Typhoon Ewiniar (2024)

Typhoon Ewiniar (Aghon)

Typhoon Ewiniar near peak intensity near Luzon on May 26
Meteorological history
Formed	May 22, 2024
Extratropical	May 30, 2024
Dissipated	Currently active
Typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds	130 km/h (80 mph)
Lowest pressure	980 hPa (mbar); 28.94 inHg
Category 2-equivalent typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	175 km/h (110 mph)
Lowest pressure	957 hPa (mbar); 28.26 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	6
Injuries	8
Damage	$7.9 million (2024 USD)
Areas affected	Philippines, Japan
IBTrACS
Part of the 2024 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Ewiniar, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Aghon, is an active tropical cyclone currently weakening south of Japan. The first named storm and typhoon of the 2024 Pacific typhoon season. Ewiniar emerged from an area of atmospheric convection 441 km (274 mi) southeast of Palau. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) labeled the system as a low-pressure area on May 21. It intensified the next day and became a tropical depression, giving it the name Aghon by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) after entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility on May 23, marking it as the fifth-latest start of a Pacific typhoon season since reliable records began; the depression intensified into a tropical storm, assigning it the name Ewiniar. The cyclone made nine landfalls in the Philippines. Afterward, it began to move over the warm tropical waters of Lamon Bay, where the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the JMA upgraded Ewiniar into a minimal typhoon. Beginning to weaken for the final time on May 30, the storm passed directly over the island of Minamidaitōjima and began an extratropical transition.

Strong winds and flooding caused power outages and disruptions of transport, with rough seas stranding over 7,175 people in various ports, and more than 51,858 people were directly impacted. Agricultural damage in the Philippines totalled ₱21.65 million (US$439,623.51). Damage to infrastructure was valued at ₱367.47 million (US$7.46 million). In all, the typhoon killed at least six people and left eight injured, resulting in at least ₱389.12 million (US$7.9 million) in damages.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Typhoon Ewiniar emerged from an area of atmospheric convection 441 km (274 mi) southeast of Palau. The disturbance was moving northwestward towards an environment favorable for tropical cyclogenesis, characterized by sea surface temperatures of 29–30 °C (84–86 °F), low vertical wind shear, and moderate to strong outflow aloft associated with an upper tropospheric trough west of the system. On May 22, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) labeled the system as a low-pressure area. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) subsequently issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) as the disturbance developed rainbands wrapping from the southwest, with deep convection obscuring the system's consolidated circulation center. At 18:00 UTC, the JMA recognized the system as a tropical depression. Early on May 23, the depression entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). However, later that day, the JTWC cancelled their TCFA, since the depression was still weak. Early morning of May 24, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) upgraded the system from a low-pressure area into a depression, assigning it the name Aghon, marking it as the fifth-latest start of a Pacific typhoon season since reliable records began.

Severe Tropical Storm Ewiniar beginning to move away from the Philippines during the evening of May 26.

The JTWC then reissued a TCFA on the system while it was 233 km (145 mi) northeast of Davao City, Philippines. At 18:00 UTC, the JTWC upgraded the system to Tropical Depression 01W based on surface observations from Guiuan. Aghon made its first landfalls over Homonhon Island, Giporlos, and Eastern Samar in the early morning of May 25 (PHT). At 12:00 UTC, the JTWC reported that the tropical depression had intensified into a tropical storm while it was still in Tayabas Bay. In the evening, it made five more landfalls over Basiao and Cagduyong Islands of Catbalogan, Samar; Batuan in Ticao Island; Masbate City; and Torrijos, Marinduque. The JMA then classified the system as a tropical storm at 00:00 UTC of the following day, assigning it the name Ewiniar. In the morning of May 26 (PHT), the storm made its 8th landfall over Lucena, Quezon in Luzon island; nonetheless, the system developed a small dense overcast holding a ragged, formative eye. The JTWC then reported that Ewiniar had rapidly intensified into a typhoon due to strong equatorward and poleward outflow. In the evening, the storm made its ninth landfall over Patnanungan in the Polillo Islands; however, the outermost deep convective was diminishing because of the topographical effects from Luzon island, and the further development of a poleward outflow channel. Ewiniar then turned northwestward along the northwestern edge of a mid-level subtropical high.

Soon after, the JMA upgraded Ewiniar to a severe tropical storm at 18:00 UTC on May 26 as its maximum sustained winds increased to 95 km/h (60 mph). On the following day, Ewiniar intensified into a typhoon, according to the JMA, making it the first typhoon of the 2024 Pacific typhoon season; although its structure consolidated, the system's pinhole eye became obscured by cirrus clouds. At 06:00 UTC, the JTWC estimated maximum 1-minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph), equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane, though it was slightly weakening as a result of moderate wind shear. Infrared satellite imagery showed a partially-exposed circulation center with deep convection over the southern portion of the storm; however, Ewiniar maintained its convective symmetric structure as it accelerated northeastward. On May 28, the JMA recorded maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h (80 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) as the system's peak intensity. The storm then deteriorated from subsidence from a mid-latitude trough aloft as evidence by the structure's erosion and warming cloud tops. The center was still well-defined, as its outflow was enhanced by a longwave trough, though wind shear was moderate.

At 12:00 PHT (04:00 UTC) on May 29, the typhoon left the PAR. Shortly afterwards, it passed directly over the island of Minamidaitōjima. At 06:00 UTC, Ewiniar had weakened into a severe tropical storm. Environmental conditions became more unfavorable as sea surface temperatures decrease and vertical shear increases, as dry air invaded the system from the lower troposphere. Stratocumulus cloud lines went towards the elongated central convection due to this while the storm accelerated along the subtropical ridge to its northeast, weakening into a tropical storm as according to the JTWC. On May 30, the JTWC reported that Ewiniar had began losing its tropical characteristics while 719 km (447 mi) east-northeast of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. Moreover, the JMA downgraded Ewiniar to a tropical storm at 06:00 UTC. The storm then developed a cold front to its southwest as deep convection detached from the fully-exposed and asymmetrical center, briefly becoming a subtropical cyclone. By 18:00 UTC on that day, the JMA reported that Ewiniar had transitioned into an extratropical low. The JTWC then ceased issuing advisories on the system the next day as it entered the baroclinic zone and an area of high wind shear.

Preparations

Philippines

Upon the system's designation as a tropical depression, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration issued Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 from Sorsogon, part of Albay, Catanduanes, part of Camarines Sur, Samar, Northern Samar, part of Leyte, the entire province of Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. Ewiniar also raised Signal No. 1 alerts from the eastern portions of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, and Romblon, and the entirety of Aurora, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte. On May 23, PAGASA noted that heavy rain and landslides were likely across Samar. Flights arriving and departing were cancelled because of the adverse weather conditions, with eleven domestic flights and one international flights affected. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 65 people were preemptively evacuated.

After Ewiniar reached the severe tropical storm category on the afternoon of May 26, the agency raised Signal No. 3, indicating an expectation of winds of 89–117 km/h (55–73 mph) within the next 18 hours for the eastern section of Quezon, including the Polillo Islands, while storm signals were also raised in Metro Manila and parts of Bataan, Batangas, Pampanga and Oriental Mindoro. Moving northeastward and then intensified into a typhoon category, the agency raised Signal No. 1 in parts of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, and Camarines Norte. Classes and government work in some parts of Metro Manila, Aurora, Laguna, Quezon, Batangas, Cavite, and Nueva Ecija were suspended due to the typhoon. The University of the Philippines Los Baños also suspended classes due to the inclement weather brought by Ewiniar.

Japan

The Japanese government issued a high alert as Ewiniar was likely to enhance a stationary front near the nation, which would cause heavy rainfall throughout Japan. On May 27, the JMA stated that the typhoon would bring heavy rain to portions of Okinawa Prefecture. Weather warnings were also raised in the Izu Islands and the Kantō region.

Impact

Philippines

Typhoon Ewiniar (known as "Aghon" in the Philippines) made multiple landfalls over the Philippine archipelago over the course of several days. Although outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, Ewiniar's circulation enhanced the southwest monsoon and marked the beginning of the nation's rainy season on May 29, 2024.

Tropical Storm Ewiniar intensifying over the Philippines during the morning of May 26.

Some flooding occurred in Misamis Oriental, Eastern Visayas, and Bicol on May 25, causing a tree in Legazpi, Albay to fall down and injure three people. A tornado also spawned in Lavezares, Northern Samar, destroying four houses and damaging eight others. A passenger boat sank in stormy waters off the coast of Aroroy, Masbate, leading to the rescue of its 35 passengers and crew. In Bicol, four people were injured and almost 6,000 people were stranded in ports after sea travel was suspended, while 600 others were also stranded in ports in Eastern Visayas. A power outage occurred in parts of Eastern Samar. A falling tree destroyed two vehicles in Taytay, Rizal. Flooding and power outages occurred in Quezon and Laguna Provinces, while a barge ran aground in Mauban. A landslide blocked a road in Dinapigue, Isabela. Rough sea conditions also damaged an oil container on board a ship in New Washington, Aklan, causing an oil spill. Around 7,175 were stranded in ports across the Philippines due to the storm. A total of 22 homes were affected, including four which were destroyed. Power outages were reported in 112 cities and municipalities. At least 21,000 ha (52,000 acres) of farmland in Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas suffered damage. Across the Philippines, roads were blocked in 38 places, and one bridge was rendered impassable by vehicles. As rains continued throughout the day, the Angat Dam reached its spilling level of 179.79 meters (589.9 ft), while the Ipo Dam also reached its spilling level of 99.96 meters (328.0 ft). Nineteen houses were washed away by strong waves in Tanza, Cavite. One infant drowned after a house was swept away by floods in Padre Burgos, Quezon, while two others were killed by falling trees in San Antonio, Quezon and Lucena. A minor was also killed by a falling tree in Misamis Oriental.

As of May 31, 2024, the NDRRMC estimated damages in the agricultural sector reaching over ₱21.65 million (US$439,623.51). The NDRRMC also reported damage to infrastructure estimated at around ₱367.47 million (US$7.46 million), for a total of ₱389.12 million (US$7.9 million), in damages. Overall, Typhoon Ewiniar killed six people and left eight injured, and around 51,858 others were directly impacted by Ewiniar in the Philippines.

Japan

Sustained winds of 20 km/h (12 mph) were recorded as the storm passed directly over the island of Minamidaitōjima. Intense winds occurred in Kitadaitō, Okinawa. A maximum wind gust of 89 km/h (55 mph) was recorded. Accumulated rainfall totaled 52.5 mm (2.07 in) in the village of Miyake, Tokyo, and 36 mm (1.4 in) in Chuo Ward.

Aftermath

Following the devastation of Ewiniar, Lucena, Quezon was declared in a state of calamity. along with the 1st and 2nd districts of Quezon. Philippine President Bongbong Marcos urged Filipinos to be vigilant as the storm affected the Philippines and announced a distribution of ₱1.2 million (US$24,365.48) and an allocation of ₱3 billion (US$60.91 million) for typhoon victims. The Office of the Vice President of the Philippines sent aid to the areas severely affected by the typhoon. The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave around one million pesos worth of aid to families affected by the typhoon. The NDRRMC reports that assistance and relief goods worth ₱133.35 million (US$2.71 million) have been distributed to affected families.

See also

• Weather of 2024
• Tropical cyclones in 2024
• Other systems named Ewiniar
• Typhoon Vicki (1998)
• Typhoon Kujira (2009)
• Typhoon Chan-hom (2009)

External links

• 01W.EWINIAR from the United States Naval Research Laboratory
• General Information of Typhoon Ewiniar (2401) from Digital Typhoon