Typhoon Chataan
Encyclopedia
Typhoon Chataan was a powerful and destructive typhoon
which killed 54 people from Chuuk
to Japan
in the western Pacific Ocean
.
. It rapidly consolidated throughout the day, and became Tropical Depression 08W early on June 28. The depression drifted to the northwest, then eastward as it remained in the trough. After a burst of deep convection, the system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Chataan on June 29 while 160 miles west-southwest of Pohnpei
.
Chataan stalled and drifted to the northwest, slowly organizing as it escaped from the monsoon trough. On July 2, it passed directly over the Chuuk Islands, causing torrential rainfall there. The subtropical ridge strengthened over the Marianas Islands, forcing Chataan to the northwest. The storm finally exhibited an organization trend, and Chataan became a typhoon on the 3rd. On the 4th, the 100 mph typhoon crossed northern Guam
, the first direct hit since Typhoon Paka
of 1997.
After passing through the islands of the West Pacific, Chataan steadily strengthened, reaching a primary peak of 130 mph winds on July 5. Soon after, dry air and upper level shear weakened the storm. As it turned more to the north, Chataan restrengthened, and reached a peak of 150 mph winds on the 7th, the 3rd super typhoon of the year. The shear returned, and Chataan quickly weakened. On July 10, while heading to the northeast, 65 mph Tropical Storm Chataan crossed over southeastern Japan
, and became extratropical shortly thereafter.
While crossing the Chuuk islands as a tropical storm, Chataan caused heavy rain and mudslides, killing 47 people. Over 1300 people were left homeless, and crop damage was severe, leading to a food shortage.
Later, when Chataan crossed Guam, the typhoon caused widespread damage to crops and structures. Damage was estimated at $59.8 million (2002 USD). However, damage was lighter than expected for a Category 3 typhoon. No cars were flipped over, and instead of the typical 10/100 ratio for coconut trees being destroyed, only 1/100 were.
The typhoon caused a surge in the monsoon trough over the Philippines, causing heavy flooding and mudslides. 64 people had died there by the end of July from the monsoon rains of Chataan and another storm, Nakri.
In Japan, Chataan caused 7 casualties from the heavy rains, as well as a disruption in the domestic transportation.
Because of Chataan's death toll and damage, the name was retired and replaced with Matmo. The name PAGASA gave to Chataan while active, Gloria, was also retired and was replaced in 2006 with Glenda.
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...
which killed 54 people from 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...
to 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...
in the western Pacific Ocean
Pacific typhoon
A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean between 180° and 100°E. This region is referred to as the northwest Pacific basin. For organizational purposes, the northern Pacific Ocean is divided into three regions: the eastern , central , and...
.
Meteorological history
An area of convection developed from the monsoon trough on June 27 175 miles east-southeast 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...
. It rapidly consolidated throughout the day, and became Tropical Depression 08W early on June 28. The depression drifted to the northwest, then eastward as it remained in the trough. After a burst of deep convection, the system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Chataan on June 29 while 160 miles west-southwest of Pohnpei
Pohnpei
Not to be confused with Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.Pohnpei "upon a stone altar " is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia , situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group...
.
Chataan stalled and drifted to the northwest, slowly organizing as it escaped from the monsoon trough. On July 2, it passed directly over the Chuuk Islands, causing torrential rainfall there. The subtropical ridge strengthened over the Marianas Islands, forcing Chataan to the northwest. The storm finally exhibited an organization trend, and Chataan became a typhoon on the 3rd. On the 4th, the 100 mph typhoon crossed northern Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, the first direct hit since Typhoon Paka
Typhoon Paka
Typhoon Paka was the last tropical cyclone in the 1997 Pacific Ocean hurricane and typhoon season, and was among the strongest Pacific typhoons in the month of December. Paka, which is the Hawaiian name for Pat, developed on November 28 from a trough well to the southwest of Hawaii...
of 1997.
After passing through the islands of the West Pacific, Chataan steadily strengthened, reaching a primary peak of 130 mph winds on July 5. Soon after, dry air and upper level shear weakened the storm. As it turned more to the north, Chataan restrengthened, and reached a peak of 150 mph winds on the 7th, the 3rd super typhoon of the year. The shear returned, and Chataan quickly weakened. On July 10, while heading to the northeast, 65 mph Tropical Storm Chataan crossed over southeastern 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...
, and became extratropical shortly thereafter.
Japan
As Typhoon Chataan approached eastern Japan, an estimated 100,000 people evacuated from areas north of Tokyo due to the threat of flooding.Impact
Later, when Chataan crossed Guam, the typhoon caused widespread damage to crops and structures. Damage was estimated at $59.8 million (2002 USD). However, damage was lighter than expected for a Category 3 typhoon. No cars were flipped over, and instead of the typical 10/100 ratio for coconut trees being destroyed, only 1/100 were.
The typhoon caused a surge in the monsoon trough over the Philippines, causing heavy flooding and mudslides. 64 people had died there by the end of July from the monsoon rains of Chataan and another storm, Nakri.
In Japan, Chataan caused 7 casualties from the heavy rains, as well as a disruption in the domestic transportation.
Because of Chataan's death toll and damage, the name was retired and replaced with Matmo. The name PAGASA gave to Chataan while active, Gloria, was also retired and was replaced in 2006 with Glenda.
