Typhoon Imbudo
Encyclopedia
Typhoon Imbudo was the 9th JTWC tropical depression (09W), the 7th named storm, and the 7th typhoon of the 2003 Pacific typhoon season
. The typhoon's name, contributed by the Philippines
, means funnel or downspout.
on July 13. It slowly developed, reforming on the 15th to the southwest of the previous area. Moderate diffluence and little shear aloft, with an upper level low to the northeast providing poleward outflow, allowed the area to become Tropical Depression 09W about 360 nautical miles (666.7 km) east-southeast of Yap
on July 16.
The depression tracked to the northwest along the southwestern periphery of the mid-level ridge, and with warm sea temperatures, it became Tropical Storm Imbudo on July 17. Imbudo intensified at a quick pace, reaching typhoon status on the 18th. With increased banding features and even greater from a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough cell to its northeast, Imbudo rapidly strengthened to a 150 mi/h super typhoon on the 20th. The typhoon continued its northwest movement, where it weakened due to an eyewall replacement cycle and the weakening of the TUTT. In the morning of July 22, Imbudo struck northern Luzon
as a 130 mi/h typhoon.
After crossing Luzon, Imbudo emerged in the South China Sea
as a 90 mi/h typhoon. With generally favorable conditions, the typhoon restrengthened to 100 mi/h, but dry air to its northeast weakened it slightly. Typhoon Imbudo made landfall for a second time on southern China
early on July 24 with winds of 95 mi/h. It rapidly weakened over land, and dissipated that night.
Public Storm Signal #4 was up first time in 5 years. High winds knocked down power lines throughout Isabela Province
, leaving the entire province without power. Large trees, some decades old, were uprooted by the storm.
Southern China fared worse than Luzon, with Imbudo causing 20 casualties and $302.6 million in damage. The storm caused landslides and heavy flooding in the Hainan Province, the Guangdong Province, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Due to its destruction, the names Imbudo & Harurot was retired and replaced with Molave & Hanna.
2003 Pacific typhoon season
The 2003 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 2003, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November...
. The typhoon's name, contributed by 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...
, means funnel or downspout.
Meteorological history
An area of convection was first noted near 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...
on July 13. It slowly developed, reforming on the 15th to the southwest of the previous area. Moderate diffluence and little shear aloft, with an upper level low to the northeast providing poleward outflow, allowed the area to become Tropical Depression 09W about 360 nautical miles (666.7 km) east-southeast 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...
on July 16.
The depression tracked to the northwest along the southwestern periphery of the mid-level ridge, and with warm sea temperatures, it became Tropical Storm Imbudo on July 17. Imbudo intensified at a quick pace, reaching typhoon status on the 18th. With increased banding features and even greater from a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough cell to its northeast, Imbudo rapidly strengthened to a 150 mi/h super typhoon on the 20th. The typhoon continued its northwest movement, where it weakened due to an eyewall replacement cycle and the weakening of the TUTT. In the morning of July 22, Imbudo struck northern Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
as a 130 mi/h typhoon.
After crossing Luzon, Imbudo emerged 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 a 90 mi/h typhoon. With generally favorable conditions, the typhoon restrengthened to 100 mi/h, but dry air to its northeast weakened it slightly. Typhoon Imbudo made landfall for a second time on southern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
early on July 24 with winds of 95 mi/h. It rapidly weakened over land, and dissipated that night.
Impact
The strongest typhoon to hit Luzon in 5 years, Imbudo caused flash flooding and strong wind damage. Twenty-one people were killed, with crop damage estimated at $37 million (2003 USD). Extensive damage was also done to buildings throughout northern Luzon, largely due to the typically poor standard of living in the area.Public Storm Signal #4 was up first time in 5 years. High winds knocked down power lines throughout Isabela Province
Isabela province
Isabela is the second largest province of the Philippines next to Palawan. It is located in the Cagayan Valley Region in Luzon. Its capital is Ilagan and borders, clockwise from the south, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Cagayan...
, leaving the entire province without power. Large trees, some decades old, were uprooted by the storm.
Southern China fared worse than Luzon, with Imbudo causing 20 casualties and $302.6 million in damage. The storm caused landslides and heavy flooding in the Hainan Province, the Guangdong Province, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Due to its destruction, the names Imbudo & Harurot was retired and replaced with Molave & Hanna.
