2003 Pacific typhoon season

2003 Pacific typhoon season

Season summary map
First storm formed	January 18, 2003
Last storm dissipated	December 27, 2003
Strongest storm	Maemi – 910 hPa (mbar), 195 km/h (120 mph) (10-minute sustained)
Total storms	21 official, 3 unofficial
Typhoons	14
Super typhoons	5 (unofficial)
Total fatalities	264
Total damage	At least $4.7 billion (2003 USD)
Pacific typhoon seasons 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

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. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator and west of the international date line. Storms that form east of the date line and north of the equator are called hurricanes; see 2003 Pacific hurricane season. Tropical Storms formed in the entire west Pacific basin are assigned a name by the Tokyo Typhoon Center. Tropical depressions in this basin have the "W" suffix added to their number. Tropical depressions that enter or form in the Philippine area of responsibility are assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA. This can often result in the same storm having two names.

Storms

In storm information below, wind-speed advisories differ from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to the JMA as the JTWC uses the United States criteria of 1-minute mean to designate maximum sustained winds, while the JMA uses the 10-minute mean wind criteria to designate tropical cyclone maximum sustained winds. This difference generally results in JTWC maximum winds appearing higher than the maximum winds described by the JMA for the same cyclone.

Tropical Storm Yanyan

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	January 18 – January 20
Intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min),  1000 mbar (hPa)

Yanyan is a fairly common pet name for young girls in Hong Kong. Every other year since 1990, a tropical depression has formed in this basin in January, and 2003 was the second year in a row a tropical storm formed during January in the Northwest Pacific. The pre-Yanyan disturbance was first noted at January 11 near the International Dateline just north of the equator. On January 13, a tropical depression formed from this convection near 2.4N 173.8E. It moved west-northwest at 18 mph (29 km/h), moving 170 miles (270 km) north-northeast of Chuuk by the 17th. Tropical storm status was reached on January 18 while northeast of Guam. It soon recurved northward, reaching its peak intensity of 50 kts/60 mph on January 19 140 miles (230 km) east-southeast of Saipan. Yanyan moved more northeasterly by late on the 18th, and weakened to a tropical depression on January 20. The system dissipated on January 21 near 19.0N 158.0E.

Typhoon Kujira (Amang)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	April 11 – April 25
Intensity	165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min),  930 mbar (hPa)

Contributed by Japan, Kujira is the Japanese word for 'whale'

An area of convection developed on April 7 UTC 400 miles (640 km) southeast of Chuuk. It developed into a Tropical Depression 02W by the 9th about 230 miles (370 km) south-southeast of Pohnpei while drifting north. Tropical storm status was achieved on the 11th as it moved 100 miles (160 km) past Pohnpei, and the track shifted towards the west. The cyclone passed 200 miles (320 km) north of Chuuk on the 12th. By the 14th, Kujira strengthened into a typhoon status about 230 miles (370 km) southeast of Guam. The intensifying typhoon moved west-northwest, and Kujira was the year's first super typhoon by the 16th. Its peak intensity of 135 kts/155 mph was reached about 215 miles (346 km) north-northwest of Yap. Late on the 16th, the typhoon crossed 135E and gained the name Amang. By the 17th, the typhoon interacted briefly with a frontal zone before resuming a more westward track. On the 21st, Kujira was tracking northwestward at 7 mph (11 km/h) towards Taiwan/Taipei and weakening and was downgraded to a tropical storm. Movement became erratic on the 23rd while approaching the mountainous island. After passing 190 miles (310 km) south-southeast of Taipei, its forward motion increased to the north-northeast to 43 mph (69 km/h) by late on the 25th as Kujira made landfall on the Japanese island of Kyūshū near Ushibuka, quickly becoming a nontropical low. Long-lived Kujira was thirteen advisories short of the longest-lived Western Pacific tropical cyclone on record, Typhoon Rita of 1972, and three shy of Typhoon Opal (1967).

Lan Yu, Taiwan experienced gale-force winds from April 22–24. The pressure there fell to 965.0 mb on the 23rd as winds peaked at 62.2 kts/72 mph. Okinawa measured 342 mm of rainfall on April 24. Ishigakijima, Okinawa recorded a lowest pressure of 996.9 hPa late on the 24th, and the highest gust in all of Japan of 76.2 kts/88 mph. Kujira was the first named April tropical cyclone of the past 25 years to affect Taiwan and was Japan's earliest tropical cyclone landfall on record. The typhoon caused 2 deaths in Pohnpei, but only minor damage.

Typhoon Chan-hom

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	May 20 – May 27
Intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min),  940 mbar (hPa)

The name Chan-hom was contributed by Laos, which is a type of tree. Late on May 18, a tropical disturbance was being watched 300 miles (480 km) southwest of Chuuk. A tropical depression formed from the area by the 19th about 500 miles (800 km) southeast of Guam. A reconnaissance plane investigating the depression indicated tropical storm strength had been achieved as it moved 100 miles (160 km) west of Chuuk; it took an additional 30 hours for Japan, China, and Taiwan to upgrade the cyclone to tropical storm status so it could assume the name Chan-hom. It drifted north, and became a typhoon by late on the 23rd as it moved north-northeast of Guam. The storm increased steadily in intensity and by the 14th the typhoon had reached its peak intensity of 115 kts/130 mph while 450 miles (720 km) east-northeast of Guam. Chan-hom's forward motion to the northeast accelerated as it became increasingly influenced by the westerlies. Extratropical transition was underway, and by late on the 26th, Chan-hom weakened back into a tropical storm 1,100 miles (1,800 km) west of Midway Island. On the 27th, the storm became nontropical 850 miles (1,370 km) northwest of Midway Island, and it crossed the International Dateline on the 28th. The only affect of Chan-hom was after it passed Guam to the east when the winds shifted from the southwest and sent a plume of ash from the continuing eruption of a volcano on Anatahan towards Guam, which led to volcanic ash advisories on the U.S. Dependency. A 1,040 ton fishing vessel, the Nien Feioch, sank during the storm as it passed by Chuuk. The ship was valued at $16 million and damaged on the island amounted to $2 million.

Severe Tropical Storm Linfa (Chedeng)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	May 26 – May 31
Intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min),  980 mbar (hPa)

The name Linfa is Macanese for the lotus, an Oriental water lily with pinkish flowers and large leaves. The name Chedeng is a Filipino nickname for either males or females; it is also a term used for the German car Mercedes Benz. An area of convection developed and persisted 350 miles (560 km) west of Manila, Philippines. Late on May 25, the system became a tropical depression, and after it traced a cyclonic loop, tropical storm status was achieved on the 26th while 185 miles (298 km) northwest of Manila. Linfa began moving toward the east and began to affect the Philippines. On the 27th the cyclone made landfall on Luzon as a 55 kt/65 mph tropical storm, emerging back over water by the 28th. On the 29th, Linfa was 250 miles (400 km) south-southwest of Naha, Okinawa moving directly towards the island. The system then accelerated northeastward at 19 mph (31 km/h), passing 140 miles (230 km) southeast of Okinawa on the 30th. Maximum intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) was reached later that day, and the system had completed extratropical transition by the 31st about 120 miles (190 km) south of Iwakuni, Japan. Moving north, Linfa made landfall near Uwajima City, Japan on May 31 at 0500 A.M. local time.

Between the 26th and 28th, Dagupan, Philippines reported 723 mm, with 629 mm falling in only 12 hours, and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. In Japan, Mie reported 464 mm on May 31. Minamidaitojima, Okinawa reported a gust of 60 kts/69 mph. Aburatzu reported a pressure of 981.5 hPa on the 31st. The highest gust reported was 76 kts/87 mph at Muruotomisaki. The death toll reported from the Philippines was 41. A total of 2269 houses were damaged and 206 destroyed. Total economic loss was 193 million pesos from the Philippines.

Severe Tropical Storm Nangka (Dodong)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	June 1 – June 3
Intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min),  985 mbar (hPa)

Nangka is the Malaysian name for the jackfruit, a very large oval-shaped yellow fruit very popular locally. Dodong is a Filipino male nickname. By June 1, Tropical Depression 6W was spotted 185 miles (298 km) west of northern Luzon, Philippines and was drifting to the north. Later that day, the system strengthened into a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Nangka/Dodong then started to accelerate northeast, towards Taiwan/Taipei. The peak intensity of 50 kts/60 mph was reached as it bypassed the island of Taiwan about 65 miles (105 km) to the southeast late on the 2nd moving at a forward motion of 24 mph (39 km/h). By June 3, the cyclone weakened back into a tropical depression as was experiencing vertical wind shear. It was rapidly becoming a nontropical low, which moved east-northeast at 22 mph (35 km/h) to the south of Okinawa.

Nangka is the Malaysian name for the jackfruit, a very large oval-shaped yellow fruit very popular locally.

Typhoon Soudelor (Egay)

Main article: Typhoon Soudelor (2003)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	June 13 – June 19
Intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min),  955 mbar (hPa)

Soudelor is the name of a legendary Pohnpei chieftain. Egay is a Filipino nickname. By June 10, a circulation was noted 270 miles (430 km) south of Guam moving west at 12 mph (19 km/h). Tropical Depression 07W formed from this low on the 12th about 50 miles (80 km) west of Yap as it moved at a faster clip to the west. About 24 hours later, Fujiwara interaction with a circulation to the west led to a more northwest motion. By the 14th, the cyclone had strengthened into a tropical storm. As it approached the Philippines, the system was named Egay. On the 15th, Soudelor was moving toward the north at 12 mph (19 km/h) in response to a weakness in the subtropical ridge. During the 15th and into the 16th, Soudelor/Egay was stair-stepping its way north-northwestward at 12 mph (19 km/h) parallel to the Philippines' northeastern coastline and towards Hong Kong. Soudelor finally became a typhoon by late on the 17th. A trough to the west dragged Soudelor north-northeast towards the southern Japanese archipelago. By the 18th, Typhoon Soudelor bypassed Taiwan to the east. The cyclone reached its peak intensity of 115 kts/130 mph later that day. Weakening ensued as it began its extratropical transition as it passed the southeastern coast of South Korea and entered the Sea of Japan. The cyclone became a nontropical low by the 20th about 160 miles (260 km) northwest of Wajima, Japan. The nontropical low turned eastward, crossed northern Japan.

Catarman in the Philippines received 330 mm of rain between the 14th and 15th. The lowest recorded sea level pressure was 997.3 mb at Casiguran late on the 16th. Iriomotejima experienced sustained gale-force winds for eight hours early on the 18th except during eye passage. The minimum SLP of 968.1 hPa occurred as the eye moved overhead. The highest gust was 110 kts/ 125 mph at Iriomotejima. Heavy rains unleashed by Typhoon Soudelor/Egay caused 11 deaths and 3 injuries in the Philippines. Heavy rains also caused flooding, landslides, and mudflows in Taiwan. A North Korean ship cargo loaded with industrial magnesium was stranded off the northwest coast of Japan after being refused entry into the Japanese port of Toyama. Twenty-one storm-related injuries were reported in Japan as a result of Soudelor, mostly people struck by falling objects. Nearly 10,000 households were left without power.

Typhoon Imbudo (Harurot)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	July 17 – July 25
Intensity	165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min),  935 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Typhoon Imbudo

Imbudo was contributed by the Philippines, and it means 'funnel' or 'downspout.' Harurot is a Philippine name which means 'very fast' or 'top speed.' An area of convection developed 100 miles (160 km) east-southeast of Chuuk on July 14. It developed into Tropical Depression 09W early on the 17th when located 360 miles (580 km) east-southeast of Yap Island, moving northwest at 13 mph (21 km/h). This heading became west-northwest during the 17th. The depression was named Imbudo later that day, strengthening into a tropical storm as it closed in on Yap. Strengthening continued as it passed 20 miles (32 km) north of the island. Imbudo strengthened to typhoon intensity by early on the 19th. By the 21st, super typhoon status of 130 kts/155 mph was achieved, which was its peak intensity. By the afternoon of the 22nd, Super Typhoon Imbudo struck the east coast of Luzon at super typhoon strength. Once inland, the cyclone's intensity waned quickly, but typhoon status was maintained. By the 23rd, Imbudo/Harurot had moved back over water and slight strengthening took place. Imbudo made landfall in Guangdong province, China near the city of Yangjiang on the 24th. Upon making landfall Imbudo weakened rapidly into a tropical storm, and then a tropical depression later that day.

The heaviest rainfall in China accumulated at Hepu, which received 343 mm between late on the 23rd and the 25th. The strongest wind gust was 108 knots/124 mph at Shangchuan Dao. Imbudo was the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in five years. The highest death toll in the Philippines noted was twenty-one, with eleven of the deaths due to flash flooding. Twenty died in China. Total damage in the Philippines came out to 1.0986 billion pesos. Direct economic losses in China were estimated at 2.46 million yuan. A total of 600,000 houses collapsed in China.

The name Imbudo was retired after the 2003 season, and will be replaced by Molave.

Severe Tropical Storm Koni (Gilas)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	July 18 – July 22
Intensity	110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min),  975 mbar (hPa)

Koni, contributed by the Republic of Korea, is the Korean word for 'swan', a bird which migrates from Siberia each year to winter in Korea. Gilas is a Philippine name which means 'amazing.' During the second week of July the monsoon trough became very active, with one of two disturbances noted by July 13 about 440 miles (710 km) south of Guam. Late on July 15, the system had crossed 135E into PAGASA's AOR and was named Gilas, which was then considered as a tropical depression, and soon afterwards was designated 08W by JTWC. As it moved westward, the cyclone reached minimal tropical storm intensity on July 16. By July 17, Gilas reached the east coast of Samar, crossing the bulk of the Philippines and over Panay Island later that day. A weakness in the subtropical ridge lured Koni/Gilas northwest from July 19 into July 21. It barely reached typhoon status on July 20 in an environment of relentless east to northeasterly vertical wind shear. The cyclone turned westward towards the island of Hainan. Typhoon Koni made landfall 30 miles (48 km) south-southwest of Qionghai, Hainan by July 22. After its voyage across Hainan Dao, the cyclone moved across the Gulf of Tonkin and began to weaken as it approached Vietnam. It weakened into a tropical storm as Koni crossed into northern Vietnam south of Hanoi on July 22. The storm rapidly deteriorated as it moved further inland, and was dissipating as it crossed Vietnam and Laos.

The highest rainfall amount from Hainan was at Wuzhi Mountain where 188.8 millimetres (7.43 in) fell between July 20 and July 22. The number of collapsed houses was approximately 1400 in the province. Direct economic losses were estimated at 140,270 million yuan. On the positive side, drought conditions eased. Two people were killed and 18 injured as Tropical Storm Koni lashed northern Vietnam, uprooting trees, felling power lines and destroying more than 1000 houses. There were no reports of damage or casualties in the Philippines.

Typhoon Morakot (Juaning)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	August 2 – August 4
Intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min),  992 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Morakot formed as Tropical Depression 10W on July 30, close to the Philippine coast. Slow strengthening brought the system to tropical storm strength on August 1, receiving the names Morakot and Juaning. It briefly became a minimal typhoon on August 3 with a minimum central pressure of 976 mbar. It sliced through Taiwan the same day, weakening to a tropical storm. The next day, Morakot struck mainland China's Fujian province with 65 mph (105 km/h) winds a pressure of 984 mbar. Dissipation occurred shortly thereafter on August 5.

Typhoon Etau (Kabayan)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	August 3 – August 9
Intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min),  945 mbar (hPa)

This cyclone formed on August 3. It quickly strengthened to a typhoon by August 4. Peak wind speed for the typhoon was 110 kt/125 mph, equivalent to catergory 3 on the Safir - Simpson Scale. Typhoon Etau made landfall on southern Japan on August 8 as it was weakening and severely impacted the island nation through August 9 and August 10 as it moved northeast through the archipelago. Reported deaths totalled 17. Power facilities went offline and Al Nippon cancelled its flights during the cyclone's passage. Heavy rains in excess of 400 mm/16" fell in Hokkaidō, which generated mudslides across Japan and flooded over 1000 homes.

Tropical Storm Vamco (Manang)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	August 19 – August 20
Intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min),  996 mbar (hPa)

Vamco formed in the Philippine Sea on August 19. The cyclone strengthened to a weak tropical storm and passed just north of Taiwan. Rainfall was minimal during its passage by northern Taiwan, with maximum amounts of 69 millimetres (2.7 in) in Chuangwei Township in Ilan county. The specter of drought continued for Taiwan. It then made landfall in eastern China as a minimal tropical storm, impacting Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. Heavy rainfall and local flooding attributed to this cyclone fell across the northern Philippines and southeast China.

Typhoon Krovanh (Niña)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	August 20 – August 26
Intensity	120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min),  970 mbar (hPa)

A tropical depression developed well out to sea on August 15 and slowly developed. After a few days it became a tropical storm and by August 21, a typhoon. Krovanh made landfall in the northern portion of the Philippines. The high topography in that region caused some weakening, and reintensification occurred as it moved westward into the South China Sea. It quickly sliced through Hainan island and made its third and final landfall near the Vietnam/China border. It was the strongest cyclone to strike Vietnam in over ten years. One perished and almost 1000 homes were destroyed in that country. In China, over 10000 homes were wrecked in Guangdong and Hainan provinces. Damage from the storm amounted to $201 million (2003 USD).

Typhoon Dujuan (Onyok)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	August 29 – September 3
Intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min),  950 mbar (hPa)

This cyclone passed close to the southern tip of Taiwan with peak winds of 230 km/h (125 kt, 145 mph), killing two across the island. On September 2, Typhoon Dujuan, weakened from its interaction with Taiwan, hit near Hong Kong and Guangdong province as an 80 kt (95 mph) typhoon. A total of 36 casualties were claimed by the typhoon and 1000 were injured.

Typhoon Maemi (Pogi)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	September 6 – September 13
Intensity	195 km/h (120 mph) (10-min),  910 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Typhoon Maemi

The system initially formed near Guam on September 5. After reaching a peak of 170 mph (270 km/h) winds, Typhoon Maemi steadily weakened until hitting South Korea on September 12 with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h). Maemi was responsible for 117 deaths and heavy damage amounting to $4.1 billion (2003 USD), making it one of the worst typhoons ever to hit the Korean peninsula. Thereafter, the system became an extratropical gale which crossed northern Japan on September 13, and briefly became a storm later that day is it approached the Kamchatka peninsula. The weakening gale then crossed the Pacific over the succeeding week along the 50th parallel north, making a final landfall along the south-central Alaskan coast late on September 20.

Typhoon Choi-wan (Roskas)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	September 18 – September 23
Intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min),  955 mbar (hPa)

Early on September 17, a very weak but organized tropical depression developed east-northeast of the Philippines. Slow strengthening but quick organization brought the system up to tropical storm strength with the name Choi-wan the next day. The tropical cyclone moved almost due north while slowly intensifying, but once it began to parallel the Japanese coast, more moderate strengthening occurred. Late on September 21, the system achieved its peak intensity of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 944 mbar (hPa). From there, slow weakening brought the system north of Japan as a weak tropical storm that soon transformed into an extratropical system on September 23. The extratropical storm restrengthened in the Gulf of Alaska on September 24 before weakening while it made landfall in southeast Alaska on September 25.

Typhoon Koppu (Sikat)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	September 26 – September 30
Intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min),  960 mbar (hPa)

Koppu formed on September 23 in the open Pacific, becoming a tropical storm on September 26 and a typhoon late on September 27. The typhoon strengthened further to a Category 2 typhoon with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 954 mbar late on September 28. The system slowly weakened as it passed between Iwo Jima and Japan. It became extratropical late on September 29. Thereafter, the system intensified as a baroclinic cyclone into a cyclone with hurricane-force winds late on September 30 while passing south of Kamchatka. Peaking in strength, the weakening storm passed just south of the Aleutians weakening into a gale from October 2 through October 4, and continued weakening in the Gulf of Alaska through October 7.

Typhoon Ketsana (Tisoy)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	October 19 – October 26
Intensity	165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min),  940 mbar (hPa)

Forming several hundred miles east of the Philippines on October 18, the system became a tropical storm the next day and a typhoon by October 20. Ketsana became a powerful typhoon as it slowly recurved in Philippine Sea well to the south of Iwo Jima, with maximum sustained winds of 125 kts/145 mph. The cyclone became an extratropical storm with hurricane-force winds late on October 25. The storm turned northeast and weakened to gale-strength in the Bering Sea on October 28. It was noted that surface chlorophyll-a concentration in the ocean increased 30-fold during the existence of this typhoon.

Typhoon Parma

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	October 21 – October 31
Intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min),  930 mbar (hPa)

This cyclone was first noted as Tropical Depression 21W in the subtropical Pacific north of Guam on October 20. This system drifted north and northeast, rapidly developing into a typhoon by October 22. Parma briefly became a supertyphoon while moving northeastward ahead of a cold front early on October 24. The frontal system failed to recurve the cyclone out to sea, and Parma made an anticyclonic loop ending up near the 22nd parallel north by October 26. While dropping south and southwest, the system weakened into a minimal typhoon. The system turned northwest and reintensified into an intense typhoon by late on October 29. Moving northeast once more, Parma became an extratropical storm late on October 30. The cyclone weakened into a gale while heading east-northeast across the Pacific on November 2. The system again dropped into the subtropics, moving southward offshore the west coast of the United States and eventually dissipated on November 11 southwest of California.

Severe Tropical Storm Melor (Viring)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	October 30 – November 3
Intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min),  980 mbar (hPa)

Forming as a tropical depression on October 30, it quickly evolved into a typhoon by November 1. This minimal typhoon moved through the northern Philippines on November 1 bringing up to 150 mm (6 inches) of rain to northeast Luzon, flooding the Cagayan river. At least 4 perished in the resulting flood. Weakened into a tropical storm, Melor passed just east of Taiwan on November 2 and November 3, bringing heavy rains to the island.

Typhoon Nepartak (Weng)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	November 12 – November 19
Intensity	120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min),  970 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Nepartak moved across the Philippines from November 13 through November 14. It caused heavy flooding amounting to $197 million in damage and 4 casualties in the Philippines. Nepartak continued westward where it reached a peak of 85 mph (137 km/h) winds. It turned northeastward, and dissipated over China on the 19th. The central sections of Vietnam were hit hard, as 61 perished, and 32000 homes were inundated.

Typhoon Lupit (Yoyoy)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	November 21 – December 2
Intensity	185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min),  915 mbar (hPa)

Typhoon Lupit was a powerful Category 5 Super Typhoon which formed in the western Pacific Ocean west of the Philippines on November 19, 2003. Lupit never struck the mainland but reached an extraordinary intensity over open water and left a trail of devastation across numerous islands in the Federated States of Micronesia. It reached sustained winds of 145 kts/165 mph.

Lupit was a powerful Category 5 Super Typhoon at the time the image on the right was taken on November 26, 2003 and the main part of the typhoon was nearly 1,300 kilometers wide. If this storm could be picked up and placed over the United States, it would stretch from Virginia Beach inland as far as St. Louis, Missouri, or from Jacksonville, Florida, nearly all the way to Houston, Texas.

The typhoon recurved northeast, becoming an extratropical storm late on November 30. Reintensification occurred, with the system bombing out over the next day to become a strong extratropical storm. The system moved to near Kamchatka on December 4 and then drifted east-northeast, ending up as a weakening cyclone over the Bering Sea on December 7.

Lupit was submitted by the Philippines, and it means cruelty.

Other storms

Tropical Depression 03W (Batibot)

Tropical storm (PAGASA)
Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	May 17 – May 20
Intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min),  1000 mbar (hPa)

Batibot is the name of a Filipino children's television show similar to Sesame Street. An area of deep convection was noted late on May 16 about 180 miles (290 km) southwest of Palau. On May 17, it had developed into a tropical depression near 7.1N, 130.5E. After drifting northward to the east of the Philippines, JTWC and PAGASA upgraded the system to a tropical storm; Japan, Hong Kong, and the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau never did. Weakening was evident late on May 19 as the cyclone drifted northward, and tropical depression status became unanimous as it passed 325 miles (523 km) west of Yap. By late on May 20, the depression was dissipating due to strong vertical wind shear.

Tropical Depression Falcon

Tropical depression (PAGASA)
Duration	July 9 – July 9
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min),  1004 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression Ineng

Tropical depression (PAGASA)
Duration	July 30 – July 31
Intensity	45 km/h (30 mph) (10-min),  1004 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Lakay

Tropical storm (PAGASA)
Duration	August 18 – August 20
Intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min),  998 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression Jimena

Main article: Hurricane Jimena (2003)

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	September 5 (crossed 180° meridian) – September 5
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min),  1008 mbar (hPa)

Jimena crossed the international date line on September 5 at 0600 UTC, as a depression, where it was tracked briefly by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. However, strong wind shear resulted in the low level circulation to be exposed from the center and at 1727 UTC, the low level had nearly dissipated. At 1800 UTC, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued their final advisory on Jimena as the storm dissipated 715 miles (1151 km) southeast of Wake Island.

Tropical Depression Quiel

Tropical depression (PAGASA)
Duration	September 15 – September 19
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min),  1000 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 18W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	October 6 – October 11
Intensity	45 km/h (30 mph) (1-min),  1002 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 19W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	October 10 – October 13
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min),  1000 mbar (hPa)

This depression recurved south of Japan on October 12 before losing its identity in a frontal zone by October 13. None of the Asian tropical cyclone warning centers regarded this low of subtropical origin as a tropical depression.

Tropical Depression 22W (Ursula)

Tropical depression (PAGASA)
Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	October 21 – October 24
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min),  1002 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression 23W

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	October 21 – October 23
Intensity	<55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min),  997 mbar (hPa)

A tropical depression formed in the Gulf of Thailand on October 21. It tracked west-northwestward across the Malay Peninsula, ultimately hitting India as a minimal tropical storm. Though a weak storm that caused little damage, by crossing from the Western Pacific to the Indian Ocean, its track was a relatively rare event.

Tropical Storm 27W (Zigzag)

Tropical depression (PAGASA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	December 23 – December 27
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min),  997 mbar (hPa)

Late on December 20 an area of disturbed weather formed to the west-southwest of Chuuk. Slowly getting better organized over the next few days, it was upgraded to a tropical depression late on December 23. The system resisted vertical wind shear, and became a tropical storm very early on December 25. The system moved generally to the southwest towards the Philippines, eventually dissipating in the middle of the archipelago early on December 27.

Storm names

Western North Pacific tropical cyclones are named by the RSMC Tokyo-Typhoon Center of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Names are selected from the following sequential list, there is no annual list. Names were contributed by 13 members of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, except for Singapore. The 13 nations or territories, along with Micronesia, each submitted 10 names, which are used in alphabetical order by the English name of the country. The first storm of 2003 was named Yanyan and the final one was named Lupit.

Contributing Nation	Names
Cambodia	Damrey	Kong-rey	Nakri	Krovanh 12W	Sarika
China	Longwang	Yutu	Fengshen	Dujuan 14W	Haima
DPR Korea	Kirogi	Toraji	Kalmaegi	Maemi 15W	Meari
Hong Kong	Kai-tak	Man-yi	Fung-wong	Choi-wan 16W	Ma-on
Japan	Tembin	Usagi	Kammuri	Koppu 17W	Tokage
Laos	Bolaven	Pabuk	Phanfone	Ketsana 20W	Nock-ten
Macau	Chanchu	Wutip	Vongfong	Parma 21W	Muifa
Malaysia	Jelawat	Sepat	Rusa	Melor 24W	Merbok
Micronesia	Ewiniar	Fitow	Sinlaku	Nepartak 25W	Nanmadol
Philippines	Bilis	Danas	Hagupit	Lupit 26W	Talas
RO Korea	Kaemi	Nari	Changmi	Sudal	Noru
Thailand	Prapiroon	Wipha	Mekkhala	Nida	Kulap
U.S.A.	Maria	Francisco	Higos	Omais	Roke
Vietnam	Saomai	Lekima	Bavi	Conson	Sonca
Cambodia	Bopha	Krosa	Maysak	Chanthu	Nesat
China	Wukong	Haiyan	Haishen	Dianmu	Haitang
DPR Korea	Sonamu	Podul	Pongsona	Mindulle	Nalgae
Hong Kong	Shanshan	Lingling	Yanyan 01W	Tingting	Banyan
Japan	Yagi	Kajiki	Kujira 02W	Kompasu	Washi
Laos	Xangsane	Faxai	Chan-hom 04W	Namtheun	Matsa
Macau	Bebinca	Vamei	Linfa 05W	Malou	Sanvu
Malaysia	Rumbia	Tapah	Nangka 06W	Meranti	Mawar
Micronesia	Soulik	Mitag	Soudelor 07W	Rananim	Guchol
Philippines	Cimaron	Hagibis	Imbudo 09W	Malakas	Talim
RO Korea	Chebi	Noguri	Koni 08W	Megi	Nabi
Thailand	Durian	Rammasun	Morakot 10W	Chaba	Khanun
U.S.A.	Utor	Chataan	Etau 11W	Aere	Vicente
Vietnam	Trami	Halong	Vamco 13W	Songda	Saola

Philippines

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration uses its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones in their area of responsibility. PAGASA assigns names to tropical depressions that form within their area of responsibility and any tropical cyclone that might move into their area of responsibility. Should the list of names for a given year prove to be insufficient, names are taken from an auxiliary list, the first 10 of which are published each year before the season starts. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2007 season. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.

Amang 02W Batibot 03W Chedeng 05W Dodong 06W Egay 07W

Falcon Gilas 08W Harurot 09W Ineng Juaning 10W

Kabayan 11W Lakay Manang 13W Niña 12W Onyok 14W

Pogi 15W Quiel Roskas 16W Sikat 17W Tisoy 20W

Ursula 22W Viring 24W Weng 25W Yoyoy 26W Zigzag 27W

Auxiliary list

Abe (unused) Berto (unused)

Charo (unused) Dado (unused)

Estoy (unused) Felion (unused)

Gening (unused) Herman (unused)

Irma (unused) Jaime (unused)

Retirement

See also: List of retired Pacific typhoon names (JMA) and List of retired Philippine typhoon names

The names Imbudo and Maemi were retired by the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, while Yanyan was requested by Hong Kong to be removed in the list, and was replaced by Dolphin. The names Molave and Mujigae were chosen to replaced Imbudo and Maemi respectively. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced that the name Harurot had its name retired due to extensive damage. The name Hanna was chosen to replaced Harurot. Also, the names Batibot, Gilas, Lakay, Manang, Niña, Pogi, Roskas and Sikat were removed from the list, due to unknown reasons. Their replacements are Bebeng, Goring, Lando, Mina, Nonoy, Pedring, Ramon and Sendong. The names Bebeng, Juaning, Mina, Pedring and Sendong were retired on 2011 due to widespread destruction.

See also

• List of Pacific typhoon seasons
• 2003 Pacific hurricane season
• 2003 Atlantic hurricane season
• 2003 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2002-03, 2003-04
• Australian region cyclone seasons: 2002-03, 2003-04
• South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2002-03, 2003-04

External links

• Satellite movie of 2003 Pacific typhoon season
• Japan Meteorological Agency
• China Meteorological Agency
• National Weather Service Guam
• Hong Kong Observatory
• Macau Meteorological Geophysical Services
• Korea Meteorological Agency
• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
• Taiwan Central Weather Bureau
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center