNear-equatorial trough
Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone, and monsoon trough. Surges of higher pressure from...
over Micronesia
Micronesia
Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest....
. The disturbance was first mentioned by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
on March 29. By March 31, a distinct area within the trough showing signs of cyclonic spin appeared, and the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression 02W soon afterwards. Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
classified the system as a tropical storm, Tropical Storm 9401. It was located about 420 kilometres (261 mi) west-northwest of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
.
Owen continued to strengthen, with the JMA classifying it a severe tropical storm on April 3. According to the JTWC, Owen reached typhoon intensity at the same time the JMA classified it a severe tropical storm. The storm tracked southwest to west-southwestward, and reached its peak intensity of 75 knots (147 km/h) from the JTWC (60 knots (117.6 km/h) from the JMA) on April 4, shortly before landfall between Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
and Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. A reading taken late on April 3 at Guiuan on Samar
Samar
Samar, formerly and also known as Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland...
reported sustained winds of 45 knots (88.2 km/h). It weakened to a tropical storm overland, before it restrengthened slightly after emerging into 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...
. A drilling rig
Drilling rig
A drilling rig is a machine which creates holes or shafts in the ground. Drilling rigs can be massive structures housing equipment used to drill water wells, oil wells, or natural gas extraction wells, or they can be small enough to be moved manually by one person...
reported 50 knots (98 km/h) sustained winds. Soon afterwards, the cyclone dissipated over water northwest of 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...
on April 9.
Owen's west-southwestward track shortly before landfall was rare. Owen was one of just two April typhoons in the previous 36 years — the other being Typhoon Wanda of the 1971 season
1971 Pacific typhoon season
The 1971 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1971, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December...
- to make landfall while moving west-southwestward. Owen's later recurvature in the South China Sea was also unusual; it recurved at a latitude
Latitude
In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth is the angular distance of that location south or north of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually measured in degrees . The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North pole has a latitude of 90° north , and the South pole has a...
of only about 13°N
13th parallel north
The 13th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 13 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, Central America, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean....
, about 3° south of the average latitude for recurvature in the South China Sea in April.
Owen's impact on the 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...
was widespread, with nine provinces being declared under a "state of calamity" by President of the Philippines
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Fidel Ramos. At least 10 people were killed with 5 others missing, and a further 14 fishermen feared drowned. A total of 33 were reported wounded. Over 9000 families were affected by Owen. No damage was reported to the drilling rig in the South China Sea.
In Okinawa, heavy rains were reported on Yonaguni
Yonaguni
is one of the Yaeyama Islands. It is the westernmost inhabited island of Japan and lies from the east coast of Taiwan, between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean proper....
, with a total reported precipitation amount of 313 millimetres (12.3 in). The peak winds measured at Yonaguni in association with Typhoon Owen were 32.4 kilometres per hour (16.5 kn).
Typhoon Page (Klaring)
On May 8, a large increase in deep convection associated with near-equatorial troughNear-equatorial trough
Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone, and monsoon trough. Surges of higher pressure from...
s was noted 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...
. By the next morning, visible satellite imagery showed an increase in organization of the deep convection associated with the system, and synoptic reports from buoys confirmed that a low-level circulation centre was present near 5°N 153°E. Slow development ensued, and the system was upgraded to a tropical depression on May 12. At the same time, the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
began tracking the system, about 510 kilometres (316.9 mi) west-southwest 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...
.
Page moved on a northwestward track for the next couple days while slowly strengthening. Page was upgraded to a tropical storm by the JTWC late on May 12, when it was located 500 kilometres (310.7 mi) north of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
, while the JMA first considered the system a tropical storm on May 13. Late on May 13, Page suddenly slowed in forward speed and began turning to the northeast. On May 14, Page became a typhoon. However, the JMA did not follow suit until 30 hours later. Page reached its maximum intensity of 90 knots (176.4 km/h) and minimum pressure of 954 hectopascals (28.2 inHg) thirty hours after passing the point of recurvature. Final warnings were issued by both the JTWC and the JMA early on May 18, as it began extratropical transition around 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) east-southeast of Tokyo.
Page had the largest average track forecast errors of all the typhoons in 1994, mainly due to failures in expecting its recurvature. Furthermore, Page's late attainment of maximum intensity, at 30 hours after point of recurvature, is not common. Between 1978 and 1993, only seven of 77 typhoons attained peak intensity more than 24 hours after recurving.
Large waves and high tides generated by Page affected the western Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
. A few tourists had to be rescued from high surf and strong currents 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...
. Minimal rainfall was recorded in Japan, the highest recorded total was 29 millimetres (1.1 in) in Kumagaya, Saitama
Kumagaya, Saitama
is a city in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 203,089 . The total area is 159.88 km². The city is one of the biggest in northern Saitama Prefecture. It is the administrative, business and commercial centre in northern Saitama Prefecture. Eight...
. At Mount Tsukuba
Mount Tsukuba
Mount Tsukuba is an mountain located near Tsukuba, Japan. It is one of the most famous mountains in Japan, particularly well-known for its double peaks, Nyotai-san and Nantai-san . Many people climb the so-called "purple mountain" every year for the panoramic view of the Kantō plain from the...
, a maximum sustained wind speed of 58 kilometres per hour (29.6 kn) was recorded.
Tropical Depression 04W (Deling)
On May 14, an area of deep convection associated with a weak cyclonic circulation 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...
was mentioned in the JTWC's 0600 UTC Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. For the next five days, this weak circulation tracked west-northwestward in the direction 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...
, before turning to the west-southwest, but convection failed to consolidate near the centre during this time. After passing close to Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
on May 21, it turned northwest and entered the Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
, and was named Deling by PAGASA early on May 23 local time. Shortly after, SSM/I imagery indicated the presence of a well-defined low-level circulation centre, and visible and infrared satellite images indicated an increase in organisation of the system and a consolidation of deep convection near the centre. Based on this, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
was issued by the JTWC at 0600 UTC.
The first warning was issued a day later when the amount of deep convection near the centre increased as the depression neared the 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...
. While over the Philippine islands, a large Mesoscale Convective System
Mesoscale Convective System
A mesoscale convective system is a complex of thunderstorms that becomes organized on a scale larger than the individual thunderstorms but smaller than extratropical cyclones, and normally persists for several hours or more...
(MCS) developed near the centre of the tropical depression, something that would occur again later while the system was west of 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...
. Soon after the second MCS weakened, the system made landfall in central 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 –...
on May 26, and quickly dissipated when inland. The Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
tracked this system as a weak tropical depression from May 25 UTC when it was about 520 km (323.1 mi) southeast of Xisha
Paracel Islands
The Paracel Islands, also called Xisha Islands in Chinese and Hoàng Sa Islands in Vietnamese, is a group of islands under the administration of Hainan Province, The People's Republic of China. Vietnam and the Republic of China also claim sovereignty of these islands...
for about 24 hours before it dissipated.
According to press reports, over 2,000 people were forced to evacuate from Davao City
Davao City
The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....
, despite no reports of significantly high winds or low pressures, as the system caused heavy rainfall that produced heavy flooding that killed five people and left at least one person missing.
Tropical Storm Russ (Emang)
Tropical Storm Russ was one of just three storms to cause the Hong Kong ObservatoryHong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
to raise Tropical Cyclone Signal #3 in the 1994 season. Russ was first spotted on June 2, about 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Hainan Island as a tropical disturbance. Deep convection over the circulation center soon improved, and the Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
had declared it a tropical depression on June 3 when it was located about 290 kilometres (180.2 mi) south of Hong Kong.
The system initially moved east to northeast while slowly strengthening. Russ became a tropical storm on the evening of June 4, passing just south of Dongsha
Pratas Islands
The Pratas Islands or Dongsha Islands consists of three islands forming from an atoll located in northeastern South China Sea, southeast of Hong Kong. The islands are governed by the Republic of China . The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over these islands along with all other...
that night. PAGASA
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
then named the system Emang, shortly before it made a clockwise loop and started to move back towards the west-southwest, intensifying. Russ made landfall on June 8 on the northeastern Luichow Peninsula, and dissipated inland.
The maximum wind gust in Hong Kong was reported at Tai Mo Shan
Tai Mo Shan
Tai Mo Shan has the highest peak in Hong Kong, with an altitude of 957 m. It is located approximately at the geographical centre of the New Territories....
, where a gust to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) was recorded on June 7. Maximum daily rainfall in the territory was recorded at Yuen Long
Yuen Long
Yuen Long , formerly Un Long, is an area and town located in the northwest of Hong Kong, on the Yuen Long Plain. To its west lie Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen, to the south Shap Pat Heung and Tai Tong, to the east Au Tau and Kam Tin, and to the north Nam Sang Wai.-Name:The Cantonese name Yuen Long 元朗...
on June 8, when 41 millimetres (1.6 in) was reported. Russ killed at least 74 people in Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces and injured another 726 people. 16 others were reported missing. 702,430 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s (7024 square kilometres, 2711 square miles) of farmland in the three provinces were destroyed by floods from Russ. Around 725,000 houses were destroyed. Total damage was estimated at 6.3 billion RMB
Renminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
(1994 RMB), or $727.5 million (1994 USD).
Tropical Storm Sharon (Gading)
In mid-June, not long after Tropical Storm Russ had made landfall, an area of convection south of 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...
within the near-equatorial trough
Near-equatorial trough
Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone, and monsoon trough. Surges of higher pressure from...
began to consolidate. The system moved west-northwest as it began to organize on June 20. Acquiring tropical depression strength on June 21, intensification halted due to vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
. Subsequent weakened led to its dissipation as a tropical depression by June 22.
PAGASA
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
named the system Gading as it neared the 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...
, and twelve hours after the final warning was issued, convection once again built up, and a new warning was issued. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
issued their first warning on Tropical Storm 9404 a day later. As it crossed 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...
, Sharon caused flooding and released mudflow
Mudflow
A mudslide is the most rapid and fluid type of downhill mass wasting. It is a rapid movement of a large mass of mud formed from loose soil and water. Similar terms are mudflow, mud stream, debris flow A mudslide is the most rapid (up to 80 km/h, or 50 mph) and fluid type of downhill mass...
s from Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
, killing two people. Traffic on two main highways near Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
was disrupted by the mud.
After crossing Luzon, Sharon reached its peak, with vertical shear inhibiting further intensification. It made landfall on June 25 around 140 metre (0.086992183130973 mi) east-northeast of Zhanjiang
Zhanjiang
Zhanjiang , formerly known as Tsamkong, Tsankiang, Fort-Bayard, and Kwang-Chou-Wan, is a prefecture-level city at the southwestern end of Guangdong province of Southern China, facing the island of Hainan to the south....
, or 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) east of where Tropical Storm Russ had made landfall just weeks before. Winds gusted to 52 knots (101.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong. Sharon claimed 11 lives in the seas off Hong Kong, and the combined flooding effects of Russ and Sharon reportedly left more than 1,400 people dead, and caused over $6 billion (1994 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
) in damage.
Tropical Depression 07W (Heling)
Tropical Depression 07W developed in the monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
on June 29, well east of the 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...
. Warnings were initiated at 0000 UTC June 3 when the system was approximately 250 km (155.3 mi) southeast of Dongsha
Pratas Islands
The Pratas Islands or Dongsha Islands consists of three islands forming from an atoll located in northeastern South China Sea, southeast of Hong Kong. The islands are governed by the Republic of China . The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over these islands along with all other...
. It reached its maximum intensity shortly before landfall on July 4. Flooding associated with Tropical Depression 07W in western Guangdong Province killed four people and left two others missing, and destroyed over 6,700 houses while leaving another 50,000 damaged. 120,000 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s (1,200 square kilometres, 465 square miles) of farmland were ruined, and irrigation facilities were damaged. Total losses from the storm in Guangdong were estimated to be $114 million (1994 USD). In Guangxi Province, the storm killed six others, and left over 30,000 people homeless.
Typhoon Tim (Iliang)
A tropical disturbance formed in the 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...
on July 5 south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
. The system organized into a tropical depression on the morning on July 6. Moving northwest, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm as it approached 130°E
130th meridian east
The meridian 130° east of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Asia, Australia, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
on the morning of July 8. Rapid intensification ensued, with Tim reaching typhoon intensity late on July 8, peaking at 125 knots (245 km/h) on July 10.
From July 9 to July 11, Tim and Tropical Storm Vanessa engaged in a Fujiwara interaction, and Tim absorbed the smaller Vanessa into its southeastern quadrant. Late on July 10, Tim struck 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...
, bringing gusts of 98 knots (192.1 km/h) to Chengkung as it made landfall about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) south of Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
. Continuing northwest, Tim moved into mainland China as a weaker typhoon, crossing the coast about 150 kilometres (93.2 mi) south-southwest of Fuzhou
Fuzhou
Fuzhou is the capital and one of the largest cities in Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. Along with the many counties of Ningde, those of Fuzhou are considered to constitute the Mindong linguistic and cultural area....
. It dissipated well inland on July 11.
Damage was widespread in Taiwan, where Tim killed at least 19 people and left another 11 missing, and where 67 people reported injuries. A freighter
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
with 97 mainland Chinese
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
on board ran aground near Suao. About 50,000 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s (500 square kilometres, 195 square miles) of farmland was flooded, and more than 300 buildings collapsed during the storm. The bad weather also disrupted international flights, and knocked out electricity to over 2 million households. NT$2 billion (1994 TWD), or US$75 million (1994 dollars), was the reported cost of damage.
In Fujian Province, Typhoon Tim killed three people and flooded 140,000 hectares (1,400 km²., 540 sq. mi.) of farmland, with damages estimated at 1.5 billion renminbi
Renminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
(1994 RMB), or $173.5 million (1994 USD). Tim was also blamed for 14 deaths and 6 injuries in the 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...
(Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
, Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...
and Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Its capital is Laoag City and is located at the northwest corner of Luzon Island, bordering Cagayan and Apayao to the east, and Abra and Ilocos Sur to the south...
provinces) as it passed near the area.
Tropical Storm Vanessa (Loleng)
As Tim developed in the Philippine SeaPhilippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
, a tropical disturbance in 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...
began to show development. Becoming a tropical depression late on July 8, it strengthened into a tropical storm early on July 9, with both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
and the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
classifying it a tropical storm.
Vanessa made an anti-clockwise loop and then started to move northeastward under the steering influence of a monsoon flow and Typhoon Tim's circulation, reaching a peak intensity of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) west of 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...
before it was absorbed by the larger typhoon. The final warning was issued on July 11 after it was determined that Vanessa's circulation had been absorbed. Vanessa was blamed for three deaths in the 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...
, where it was known as Loleng.
Super Typhoon Walt (Miding)
Walt was part of a three tropical cyclone outbreak along a reverse-oriented monsoon trough (aligned northeast-southwest rather than the usual northwest-southeast orientation.) By July 11, a thunderstorm cluster developed near Palau. The disturbance moved slowly northwest, becoming a tropical depression late on July 14. As it neared the 15th parallel, Walt turned to the northeast and intensified. By the afternoon of July 19 the cyclone had become a super typhoon, the first of the season, an intensity it maintained for a day. While slowly weakening, Walt turned to the west. By the morning of July 23 the cyclone had dropped down to tropical storm strength as it turned to the north for a couple days. The storm turned back to the west, making landfall on the southwest end of Shikoku as a moderate tropical storm, bringing wind gusts to tropical storm force. The cyclone dissipated south of Korea by early on July 27. Rainfall across South Korea helped improve severe drought conditions.Tropical Storm Yunya (Norming)
The disturbance that was to become Tropical Storm Yunya was first mentioned on July 16 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...
when it was located in 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...
as cloudiness in a reverse-oriented monsoon trough
Monsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
. A weak low-level circulation was identified through animated satellite imagery and synoptic data early that morning. Moving east-northeast, the system strengthened into Tropical Depression 11W by July 18. At 0600 UTC that day, the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
declared the formation of Tropical Storm 9409. Yunya continued to undergo gradual strengthening, reaching its peak strength near landfall in northwest 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...
on the morning of July 19.
As it tracked over land, it became disorganized and weakened to a minimal tropical storm. In the Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
, Yunya briefly restrengthened and reached a secondary peak of 40 knots (78.4 km/h). The JMA discontinued warnings after it deemed Yunya to have dropped below tropical storm intensity at 1800 UTC that day, while the JTWC continued monitoring the tropical depression until convection decreased and the storm dissipated on July 21. During its life, Yunya had an unusual eastward motion, which was due to the reverse-oriented monsoon trough. Yunya was also a small system, and appeared to have been undergoing a period of rapid organisation of convection shortly before it made landfall.
Heavy rain from Yunya caused landslides of volcanic
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
debris
Debris
Debris is rubble, wreckage, ruins, litter and discarded garbage/refuse/trash, scattered remains of something destroyed, or, in geology, large rock fragments left by a melting glacier etc. The singular form of debris is debris...
from Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
. Coincidentally, a previous Typhoon Yunya in 1991 hit the Philippines the day of Mount Pinatubo's major eruption. Gusts were in excess of 60 knots (117.6 km/h) across Luzon. Yunya killed at least 11 people and injured at least 7 others, and affected over 420,000 people. A total of $37.6 million (1994 USD) in damage was reported in the 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...
from Yunya.
Typhoon Zeke
Forming at the opposite end of the monsoon trough from Walt on July 14, the initial tropical disturbance moved north to northeast. Slowly developing, the system became a tropical depression during the early afternoon of July 18. Westerly upper level shear from Walt was slowing development, and Zeke finally achieved tropical storm status early on July 20. The cyclone continued to waver around a northeast track. After turning more northward early on the afternoon of July 22, Zeke became a typhoon for half of a day. Wavering around a more northerly track, Zeke weakened and evolved into an extratropical cyclone on by early on July 25.Tropical Depression 13W
Tropical Depression 13W was considered to be the shortest-lived tropical cyclone of the season, with the JTWC only four warnings issued on it. It formed on July 25 in association with a surge in the southwest monsoon, about 250 km (155.3 mi) east of GuamGuam
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...
. It dissipated the next day, east of the northernmost Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
, about 250 km (155.3 mi) north of Guam. No deaths or damage were reported from the depression. On July 28, a subtropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
was noted southeast of Tokyo, and it is possible that this was a continuation of Tropical Depression 13W.
Tropical Storm Brendan (Oyang)
On July 26 a tropical disturbance developed in the Philippine Sea. The system moved northwest at a slow pace for a couple days. A southwest surge in the monsoon turned the disturbance northward, and the system became a tropical depression on the morning of July 29. Accelerating to the north, Brendan became a tropical storm just before reaching Okinawa. The cyclone reached peak intensity to the south of Cheju Island, Korea as a moderate tropical storm. After recurving in the Yellow Sea, the storm recurved across Korea during extratropical transition with subtropical cyclone characteristics. The cyclone evolved into an extratropical cyclone while crossing the Sea of Japan, and reintensified. Up to 200 millimetres (7.9 in) of rain in the Korean peninsula helped relieve drought conditions. Two died in Korea during the passage of Brendan.Tropical Storm Amy
An area of persistent convection associated with a low-level circulation centre moved off Hainan Island into water on July 29. The Japan Meteorological AgencyJapan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
then reported that Tropical Storm 9410 had formed early that day, in 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...
west of Hainan. This was later designated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
as Tropical Depression 15W, and it was quickly upgraded to a tropical storm. It moved westward and started to weaken over water, making landfall south of Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
before dissipating inland.
Tropical Storm Amy killed 15 and left over 32,000 people displaced in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, and caused damage worth $8 million (1994 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
).
Tropical Storm Caitlin (Pasing)
A tropical disturbance formed within the monsoon trough northwest of Guam on July 29. Slow development ensued, and four days later, it had become a tropical depression. By late on August 2 the cyclone had achieved tropical storm status. The system turned northwest and accelerated towards Taiwan/Taipei. During the morning of August 3, Caitlin became a storm tropical storm as it made landfall in Hualien county. Green Island experienced gusts of typhoon force for 21 hours as the cyclone's center moved to its north. Taking six hours to cross the mountainous island, Caitlin entered the Taiwan Straits on August 4. Ten perished across Taiwan and damage there totaled NT$620 million (1994 dollars), or $23.4 million (1994 USD). By late morning, its center passed inland into mainland China. Rainfall rates as high as 84 millimetres (3.3 in) per hour were witnessed in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Mountain floods left eight dead.Super Typhoon Doug (Ritang)
The eastern end of a monsoon trough developed a tropical depression on July 30. It headed westward, slowly strengthening to a tropical storm on the 2nd and a typhoon on the 3rd. Doug turned more to the northwest, and rapidly intensified from the 4th to the 5th to a 140 kn (274.4 km/h) super typhoon. It weakened slightly to a 125 kn (245 km/h) typhoon before brushing the eastern coast of Taiwan on the 7th. Its circulation became ragged, and it weakened to a tropical storm on the 10th. A ridge to the north pushed Doug west-southwestward where it dissipated over China on the 13th. A total of 26 people lost their lives, and damage was estimated on Taiwan at $110 million (1994 USD).Typhoon Ellie
A tropical disturbance formed 900 kilometres (559.2 mi) southeast of Japan on August 2. The system drifted southward and slowly developed, becoming Tropical Depression 18W, and then a tropical storm, on August 8. The system turned to the west-southwest, forming a large eye as it became a typhoon on August 9 before stalling. On August 10, the system moved west-northwest at a moderate pace, passing 130 kilometres (80.8 mi) offshore southern KyūshūKyushu
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....
on August 13. Ellie turned northward on August 14, clipping eastern China before making a final landfall within northeast China as a tropical storm on August 16.
Tropical Storm Li
The National Hurricane CenterNational Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
issued the first advisory on Tropical Depression 08E on August 3. The tropical depression was upgraded to a tropical storm on August 8, and then to a hurricane at 1200 UTC August 12, just east of the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. The CPHC issued its final warning at 1800 UTC as the storm started to cross the Dateline. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
and Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
both issued their first warnings at 0000 UTC August 13, with the JTWC downgrading Li to a tropical storm at the first warning.
Tropical Storm Li weakened steadily under the influence of strong upper-level westerly winds south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
which caused shearing
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
of the storm's convection, and it was downgraded to a tropical depression on August 16 as it took a turn to the northeast. The final warning on Li, which was the 59th in total from a United States tropical cyclone centre, was issued on August 18 as the storm dissipated over water. In total, Li travelled over 3600 nautical miles (6,667.2 km) (6670 km, 4170 miles) throughout its existence, starting from the disturbance stage.
Super Typhoon Fred (Susang)
On August 15, Tropical Depression 19W became a tropical storm over the open West Pacific. Fred tracked westward, slowly intensifying to a typhoon on August 16 and a peak of 130 kn (254.8 km/h) winds on August 19. Unlike most super typhoons, Fred did not rapidly intensify; its strengthening rate was steady. As it passed by Taiwan, heavy rainfall caused landslides across the mountainous island. Three perished and a total of NT$22 million (1994 dollars), or $835,500 (1994 USD), of damage occurred within Taiwan.The storm weakened to an 85 kn (166.6 km/h) typhoon before hitting eastern China on August 21. Significant infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
damage occurred near the location of landfall. Unfortunately, the landfall coincided with an unusually high astronomical tide, resulting in extreme storm surge combined with heavy flooding, amounting to over 1,000 fatalities and significant damage totaling 7.5 billion RMB, or $874.4 million (1994 USD).
Typhoon Gladys (Uding)
On August 19, a small area of thunderstorm activity formed in the open tropical western Pacific ocean on the eastern end of the monsoon trough. By August 22, the system organized into a small tropical cyclone, which was heading off towards the north. On August 23, the system turned westward due to increased ridging to its north. It soon became a tropical storm on August 24, and developed into a typhoon on August 25. Westerly vertical wind shear led to weakening, and Gladys became a weak tropical storm on August 28. The wind shear relented, and Gladys redeveloped into a typhoon as it moved towards Taiwan, increasing in size as well as intensity. The system weakened as it tracked across northern Taiwan, prior to making landfall over mainland China, dissipating on September 2. Winds at Suao gusted to 133 knots (260.7 km/h) as it moved by northern Taiwan. Six people perished. A total of NT$400 million (1994 dollars), or $15.4 million (1994 USD), in agricultural damage was incurred across Taiwan.Tropical Storm Harry
Thunderstorm activity developed within the monsoon trough 465 kilometres (288.9 mi) southwest of Guam. The system tracked west-northwest, a course it would continue through its life cycle. After crossing the northern portion of LuzonLuzon
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...
, the system became a tropical depression late on August 25 and a tropical storm on August 26. On the morning of August 27, the cyclone passed south of Hong Kong, bringing wind gusts to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) at Waglan Island and 76 knots (148.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shen in Hong Kong. Harry became a strong tropical storm before moving close to the Chinese coast. Total damage across China from Harry's heavy rainfall totaled 484 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $56.5 million (1994 USD). Weakening thereafter, the storm moved 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...
into northern Vietnam, dissipating on August 29.
Typhoon Ivy
On August 25, a low pressure area developed in the subtropical western Pacific. The low traveled west-southwest, slowly gaining thunderstorms. On August 28, the system became a tropical depression, then tropical storm, as it turned to the north. Ivy continued to develop, becoming a typhoon on August 31. During early September, the system turned north-northeast and slowly weakened. On September 3, Ivy transitioned into an extratropical cycloneExtratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
as it linked up with a cold front
Cold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
.
Typhoon John
On August 28, Hurricane JohnHurricane 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...
, which had formed in the Eastern North Pacific, crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
at 0900 UTC and became a typhoon. Shortly after crossing into the Western North Pacific, John reached its secondary peak of 105 knots (205.8 km/h). While west-southwest of Midway
Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, near the northwestern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, about one-third of the way between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan. Unique among the Hawaiian islands, Midway observes UTC-11 , eleven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time and one hour...
John started to weaken. This marked the beginning of another intensification period, during which John recrossed the dateline, this time heading east, and out of the Western North Pacific. Two ship reports, at 1500 UTC and 1800 UTC on September 4, indicated that John had sustained winds of 55 knots (107.8 km/h). No damage from John was reported in the Western North Pacific, although damage was reported from John on Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean about west of Hawaii. There are four islands located on the coral reef platform, two natural islands, Johnston Island and Sand Island, which have been expanded by coral dredging, as well as North Island and East Island , an additional two...
in the Central Pacific.
Tropical Storm Joel
An area of persistent convection within the monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
in 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...
on August 30. At first, the disturbance moved east-northeastward, but turned toward the west-northwest on September 2. The disturbance organized into Tropical Depression 23W on September 3.
On the morning of September 5, upper-level winds which had affected the deep convection to the north of the depression's circulation centre began to weaken, allowing the convection to wrap around the north side of the system. Based on this, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Joel. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
upgraded the storm to Tropical Storm 9422 early the next morning local time.
Joel then made a sharp turn towards the north, and made landfall on the southwestern corner of Hainan Island. During passage over land, Joel reached its peak of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) before turning to the northwest and exiting land into 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...
. A cloud-filled banding eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
then became apparent on visible satellite imagery. Joel made landfall on September 7 near Haiphong, Vietnam before dissipating inland west of Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
. No significant deaths or damage was reported, aside from a few large trees that were knocked down in Hanoi.
Typhoon Kinna
On September 1, an area of thunderstorm activity formed within the monsoon trough. Over the next few days, a monsoon depression formed to its southwest, steering the system northwest to north. After separating from the monsoon depression, it became well enough to organized to be considered a tropical depression on September 5. Strengthening while moving northward, Kinna became a tropical storm on September 6. The system slowed its northward motion until it moved north of the axis of the subtropical ridgeSubtropical ridge
The subtropical ridge is a significant belt of high pressure situated around the latitudes of 30°N in the Northern Hemisphere and 30°S in the Southern Hemisphere. It is characterized by mostly calm winds, which acts to reduce air quality under its axis by causing fog overnight, and haze during...
on September 10. As it did so, Kinna became a typhoon on September 9. While recurving east of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Kinna brought wind gusts to 60 knots (117.6 km/h) at Hachijōjima
Hachijojima
is a volcanic Japanese island in the Philippine Sea, administered by Tōkyō and located approximately south of the Special Wards of Tōkyō. It is the southernmost and most isolated of the Izu Seven Islands group of the seven northern islands of the Izu archipelago...
. By late on September 12, Kinna had transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Luke (Weling)
Luke formed out of the monsoon depression which formed southwest of Kinna. Originally becoming a broad monsoon depression on September 3, thunderstorm was slow to form any curvature on its western side. By September 9, the monsoon depression transitioned into Tropical Depression 25W. The depression moved northwest, just to the north of the Philippines. On the afternoon of September 11, the system strengthened into a tropical storm as it turned more to the west. On September 12, the system passed south of Hong Kong. Winds gusted to 50 knots (98 km/h) at Waglan Island as the system passed by. As Luke approached Hainan Island, it weakened due to the island's rough topographyTopography
Topography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
. Damage across China totaled over 100 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $11.7 million (1994 USD). The cyclone moved ashore northern Vietnam on September 14 before dissipating.
Super Typhoon Melissa
On September 10, a monsoon depression formed in the central Pacific, which had previously absorbed the remains of Hurricane Kristy. By September 11, the system had become well enough organized to be considered a tropical storm. Strong cross equatorial winds steered Melissa to the northeast and led to rapid intensification. Melissa gained typhoon intensity on September 13, and became a super typhoon on September 14. The cyclone then turned northwest and Melissa considerably weakened, becoming a weak tropical storm by September 18. On September 19, Melissa rounded the subtropical ridge axis and recurved, becoming a large extratropical cyclone on September 21. In Japan, three were killed during Melissa's passage near the country.Tropical Storm Nat
Nat formed from an area of thunderstorms which formed along a trough trailing from Melissa. First noted on September 14, the system developed into a tropical depression and tropical storm on September 15. At this point in its life cycle it approached Guam from the west, when a squall line moved across the island, bringing wind gusts to 48 knots (94.1 km/h). One person drowned when knocked into the ocean, while 24 were injured, most of which due to a lightning strike which occurred in the wake of Nat along its trailing surface trough. Nat continued moving east to northeast initially before turning to the northwest by September 19, then turned back to the northeast by September 21, eventually dissipating in the subtropical western Pacific ocean.Super Typhoon Orchid (Aning)
A tropical disturbance formed east of the Philippines along a surface trough trailing from Nat. In the prevailing westerly flow, the disturbance moved eastward. The system organized into a tropical depression on September 18. The system turned northward, developing into a tropical storm. As it bypassed Guam to the northwest, winds gusted to 46 knots (90.2 km/h) on the island. Slowly turning towards the northwest, and ultimately southwest around a monsoon gyre, Orchid slowly intensified into a typhoon. On September 22, Orchid turned northwest and continued to strengthen, peaking as a super typhoon on September 25. Slowly weakening thereafter, Orchid began to slow during recurvature as it rounded the western side of the subtropical ridge. Acceleration to the north-northeast began on September 28, and by late on September 29, Orchid made landfall in Japan as a typhoon, crossing HonshuHonshu
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...
and western Hokkaido
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
. Winds gusted to 92 knots (180.3 km/h) at Tanabe. Rainfall from Orchid across central Japan was beneficial, as it helped relieve drought conditions. Nine perished during Orchid's passage across Japan.
Typhoon Pat
Pat formed on the east end of the monsoon trough as a tropical disturbance on September 20 near Wake Island, moving west-southwest. The system organized into a tropical depression on September 21. Turning to the northwest, Pat quickly strengthened into a typhoon by September 23. Soon afterward, Pat turned more to the west and weakened, beginning its interaction with Tropical Storm Ruth located to Pat's southwest. On September 24, Pat and Ruth began to orbit around each other, entrapped within a Fujiwara interaction. By the morning of September 26, the two cyclones merged and both systems' thunderstorm activity fell apart, a condition which continued after the merger. Over the next couple days, the merged cyclone regained central convection and recurved east of Japan.Tropical Storm Ruth
An area of thunderstorm activity formed between Orchid and Pat on September 23. The system developed, becoming Tropical Depression 30W on September 24. A day later, the cyclone achieved tropical storm strength. Ruth moved northeast within a general southwest flow regime, as the smaller tropical cyclone named Pat approached from the northeast. By September 26, the two cyclones merged, and the resultant cyclone recurved east of Japan.Tropical Depression 31W
On September 26, an upper-troposphericTroposphere
The troposphere is the lowest portion of Earth's atmosphere. It contains approximately 80% of the atmosphere's mass and 99% of its water vapor and aerosols....
circulation separated from an upper-level trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
that was situated northwest of Hawaii, and began moving westward towards the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. This Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
also had deep convection associated with low-level cloud lines, which suggested that a low-level circulation possibly existed. It crossed the Dateline on September 27, with the convection persisting. The system continued to organise and became a tropical depression the next day, despite lacking in deep convection. The depression never strengthened into a tropical storm, and lacked deep convection for most of its existence. It recurved eastward and weakened on October 3, and the final warning was issued. No damage or casualties were reported.
Typhoon Seth (Bidang)
An area of thunderstorm activity formed near the Marshall IslandsMarshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
, moving westward in a regime which showed an atypically weak monsoon trough. On October 1, a low level circulation developed in association with the convection. Slow development occurred, and the system strengthened into a tropical depression on October 3. Winds gusted to 41 knots (80.4 km/h) as Seth passed south of Guam on October 5. Developing at a modest pace as it moved west-northwest, the cyclone strengthened into a typhoon on October 6. Seth strengthened into a strong typhoon on October 7, recurving around the periphery of the subtropical ridge, missing Taiwan to the east. Heavy rainfall and high winds across the island led to eight deaths, and NT$60 million (1994 dollars), or $2.3 million (1994 USD), in damage.
As it moved through the Ryuku Islands, winds gusted to 110 knots (215.6 km/h) Yonaguni Jima. The cyclone accelerated as it approached Korea as a typhoon which had begun to transition into a nontropical low. At Cheju Do, winds peaked at 78 knots (152.9 km/h) as Seth passed by. Rainfall amounts measured across South Korea were in excess of 300 millimetres (11.8 in). Although the rainfall generally relieved drought conditions, one person perished due to flooding in Samchok. Seth become an extratropical cyclone soon after crossing the peninsula on October 12.
Typhoon Verne (Delang)
An area of organized thunderstorm activity formed on October 14 in the Marshall Islands. Late on October 15, the system formed into a tropical depression. The system slowly developed as it moved west-northwest, becoming a tropical storm on October 18. The system passed north of Guam, bringing over 75 millimetres (3 in) of rainfall to much of the island, and winds gusted up to 60 knots (117.6 km/h). By October 20, Verne had developed into a typhoon. Late on October 21, steering currents collapsed, and Verne stalled for nearly a week. Verne became a strong typhoon on October 24. Turning northward on October 26, the system slowly weakened east of mainland Asia, and on October 28 Verne weakened back into a tropical storm. On November 1, Verne became an extratropical cyclone as it moved east of Japan.Typhoon Teresa (Katring)
Typhoon Teresa (named Katring by PAGASA) was at one point one of four tropical cycloneTropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s that existed simultaneously in the Western North Pacific, and it was the western-most of the four. This system was first noted as a tropical disturbance on October 15 while about 550 kilometres (341.8 mi) east of the southern Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
. The system moved west and passed north 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...
near 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...
on October 16 at around 0600 UTC.
Slowly organizing, the system evolved into Tropical Depression 34W early on October 16, and a tropical storm later in the day. Teresa continued moving westward at a constant pace and intensified into a typhoon on October 19, reaching its peak intensity of 80 knots (156.8 km/h) that same day. Teresa crossed the central Philippines on a west-southwestward track, passing just south of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. It had weakened to a severe tropical storm by the time it exited the Philippine islands. The storm continued on a southwestward motion, slowly re-intensifying, and it had regained typhoon strength by October 23. The storm then slowed and turned toward the west, and slowly weakened as it moved towards the coast of 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 –...
. The final warning was issued by the JTWC when Teresa was still a tropical storm, but weakening over water east of Vietnam. The remnants of Teresa made landfall in southern Vietnam late on October 26.
Teresa left at least 14 dead and 11 injured in the Philippines, and caused heavy damage to rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
and coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
plantations. Electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
was cut off in Manila and surrounding areas. Trees were also reported uprooted, and utility poles brought down. A Maltese
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
oil tanker located in 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...
about 600 kilometres (372.8 mi) southeast of Hong Kong split into two and capsized, killing two and leaving 14 missing. The other crew members were rescued. Typhoon Teresa caused a total of $67.4 million (1994 USD) in damage in Laguna, Batangas
Batangas
Batangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
, Rizal
Rizal
Rizal is a province located in the CALABARZON , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III on June 17, 2008 announced the transfer of the Capitol from Pasig. Its P 270-million capitol building,...
and Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
Provinces in the 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 Wilda
Forming along the trough axis in which Teresa and Verne, a tropical disturbance formed on October 18 in the central tropical Pacific. The system slowly developed, becoming a tropical depression on October 19. The depression moved west-northwestward, becoming a tropical storm on October 20. After becoming a typhoon, Wilda turned west-southwest towards SaipanSaipan
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...
. From late on October 24 through late on October 25, Wilda stalled 170 kilometres (105.6 mi) east-northeast of Saipan, slowly weakening. Up to 4.95 inches (125.7 mm) fell across the central portion of Guam while winds gusted to 74 knots (145 km/h) as Wilda stalled to the northeast. The system then turned northeast along the now reverse-oriented monsoon trough
Monsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge
Subtropical ridge
The subtropical ridge is a significant belt of high pressure situated around the latitudes of 30°N in the Northern Hemisphere and 30°S in the Southern Hemisphere. It is characterized by mostly calm winds, which acts to reduce air quality under its axis by causing fog overnight, and haze during...
to its north until October 28, before bending back to the north-northwest. Late on October 29, Wilda turned back to the northeast and began to accelerate, with the system evolving into an extratropical cyclone on November 1.
Tropical Storm Yuri
On October 22, an area of convection formed northwest of Hawaii in association with a Tropical Upper Tropospheric TroughTropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
. Moving rapidly westward, the low-level circulation center associated with the convective clouds crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
later that day. The first mention of this system by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
in their Significant Tropical Weather Advisory six hours later noted that the low-level circulation had been developing under the TUTT cell. Slowly developing, on October 23, the system organized into Tropical Depression 36W. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
upgraded the system to Tropical Storm 9433 at 1200 UTC that day, shortly before the JTWC decided to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Yuri. The JTWC upgrade was based on a small area of deep convection which had formed to the southeast of the low-level centre, as well as a rapid low-level cloud motion of 40 knots (78.4 km/h) that was observed to the north of the circulation.
Yuri remained a minimal tropical storm for the next two days or so before it was downgraded to a tropical depression because of a lack of deep convection and a weakening in its appearance on satellite imagery. The final warning was issued a few hours later on October 25. There were no reports of damage or injuries. A weak wind of 11 knots (21.6 km/h) associated with the dissipating system was recorded at Chichi-jima
Chichi-jima
, formerly known as Peel Island and in the 19th century known to the English as part of the Bonin Islands, is the largest island in the Ogasawara archipelago. Chichi-jima is approximately 150 miles north of Iwo Jima. The island is within the political boundaries of Ogasawara Town, Ogasawara...
on October 25.
Super Typhoon Zelda (Esang)
The northeastern end of the monsoon trough developed into Tropical Depression 37W on October 25 over subtropical latitudes. It headed southeastward, then turned to the southwest, becoming a tropical storm on the 29th. Zelda continued its slow intensification rate, and as it turned more westward, it became a typhoon on the 1st. Continuing its clockwise movement, Zelda turned to the northwest, where it passed over the Northern Mariana IslandsNorthern 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 the 3rd the storm rapidly intensified to a 135 kn (264.6 km/h) super typhoon, and as it turned to the northeast it slowly weakened to a tropical storm on the 8th. On the 10th, Zelda dissipated, only 1700 kilometres (1,056.3 mi) from its start after following a several thousand mile track.
Typhoon Axel (Garding)
Forming along a near-equatorial trough, a surface circulation formed on December 13 and began to move west-northwestward. The system organized into a tropical depression on December 14, but only for 12 hours as the system became much less organized and had more than one circulation center. On December 15, the system began to regenerate due to increasing thunderstorm activity near its main circulation center, and by late in the day, was once again considered a tropical depression. Modestly developing thereafter, the tropical cyclone intensified into a typhoon on December 19 as it turned due west.Axel moved south of Samar
Samar
Samar, formerly and also known as Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland...
in the Philippines, weakening as it moved through the archipelago. Sixteen perished as the typhoon moved through the country, with five deaths occurring in Bacolod City as heavy rains caused a dam break. High waves destroyed 163 homes on Mindinao. Entering the South China Sea as a tropical storm, the system briefly reintensified into a typhoon before vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
substantially increased, which led to significant weakening of Axel. The tropical cyclone dissipated 370 kilometres (229.9 mi) southeast of Hong Kong on December 25.
Tropical Storm Bobbie
Moving west-northwest for much of its life, a tropical disturbance formed in the Marshall Islands on December 15. Due to vertical wind shearWind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
, the system was slow to organize. The system organized into a tropical depression on December 18, and a tropical storm on December 19. The system recurved and dissipated as a tropical cyclone on December 25.
Other systems
During 1994, PAGASAPhilippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
monitored a few systems designated as tropical depressions that were not warned on by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
or the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
.
- Tropical Depression Heling — June 25–26
- Tropical Depression Miding — July 14–19
- Tropical Depression Tering — August 29–30
- Tropical Depression Yaning — September 13–14
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 1994 was named Owen and the final one was named Bobbie.
{| style="width:90%;"
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The 1994 Pacific typhoon season was an active season in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
formation
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
in the Western North Pacific, with a total of 41 tropical cyclones during the course of the season. The season had no official bounds and it ran year-round in 1994, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. Tropical storms that formed west of the date line were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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 World Meteorological Organization
World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 189 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization , which was founded in 1873...
-designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre
Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre
A Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre is responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, and warnings regarding the specific program they have a part of, agreed by consensus at the World Meteorological Organization as part of the World Weather Watch.-Tropical...
for tropical cyclones for the region is the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
. Tropical depressions that entered or formed in the Philippine area of responsibility were assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
or PAGASA. This resulted in some storms having two names.
The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1, and ended near the end of the year when Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25. During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, killing over 2,400 people. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected 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...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms —Russ and Sharon —caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. This season, PAGASA named 25 systems and had to use an auxiliary list to name some of them after running out of names from their standard list. Of the 25, three systems were not tracked by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Season summary
There were 41 tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s during 1994 in the Western North Pacific; 39 formed within the area while two, Tropical Storm Li and Typhoon 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...
, formed in the Eastern North Pacific (east of longitude
Longitude
Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds, and denoted by the Greek letter lambda ....
140°W
140th meridian west
The meridian 140° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
) and crossed the date line to enter this basin. Of the 39, 34 became tropical storms and were named, of which 20 became typhoons. The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1. The season ended late in the year after Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25.
During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, with eight striking the 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...
, eight moving into China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, six moving into 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 –...
, and three striking 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 China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. A total of over 2,400 people perished during the season. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected 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...
, South Korea and mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms — Russ and Sharon — caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. Hong Kong received 28 percent of its annual rainfall from tropical cyclones this season, which was slightly above normal.
Tropical Depression 01W (Akang)
Tropical Depression 01W was first observed as a poorly organised area of clouds in a near-equatorial troughTrough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
in the 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...
early on January 1. A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
(TCFA) was issued at 1400 UTC January 2 after a weather station at Chuuk
Chuuk
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...
reported windspeeds of 55 km/h, (35 mph). However, the system was not able to sustain its convection during the daylight hours of January 3. Slow development began, and the system became a tropical depression on January 4 while the system was about 600 km, (370 mi), west of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
. Repeated new bursts of deep thunderstorm activity occurred, though the system experienced vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
, with the low-level circulation centre located at the southeastern edge of the large cold cirrus cloud
Cirrus cloud
Cirrus clouds are atmospheric clouds generally characterized by thin, wispy strands, giving them their name from the Latin word cirrus meaning a ringlet or curling lock of hair...
shield the deep convection produced. Tropical Depression 01W was classified as a tropical storm by PAGASA, and named Akang.
Tropical Depression 01W made landfall on Samar Island
Samar Island
Samar is an island in the Visayas, within the central Philippines. The island is divided into three provinces: Samar province, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. These three provinces, along with the provinces on the nearby islands of Leyte and Biliran are part of the Eastern Visayas region...
in the 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...
on the evening of January 5, following which the depression started to weaken. The final warning was issued early on January 6 after the system lost all its deep convection. A total of 35 to 45 deaths were reported, with over 69 million Philippine peso
Philippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
s (1994 pesos) or $2.4 million (1994 USD) in damage reported. It caused a major flood event in the Philippines. A total of at least 16,000 people had to take refuge in government-run shelters during and after the storm.
Typhoon Owen (Bising)
Typhoon Owen formed from a tropical disturbance which was originally identified within a near-equatorial troughNear-equatorial trough
Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone, and monsoon trough. Surges of higher pressure from...
over Micronesia
Micronesia
Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest....
. The disturbance was first mentioned by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
on March 29. By March 31, a distinct area within the trough showing signs of cyclonic spin appeared, and the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression 02W soon afterwards. Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
classified the system as a tropical storm, Tropical Storm 9401. It was located about 420 kilometres (261 mi) west-northwest of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
.
Owen continued to strengthen, with the JMA classifying it a severe tropical storm on April 3. According to the JTWC, Owen reached typhoon intensity at the same time the JMA classified it a severe tropical storm. The storm tracked southwest to west-southwestward, and reached its peak intensity of 75 knots (147 km/h) from the JTWC (60 knots (117.6 km/h) from the JMA) on April 4, shortly before landfall between Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
and Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. A reading taken late on April 3 at Guiuan on Samar
Samar
Samar, formerly and also known as Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland...
reported sustained winds of 45 knots (88.2 km/h). It weakened to a tropical storm overland, before it restrengthened slightly after emerging into 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...
. A drilling rig
Drilling rig
A drilling rig is a machine which creates holes or shafts in the ground. Drilling rigs can be massive structures housing equipment used to drill water wells, oil wells, or natural gas extraction wells, or they can be small enough to be moved manually by one person...
reported 50 knots (98 km/h) sustained winds. Soon afterwards, the cyclone dissipated over water northwest of 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...
on April 9.
Owen's west-southwestward track shortly before landfall was rare. Owen was one of just two April typhoons in the previous 36 years — the other being Typhoon Wanda of the 1971 season
1971 Pacific typhoon season
The 1971 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1971, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December...
- to make landfall while moving west-southwestward. Owen's later recurvature in the South China Sea was also unusual; it recurved at a latitude
Latitude
In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth is the angular distance of that location south or north of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually measured in degrees . The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North pole has a latitude of 90° north , and the South pole has a...
of only about 13°N
13th parallel north
The 13th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 13 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, Central America, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean....
, about 3° south of the average latitude for recurvature in the South China Sea in April.
Owen's impact on the 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...
was widespread, with nine provinces being declared under a "state of calamity" by President of the Philippines
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Fidel Ramos. At least 10 people were killed with 5 others missing, and a further 14 fishermen feared drowned. A total of 33 were reported wounded. Over 9000 families were affected by Owen. No damage was reported to the drilling rig in the South China Sea.
In Okinawa, heavy rains were reported on Yonaguni
Yonaguni
is one of the Yaeyama Islands. It is the westernmost inhabited island of Japan and lies from the east coast of Taiwan, between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean proper....
, with a total reported precipitation amount of 313 millimetres (12.3 in). The peak winds measured at Yonaguni in association with Typhoon Owen were 32.4 kilometres per hour (16.5 kn).
Typhoon Page (Klaring)
On May 8, a large increase in deep convection associated with near-equatorial troughNear-equatorial trough
Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone, and monsoon trough. Surges of higher pressure from...
s was noted 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...
. By the next morning, visible satellite imagery showed an increase in organization of the deep convection associated with the system, and synoptic reports from buoys confirmed that a low-level circulation centre was present near 5°N 153°E. Slow development ensued, and the system was upgraded to a tropical depression on May 12. At the same time, the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
began tracking the system, about 510 kilometres (316.9 mi) west-southwest 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...
.
Page moved on a northwestward track for the next couple days while slowly strengthening. Page was upgraded to a tropical storm by the JTWC late on May 12, when it was located 500 kilometres (310.7 mi) north of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
, while the JMA first considered the system a tropical storm on May 13. Late on May 13, Page suddenly slowed in forward speed and began turning to the northeast. On May 14, Page became a typhoon. However, the JMA did not follow suit until 30 hours later. Page reached its maximum intensity of 90 knots (176.4 km/h) and minimum pressure of 954 hectopascals (28.2 inHg) thirty hours after passing the point of recurvature. Final warnings were issued by both the JTWC and the JMA early on May 18, as it began extratropical transition around 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) east-southeast of Tokyo.
Page had the largest average track forecast errors of all the typhoons in 1994, mainly due to failures in expecting its recurvature. Furthermore, Page's late attainment of maximum intensity, at 30 hours after point of recurvature, is not common. Between 1978 and 1993, only seven of 77 typhoons attained peak intensity more than 24 hours after recurving.
Large waves and high tides generated by Page affected the western Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
. A few tourists had to be rescued from high surf and strong currents 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...
. Minimal rainfall was recorded in Japan, the highest recorded total was 29 millimetres (1.1 in) in Kumagaya, Saitama
Kumagaya, Saitama
is a city in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 203,089 . The total area is 159.88 km². The city is one of the biggest in northern Saitama Prefecture. It is the administrative, business and commercial centre in northern Saitama Prefecture. Eight...
. At Mount Tsukuba
Mount Tsukuba
Mount Tsukuba is an mountain located near Tsukuba, Japan. It is one of the most famous mountains in Japan, particularly well-known for its double peaks, Nyotai-san and Nantai-san . Many people climb the so-called "purple mountain" every year for the panoramic view of the Kantō plain from the...
, a maximum sustained wind speed of 58 kilometres per hour (29.6 kn) was recorded.
Tropical Depression 04W (Deling)
On May 14, an area of deep convection associated with a weak cyclonic circulation 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...
was mentioned in the JTWC's 0600 UTC Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. For the next five days, this weak circulation tracked west-northwestward in the direction 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...
, before turning to the west-southwest, but convection failed to consolidate near the centre during this time. After passing close to Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
on May 21, it turned northwest and entered the Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
, and was named Deling by PAGASA early on May 23 local time. Shortly after, SSM/I imagery indicated the presence of a well-defined low-level circulation centre, and visible and infrared satellite images indicated an increase in organisation of the system and a consolidation of deep convection near the centre. Based on this, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
was issued by the JTWC at 0600 UTC.
The first warning was issued a day later when the amount of deep convection near the centre increased as the depression neared the 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...
. While over the Philippine islands, a large Mesoscale Convective System
Mesoscale Convective System
A mesoscale convective system is a complex of thunderstorms that becomes organized on a scale larger than the individual thunderstorms but smaller than extratropical cyclones, and normally persists for several hours or more...
(MCS) developed near the centre of the tropical depression, something that would occur again later while the system was west of 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...
. Soon after the second MCS weakened, the system made landfall in central 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 –...
on May 26, and quickly dissipated when inland. The Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
tracked this system as a weak tropical depression from May 25 UTC when it was about 520 km (323.1 mi) southeast of Xisha
Paracel Islands
The Paracel Islands, also called Xisha Islands in Chinese and Hoàng Sa Islands in Vietnamese, is a group of islands under the administration of Hainan Province, The People's Republic of China. Vietnam and the Republic of China also claim sovereignty of these islands...
for about 24 hours before it dissipated.
According to press reports, over 2,000 people were forced to evacuate from Davao City
Davao City
The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....
, despite no reports of significantly high winds or low pressures, as the system caused heavy rainfall that produced heavy flooding that killed five people and left at least one person missing.
Tropical Storm Russ (Emang)
Tropical Storm Russ was one of just three storms to cause the Hong Kong ObservatoryHong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
to raise Tropical Cyclone Signal #3 in the 1994 season. Russ was first spotted on June 2, about 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Hainan Island as a tropical disturbance. Deep convection over the circulation center soon improved, and the Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
had declared it a tropical depression on June 3 when it was located about 290 kilometres (180.2 mi) south of Hong Kong.
The system initially moved east to northeast while slowly strengthening. Russ became a tropical storm on the evening of June 4, passing just south of Dongsha
Pratas Islands
The Pratas Islands or Dongsha Islands consists of three islands forming from an atoll located in northeastern South China Sea, southeast of Hong Kong. The islands are governed by the Republic of China . The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over these islands along with all other...
that night. PAGASA
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
then named the system Emang, shortly before it made a clockwise loop and started to move back towards the west-southwest, intensifying. Russ made landfall on June 8 on the northeastern Luichow Peninsula, and dissipated inland.
The maximum wind gust in Hong Kong was reported at Tai Mo Shan
Tai Mo Shan
Tai Mo Shan has the highest peak in Hong Kong, with an altitude of 957 m. It is located approximately at the geographical centre of the New Territories....
, where a gust to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) was recorded on June 7. Maximum daily rainfall in the territory was recorded at Yuen Long
Yuen Long
Yuen Long , formerly Un Long, is an area and town located in the northwest of Hong Kong, on the Yuen Long Plain. To its west lie Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen, to the south Shap Pat Heung and Tai Tong, to the east Au Tau and Kam Tin, and to the north Nam Sang Wai.-Name:The Cantonese name Yuen Long 元朗...
on June 8, when 41 millimetres (1.6 in) was reported. Russ killed at least 74 people in Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces and injured another 726 people. 16 others were reported missing. 702,430 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s (7024 square kilometres, 2711 square miles) of farmland in the three provinces were destroyed by floods from Russ. Around 725,000 houses were destroyed. Total damage was estimated at 6.3 billion RMB
Renminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
(1994 RMB), or $727.5 million (1994 USD).
Tropical Storm Sharon (Gading)
In mid-June, not long after Tropical Storm Russ had made landfall, an area of convection south of 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...
within the near-equatorial trough
Near-equatorial trough
Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone, and monsoon trough. Surges of higher pressure from...
began to consolidate. The system moved west-northwest as it began to organize on June 20. Acquiring tropical depression strength on June 21, intensification halted due to vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
. Subsequent weakened led to its dissipation as a tropical depression by June 22.
PAGASA
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
named the system Gading as it neared the 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...
, and twelve hours after the final warning was issued, convection once again built up, and a new warning was issued. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
issued their first warning on Tropical Storm 9404 a day later. As it crossed 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...
, Sharon caused flooding and released mudflow
Mudflow
A mudslide is the most rapid and fluid type of downhill mass wasting. It is a rapid movement of a large mass of mud formed from loose soil and water. Similar terms are mudflow, mud stream, debris flow A mudslide is the most rapid (up to 80 km/h, or 50 mph) and fluid type of downhill mass...
s from Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
, killing two people. Traffic on two main highways near Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
was disrupted by the mud.
After crossing Luzon, Sharon reached its peak, with vertical shear inhibiting further intensification. It made landfall on June 25 around 140 metre (0.086992183130973 mi) east-northeast of Zhanjiang
Zhanjiang
Zhanjiang , formerly known as Tsamkong, Tsankiang, Fort-Bayard, and Kwang-Chou-Wan, is a prefecture-level city at the southwestern end of Guangdong province of Southern China, facing the island of Hainan to the south....
, or 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) east of where Tropical Storm Russ had made landfall just weeks before. Winds gusted to 52 knots (101.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong. Sharon claimed 11 lives in the seas off Hong Kong, and the combined flooding effects of Russ and Sharon reportedly left more than 1,400 people dead, and caused over $6 billion (1994 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
) in damage.
Tropical Depression 07W (Heling)
Tropical Depression 07W developed in the monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
on June 29, well east of the 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...
. Warnings were initiated at 0000 UTC June 3 when the system was approximately 250 km (155.3 mi) southeast of Dongsha
Pratas Islands
The Pratas Islands or Dongsha Islands consists of three islands forming from an atoll located in northeastern South China Sea, southeast of Hong Kong. The islands are governed by the Republic of China . The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over these islands along with all other...
. It reached its maximum intensity shortly before landfall on July 4. Flooding associated with Tropical Depression 07W in western Guangdong Province killed four people and left two others missing, and destroyed over 6,700 houses while leaving another 50,000 damaged. 120,000 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s (1,200 square kilometres, 465 square miles) of farmland were ruined, and irrigation facilities were damaged. Total losses from the storm in Guangdong were estimated to be $114 million (1994 USD). In Guangxi Province, the storm killed six others, and left over 30,000 people homeless.
Typhoon Tim (Iliang)
A tropical disturbance formed in the 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...
on July 5 south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
. The system organized into a tropical depression on the morning on July 6. Moving northwest, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm as it approached 130°E
130th meridian east
The meridian 130° east of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Asia, Australia, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
on the morning of July 8. Rapid intensification ensued, with Tim reaching typhoon intensity late on July 8, peaking at 125 knots (245 km/h) on July 10.
From July 9 to July 11, Tim and Tropical Storm Vanessa engaged in a Fujiwara interaction, and Tim absorbed the smaller Vanessa into its southeastern quadrant. Late on July 10, Tim struck 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...
, bringing gusts of 98 knots (192.1 km/h) to Chengkung as it made landfall about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) south of Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
. Continuing northwest, Tim moved into mainland China as a weaker typhoon, crossing the coast about 150 kilometres (93.2 mi) south-southwest of Fuzhou
Fuzhou
Fuzhou is the capital and one of the largest cities in Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. Along with the many counties of Ningde, those of Fuzhou are considered to constitute the Mindong linguistic and cultural area....
. It dissipated well inland on July 11.
Damage was widespread in Taiwan, where Tim killed at least 19 people and left another 11 missing, and where 67 people reported injuries. A freighter
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
with 97 mainland Chinese
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
on board ran aground near Suao. About 50,000 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s (500 square kilometres, 195 square miles) of farmland was flooded, and more than 300 buildings collapsed during the storm. The bad weather also disrupted international flights, and knocked out electricity to over 2 million households. NT$2 billion (1994 TWD), or US$75 million (1994 dollars), was the reported cost of damage.
In Fujian Province, Typhoon Tim killed three people and flooded 140,000 hectares (1,400 km²., 540 sq. mi.) of farmland, with damages estimated at 1.5 billion renminbi
Renminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
(1994 RMB), or $173.5 million (1994 USD). Tim was also blamed for 14 deaths and 6 injuries in the 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...
(Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
, Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...
and Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Its capital is Laoag City and is located at the northwest corner of Luzon Island, bordering Cagayan and Apayao to the east, and Abra and Ilocos Sur to the south...
provinces) as it passed near the area.
Tropical Storm Vanessa (Loleng)
As Tim developed in the Philippine SeaPhilippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
, a tropical disturbance in 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...
began to show development. Becoming a tropical depression late on July 8, it strengthened into a tropical storm early on July 9, with both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
and the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
classifying it a tropical storm.
Vanessa made an anti-clockwise loop and then started to move northeastward under the steering influence of a monsoon flow and Typhoon Tim's circulation, reaching a peak intensity of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) west of 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...
before it was absorbed by the larger typhoon. The final warning was issued on July 11 after it was determined that Vanessa's circulation had been absorbed. Vanessa was blamed for three deaths in the 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...
, where it was known as Loleng.
Super Typhoon Walt (Miding)
Walt was part of a three tropical cyclone outbreak along a reverse-oriented monsoon trough (aligned northeast-southwest rather than the usual northwest-southeast orientation.) By July 11, a thunderstorm cluster developed near Palau. The disturbance moved slowly northwest, becoming a tropical depression late on July 14. As it neared the 15th parallel, Walt turned to the northeast and intensified. By the afternoon of July 19 the cyclone had become a super typhoon, the first of the season, an intensity it maintained for a day. While slowly weakening, Walt turned to the west. By the morning of July 23 the cyclone had dropped down to tropical storm strength as it turned to the north for a couple days. The storm turned back to the west, making landfall on the southwest end of Shikoku as a moderate tropical storm, bringing wind gusts to tropical storm force. The cyclone dissipated south of Korea by early on July 27. Rainfall across South Korea helped improve severe drought conditions.Tropical Storm Yunya (Norming)
The disturbance that was to become Tropical Storm Yunya was first mentioned on July 16 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...
when it was located in 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...
as cloudiness in a reverse-oriented monsoon trough
Monsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
. A weak low-level circulation was identified through animated satellite imagery and synoptic data early that morning. Moving east-northeast, the system strengthened into Tropical Depression 11W by July 18. At 0600 UTC that day, the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
declared the formation of Tropical Storm 9409. Yunya continued to undergo gradual strengthening, reaching its peak strength near landfall in northwest 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...
on the morning of July 19.
As it tracked over land, it became disorganized and weakened to a minimal tropical storm. In the Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
, Yunya briefly restrengthened and reached a secondary peak of 40 knots (78.4 km/h). The JMA discontinued warnings after it deemed Yunya to have dropped below tropical storm intensity at 1800 UTC that day, while the JTWC continued monitoring the tropical depression until convection decreased and the storm dissipated on July 21. During its life, Yunya had an unusual eastward motion, which was due to the reverse-oriented monsoon trough. Yunya was also a small system, and appeared to have been undergoing a period of rapid organisation of convection shortly before it made landfall.
Heavy rain from Yunya caused landslides of volcanic
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
debris
Debris
Debris is rubble, wreckage, ruins, litter and discarded garbage/refuse/trash, scattered remains of something destroyed, or, in geology, large rock fragments left by a melting glacier etc. The singular form of debris is debris...
from Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
. Coincidentally, a previous Typhoon Yunya in 1991 hit the Philippines the day of Mount Pinatubo's major eruption. Gusts were in excess of 60 knots (117.6 km/h) across Luzon. Yunya killed at least 11 people and injured at least 7 others, and affected over 420,000 people. A total of $37.6 million (1994 USD) in damage was reported in the 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...
from Yunya.
Typhoon Zeke
Forming at the opposite end of the monsoon trough from Walt on July 14, the initial tropical disturbance moved north to northeast. Slowly developing, the system became a tropical depression during the early afternoon of July 18. Westerly upper level shear from Walt was slowing development, and Zeke finally achieved tropical storm status early on July 20. The cyclone continued to waver around a northeast track. After turning more northward early on the afternoon of July 22, Zeke became a typhoon for half of a day. Wavering around a more northerly track, Zeke weakened and evolved into an extratropical cyclone on by early on July 25.Tropical Depression 13W
Tropical Depression 13W was considered to be the shortest-lived tropical cyclone of the season, with the JTWC only four warnings issued on it. It formed on July 25 in association with a surge in the southwest monsoon, about 250 km (155.3 mi) east of GuamGuam
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...
. It dissipated the next day, east of the northernmost Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
, about 250 km (155.3 mi) north of Guam. No deaths or damage were reported from the depression. On July 28, a subtropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
was noted southeast of Tokyo, and it is possible that this was a continuation of Tropical Depression 13W.
Tropical Storm Brendan (Oyang)
On July 26 a tropical disturbance developed in the Philippine Sea. The system moved northwest at a slow pace for a couple days. A southwest surge in the monsoon turned the disturbance northward, and the system became a tropical depression on the morning of July 29. Accelerating to the north, Brendan became a tropical storm just before reaching Okinawa. The cyclone reached peak intensity to the south of Cheju Island, Korea as a moderate tropical storm. After recurving in the Yellow Sea, the storm recurved across Korea during extratropical transition with subtropical cyclone characteristics. The cyclone evolved into an extratropical cyclone while crossing the Sea of Japan, and reintensified. Up to 200 millimetres (7.9 in) of rain in the Korean peninsula helped relieve drought conditions. Two died in Korea during the passage of Brendan.Tropical Storm Amy
An area of persistent convection associated with a low-level circulation centre moved off Hainan Island into water on July 29. The Japan Meteorological AgencyJapan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
then reported that Tropical Storm 9410 had formed early that day, in 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...
west of Hainan. This was later designated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
as Tropical Depression 15W, and it was quickly upgraded to a tropical storm. It moved westward and started to weaken over water, making landfall south of Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
before dissipating inland.
Tropical Storm Amy killed 15 and left over 32,000 people displaced in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, and caused damage worth $8 million (1994 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
).
Tropical Storm Caitlin (Pasing)
A tropical disturbance formed within the monsoon trough northwest of Guam on July 29. Slow development ensued, and four days later, it had become a tropical depression. By late on August 2 the cyclone had achieved tropical storm status. The system turned northwest and accelerated towards Taiwan/Taipei. During the morning of August 3, Caitlin became a storm tropical storm as it made landfall in Hualien county. Green Island experienced gusts of typhoon force for 21 hours as the cyclone's center moved to its north. Taking six hours to cross the mountainous island, Caitlin entered the Taiwan Straits on August 4. Ten perished across Taiwan and damage there totaled NT$620 million (1994 dollars), or $23.4 million (1994 USD). By late morning, its center passed inland into mainland China. Rainfall rates as high as 84 millimetres (3.3 in) per hour were witnessed in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Mountain floods left eight dead.Super Typhoon Doug (Ritang)
The eastern end of a monsoon trough developed a tropical depression on July 30. It headed westward, slowly strengthening to a tropical storm on the 2nd and a typhoon on the 3rd. Doug turned more to the northwest, and rapidly intensified from the 4th to the 5th to a 140 kn (274.4 km/h) super typhoon. It weakened slightly to a 125 kn (245 km/h) typhoon before brushing the eastern coast of Taiwan on the 7th. Its circulation became ragged, and it weakened to a tropical storm on the 10th. A ridge to the north pushed Doug west-southwestward where it dissipated over China on the 13th. A total of 26 people lost their lives, and damage was estimated on Taiwan at $110 million (1994 USD).Typhoon Ellie
A tropical disturbance formed 900 kilometres (559.2 mi) southeast of Japan on August 2. The system drifted southward and slowly developed, becoming Tropical Depression 18W, and then a tropical storm, on August 8. The system turned to the west-southwest, forming a large eye as it became a typhoon on August 9 before stalling. On August 10, the system moved west-northwest at a moderate pace, passing 130 kilometres (80.8 mi) offshore southern KyūshūKyushu
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....
on August 13. Ellie turned northward on August 14, clipping eastern China before making a final landfall within northeast China as a tropical storm on August 16.
Tropical Storm Li
The National Hurricane CenterNational Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
issued the first advisory on Tropical Depression 08E on August 3. The tropical depression was upgraded to a tropical storm on August 8, and then to a hurricane at 1200 UTC August 12, just east of the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. The CPHC issued its final warning at 1800 UTC as the storm started to cross the Dateline. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
and Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
both issued their first warnings at 0000 UTC August 13, with the JTWC downgrading Li to a tropical storm at the first warning.
Tropical Storm Li weakened steadily under the influence of strong upper-level westerly winds south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
which caused shearing
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
of the storm's convection, and it was downgraded to a tropical depression on August 16 as it took a turn to the northeast. The final warning on Li, which was the 59th in total from a United States tropical cyclone centre, was issued on August 18 as the storm dissipated over water. In total, Li travelled over 3600 nautical miles (6,667.2 km) (6670 km, 4170 miles) throughout its existence, starting from the disturbance stage.
Super Typhoon Fred (Susang)
On August 15, Tropical Depression 19W became a tropical storm over the open West Pacific. Fred tracked westward, slowly intensifying to a typhoon on August 16 and a peak of 130 kn (254.8 km/h) winds on August 19. Unlike most super typhoons, Fred did not rapidly intensify; its strengthening rate was steady. As it passed by Taiwan, heavy rainfall caused landslides across the mountainous island. Three perished and a total of NT$22 million (1994 dollars), or $835,500 (1994 USD), of damage occurred within Taiwan.The storm weakened to an 85 kn (166.6 km/h) typhoon before hitting eastern China on August 21. Significant infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
damage occurred near the location of landfall. Unfortunately, the landfall coincided with an unusually high astronomical tide, resulting in extreme storm surge combined with heavy flooding, amounting to over 1,000 fatalities and significant damage totaling 7.5 billion RMB, or $874.4 million (1994 USD).
Typhoon Gladys (Uding)
On August 19, a small area of thunderstorm activity formed in the open tropical western Pacific ocean on the eastern end of the monsoon trough. By August 22, the system organized into a small tropical cyclone, which was heading off towards the north. On August 23, the system turned westward due to increased ridging to its north. It soon became a tropical storm on August 24, and developed into a typhoon on August 25. Westerly vertical wind shear led to weakening, and Gladys became a weak tropical storm on August 28. The wind shear relented, and Gladys redeveloped into a typhoon as it moved towards Taiwan, increasing in size as well as intensity. The system weakened as it tracked across northern Taiwan, prior to making landfall over mainland China, dissipating on September 2. Winds at Suao gusted to 133 knots (260.7 km/h) as it moved by northern Taiwan. Six people perished. A total of NT$400 million (1994 dollars), or $15.4 million (1994 USD), in agricultural damage was incurred across Taiwan.Tropical Storm Harry
Thunderstorm activity developed within the monsoon trough 465 kilometres (288.9 mi) southwest of Guam. The system tracked west-northwest, a course it would continue through its life cycle. After crossing the northern portion of LuzonLuzon
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...
, the system became a tropical depression late on August 25 and a tropical storm on August 26. On the morning of August 27, the cyclone passed south of Hong Kong, bringing wind gusts to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) at Waglan Island and 76 knots (148.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shen in Hong Kong. Harry became a strong tropical storm before moving close to the Chinese coast. Total damage across China from Harry's heavy rainfall totaled 484 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $56.5 million (1994 USD). Weakening thereafter, the storm moved 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...
into northern Vietnam, dissipating on August 29.
Typhoon Ivy
On August 25, a low pressure area developed in the subtropical western Pacific. The low traveled west-southwest, slowly gaining thunderstorms. On August 28, the system became a tropical depression, then tropical storm, as it turned to the north. Ivy continued to develop, becoming a typhoon on August 31. During early September, the system turned north-northeast and slowly weakened. On September 3, Ivy transitioned into an extratropical cycloneExtratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
as it linked up with a cold front
Cold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
.
Typhoon John
On August 28, Hurricane JohnHurricane 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...
, which had formed in the Eastern North Pacific, crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
at 0900 UTC and became a typhoon. Shortly after crossing into the Western North Pacific, John reached its secondary peak of 105 knots (205.8 km/h). While west-southwest of Midway
Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, near the northwestern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, about one-third of the way between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan. Unique among the Hawaiian islands, Midway observes UTC-11 , eleven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time and one hour...
John started to weaken. This marked the beginning of another intensification period, during which John recrossed the dateline, this time heading east, and out of the Western North Pacific. Two ship reports, at 1500 UTC and 1800 UTC on September 4, indicated that John had sustained winds of 55 knots (107.8 km/h). No damage from John was reported in the Western North Pacific, although damage was reported from John on Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean about west of Hawaii. There are four islands located on the coral reef platform, two natural islands, Johnston Island and Sand Island, which have been expanded by coral dredging, as well as North Island and East Island , an additional two...
in the Central Pacific.
Tropical Storm Joel
An area of persistent convection within the monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
in 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...
on August 30. At first, the disturbance moved east-northeastward, but turned toward the west-northwest on September 2. The disturbance organized into Tropical Depression 23W on September 3.
On the morning of September 5, upper-level winds which had affected the deep convection to the north of the depression's circulation centre began to weaken, allowing the convection to wrap around the north side of the system. Based on this, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Joel. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
upgraded the storm to Tropical Storm 9422 early the next morning local time.
Joel then made a sharp turn towards the north, and made landfall on the southwestern corner of Hainan Island. During passage over land, Joel reached its peak of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) before turning to the northwest and exiting land into 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...
. A cloud-filled banding eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
then became apparent on visible satellite imagery. Joel made landfall on September 7 near Haiphong, Vietnam before dissipating inland west of Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
. No significant deaths or damage was reported, aside from a few large trees that were knocked down in Hanoi.
Typhoon Kinna
On September 1, an area of thunderstorm activity formed within the monsoon trough. Over the next few days, a monsoon depression formed to its southwest, steering the system northwest to north. After separating from the monsoon depression, it became well enough to organized to be considered a tropical depression on September 5. Strengthening while moving northward, Kinna became a tropical storm on September 6. The system slowed its northward motion until it moved north of the axis of the subtropical ridgeSubtropical ridge
The subtropical ridge is a significant belt of high pressure situated around the latitudes of 30°N in the Northern Hemisphere and 30°S in the Southern Hemisphere. It is characterized by mostly calm winds, which acts to reduce air quality under its axis by causing fog overnight, and haze during...
on September 10. As it did so, Kinna became a typhoon on September 9. While recurving east of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Kinna brought wind gusts to 60 knots (117.6 km/h) at Hachijōjima
Hachijojima
is a volcanic Japanese island in the Philippine Sea, administered by Tōkyō and located approximately south of the Special Wards of Tōkyō. It is the southernmost and most isolated of the Izu Seven Islands group of the seven northern islands of the Izu archipelago...
. By late on September 12, Kinna had transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Luke (Weling)
Luke formed out of the monsoon depression which formed southwest of Kinna. Originally becoming a broad monsoon depression on September 3, thunderstorm was slow to form any curvature on its western side. By September 9, the monsoon depression transitioned into Tropical Depression 25W. The depression moved northwest, just to the north of the Philippines. On the afternoon of September 11, the system strengthened into a tropical storm as it turned more to the west. On September 12, the system passed south of Hong Kong. Winds gusted to 50 knots (98 km/h) at Waglan Island as the system passed by. As Luke approached Hainan Island, it weakened due to the island's rough topographyTopography
Topography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
. Damage across China totaled over 100 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $11.7 million (1994 USD). The cyclone moved ashore northern Vietnam on September 14 before dissipating.
Super Typhoon Melissa
On September 10, a monsoon depression formed in the central Pacific, which had previously absorbed the remains of Hurricane Kristy. By September 11, the system had become well enough organized to be considered a tropical storm. Strong cross equatorial winds steered Melissa to the northeast and led to rapid intensification. Melissa gained typhoon intensity on September 13, and became a super typhoon on September 14. The cyclone then turned northwest and Melissa considerably weakened, becoming a weak tropical storm by September 18. On September 19, Melissa rounded the subtropical ridge axis and recurved, becoming a large extratropical cyclone on September 21. In Japan, three were killed during Melissa's passage near the country.Tropical Storm Nat
Nat formed from an area of thunderstorms which formed along a trough trailing from Melissa. First noted on September 14, the system developed into a tropical depression and tropical storm on September 15. At this point in its life cycle it approached Guam from the west, when a squall line moved across the island, bringing wind gusts to 48 knots (94.1 km/h). One person drowned when knocked into the ocean, while 24 were injured, most of which due to a lightning strike which occurred in the wake of Nat along its trailing surface trough. Nat continued moving east to northeast initially before turning to the northwest by September 19, then turned back to the northeast by September 21, eventually dissipating in the subtropical western Pacific ocean.Super Typhoon Orchid (Aning)
A tropical disturbance formed east of the Philippines along a surface trough trailing from Nat. In the prevailing westerly flow, the disturbance moved eastward. The system organized into a tropical depression on September 18. The system turned northward, developing into a tropical storm. As it bypassed Guam to the northwest, winds gusted to 46 knots (90.2 km/h) on the island. Slowly turning towards the northwest, and ultimately southwest around a monsoon gyre, Orchid slowly intensified into a typhoon. On September 22, Orchid turned northwest and continued to strengthen, peaking as a super typhoon on September 25. Slowly weakening thereafter, Orchid began to slow during recurvature as it rounded the western side of the subtropical ridge. Acceleration to the north-northeast began on September 28, and by late on September 29, Orchid made landfall in Japan as a typhoon, crossing HonshuHonshu
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...
and western Hokkaido
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
. Winds gusted to 92 knots (180.3 km/h) at Tanabe. Rainfall from Orchid across central Japan was beneficial, as it helped relieve drought conditions. Nine perished during Orchid's passage across Japan.
Typhoon Pat
Pat formed on the east end of the monsoon trough as a tropical disturbance on September 20 near Wake Island, moving west-southwest. The system organized into a tropical depression on September 21. Turning to the northwest, Pat quickly strengthened into a typhoon by September 23. Soon afterward, Pat turned more to the west and weakened, beginning its interaction with Tropical Storm Ruth located to Pat's southwest. On September 24, Pat and Ruth began to orbit around each other, entrapped within a Fujiwara interaction. By the morning of September 26, the two cyclones merged and both systems' thunderstorm activity fell apart, a condition which continued after the merger. Over the next couple days, the merged cyclone regained central convection and recurved east of Japan.Tropical Storm Ruth
An area of thunderstorm activity formed between Orchid and Pat on September 23. The system developed, becoming Tropical Depression 30W on September 24. A day later, the cyclone achieved tropical storm strength. Ruth moved northeast within a general southwest flow regime, as the smaller tropical cyclone named Pat approached from the northeast. By September 26, the two cyclones merged, and the resultant cyclone recurved east of Japan.Tropical Depression 31W
On September 26, an upper-troposphericTroposphere
The troposphere is the lowest portion of Earth's atmosphere. It contains approximately 80% of the atmosphere's mass and 99% of its water vapor and aerosols....
circulation separated from an upper-level trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
that was situated northwest of Hawaii, and began moving westward towards the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. This Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
also had deep convection associated with low-level cloud lines, which suggested that a low-level circulation possibly existed. It crossed the Dateline on September 27, with the convection persisting. The system continued to organise and became a tropical depression the next day, despite lacking in deep convection. The depression never strengthened into a tropical storm, and lacked deep convection for most of its existence. It recurved eastward and weakened on October 3, and the final warning was issued. No damage or casualties were reported.
Typhoon Seth (Bidang)
An area of thunderstorm activity formed near the Marshall IslandsMarshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
, moving westward in a regime which showed an atypically weak monsoon trough. On October 1, a low level circulation developed in association with the convection. Slow development occurred, and the system strengthened into a tropical depression on October 3. Winds gusted to 41 knots (80.4 km/h) as Seth passed south of Guam on October 5. Developing at a modest pace as it moved west-northwest, the cyclone strengthened into a typhoon on October 6. Seth strengthened into a strong typhoon on October 7, recurving around the periphery of the subtropical ridge, missing Taiwan to the east. Heavy rainfall and high winds across the island led to eight deaths, and NT$60 million (1994 dollars), or $2.3 million (1994 USD), in damage.
As it moved through the Ryuku Islands, winds gusted to 110 knots (215.6 km/h) Yonaguni Jima. The cyclone accelerated as it approached Korea as a typhoon which had begun to transition into a nontropical low. At Cheju Do, winds peaked at 78 knots (152.9 km/h) as Seth passed by. Rainfall amounts measured across South Korea were in excess of 300 millimetres (11.8 in). Although the rainfall generally relieved drought conditions, one person perished due to flooding in Samchok. Seth become an extratropical cyclone soon after crossing the peninsula on October 12.
Typhoon Verne (Delang)
An area of organized thunderstorm activity formed on October 14 in the Marshall Islands. Late on October 15, the system formed into a tropical depression. The system slowly developed as it moved west-northwest, becoming a tropical storm on October 18. The system passed north of Guam, bringing over 75 millimetres (3 in) of rainfall to much of the island, and winds gusted up to 60 knots (117.6 km/h). By October 20, Verne had developed into a typhoon. Late on October 21, steering currents collapsed, and Verne stalled for nearly a week. Verne became a strong typhoon on October 24. Turning northward on October 26, the system slowly weakened east of mainland Asia, and on October 28 Verne weakened back into a tropical storm. On November 1, Verne became an extratropical cyclone as it moved east of Japan.Typhoon Teresa (Katring)
Typhoon Teresa (named Katring by PAGASA) was at one point one of four tropical cycloneTropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s that existed simultaneously in the Western North Pacific, and it was the western-most of the four. This system was first noted as a tropical disturbance on October 15 while about 550 kilometres (341.8 mi) east of the southern Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
. The system moved west and passed north 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...
near 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...
on October 16 at around 0600 UTC.
Slowly organizing, the system evolved into Tropical Depression 34W early on October 16, and a tropical storm later in the day. Teresa continued moving westward at a constant pace and intensified into a typhoon on October 19, reaching its peak intensity of 80 knots (156.8 km/h) that same day. Teresa crossed the central Philippines on a west-southwestward track, passing just south of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. It had weakened to a severe tropical storm by the time it exited the Philippine islands. The storm continued on a southwestward motion, slowly re-intensifying, and it had regained typhoon strength by October 23. The storm then slowed and turned toward the west, and slowly weakened as it moved towards the coast of 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 –...
. The final warning was issued by the JTWC when Teresa was still a tropical storm, but weakening over water east of Vietnam. The remnants of Teresa made landfall in southern Vietnam late on October 26.
Teresa left at least 14 dead and 11 injured in the Philippines, and caused heavy damage to rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
and coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
plantations. Electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
was cut off in Manila and surrounding areas. Trees were also reported uprooted, and utility poles brought down. A Maltese
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
oil tanker located in 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...
about 600 kilometres (372.8 mi) southeast of Hong Kong split into two and capsized, killing two and leaving 14 missing. The other crew members were rescued. Typhoon Teresa caused a total of $67.4 million (1994 USD) in damage in Laguna, Batangas
Batangas
Batangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
, Rizal
Rizal
Rizal is a province located in the CALABARZON , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III on June 17, 2008 announced the transfer of the Capitol from Pasig. Its P 270-million capitol building,...
and Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
Provinces in the 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 Wilda
Forming along the trough axis in which Teresa and Verne, a tropical disturbance formed on October 18 in the central tropical Pacific. The system slowly developed, becoming a tropical depression on October 19. The depression moved west-northwestward, becoming a tropical storm on October 20. After becoming a typhoon, Wilda turned west-southwest towards SaipanSaipan
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...
. From late on October 24 through late on October 25, Wilda stalled 170 kilometres (105.6 mi) east-northeast of Saipan, slowly weakening. Up to 4.95 inches (125.7 mm) fell across the central portion of Guam while winds gusted to 74 knots (145 km/h) as Wilda stalled to the northeast. The system then turned northeast along the now reverse-oriented monsoon trough
Monsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge
Subtropical ridge
The subtropical ridge is a significant belt of high pressure situated around the latitudes of 30°N in the Northern Hemisphere and 30°S in the Southern Hemisphere. It is characterized by mostly calm winds, which acts to reduce air quality under its axis by causing fog overnight, and haze during...
to its north until October 28, before bending back to the north-northwest. Late on October 29, Wilda turned back to the northeast and began to accelerate, with the system evolving into an extratropical cyclone on November 1.
Tropical Storm Yuri
On October 22, an area of convection formed northwest of Hawaii in association with a Tropical Upper Tropospheric TroughTropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
. Moving rapidly westward, the low-level circulation center associated with the convective clouds crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
later that day. The first mention of this system by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
in their Significant Tropical Weather Advisory six hours later noted that the low-level circulation had been developing under the TUTT cell. Slowly developing, on October 23, the system organized into Tropical Depression 36W. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
upgraded the system to Tropical Storm 9433 at 1200 UTC that day, shortly before the JTWC decided to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Yuri. The JTWC upgrade was based on a small area of deep convection which had formed to the southeast of the low-level centre, as well as a rapid low-level cloud motion of 40 knots (78.4 km/h) that was observed to the north of the circulation.
Yuri remained a minimal tropical storm for the next two days or so before it was downgraded to a tropical depression because of a lack of deep convection and a weakening in its appearance on satellite imagery. The final warning was issued a few hours later on October 25. There were no reports of damage or injuries. A weak wind of 11 knots (21.6 km/h) associated with the dissipating system was recorded at Chichi-jima
Chichi-jima
, formerly known as Peel Island and in the 19th century known to the English as part of the Bonin Islands, is the largest island in the Ogasawara archipelago. Chichi-jima is approximately 150 miles north of Iwo Jima. The island is within the political boundaries of Ogasawara Town, Ogasawara...
on October 25.
Super Typhoon Zelda (Esang)
The northeastern end of the monsoon trough developed into Tropical Depression 37W on October 25 over subtropical latitudes. It headed southeastward, then turned to the southwest, becoming a tropical storm on the 29th. Zelda continued its slow intensification rate, and as it turned more westward, it became a typhoon on the 1st. Continuing its clockwise movement, Zelda turned to the northwest, where it passed over the Northern Mariana IslandsNorthern 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 the 3rd the storm rapidly intensified to a 135 kn (264.6 km/h) super typhoon, and as it turned to the northeast it slowly weakened to a tropical storm on the 8th. On the 10th, Zelda dissipated, only 1700 kilometres (1,056.3 mi) from its start after following a several thousand mile track.
Typhoon Axel (Garding)
Forming along a near-equatorial trough, a surface circulation formed on December 13 and began to move west-northwestward. The system organized into a tropical depression on December 14, but only for 12 hours as the system became much less organized and had more than one circulation center. On December 15, the system began to regenerate due to increasing thunderstorm activity near its main circulation center, and by late in the day, was once again considered a tropical depression. Modestly developing thereafter, the tropical cyclone intensified into a typhoon on December 19 as it turned due west.Axel moved south of Samar
Samar
Samar, formerly and also known as Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland...
in the Philippines, weakening as it moved through the archipelago. Sixteen perished as the typhoon moved through the country, with five deaths occurring in Bacolod City as heavy rains caused a dam break. High waves destroyed 163 homes on Mindinao. Entering the South China Sea as a tropical storm, the system briefly reintensified into a typhoon before vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
substantially increased, which led to significant weakening of Axel. The tropical cyclone dissipated 370 kilometres (229.9 mi) southeast of Hong Kong on December 25.
Tropical Storm Bobbie
Moving west-northwest for much of its life, a tropical disturbance formed in the Marshall Islands on December 15. Due to vertical wind shearWind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
, the system was slow to organize. The system organized into a tropical depression on December 18, and a tropical storm on December 19. The system recurved and dissipated as a tropical cyclone on December 25.
Other systems
During 1994, PAGASAPhilippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
monitored a few systems designated as tropical depressions that were not warned on by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
or the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
.
- Tropical Depression Heling — June 25–26
- Tropical Depression Miding — July 14–19
- Tropical Depression Tering — August 29–30
- Tropical Depression Yaning — September 13–14
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 1994 was named Owen and the final one was named Bobbie.
{| style="width:90%;"
|-
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The 1994 Pacific typhoon season was an active season in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
formation
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
in the Western North Pacific, with a total of 41 tropical cyclones during the course of the season. The season had no official bounds and it ran year-round in 1994, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. Tropical storms that formed west of the date line were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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 World Meteorological Organization
World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 189 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization , which was founded in 1873...
-designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre
Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre
A Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre is responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, and warnings regarding the specific program they have a part of, agreed by consensus at the World Meteorological Organization as part of the World Weather Watch.-Tropical...
for tropical cyclones for the region is the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
. Tropical depressions that entered or formed in the Philippine area of responsibility were assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
or PAGASA. This resulted in some storms having two names.
The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1, and ended near the end of the year when Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25. During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, killing over 2,400 people. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected 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...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms —Russ and Sharon —caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. This season, PAGASA named 25 systems and had to use an auxiliary list to name some of them after running out of names from their standard list. Of the 25, three systems were not tracked by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Season summary
There were 41 tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s during 1994 in the Western North Pacific; 39 formed within the area while two, Tropical Storm Li and Typhoon 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...
, formed in the Eastern North Pacific (east of longitude
Longitude
Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds, and denoted by the Greek letter lambda ....
140°W
140th meridian west
The meridian 140° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
) and crossed the date line to enter this basin. Of the 39, 34 became tropical storms and were named, of which 20 became typhoons. The season started on January 4 with the formation of Tropical Depression One-W to the west of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
, with the first tropical storm developing a few months later on April 1. The season ended late in the year after Tropical Storm Bobbie dissipated in the open Pacific on December 25.
During the season, 25 systems either threatened land or made landfall, with eight striking the 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...
, eight moving into China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, six moving into 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 –...
, and three striking 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 China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. A total of over 2,400 people perished during the season. The strongest storm of the season was Super Typhoon Doug, which affected 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...
, South Korea and mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, while the deadliest storm was Super Typhoon Fred, which killed over 1,000 people in China. Earlier in the season, the combined effects of two tropical storms — Russ and Sharon — caused flooding in China that killed over 1,400. The season also saw two storms, Li and John, cross into the Western North Pacific from the east, while one storm, Tropical Storm Yuri, formed from a precursor low that had similarly crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. Hong Kong received 28 percent of its annual rainfall from tropical cyclones this season, which was slightly above normal.
Tropical Depression 01W (Akang)
Tropical Depression 01W was first observed as a poorly organised area of clouds in a near-equatorial troughTrough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
in the 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...
early on January 1. A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
(TCFA) was issued at 1400 UTC January 2 after a weather station at Chuuk
Chuuk
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...
reported windspeeds of 55 km/h, (35 mph). However, the system was not able to sustain its convection during the daylight hours of January 3. Slow development began, and the system became a tropical depression on January 4 while the system was about 600 km, (370 mi), west of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
. Repeated new bursts of deep thunderstorm activity occurred, though the system experienced vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
, with the low-level circulation centre located at the southeastern edge of the large cold cirrus cloud
Cirrus cloud
Cirrus clouds are atmospheric clouds generally characterized by thin, wispy strands, giving them their name from the Latin word cirrus meaning a ringlet or curling lock of hair...
shield the deep convection produced. Tropical Depression 01W was classified as a tropical storm by PAGASA, and named Akang.
Tropical Depression 01W made landfall on Samar Island
Samar Island
Samar is an island in the Visayas, within the central Philippines. The island is divided into three provinces: Samar province, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. These three provinces, along with the provinces on the nearby islands of Leyte and Biliran are part of the Eastern Visayas region...
in the 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...
on the evening of January 5, following which the depression started to weaken. The final warning was issued early on January 6 after the system lost all its deep convection. A total of 35 to 45 deaths were reported, with over 69 million Philippine peso
Philippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
s (1994 pesos) or $2.4 million (1994 USD) in damage reported. It caused a major flood event in the Philippines. A total of at least 16,000 people had to take refuge in government-run shelters during and after the storm.
Typhoon Owen (Bising)
Typhoon Owen formed from a tropical disturbance which was originally identified within a near-equatorial troughNear-equatorial trough
Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone, and monsoon trough. Surges of higher pressure from...
over Micronesia
Micronesia
Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest....
. The disturbance was first mentioned by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
on March 29. By March 31, a distinct area within the trough showing signs of cyclonic spin appeared, and the JTWC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression 02W soon afterwards. Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
classified the system as a tropical storm, Tropical Storm 9401. It was located about 420 kilometres (261 mi) west-northwest of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
.
Owen continued to strengthen, with the JMA classifying it a severe tropical storm on April 3. According to the JTWC, Owen reached typhoon intensity at the same time the JMA classified it a severe tropical storm. The storm tracked southwest to west-southwestward, and reached its peak intensity of 75 knots (147 km/h) from the JTWC (60 knots (117.6 km/h) from the JMA) on April 4, shortly before landfall between Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
and Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. A reading taken late on April 3 at Guiuan on Samar
Samar
Samar, formerly and also known as Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland...
reported sustained winds of 45 knots (88.2 km/h). It weakened to a tropical storm overland, before it restrengthened slightly after emerging into 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...
. A drilling rig
Drilling rig
A drilling rig is a machine which creates holes or shafts in the ground. Drilling rigs can be massive structures housing equipment used to drill water wells, oil wells, or natural gas extraction wells, or they can be small enough to be moved manually by one person...
reported 50 knots (98 km/h) sustained winds. Soon afterwards, the cyclone dissipated over water northwest of 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...
on April 9.
Owen's west-southwestward track shortly before landfall was rare. Owen was one of just two April typhoons in the previous 36 years — the other being Typhoon Wanda of the 1971 season
1971 Pacific typhoon season
The 1971 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1971, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December...
- to make landfall while moving west-southwestward. Owen's later recurvature in the South China Sea was also unusual; it recurved at a latitude
Latitude
In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth is the angular distance of that location south or north of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually measured in degrees . The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North pole has a latitude of 90° north , and the South pole has a...
of only about 13°N
13th parallel north
The 13th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 13 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, Central America, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean....
, about 3° south of the average latitude for recurvature in the South China Sea in April.
Owen's impact on the 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...
was widespread, with nine provinces being declared under a "state of calamity" by President of the Philippines
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Fidel Ramos. At least 10 people were killed with 5 others missing, and a further 14 fishermen feared drowned. A total of 33 were reported wounded. Over 9000 families were affected by Owen. No damage was reported to the drilling rig in the South China Sea.
In Okinawa, heavy rains were reported on Yonaguni
Yonaguni
is one of the Yaeyama Islands. It is the westernmost inhabited island of Japan and lies from the east coast of Taiwan, between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean proper....
, with a total reported precipitation amount of 313 millimetres (12.3 in). The peak winds measured at Yonaguni in association with Typhoon Owen were 32.4 kilometres per hour (16.5 kn).
Typhoon Page (Klaring)
On May 8, a large increase in deep convection associated with near-equatorial troughNear-equatorial trough
Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone, and monsoon trough. Surges of higher pressure from...
s was noted 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...
. By the next morning, visible satellite imagery showed an increase in organization of the deep convection associated with the system, and synoptic reports from buoys confirmed that a low-level circulation centre was present near 5°N 153°E. Slow development ensued, and the system was upgraded to a tropical depression on May 12. At the same time, the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
began tracking the system, about 510 kilometres (316.9 mi) west-southwest 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...
.
Page moved on a northwestward track for the next couple days while slowly strengthening. Page was upgraded to a tropical storm by the JTWC late on May 12, when it was located 500 kilometres (310.7 mi) north of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
, while the JMA first considered the system a tropical storm on May 13. Late on May 13, Page suddenly slowed in forward speed and began turning to the northeast. On May 14, Page became a typhoon. However, the JMA did not follow suit until 30 hours later. Page reached its maximum intensity of 90 knots (176.4 km/h) and minimum pressure of 954 hectopascals (28.2 inHg) thirty hours after passing the point of recurvature. Final warnings were issued by both the JTWC and the JMA early on May 18, as it began extratropical transition around 960 kilometres (596.5 mi) east-southeast of Tokyo.
Page had the largest average track forecast errors of all the typhoons in 1994, mainly due to failures in expecting its recurvature. Furthermore, Page's late attainment of maximum intensity, at 30 hours after point of recurvature, is not common. Between 1978 and 1993, only seven of 77 typhoons attained peak intensity more than 24 hours after recurving.
Large waves and high tides generated by Page affected the western Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
. A few tourists had to be rescued from high surf and strong currents 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...
. Minimal rainfall was recorded in Japan, the highest recorded total was 29 millimetres (1.1 in) in Kumagaya, Saitama
Kumagaya, Saitama
is a city in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 203,089 . The total area is 159.88 km². The city is one of the biggest in northern Saitama Prefecture. It is the administrative, business and commercial centre in northern Saitama Prefecture. Eight...
. At Mount Tsukuba
Mount Tsukuba
Mount Tsukuba is an mountain located near Tsukuba, Japan. It is one of the most famous mountains in Japan, particularly well-known for its double peaks, Nyotai-san and Nantai-san . Many people climb the so-called "purple mountain" every year for the panoramic view of the Kantō plain from the...
, a maximum sustained wind speed of 58 kilometres per hour (29.6 kn) was recorded.
Tropical Depression 04W (Deling)
On May 14, an area of deep convection associated with a weak cyclonic circulation 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...
was mentioned in the JTWC's 0600 UTC Significant Tropical Weather Advisory. For the next five days, this weak circulation tracked west-northwestward in the direction 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...
, before turning to the west-southwest, but convection failed to consolidate near the centre during this time. After passing close to Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
on May 21, it turned northwest and entered the Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
, and was named Deling by PAGASA early on May 23 local time. Shortly after, SSM/I imagery indicated the presence of a well-defined low-level circulation centre, and visible and infrared satellite images indicated an increase in organisation of the system and a consolidation of deep convection near the centre. Based on this, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
was issued by the JTWC at 0600 UTC.
The first warning was issued a day later when the amount of deep convection near the centre increased as the depression neared the 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...
. While over the Philippine islands, a large Mesoscale Convective System
Mesoscale Convective System
A mesoscale convective system is a complex of thunderstorms that becomes organized on a scale larger than the individual thunderstorms but smaller than extratropical cyclones, and normally persists for several hours or more...
(MCS) developed near the centre of the tropical depression, something that would occur again later while the system was west of 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...
. Soon after the second MCS weakened, the system made landfall in central 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 –...
on May 26, and quickly dissipated when inland. The Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
tracked this system as a weak tropical depression from May 25 UTC when it was about 520 km (323.1 mi) southeast of Xisha
Paracel Islands
The Paracel Islands, also called Xisha Islands in Chinese and Hoàng Sa Islands in Vietnamese, is a group of islands under the administration of Hainan Province, The People's Republic of China. Vietnam and the Republic of China also claim sovereignty of these islands...
for about 24 hours before it dissipated.
According to press reports, over 2,000 people were forced to evacuate from Davao City
Davao City
The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....
, despite no reports of significantly high winds or low pressures, as the system caused heavy rainfall that produced heavy flooding that killed five people and left at least one person missing.
Tropical Storm Russ (Emang)
Tropical Storm Russ was one of just three storms to cause the Hong Kong ObservatoryHong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
to raise Tropical Cyclone Signal #3 in the 1994 season. Russ was first spotted on June 2, about 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Hainan Island as a tropical disturbance. Deep convection over the circulation center soon improved, and the Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
had declared it a tropical depression on June 3 when it was located about 290 kilometres (180.2 mi) south of Hong Kong.
The system initially moved east to northeast while slowly strengthening. Russ became a tropical storm on the evening of June 4, passing just south of Dongsha
Pratas Islands
The Pratas Islands or Dongsha Islands consists of three islands forming from an atoll located in northeastern South China Sea, southeast of Hong Kong. The islands are governed by the Republic of China . The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over these islands along with all other...
that night. PAGASA
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
then named the system Emang, shortly before it made a clockwise loop and started to move back towards the west-southwest, intensifying. Russ made landfall on June 8 on the northeastern Luichow Peninsula, and dissipated inland.
The maximum wind gust in Hong Kong was reported at Tai Mo Shan
Tai Mo Shan
Tai Mo Shan has the highest peak in Hong Kong, with an altitude of 957 m. It is located approximately at the geographical centre of the New Territories....
, where a gust to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) was recorded on June 7. Maximum daily rainfall in the territory was recorded at Yuen Long
Yuen Long
Yuen Long , formerly Un Long, is an area and town located in the northwest of Hong Kong, on the Yuen Long Plain. To its west lie Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen, to the south Shap Pat Heung and Tai Tong, to the east Au Tau and Kam Tin, and to the north Nam Sang Wai.-Name:The Cantonese name Yuen Long 元朗...
on June 8, when 41 millimetres (1.6 in) was reported. Russ killed at least 74 people in Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces and injured another 726 people. 16 others were reported missing. 702,430 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s (7024 square kilometres, 2711 square miles) of farmland in the three provinces were destroyed by floods from Russ. Around 725,000 houses were destroyed. Total damage was estimated at 6.3 billion RMB
Renminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
(1994 RMB), or $727.5 million (1994 USD).
Tropical Storm Sharon (Gading)
In mid-June, not long after Tropical Storm Russ had made landfall, an area of convection south of 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...
within the near-equatorial trough
Near-equatorial trough
Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone, and monsoon trough. Surges of higher pressure from...
began to consolidate. The system moved west-northwest as it began to organize on June 20. Acquiring tropical depression strength on June 21, intensification halted due to vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
. Subsequent weakened led to its dissipation as a tropical depression by June 22.
PAGASA
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
named the system Gading as it neared the 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...
, and twelve hours after the final warning was issued, convection once again built up, and a new warning was issued. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
issued their first warning on Tropical Storm 9404 a day later. As it crossed 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...
, Sharon caused flooding and released mudflow
Mudflow
A mudslide is the most rapid and fluid type of downhill mass wasting. It is a rapid movement of a large mass of mud formed from loose soil and water. Similar terms are mudflow, mud stream, debris flow A mudslide is the most rapid (up to 80 km/h, or 50 mph) and fluid type of downhill mass...
s from Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
, killing two people. Traffic on two main highways near Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
was disrupted by the mud.
After crossing Luzon, Sharon reached its peak, with vertical shear inhibiting further intensification. It made landfall on June 25 around 140 metre (0.086992183130973 mi) east-northeast of Zhanjiang
Zhanjiang
Zhanjiang , formerly known as Tsamkong, Tsankiang, Fort-Bayard, and Kwang-Chou-Wan, is a prefecture-level city at the southwestern end of Guangdong province of Southern China, facing the island of Hainan to the south....
, or 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) east of where Tropical Storm Russ had made landfall just weeks before. Winds gusted to 52 knots (101.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong. Sharon claimed 11 lives in the seas off Hong Kong, and the combined flooding effects of Russ and Sharon reportedly left more than 1,400 people dead, and caused over $6 billion (1994 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
) in damage.
Tropical Depression 07W (Heling)
Tropical Depression 07W developed in the monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
on June 29, well east of the 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...
. Warnings were initiated at 0000 UTC June 3 when the system was approximately 250 km (155.3 mi) southeast of Dongsha
Pratas Islands
The Pratas Islands or Dongsha Islands consists of three islands forming from an atoll located in northeastern South China Sea, southeast of Hong Kong. The islands are governed by the Republic of China . The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over these islands along with all other...
. It reached its maximum intensity shortly before landfall on July 4. Flooding associated with Tropical Depression 07W in western Guangdong Province killed four people and left two others missing, and destroyed over 6,700 houses while leaving another 50,000 damaged. 120,000 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s (1,200 square kilometres, 465 square miles) of farmland were ruined, and irrigation facilities were damaged. Total losses from the storm in Guangdong were estimated to be $114 million (1994 USD). In Guangxi Province, the storm killed six others, and left over 30,000 people homeless.
Typhoon Tim (Iliang)
A tropical disturbance formed in the 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...
on July 5 south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
. The system organized into a tropical depression on the morning on July 6. Moving northwest, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm as it approached 130°E
130th meridian east
The meridian 130° east of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Asia, Australia, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
on the morning of July 8. Rapid intensification ensued, with Tim reaching typhoon intensity late on July 8, peaking at 125 knots (245 km/h) on July 10.
From July 9 to July 11, Tim and Tropical Storm Vanessa engaged in a Fujiwara interaction, and Tim absorbed the smaller Vanessa into its southeastern quadrant. Late on July 10, Tim struck 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...
, bringing gusts of 98 knots (192.1 km/h) to Chengkung as it made landfall about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) south of Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
. Continuing northwest, Tim moved into mainland China as a weaker typhoon, crossing the coast about 150 kilometres (93.2 mi) south-southwest of Fuzhou
Fuzhou
Fuzhou is the capital and one of the largest cities in Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. Along with the many counties of Ningde, those of Fuzhou are considered to constitute the Mindong linguistic and cultural area....
. It dissipated well inland on July 11.
Damage was widespread in Taiwan, where Tim killed at least 19 people and left another 11 missing, and where 67 people reported injuries. A freighter
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
with 97 mainland Chinese
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
on board ran aground near Suao. About 50,000 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s (500 square kilometres, 195 square miles) of farmland was flooded, and more than 300 buildings collapsed during the storm. The bad weather also disrupted international flights, and knocked out electricity to over 2 million households. NT$2 billion (1994 TWD), or US$75 million (1994 dollars), was the reported cost of damage.
In Fujian Province, Typhoon Tim killed three people and flooded 140,000 hectares (1,400 km²., 540 sq. mi.) of farmland, with damages estimated at 1.5 billion renminbi
Renminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
(1994 RMB), or $173.5 million (1994 USD). Tim was also blamed for 14 deaths and 6 injuries in the 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...
(Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
, Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...
and Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Its capital is Laoag City and is located at the northwest corner of Luzon Island, bordering Cagayan and Apayao to the east, and Abra and Ilocos Sur to the south...
provinces) as it passed near the area.
Tropical Storm Vanessa (Loleng)
As Tim developed in the Philippine SeaPhilippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
, a tropical disturbance in 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...
began to show development. Becoming a tropical depression late on July 8, it strengthened into a tropical storm early on July 9, with both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
and the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
classifying it a tropical storm.
Vanessa made an anti-clockwise loop and then started to move northeastward under the steering influence of a monsoon flow and Typhoon Tim's circulation, reaching a peak intensity of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) west of 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...
before it was absorbed by the larger typhoon. The final warning was issued on July 11 after it was determined that Vanessa's circulation had been absorbed. Vanessa was blamed for three deaths in the 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...
, where it was known as Loleng.
Super Typhoon Walt (Miding)
Walt was part of a three tropical cyclone outbreak along a reverse-oriented monsoon trough (aligned northeast-southwest rather than the usual northwest-southeast orientation.) By July 11, a thunderstorm cluster developed near Palau. The disturbance moved slowly northwest, becoming a tropical depression late on July 14. As it neared the 15th parallel, Walt turned to the northeast and intensified. By the afternoon of July 19 the cyclone had become a super typhoon, the first of the season, an intensity it maintained for a day. While slowly weakening, Walt turned to the west. By the morning of July 23 the cyclone had dropped down to tropical storm strength as it turned to the north for a couple days. The storm turned back to the west, making landfall on the southwest end of Shikoku as a moderate tropical storm, bringing wind gusts to tropical storm force. The cyclone dissipated south of Korea by early on July 27. Rainfall across South Korea helped improve severe drought conditions.Tropical Storm Yunya (Norming)
The disturbance that was to become Tropical Storm Yunya was first mentioned on July 16 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...
when it was located in 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...
as cloudiness in a reverse-oriented monsoon trough
Monsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
. A weak low-level circulation was identified through animated satellite imagery and synoptic data early that morning. Moving east-northeast, the system strengthened into Tropical Depression 11W by July 18. At 0600 UTC that day, the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
declared the formation of Tropical Storm 9409. Yunya continued to undergo gradual strengthening, reaching its peak strength near landfall in northwest 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...
on the morning of July 19.
As it tracked over land, it became disorganized and weakened to a minimal tropical storm. In the Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
, Yunya briefly restrengthened and reached a secondary peak of 40 knots (78.4 km/h). The JMA discontinued warnings after it deemed Yunya to have dropped below tropical storm intensity at 1800 UTC that day, while the JTWC continued monitoring the tropical depression until convection decreased and the storm dissipated on July 21. During its life, Yunya had an unusual eastward motion, which was due to the reverse-oriented monsoon trough. Yunya was also a small system, and appeared to have been undergoing a period of rapid organisation of convection shortly before it made landfall.
Heavy rain from Yunya caused landslides of volcanic
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
debris
Debris
Debris is rubble, wreckage, ruins, litter and discarded garbage/refuse/trash, scattered remains of something destroyed, or, in geology, large rock fragments left by a melting glacier etc. The singular form of debris is debris...
from Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
. Coincidentally, a previous Typhoon Yunya in 1991 hit the Philippines the day of Mount Pinatubo's major eruption. Gusts were in excess of 60 knots (117.6 km/h) across Luzon. Yunya killed at least 11 people and injured at least 7 others, and affected over 420,000 people. A total of $37.6 million (1994 USD) in damage was reported in the 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...
from Yunya.
Typhoon Zeke
Forming at the opposite end of the monsoon trough from Walt on July 14, the initial tropical disturbance moved north to northeast. Slowly developing, the system became a tropical depression during the early afternoon of July 18. Westerly upper level shear from Walt was slowing development, and Zeke finally achieved tropical storm status early on July 20. The cyclone continued to waver around a northeast track. After turning more northward early on the afternoon of July 22, Zeke became a typhoon for half of a day. Wavering around a more northerly track, Zeke weakened and evolved into an extratropical cyclone on by early on July 25.Tropical Depression 13W
Tropical Depression 13W was considered to be the shortest-lived tropical cyclone of the season, with the JTWC only four warnings issued on it. It formed on July 25 in association with a surge in the southwest monsoon, about 250 km (155.3 mi) east of GuamGuam
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...
. It dissipated the next day, east of the northernmost Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
, about 250 km (155.3 mi) north of Guam. No deaths or damage were reported from the depression. On July 28, a subtropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
was noted southeast of Tokyo, and it is possible that this was a continuation of Tropical Depression 13W.
Tropical Storm Brendan (Oyang)
On July 26 a tropical disturbance developed in the Philippine Sea. The system moved northwest at a slow pace for a couple days. A southwest surge in the monsoon turned the disturbance northward, and the system became a tropical depression on the morning of July 29. Accelerating to the north, Brendan became a tropical storm just before reaching Okinawa. The cyclone reached peak intensity to the south of Cheju Island, Korea as a moderate tropical storm. After recurving in the Yellow Sea, the storm recurved across Korea during extratropical transition with subtropical cyclone characteristics. The cyclone evolved into an extratropical cyclone while crossing the Sea of Japan, and reintensified. Up to 200 millimetres (7.9 in) of rain in the Korean peninsula helped relieve drought conditions. Two died in Korea during the passage of Brendan.Tropical Storm Amy
An area of persistent convection associated with a low-level circulation centre moved off Hainan Island into water on July 29. The Japan Meteorological AgencyJapan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
then reported that Tropical Storm 9410 had formed early that day, in 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...
west of Hainan. This was later designated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
as Tropical Depression 15W, and it was quickly upgraded to a tropical storm. It moved westward and started to weaken over water, making landfall south of Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
before dissipating inland.
Tropical Storm Amy killed 15 and left over 32,000 people displaced in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, and caused damage worth $8 million (1994 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
).
Tropical Storm Caitlin (Pasing)
A tropical disturbance formed within the monsoon trough northwest of Guam on July 29. Slow development ensued, and four days later, it had become a tropical depression. By late on August 2 the cyclone had achieved tropical storm status. The system turned northwest and accelerated towards Taiwan/Taipei. During the morning of August 3, Caitlin became a storm tropical storm as it made landfall in Hualien county. Green Island experienced gusts of typhoon force for 21 hours as the cyclone's center moved to its north. Taking six hours to cross the mountainous island, Caitlin entered the Taiwan Straits on August 4. Ten perished across Taiwan and damage there totaled NT$620 million (1994 dollars), or $23.4 million (1994 USD). By late morning, its center passed inland into mainland China. Rainfall rates as high as 84 millimetres (3.3 in) per hour were witnessed in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Mountain floods left eight dead.Super Typhoon Doug (Ritang)
The eastern end of a monsoon trough developed a tropical depression on July 30. It headed westward, slowly strengthening to a tropical storm on the 2nd and a typhoon on the 3rd. Doug turned more to the northwest, and rapidly intensified from the 4th to the 5th to a 140 kn (274.4 km/h) super typhoon. It weakened slightly to a 125 kn (245 km/h) typhoon before brushing the eastern coast of Taiwan on the 7th. Its circulation became ragged, and it weakened to a tropical storm on the 10th. A ridge to the north pushed Doug west-southwestward where it dissipated over China on the 13th. A total of 26 people lost their lives, and damage was estimated on Taiwan at $110 million (1994 USD).Typhoon Ellie
A tropical disturbance formed 900 kilometres (559.2 mi) southeast of Japan on August 2. The system drifted southward and slowly developed, becoming Tropical Depression 18W, and then a tropical storm, on August 8. The system turned to the west-southwest, forming a large eye as it became a typhoon on August 9 before stalling. On August 10, the system moved west-northwest at a moderate pace, passing 130 kilometres (80.8 mi) offshore southern KyūshūKyushu
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....
on August 13. Ellie turned northward on August 14, clipping eastern China before making a final landfall within northeast China as a tropical storm on August 16.
Tropical Storm Li
The National Hurricane CenterNational Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
issued the first advisory on Tropical Depression 08E on August 3. The tropical depression was upgraded to a tropical storm on August 8, and then to a hurricane at 1200 UTC August 12, just east of the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. The CPHC issued its final warning at 1800 UTC as the storm started to cross the Dateline. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
and Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
both issued their first warnings at 0000 UTC August 13, with the JTWC downgrading Li to a tropical storm at the first warning.
Tropical Storm Li weakened steadily under the influence of strong upper-level westerly winds south of a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
which caused shearing
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
of the storm's convection, and it was downgraded to a tropical depression on August 16 as it took a turn to the northeast. The final warning on Li, which was the 59th in total from a United States tropical cyclone centre, was issued on August 18 as the storm dissipated over water. In total, Li travelled over 3600 nautical miles (6,667.2 km) (6670 km, 4170 miles) throughout its existence, starting from the disturbance stage.
Super Typhoon Fred (Susang)
On August 15, Tropical Depression 19W became a tropical storm over the open West Pacific. Fred tracked westward, slowly intensifying to a typhoon on August 16 and a peak of 130 kn (254.8 km/h) winds on August 19. Unlike most super typhoons, Fred did not rapidly intensify; its strengthening rate was steady. As it passed by Taiwan, heavy rainfall caused landslides across the mountainous island. Three perished and a total of NT$22 million (1994 dollars), or $835,500 (1994 USD), of damage occurred within Taiwan.The storm weakened to an 85 kn (166.6 km/h) typhoon before hitting eastern China on August 21. Significant infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
damage occurred near the location of landfall. Unfortunately, the landfall coincided with an unusually high astronomical tide, resulting in extreme storm surge combined with heavy flooding, amounting to over 1,000 fatalities and significant damage totaling 7.5 billion RMB, or $874.4 million (1994 USD).
Typhoon Gladys (Uding)
On August 19, a small area of thunderstorm activity formed in the open tropical western Pacific ocean on the eastern end of the monsoon trough. By August 22, the system organized into a small tropical cyclone, which was heading off towards the north. On August 23, the system turned westward due to increased ridging to its north. It soon became a tropical storm on August 24, and developed into a typhoon on August 25. Westerly vertical wind shear led to weakening, and Gladys became a weak tropical storm on August 28. The wind shear relented, and Gladys redeveloped into a typhoon as it moved towards Taiwan, increasing in size as well as intensity. The system weakened as it tracked across northern Taiwan, prior to making landfall over mainland China, dissipating on September 2. Winds at Suao gusted to 133 knots (260.7 km/h) as it moved by northern Taiwan. Six people perished. A total of NT$400 million (1994 dollars), or $15.4 million (1994 USD), in agricultural damage was incurred across Taiwan.Tropical Storm Harry
Thunderstorm activity developed within the monsoon trough 465 kilometres (288.9 mi) southwest of Guam. The system tracked west-northwest, a course it would continue through its life cycle. After crossing the northern portion of LuzonLuzon
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...
, the system became a tropical depression late on August 25 and a tropical storm on August 26. On the morning of August 27, the cyclone passed south of Hong Kong, bringing wind gusts to 56 knots (109.8 km/h) at Waglan Island and 76 knots (148.9 km/h) at Tai Mo Shen in Hong Kong. Harry became a strong tropical storm before moving close to the Chinese coast. Total damage across China from Harry's heavy rainfall totaled 484 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $56.5 million (1994 USD). Weakening thereafter, the storm moved 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...
into northern Vietnam, dissipating on August 29.
Typhoon Ivy
On August 25, a low pressure area developed in the subtropical western Pacific. The low traveled west-southwest, slowly gaining thunderstorms. On August 28, the system became a tropical depression, then tropical storm, as it turned to the north. Ivy continued to develop, becoming a typhoon on August 31. During early September, the system turned north-northeast and slowly weakened. On September 3, Ivy transitioned into an extratropical cycloneExtratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
as it linked up with a cold front
Cold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
.
Typhoon John
On August 28, Hurricane JohnHurricane 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...
, which had formed in the Eastern North Pacific, crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
at 0900 UTC and became a typhoon. Shortly after crossing into the Western North Pacific, John reached its secondary peak of 105 knots (205.8 km/h). While west-southwest of Midway
Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, near the northwestern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, about one-third of the way between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan. Unique among the Hawaiian islands, Midway observes UTC-11 , eleven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time and one hour...
John started to weaken. This marked the beginning of another intensification period, during which John recrossed the dateline, this time heading east, and out of the Western North Pacific. Two ship reports, at 1500 UTC and 1800 UTC on September 4, indicated that John had sustained winds of 55 knots (107.8 km/h). No damage from John was reported in the Western North Pacific, although damage was reported from John on Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean about west of Hawaii. There are four islands located on the coral reef platform, two natural islands, Johnston Island and Sand Island, which have been expanded by coral dredging, as well as North Island and East Island , an additional two...
in the Central Pacific.
Tropical Storm Joel
An area of persistent convection within the monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
in 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...
on August 30. At first, the disturbance moved east-northeastward, but turned toward the west-northwest on September 2. The disturbance organized into Tropical Depression 23W on September 3.
On the morning of September 5, upper-level winds which had affected the deep convection to the north of the depression's circulation centre began to weaken, allowing the convection to wrap around the north side of the system. Based on this, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Joel. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
upgraded the storm to Tropical Storm 9422 early the next morning local time.
Joel then made a sharp turn towards the north, and made landfall on the southwestern corner of Hainan Island. During passage over land, Joel reached its peak of 45 knots (88.2 km/h) before turning to the northwest and exiting land into 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...
. A cloud-filled banding eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
then became apparent on visible satellite imagery. Joel made landfall on September 7 near Haiphong, Vietnam before dissipating inland west of Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
. No significant deaths or damage was reported, aside from a few large trees that were knocked down in Hanoi.
Typhoon Kinna
On September 1, an area of thunderstorm activity formed within the monsoon trough. Over the next few days, a monsoon depression formed to its southwest, steering the system northwest to north. After separating from the monsoon depression, it became well enough to organized to be considered a tropical depression on September 5. Strengthening while moving northward, Kinna became a tropical storm on September 6. The system slowed its northward motion until it moved north of the axis of the subtropical ridgeSubtropical ridge
The subtropical ridge is a significant belt of high pressure situated around the latitudes of 30°N in the Northern Hemisphere and 30°S in the Southern Hemisphere. It is characterized by mostly calm winds, which acts to reduce air quality under its axis by causing fog overnight, and haze during...
on September 10. As it did so, Kinna became a typhoon on September 9. While recurving east of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Kinna brought wind gusts to 60 knots (117.6 km/h) at Hachijōjima
Hachijojima
is a volcanic Japanese island in the Philippine Sea, administered by Tōkyō and located approximately south of the Special Wards of Tōkyō. It is the southernmost and most isolated of the Izu Seven Islands group of the seven northern islands of the Izu archipelago...
. By late on September 12, Kinna had transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Luke (Weling)
Luke formed out of the monsoon depression which formed southwest of Kinna. Originally becoming a broad monsoon depression on September 3, thunderstorm was slow to form any curvature on its western side. By September 9, the monsoon depression transitioned into Tropical Depression 25W. The depression moved northwest, just to the north of the Philippines. On the afternoon of September 11, the system strengthened into a tropical storm as it turned more to the west. On September 12, the system passed south of Hong Kong. Winds gusted to 50 knots (98 km/h) at Waglan Island as the system passed by. As Luke approached Hainan Island, it weakened due to the island's rough topographyTopography
Topography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
. Damage across China totaled over 100 million RMB (1994 RMB), or $11.7 million (1994 USD). The cyclone moved ashore northern Vietnam on September 14 before dissipating.
Super Typhoon Melissa
On September 10, a monsoon depression formed in the central Pacific, which had previously absorbed the remains of Hurricane Kristy. By September 11, the system had become well enough organized to be considered a tropical storm. Strong cross equatorial winds steered Melissa to the northeast and led to rapid intensification. Melissa gained typhoon intensity on September 13, and became a super typhoon on September 14. The cyclone then turned northwest and Melissa considerably weakened, becoming a weak tropical storm by September 18. On September 19, Melissa rounded the subtropical ridge axis and recurved, becoming a large extratropical cyclone on September 21. In Japan, three were killed during Melissa's passage near the country.Tropical Storm Nat
Nat formed from an area of thunderstorms which formed along a trough trailing from Melissa. First noted on September 14, the system developed into a tropical depression and tropical storm on September 15. At this point in its life cycle it approached Guam from the west, when a squall line moved across the island, bringing wind gusts to 48 knots (94.1 km/h). One person drowned when knocked into the ocean, while 24 were injured, most of which due to a lightning strike which occurred in the wake of Nat along its trailing surface trough. Nat continued moving east to northeast initially before turning to the northwest by September 19, then turned back to the northeast by September 21, eventually dissipating in the subtropical western Pacific ocean.Super Typhoon Orchid (Aning)
A tropical disturbance formed east of the Philippines along a surface trough trailing from Nat. In the prevailing westerly flow, the disturbance moved eastward. The system organized into a tropical depression on September 18. The system turned northward, developing into a tropical storm. As it bypassed Guam to the northwest, winds gusted to 46 knots (90.2 km/h) on the island. Slowly turning towards the northwest, and ultimately southwest around a monsoon gyre, Orchid slowly intensified into a typhoon. On September 22, Orchid turned northwest and continued to strengthen, peaking as a super typhoon on September 25. Slowly weakening thereafter, Orchid began to slow during recurvature as it rounded the western side of the subtropical ridge. Acceleration to the north-northeast began on September 28, and by late on September 29, Orchid made landfall in Japan as a typhoon, crossing HonshuHonshu
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...
and western Hokkaido
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
. Winds gusted to 92 knots (180.3 km/h) at Tanabe. Rainfall from Orchid across central Japan was beneficial, as it helped relieve drought conditions. Nine perished during Orchid's passage across Japan.
Typhoon Pat
Pat formed on the east end of the monsoon trough as a tropical disturbance on September 20 near Wake Island, moving west-southwest. The system organized into a tropical depression on September 21. Turning to the northwest, Pat quickly strengthened into a typhoon by September 23. Soon afterward, Pat turned more to the west and weakened, beginning its interaction with Tropical Storm Ruth located to Pat's southwest. On September 24, Pat and Ruth began to orbit around each other, entrapped within a Fujiwara interaction. By the morning of September 26, the two cyclones merged and both systems' thunderstorm activity fell apart, a condition which continued after the merger. Over the next couple days, the merged cyclone regained central convection and recurved east of Japan.Tropical Storm Ruth
An area of thunderstorm activity formed between Orchid and Pat on September 23. The system developed, becoming Tropical Depression 30W on September 24. A day later, the cyclone achieved tropical storm strength. Ruth moved northeast within a general southwest flow regime, as the smaller tropical cyclone named Pat approached from the northeast. By September 26, the two cyclones merged, and the resultant cyclone recurved east of Japan.Tropical Depression 31W
On September 26, an upper-troposphericTroposphere
The troposphere is the lowest portion of Earth's atmosphere. It contains approximately 80% of the atmosphere's mass and 99% of its water vapor and aerosols....
circulation separated from an upper-level trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
that was situated northwest of Hawaii, and began moving westward towards the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. This Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
also had deep convection associated with low-level cloud lines, which suggested that a low-level circulation possibly existed. It crossed the Dateline on September 27, with the convection persisting. The system continued to organise and became a tropical depression the next day, despite lacking in deep convection. The depression never strengthened into a tropical storm, and lacked deep convection for most of its existence. It recurved eastward and weakened on October 3, and the final warning was issued. No damage or casualties were reported.
Typhoon Seth (Bidang)
An area of thunderstorm activity formed near the Marshall IslandsMarshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
, moving westward in a regime which showed an atypically weak monsoon trough. On October 1, a low level circulation developed in association with the convection. Slow development occurred, and the system strengthened into a tropical depression on October 3. Winds gusted to 41 knots (80.4 km/h) as Seth passed south of Guam on October 5. Developing at a modest pace as it moved west-northwest, the cyclone strengthened into a typhoon on October 6. Seth strengthened into a strong typhoon on October 7, recurving around the periphery of the subtropical ridge, missing Taiwan to the east. Heavy rainfall and high winds across the island led to eight deaths, and NT$60 million (1994 dollars), or $2.3 million (1994 USD), in damage.
As it moved through the Ryuku Islands, winds gusted to 110 knots (215.6 km/h) Yonaguni Jima. The cyclone accelerated as it approached Korea as a typhoon which had begun to transition into a nontropical low. At Cheju Do, winds peaked at 78 knots (152.9 km/h) as Seth passed by. Rainfall amounts measured across South Korea were in excess of 300 millimetres (11.8 in). Although the rainfall generally relieved drought conditions, one person perished due to flooding in Samchok. Seth become an extratropical cyclone soon after crossing the peninsula on October 12.
Typhoon Verne (Delang)
An area of organized thunderstorm activity formed on October 14 in the Marshall Islands. Late on October 15, the system formed into a tropical depression. The system slowly developed as it moved west-northwest, becoming a tropical storm on October 18. The system passed north of Guam, bringing over 75 millimetres (3 in) of rainfall to much of the island, and winds gusted up to 60 knots (117.6 km/h). By October 20, Verne had developed into a typhoon. Late on October 21, steering currents collapsed, and Verne stalled for nearly a week. Verne became a strong typhoon on October 24. Turning northward on October 26, the system slowly weakened east of mainland Asia, and on October 28 Verne weakened back into a tropical storm. On November 1, Verne became an extratropical cyclone as it moved east of Japan.Typhoon Teresa (Katring)
Typhoon Teresa (named Katring by PAGASA) was at one point one of four tropical cycloneTropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s that existed simultaneously in the Western North Pacific, and it was the western-most of the four. This system was first noted as a tropical disturbance on October 15 while about 550 kilometres (341.8 mi) east of the southern Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
. The system moved west and passed north 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...
near 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...
on October 16 at around 0600 UTC.
Slowly organizing, the system evolved into Tropical Depression 34W early on October 16, and a tropical storm later in the day. Teresa continued moving westward at a constant pace and intensified into a typhoon on October 19, reaching its peak intensity of 80 knots (156.8 km/h) that same day. Teresa crossed the central Philippines on a west-southwestward track, passing just south of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. It had weakened to a severe tropical storm by the time it exited the Philippine islands. The storm continued on a southwestward motion, slowly re-intensifying, and it had regained typhoon strength by October 23. The storm then slowed and turned toward the west, and slowly weakened as it moved towards the coast of 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 –...
. The final warning was issued by the JTWC when Teresa was still a tropical storm, but weakening over water east of Vietnam. The remnants of Teresa made landfall in southern Vietnam late on October 26.
Teresa left at least 14 dead and 11 injured in the Philippines, and caused heavy damage to rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
and coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
plantations. Electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
was cut off in Manila and surrounding areas. Trees were also reported uprooted, and utility poles brought down. A Maltese
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
oil tanker located in 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...
about 600 kilometres (372.8 mi) southeast of Hong Kong split into two and capsized, killing two and leaving 14 missing. The other crew members were rescued. Typhoon Teresa caused a total of $67.4 million (1994 USD) in damage in Laguna, Batangas
Batangas
Batangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
, Rizal
Rizal
Rizal is a province located in the CALABARZON , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III on June 17, 2008 announced the transfer of the Capitol from Pasig. Its P 270-million capitol building,...
and Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
Provinces in the 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 Wilda
Forming along the trough axis in which Teresa and Verne, a tropical disturbance formed on October 18 in the central tropical Pacific. The system slowly developed, becoming a tropical depression on October 19. The depression moved west-northwestward, becoming a tropical storm on October 20. After becoming a typhoon, Wilda turned west-southwest towards SaipanSaipan
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...
. From late on October 24 through late on October 25, Wilda stalled 170 kilometres (105.6 mi) east-northeast of Saipan, slowly weakening. Up to 4.95 inches (125.7 mm) fell across the central portion of Guam while winds gusted to 74 knots (145 km/h) as Wilda stalled to the northeast. The system then turned northeast along the now reverse-oriented monsoon trough
Monsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
due to a weakness in the subtropical ridge
Subtropical ridge
The subtropical ridge is a significant belt of high pressure situated around the latitudes of 30°N in the Northern Hemisphere and 30°S in the Southern Hemisphere. It is characterized by mostly calm winds, which acts to reduce air quality under its axis by causing fog overnight, and haze during...
to its north until October 28, before bending back to the north-northwest. Late on October 29, Wilda turned back to the northeast and began to accelerate, with the system evolving into an extratropical cyclone on November 1.
Tropical Storm Yuri
On October 22, an area of convection formed northwest of Hawaii in association with a Tropical Upper Tropospheric TroughTropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
. Moving rapidly westward, the low-level circulation center associated with the convective clouds crossed the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
later that day. The first mention of this system by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
in their Significant Tropical Weather Advisory six hours later noted that the low-level circulation had been developing under the TUTT cell. Slowly developing, on October 23, the system organized into Tropical Depression 36W. The Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
upgraded the system to Tropical Storm 9433 at 1200 UTC that day, shortly before the JTWC decided to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Yuri. The JTWC upgrade was based on a small area of deep convection which had formed to the southeast of the low-level centre, as well as a rapid low-level cloud motion of 40 knots (78.4 km/h) that was observed to the north of the circulation.
Yuri remained a minimal tropical storm for the next two days or so before it was downgraded to a tropical depression because of a lack of deep convection and a weakening in its appearance on satellite imagery. The final warning was issued a few hours later on October 25. There were no reports of damage or injuries. A weak wind of 11 knots (21.6 km/h) associated with the dissipating system was recorded at Chichi-jima
Chichi-jima
, formerly known as Peel Island and in the 19th century known to the English as part of the Bonin Islands, is the largest island in the Ogasawara archipelago. Chichi-jima is approximately 150 miles north of Iwo Jima. The island is within the political boundaries of Ogasawara Town, Ogasawara...
on October 25.
Super Typhoon Zelda (Esang)
The northeastern end of the monsoon trough developed into Tropical Depression 37W on October 25 over subtropical latitudes. It headed southeastward, then turned to the southwest, becoming a tropical storm on the 29th. Zelda continued its slow intensification rate, and as it turned more westward, it became a typhoon on the 1st. Continuing its clockwise movement, Zelda turned to the northwest, where it passed over the Northern Mariana IslandsNorthern 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 the 3rd the storm rapidly intensified to a 135 kn (264.6 km/h) super typhoon, and as it turned to the northeast it slowly weakened to a tropical storm on the 8th. On the 10th, Zelda dissipated, only 1700 kilometres (1,056.3 mi) from its start after following a several thousand mile track.
Typhoon Axel (Garding)
Forming along a near-equatorial trough, a surface circulation formed on December 13 and began to move west-northwestward. The system organized into a tropical depression on December 14, but only for 12 hours as the system became much less organized and had more than one circulation center. On December 15, the system began to regenerate due to increasing thunderstorm activity near its main circulation center, and by late in the day, was once again considered a tropical depression. Modestly developing thereafter, the tropical cyclone intensified into a typhoon on December 19 as it turned due west.Axel moved south of Samar
Samar
Samar, formerly and also known as Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland...
in the Philippines, weakening as it moved through the archipelago. Sixteen perished as the typhoon moved through the country, with five deaths occurring in Bacolod City as heavy rains caused a dam break. High waves destroyed 163 homes on Mindinao. Entering the South China Sea as a tropical storm, the system briefly reintensified into a typhoon before vertical wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
substantially increased, which led to significant weakening of Axel. The tropical cyclone dissipated 370 kilometres (229.9 mi) southeast of Hong Kong on December 25.
Tropical Storm Bobbie
Moving west-northwest for much of its life, a tropical disturbance formed in the Marshall Islands on December 15. Due to vertical wind shearWind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
, the system was slow to organize. The system organized into a tropical depression on December 18, and a tropical storm on December 19. The system recurved and dissipated as a tropical cyclone on December 25.
Other systems
During 1994, PAGASAPhilippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The 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...
monitored a few systems designated as tropical depressions that were not warned on by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint 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...
or the Japan Meteorological Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
.
- Tropical Depression Heling — June 25–26
- Tropical Depression Miding — July 14–19
- Tropical Depression Tering — August 29–30
- Tropical Depression Yaning — September 13–14
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 1994 was named Owen and the final one was named Bobbie.
{| style="width:90%;"
|-
|
- AngelaBrianColleenDanElsieForrestGayHuntIrmaJackKorynLewisMarianNathanOfeliaPercyRobynSteveTashaVernonWinonaYancyZola
|- AbeBeckyCecilDotEdFloGeneHattieIraJeanaKyleLolaMannyNell
- Owen 02W
- Page 03W
- Russ 05W
- Sharon 06W
- Tim 08W
- Vanessa 09W
- Walt 10W
- Yunya 11W
- Zeke 12W
|- Amy 15W
- Brendan 14W
- Caitlin 16W
- Doug 17W
- Ellie 18W
- Fred 19W
- Gladys 20W
- Harry 21W
- Ivy 22W
- Joel 23W
- Kinna 24W
- Luke 25W
- Melissa 26W
- Nat 27W
- Orchid 28W
- Pat 29W
- Ruth 30W
- Seth 32W
- Teresa 34W
- Verne 33W
- Wilda 35W
- Yuri 36W
- Zelda 37W
|- Axel 38W
- Bobbie 39W
- ChuckDeannaEliFayeGaryHelenIrvingJanisKentLoisMarkNinaOscarPollyRyanSibylTedValWardYvetteZack
|}
Two eastern Pacific storms, Hurricane Li (08E) and Hurricane JohnHurricane 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...
(10E), crossed into this basin. They became Tropical Storm Li and Typhoon John, keeping their original names and "E" suffix.
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 1994.
{| style="width:90%;"
|-
|- Akang 01W
- Bising 02W
- Klaring 03W
- Deling 04W
- Emang 05W
|- Gading 06W
- Heling
- Iliang 08W
- Loleng 09W
- Miding 10W
|- Norming 11W
- Oyang 14W
- Pasing 16W
- Ritang 17W
- Susang 19W
|- Tering
- Uding 20W
- Weling 25W
- Yaning
- Aning 28W
|- Bidang 32W
- Katring 34W
- Delang 33W
- Esang 37W
- Garding 38W
|}
See also
- List of Pacific typhoon seasons
- 1994 Pacific hurricane season1994 Pacific hurricane seasonThe 1994 Pacific hurricane season officially started on May 15, 1994 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1994 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1994. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean...
- 1994 Atlantic hurricane season1994 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1994 Atlantic hurricane seasonofficially began June 1, 1994, and officially ended November 30, 1994. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin....
- 1994 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons: 1993-94, 1994-95
External links
- Satellite movie of 1994 Pacific typhoon season
- Japan Meteorological Agency
- Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
- China Meteorological Agency
- Hong Kong Observatory
- Macau Meteorological Geophysical Services
- Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
- Taiwan Central Weather Bureau
