Tropical Depression Winnie
Encyclopedia
Tropical Depression Winnie was a catastrophic tropical cyclone
that killed nearly 1,600 people after triggering widespread flooding in the Philippines
.
on November 27, 2004 as a tropical depression east of the Philippines
. A poorly organized cyclone, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
briefly issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
on November 29. Tracking west-northwestward, Winnie made landfall
in southern Luzon
. Upon moving over land, the depression attained its peak intensity with winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a barometric pressure of 1000 mbar (hPa; 29.53 inHg). Once over land, the system began to weaken before entering the South China Sea
. Once over water, Winnie turned northwest, moving along the western Luzon coastline throughout November 29. Early the following day, advisories on the depression ceased. Winnie was last noted off the northwestern coast of Luzon.
and Luzon. Initial estimates stated that at least 300 people were killed by the storm. However, over time, it was discovered that at least 842 people perished and 751 others were missing, a total of 1,593 people. Damage from the depression was estimated at 678.7 million Philippine peso
s ($14.6 million USD).
worsened the situation caused by Winnie and killed more than 1,000 people.
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...
that killed nearly 1,600 people after triggering widespread flooding 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...
.
Meteorological history
Tropical Depression Winnie was first identified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services AdministrationPhilippine 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...
on November 27, 2004 as a tropical depression 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...
. A poorly organized cyclone, 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...
briefly issued 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...
on November 29. Tracking west-northwestward, Winnie made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
in southern 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...
. Upon moving over land, the depression attained its peak intensity with winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a barometric pressure of 1000 mbar (hPa; 29.53 inHg). Once over land, the system began to weaken before entering the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
. Once over water, Winnie turned northwest, moving along the western Luzon coastline throughout November 29. Early the following day, advisories on the depression ceased. Winnie was last noted off the northwestern coast of Luzon.
Impact
Although a weak tropical cyclone, Tropical Depression Winnie brought torrential rainfall to much of the VisayasVisayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
and Luzon. Initial estimates stated that at least 300 people were killed by the storm. However, over time, it was discovered that at least 842 people perished and 751 others were missing, a total of 1,593 people. Damage from the depression was estimated at 678.7 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 ($14.6 million USD).
Aftermath
Not long after Winnie devastated the central Philippines, the country was struck by another, more powerful tropical cyclone. Typhoon NanmadolTyphoon Nanmadol
The name Nanmadol has been used by the Japan Meteorological Agency to name two tropical cyclones in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The name was contributed by Micronesia and refers to a famous ruin found on Pohnpei....
worsened the situation caused by Winnie and killed more than 1,000 people.