Typhoon Herb
Encyclopedia
Super Typhoon Herb was the strongest and the largest storm of 1996. Herb struck the Ryūkyū Islands
, Taiwan
and the People's Republic of China
, causing major damage. The name Herb was used in the Western Pacific name list for the first time after the list had been revised earlier in 1996. Although the name was not retired, the Western Pacific name list was changed from English names to Asian names in 2000, so 1996 was the in fact the only occasion when the name was used (it was never used in the Atlantic Ocean
or the Eastern Pacific.)
on July 23. It moved northward at first, then westward in response to the subtropical ridge to its north. Tropical Depression 10W was upgraded to Tropical Storm Herb on July 24. Tropical Storm Herb moved west, growing in size and strengthening to Typhoon Herb on July 25 before 48 hours later reaching Category 4 (125 knots). An interaction with Typhoon Gloria (in what is known as the "Fujiwhara effect
") saw Herb downgraded to 115 knots. Shortly afterward Herb began to intensify again, and became a Category 5 super typhoon (140 knots) on July 30. Herb also became a very large typhoon: the largest typhoon in July and the 8th largest typhoon since 1977.
Herb struck the Ryūkyū Islands and made landfall in northern Taiwan as a Category 4 Super Typhoon (130 knots) on July 31. The eye of the storm passed directly over the city of Taipei
, Taiwan
's capital. Herb weakened as it crossed Taiwan and then the Taiwan Strait, to make landfall in China as a strong Category 2. Herb rapidly weakened over the country, and dissipated on August 3.
Ryukyu Islands
The , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
, 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 the People's Republic of 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...
, causing major damage. The name Herb was used in the Western Pacific name list for the first time after the list had been revised earlier in 1996. Although the name was not retired, the Western Pacific name list was changed from English names to Asian names in 2000, so 1996 was the in fact the only occasion when the name was used (it was never used in the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
or the Eastern Pacific.)
Meteorological history
The active monsoon trough that spawned Typhoons Frankie (08W) and Gloria (09W) consolidated into a third area well east of the other two to develop Tropical Depression 10W near 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...
on July 23. It moved northward at first, then westward in response to the subtropical ridge to its north. Tropical Depression 10W was upgraded to Tropical Storm Herb on July 24. Tropical Storm Herb moved west, growing in size and strengthening to Typhoon Herb on July 25 before 48 hours later reaching Category 4 (125 knots). An interaction with Typhoon Gloria (in what is known as the "Fujiwhara effect
Fujiwhara effect
The Fujiwhara effect or Fujiwara interaction, named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, is a type of interaction between two nearby cyclonic vortices, causing them to appear to "orbit" each other.-Description:...
") saw Herb downgraded to 115 knots. Shortly afterward Herb began to intensify again, and became a Category 5 super typhoon (140 knots) on July 30. Herb also became a very large typhoon: the largest typhoon in July and the 8th largest typhoon since 1977.
Herb struck the Ryūkyū Islands and made landfall in northern Taiwan as a Category 4 Super Typhoon (130 knots) on July 31. The eye of the storm passed directly over the city 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...
, 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...
's capital. Herb weakened as it crossed Taiwan and then the Taiwan Strait, to make landfall in China as a strong Category 2. Herb rapidly weakened over the country, and dissipated on August 3.
Impact
In Taiwan and China, heavy rain from Herb caused flooding and major damage. In Taiwan, at least 51 people were killed and 22 went missing. Herb is the second wettest known tropical cyclone to impact the country. In China, at least 233 people were killed and 284 people went missing. Total damage to agriculture and property totaled US$5 billion (1996 dollars).See also
- List of tropical cyclones
External links
- Typhoon Herb's track: http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/w_pacific/1996/10/track.gif
- 1996 HERB
- Taiwan Central Weather Bureau
- Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC Typhoon Herb Report)
- Digital Typhoon page on Herb