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Typhoon Soudelor

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This article is about the 2015 typhoon. For other storms of the same name, see Typhoon Soudelor.
Soudelor (Hanna)
Current storm status
Typhoon  (JMA)
Current storm status
Category 4 typhoon (1-min mean)
Satellite image
Forecast map
As of:21:00 UTC, August 4
Location:19°30′N 135°30′E / 19.5°N 135.5°E / 19.5; 135.5 (Soudelor (Hanna))
700 nmi (1,300 km; 810 mi) SE of Kadena Air Base
Sustained winds:185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min mean)
215 km/h (130 mph) (1-min mean)
gusting to 260 km/h (160 mph)
Pressure:925 hPa (mbar; 27.31 inHg)
Movement:WNW at 11 kn (20 km/h; 13 mph)
See more detailed information.

Typhoon Soudelor is currently a powerful tropical cyclone in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, which recently impacted the Northern Mariana Islands. The thirteenth named storm of the annual typhoon season developed as a tropical depression just west of the International Dateline on July 29. The next day, the depression was upgraded to a tropical storm by the JMA. Soudelor then began rapid deepening, intensifying into the eighth typhoon of the season. By August 3, Soudelor reached Category 5 super typhoon intensity with a minimum pressure of 900 hPa, becoming the strongest of the season so far.

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

During July 29, the JMA reported that a tropical depression had developed, about 1,800 km (1,120 mi)* to the east of Hagåtña, Guam.[1] Over the next day the system moved westwards under the influence of the subtropical ridge of high pressure and quickly consolidated, in an environment that was marginally favorable for further development.[2] As a result the JTWC initiated advisories and designated it as Tropical Depression 13W during July 30.[2] In the same day, Soudelor showed signs of rapid intensification as a central dense overcast obscured its LLCC due to favorable environments such as low vertical windshear, sea-surface temperatures of 31 – 32°C and high ocean heat content.[3] Therefore, the JMA upgraded Soudelor to a severe tropical storm on August 1. Intensification continued, and both agencies upgraded Soudelor to a typhoon the next day.[citation needed] Rapid intensification ensued on August 2 as the storm approached the Northern Mariana Islands. Soudelor developed an incredibly small eye only 8 km (5 mi) in diameter, among the smallest ever observed in a tropical cyclone. At 14:54 UTC, Soudelor made landfall along the southern coast of Saipan.[4] After undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle,[5] Soudelor continued rapid intensification and on August 3, the JTWC upgraded Soudelor to a Category 5 super typhoon. Intensity leveled off thereafter, and after maintaining Category 5 intensity for 24 hours, Soudelor was downgraded to a Category 4 super typhoon late on August 4.

Impact

NEXRAD imagery of Typhoon Soudelor approaching Saipan at 12:29 UTC on August 2

Mariana Islands

Typhoon Soudelor passed directly over Saipan on August 2 as a Category 2 equivalent storm,[6] causing widespread damage on the island.[7] The National Weather Service's anemometer at Saipan International Airport broke after recording a gust of 146 km/h (91 mph).[4] The winds downed numerous trees and power lines, leaving much of the island without power and rendering roads impassible.[8] In some areas, cars were flipped over by the force of the wind. The island's power plant lost part of its roof and was flooded.[9] A total of 464 residents sought refuge in public shelters.[10] Ten people were injured in various incidents. Acting Governor Ralph DLG Torres declared "a state of disaster and significant emergency". Dr. Philip Dauterman of the Commonwealth Health Center in Saipan likened damage to that caused by Typhoon Pongsona which struck Guam in December 2002.[9] In addition, John Hirsh from the American Red Cross said that Soudelor is the most damaging cyclone to hit Saipan since Typhoon Kim in 1986 struck the island nearly thirty years earlier.[11]

Three Mobil gas stations re-opened on August 4 for first responders and emergency services.[12] Relief supplies from Guam and Hawaii were sent to Saipan that day. Members of the Guam National Guard, Guam Power Authority, and the Coast Guard also provided assistance.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "JMA WWJP25 Warning and Summary July 29, 2015 18z". Japan Meteorological Agency. July 29, 2015. Archived from the original on July 30, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 13W (Thirteen) Warning Nr 01". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  3. ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 13W (Soudelor) Warning Nr 10". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 1, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Bob Henson (August 3, 2015). "Invest 95L Drenches Florida's West Coast; Super Typhoon Soudelor Threatens Taiwan". Weather Underground. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  5. ^ "Super Typhoon Soudelor, Earth's Strongest Cyclone of 2015, Moving Toward Taiwan, China, Japan's Ryukyu Islands". The Weather Channel. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  6. ^ Kenneth R. Kleeschulte (August 2, 2015). Typhoon Soudelor (13W) Intermediate Advisory Number 13A. National Weather Service Office in Tiyan, Guam (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on August 2, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "Severe typhoon damage on CNMI's Saipan". Radio New Zealand. August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  8. ^ Clynt Ridgell (August 3, 2015). "Typhoon Soudelor Slams Saipan". Pacific News Center. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  9. ^ a b Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno (August 3, 2015). "Saipan in 'state of disaster' after Typhoon Soudelor direct hit". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Saipan residents get emergency relief following typhoon". Hagåtña, Guam: Yahoo! News. Associated Press. August 4, 2015. Archived from the original on August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "Typhoon Soudelor becomes world's most powerful storm this year after it trashes Northern Marianas". ABC News. ABC News. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  12. ^ Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno (August 4, 2015). "Mobil, Shell service stations offer limited service in Saipan". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
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