TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2012
2.1 Review of tropical cyclones in 2012 2.1.1 Tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific (including the South China Sea)
In 2012, a total of 27 tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea bounded by the Equator, 45°N, 100°E and 180°, slightly less than the long term (1961-2010) average figure of around 30. During the year, 15 of the tropical cyclones attained typhoon intensity or above, close to the long term average of 1961 - 2010.
The first tropical cyclone of the year formed in February and the last one in December. Figure 2.1 shows the monthly frequencies of the occurrence of tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in 2012.
During the year, seven tropical cyclones made landfall over mainland China, with two of them making landfall over the south China coast within 300 km of Hong Kong. Two tropical cyclones crossed Taiwan, four made landfall over the Korean Peninsula, two made landfall over Japan, four traversed the Philippines and five made landfall over Vietnam.
The most intense tropical cyclone in 2012 were Super Typhoons Sanba (1216) and Jelawat (1217) over the western North Pacific in September ( Figures 2.3 and 2.4). Both have an estimated maximum sustained wind speed of 220 km/h and a minimum sea-level pressure of 905 hPa near their centres (Table 4.1）.
The track of Tembin (1214) was the most complicated in 2012 (Figure 2.5). Under the influence of another tropical cyclone Bolaven (1215) over the western North Pacific, Tembin moved erratically and struck Taiwan twice.
2.1.2 Tropical cyclones in Hong Kong’s area of responsibility
Amongst the 27 tropical cyclones in 2012, 14 occurred inside Hong Kong’s area of responsibility (i.e. the area bounded by 10°N, 30°N, 105 and 125°E), less than the long term annual average figure of around 16 (Table 2.1. Four of them developed within Hong Kong’s area of responsibility. Altogether, 443 tropical cyclone warnings to ships and vessels were issued by the Hong Kong Observatory in 2012 (Table 4.2).
2.1.3 Tropical cyclones over the South China Sea
Ten tropical cyclones affected the South China Sea bounded by 10°N, 25°N, 105°E and 120°E in 2012, less than the long term annual average of around 12. Two of them formed over the area. Eight moved into the area from the western North Pacific or from the sea areas to the south.
2.1.4 Tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong
In 2012, the typhoon season in Hong Kong started on 17 June when Tropical Depression Talim (1205) formed over the northern part of the South China Sea east of Hainan Island and moved slowly eastwards, necessitating the issuance of the Standby Signal No. 1. The typhoon season ended on 26 August as Typhoon Tembin moved away from Hong Kong and all tropical cyclone warning signals were cancelled. It was also the earliest end of the typhoon season since 1997.
Five tropical cyclones affected Hong Kong during 2012 (Figure 2.2) , slightly less than the long term (1961-2010) average figure of about six in a year (Table 2.2). These five tropical cyclones were Severe Tropical Storm Talim (1205) and Tropical Storm Doksuri (1206) in June, Severe Typhoon Vicente (1208) in July, Typhoon Kai-tak (1213) and Severe Typhoon Tembin (1214) in August. The Hurricane Signal No. 10 was issued during the passage of Vicente, the highest tropical cyclone warning signal in 2012 and also the first No. 10 signal in Hong Kong since Typhoon York in September 1999. The No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal was issued during the passages of Doksuri and Kai-tak. Talim and Tembin necessitated the issuance of Strong Wind Signal No. 3 and Standby Signal No. 1 in Hong Kong respectively.
2.1.5 Tropical cyclone rainfall
Tropical cyclone rainfall (total rainfall recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory from the time when a tropical cyclone comes within 600 km of Hong Kong to 72 hours after it has dissipated or moved more than 600 km away from Hong Kong) in 2012 was 483.4 mm (Table 4.8.1). This accounted for approximately 25% of the year’s total rainfall of 1924.7 mm and was about 29% below the 1981-2010 normal of 678.0 mm.
Severe Typhoon Vicente (1208) brought 350.8 mm of rainfall to the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters (Table 4.8.1) and was the wettest tropical cyclone in 2012.
A monthly overview of tropical cyclones is given in this section. Detailed reports on tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong, including reports of damage, are presented in Section 3.
No tropical cyclone occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in January.
A tropical depression formed over the southern part of the South China Sea about 180 km west-southwest of Nansha on 18 February and moved slowly west-southwestwards. The estimated maximum sustained wind near its centre was about 55 km/h. The tropical depression dissipated over the southern part of the South China Sea on 21 February.
Pakhar (1201) formed as a tropical depression over the southern part of the South China Sea about 700 km east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City on 28 March and moved westwards slowly. It intensified into a tropical storm on the following day. Pakhar strengthened further into a severe tropical storm about 540 km east-southeast of Ho Chi Minh City on 30 March, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 105 km/h near its centre. Pakhar turned to move northwestwards and made landfall over southern Vietnam on 1 April. It weakened into a tropical storm that evening and dissipated inland over Cambodia on 2 April.
No tropical cyclone formed over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in April.
Sanvu (1202) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 140 km south of Guam on 22 May and moved generally northwestwards. Sanvu intensified into a tropical storm that afternoon. It strengthened further into a severe tropical storm on 23 May and moved north-northwestwards. Sanvu moved northwards and became a typhoon about 510 km south-southwest of Iwo Jima on 24 May, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 120 km/h near its centre. Sanvu turned to move northeastwards on 25 May and subsequently weakened into a tropical storm on 27 May. Sanvu became an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific to the southeast of Japan on 28 May.
Mawar (1203) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 560 km east of Manila on 1 June. Moving north-northwestwards, it intensified into a tropical storm that evening. Mawar intensified gradually into a typhoon on 2 June and turned to move north to north-northeastwards. On 4 June, Mawar reached its peak intensity over the Pacific to the south-southwest of Okinawa with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 145 km/h near its centre and move northeastwards. It weakened into a severe tropical storm on 5 June and became an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific to the southeast of Japan on 6 June.
Guchol (1204) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 460 km south of Guam on 12 June. Moving west to west-northwestwards, it gradually strengthened into a tropical storm that evening and further into a severe tropical storm two days afterwards. Guchol turned to move north-northwestwards on 15 June and strengthened into a typhoon. It became a super typhoon on the following evening. Guchol reached its peak intensity over the Pacific to the east of Luzon on 17 June, with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 205 km/h near its centre. It moved north to north-northeastwards to the south of Okinawa on 18 June and started to weaken. Moving northeastwards, Guchol weakened into a typhoon on 19 June. It crossed southeastern Japan that evening and weakened into a severe tropical storm. Guchol subsequently became an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific to the east of Japan on 20 June. According to press reports, at least one person was killed, one missing and some 70 people injured in Japan during the passage of Guchol. There were also interruptions of electricity supply to around 10 000 households.
Talim (1205) formed as a tropical depression over the northern part of the South China Sea to the east of Hainan Island on 17 June and moved slowly eastwards. It intensified into a tropical storm on the morning of 18 June and further into a severe tropical storm over the northern part of the South China Sea to the south of Hong Kong at night, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. Talim turned to move northeastwards across the northeastern part of the South China Sea on 19 June. It weakened into a tropical storm and moved across the Taiwan Strait on 20 June. Talim first weakened into a tropical depression and then dissipated over the East China Sea on 21 June.
Doksuri (1206) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 280 km east of Manila on 26 June and moved west-northwestwards. It intensified into a tropical storm and moved northwestwards on the following day. Doksuri reached its peak intensity over the seas to the northeast of Luzon on 28 June with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 85 km/h near its centre. It moved west-northwestwards across the Luzon Strait during the day and entered the South China Sea that night. Doksuri moved across the northern part of the South China Sea on 29 June. It made landfall over the south China coast to the west of the Pearl River Estuary in the small hours on 30 June. Doksuri weakened into a tropical depression and subsequently dissipated inland over western Guangdong that morning.
Khanun (1207) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 340 km south of Iwo Jima on 16 July. Moving west-northwest to northwestwards, it intensified into a tropical storm that evening and moved across the seas near Ryukyu Islands on the following day. Khanun intensified into a severe tropical storm over the East China Sea in the morning on 18 July and turned to move northwards, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. It weakened into a tropical storm that evening and subsequently moved across the Republic of Korea. Khanun dissipated near the Korean Peninsula on 19 July. According to press reports, one person was killed, several buildings were damaged and over 26 000 houses were left without electricity in the Republic of Korea during the passage of Khanun. At least seven people were killed in DPR Korea and storm surge was reported in some coastal areas.
Vicente (1208) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 450 km northeast of Manila on 20 July. Moving west-northwestwards, it made its way over Luzon Strait that night and entered the northern part of the South China Sea on 21 July. Moving westwards, it intensified into a tropical storm that night and became almost stationary over the South China Sea on the following day. Vicente began to edge towards the south China coast to the west of the Pearl River Estuary on 23 July and underwent rapid intensification to a typhoon in the afternoon and further to a severe typhoon around mid-night, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 155 km/h near its centre. Vicente made landfall near the coastal areas of Taishan about 130 km west-southwest of Hong Kong before dawn on 24 July and weakened into a typhoon. It subsequently moved generally west-northwestwards across western Guangdong and Guangxi and weakened gradually. Vicente dissipated over the northern part of Vietnam on 25 July.
Saola (1209) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 710 km east of Manila on 28 July. Moving generally north-northwestwards, it intensified into a tropical storm that evening. Saola continued to intensify into a severe tropical storm on 29 July and further into a typhoon to the east of the Luzon Strait on the following day. It turned to move northwestwards over the seas to the east of Taiwan on 1 August, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 145 km/h near its centre. Saola moved across the northern part of Taiwan and entered the Taiwan Strait on 2 August. It weakened into a severe tropical storm and made landfall over the coast of Fujian on the morning of 3 August, dissipating inland over Jiangxi on the following day. According to press reports, 37 people were killed in the Philippines during the passage of Saola. Rainstorms brought about by Saola resulted in severe flooding and landslides in Taiwan where at least 5 people were killed, two missing and 15 others injured. In Fujian, 306 000 people had to be evacuated during the passage of Saola.
Damrey (1210) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 590 km east-northeast of Iwo Jima on 28 July and was slow moving initially. It started to move west-northwest to northwestwards on 30 July and intensified into a tropical storm. Damrey strengthened further into a severe tropical storm over the western North Pacific to the south of Japan on 31 July and moved across the seas south of Kyushu on the following day. It intensified into a typhoon over the East China Sea on 2 August, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 140 km/h near its centre, and made landfall over the coast of northern Jiangsu that night. Damrey gradually weakened into a tropical storm on 3 August and turned to move generally north-northeastwards. It dissipated over the coastal areas of northeast China on 4 August. At least two people were killed, 29 others injured and some 20 000 houses collapsed or damaged in Shangdong during the passage of Damrey.
Haikui (1211) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 410 km east-southeast of Iwo Jima on 2 August and moved generally west-northwestwards. Haikui intensified into a tropical storm over the western North Pacific on 3 August and further into a severe tropical storm on 5 August. Haikui slowed down as it moved across the East China Sea on 6 August and intensified into a typhoon. It strengthened further into a severe typhoon over the East China Sea to the east of Wenzhou on 7 August, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 155 km/h near its centre. Haikui made landfall over the coastal areas of Zhejiang on the morning of 8 August and gradually weakened into a tropical storm. It continued to weaken into a tropical depression on 9 August and dissipated over Anhui on 10 August. At least 4 000 houses collapsed and electricity supply to 0.4 million households were interrupted in Zhejiang during the passage of Haikui.
Kirogi (1212) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 2 080 km east of Iwo Jima on 3 August and lingered over the Pacific initially. It moved northwards on 5 August and intensified into a tropical storm the following day. Kirogi moved northwestwards on 7 August and intensified into a severe tropical storm over the western North Pacific to the east of Japan on the afternoon of 9 August, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. It weakened into a tropical storm that evening and became an extratropical cyclone to the east of Hokkaido, Japan on 10 August.
Kai-tak (1213) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 960 km east-northeast of Manila on 12 August. Moving west to west-northwestwards, it intensified into a tropical storm on the following day. Kai-tak moved across northern Luzon on 15 August, entered the northern part of the South China Sea that evening and intensified into a severe tropical storm. On 16 August, Kai-tak speeded up on a west-northwesterly track across the northern part of the South China Sea and intensified further into a typhoon, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 120 km/h. It made landfall near Zhanjiang over western Guangdong in the early afternoon on 17 August, moved across Beibu Wan later and weakened into a severe tropical storm that evening. Kai-tak moved across northern Vietnam and dissipated inland on 18 August.
Tembin (1214) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 690 km northeast of Manila on 18 August and was slow moving. It intensified gradually into a severe tropical storm on the following day. Tembin continued to intensify gradually into a severe typhoon over the seas to the east of Luzon on 20 August and moved northwards, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 175 km/h near its centre. It turned to move westwards towards Taiwan and weakened into a typhoon on 22 August. Tembin strengthened into a severe typhoon again on 23 August. It moved across the southern part of Taiwan, weakening into a typhoon and entered the northeastern part of the South China Sea on 24 August. Tembin lingered over the northeastern part of the South China Sea for the following two days. Under the influence of another tropical cyclone Bolaven over the western North Pacific, Tembin turned to move east-northeastwards on 27 August, accelerated northeastwards across the seas east of Taiwan and weakened into a severe tropical storm on 28 August. Tembin then moved north-northeastwards across the East China Sea on 29 August and made landfall over the Republic of Korea on the morning of 30 August. It became an extratropical cyclone over the Republic of Korea that evening.
Bolaven (1215) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 890 km south of Iwo Jima on 20 August and moved generally northwestwards. It intensified gradually over the western North Pacific, becoming a typhoon on 22 August and a severe typhoon two days later. Bolvaen strengthened further into a super typhoon to the southeast of Okinawa on 25 August, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 185 km/h near its centre. Bolvaen moved across the Rykuyu Islands in the following evening and weakened into a severe typhoon. It turned to move north-northwestwards across the East China Sea on 27 August, weakening into a typhoon. Bolaven moved across the Yellow Sea on 28 August and made landfall over the coast of DPR Korea that night. Bolaven dissipated inland over northeastern China on 29 August. During the passage of Bolvaen, four people were injured and around 37 000 housesholds left without electricity in Okinawa. At least seven people were killed and over 1.7 million households left without electricity in the Republic of Korea. Two Chinese fishing boats ran aground and sank respectively in the waters near Jeiju, causing at least five deaths and 10 others missing.
Sanba (1216) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 560 km east-southeast of Manila on 11 September. Moving northwestwards, Sanba intensified into a tropical storm that afternoon and a severe tropical storm on 12 September. Sanba intensified into a typhoon over the western North Pacific to the east of Manila in the morning on 13 September and turned to move northwards. It continued to strengthen and became a super typhoon that evening. Sanba reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 220 km/h near its centre over the Pacific to the east of Luzon on 14 September. It moved across Okinawa in the morning on 16 September and subsequently moved across the East China Sea and weakened into a severe typhoon. Sanba made landfall over the Republic of Korea on 17 September and weakened gradually into a severe tropical storm. It moved north-northeastwards across the eastern part of the Republic of Korea that day, subsequently moved across the Sea of Japan and weakened into a tropical storm that evening. Sanba became an extratropical cyclone over the Sea of Japan east of DPR Korea on 18 September. According to press reports, the outer rainbands of Sanba affected the Philippines where one person was killed. A freighter capsized over the waters near Taiwan. Sixteen people on board were rescued and another person missing. Over 60 000 households were left without electricity in Okinawa during the passage of Sanba. In the southwestern part of Japan, one person was killed, four injured and another person missing. One person was killed, one missing and electricity supply to 450 000 households were interrupted in the Republic of Korea.
Jelawat (1217) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 160 km east of Manila on 21 September. Moving slowly southwestwards, it intensified into a tropical storm that afternoon. Jelawat intensified into a severe tropical storm on 22 September. It strengthened significantly into a super typhoon over the seas east of the central Philippines on 23 September and turned to move north-northwest to northwestwards. Jelawat reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 220 km/h near its centre over the Pacific to the east of Manila on 25 September. It turned to move northwards over the seas to the southeast of Taiwan on 27 September, and further to move northeastwards on 28 September and weakened into a severe typhoon. Jelawat passed close to Okinawa on 29 September. On 30 September, Jelawat first weakened into a typhoon over the seas south of Japan, subsequently making landfall over southern Honshu, Japan, and moved across Honshu. In the fury of Jelawat, at least 80 people were injured, over 330 000 households were left without electricity and many vehicles were overturned in Okinawa. At least two people were killed and over 100 people were injured in other areas in Japan during the passage of Jelawat.
Ewiniar (1218) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 710 km south-southwest of Iwo Jima on 24 September and moved north-northwestwards. It intensified into a tropical storm on 25 September and turned to move northeastwards. Ewiniar moved northwards and intensified into a severe tropical storm near the Ogasawara Islands on 26 September, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. After lingering over the Pacific on 27 September, Ewiniar turned to move northeastwards on 28 September and weakened into a tropical storm on the following day. Ewiniar subsequently became an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific to the east of Japan on 30 September.
Maliksi (1219) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 560 km east of Guam on 30 September and moved generally northwestwards. It intensified into a tropical storm the next day. While passing close to Iwo Jima on 3 October, Maliksi turned to move north-northeastwards and intensified into a severe tropical storm, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. Maliksi became an extratropical cyclone over the western Pacific to the east of Japan on 4 October.
Gaemi (1220) formed as a tropical depression over the central part of the South China Sea about 260 km east-southeast of Xisha on 1 October and was slow-moving initially. It started to move east-southeastwards on 2 October and intensified into a tropical storm. Gaemi slowed down and intensified further into a severe tropical storm on 3 October, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. It turned to move west to west-southwestwards across the central part of the South China Sea on 4 October and weakened into a tropical storm. Gaemi passed to the south of Xisha on 6 October, made landfall over the coast of central Vietnam in the evening and dissipated over inland Vietnam. According to press reports, one person was injured, around 30 houses and schools were damaged in central Vietnam during the passage of Gaemi.
Prapiroon (1221) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 790 km east-northeast of Manila on 7 October and moved west to west-northwestwards. Prapiroon intensified gradually into a severe tropical storm on 8 October and continued to strengthen into a typhoon on 9 October. It intensified further into a severe typhoon about 880 km south-southeast of Okinawa on 10 October, reaching its peak intensity the following day with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 165 km/h near its centre. Prapiroon lingered over the seas to the southeast of Ryukyu Islands from 11 October to 15 October, during which it weakened into a typhoon. It adopted a north-northwesterly track on 16 October and weakened into a severe tropical storm. It speeded up towards the northeast on 17 October, passing about 230 km southeast of Okinawa that evening. Prapiroon became an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific to the southeast of Japan on 19 October. Heavy rain brought about by Prapiroon triggered landslides on the island of Amami Oshima in the northern part of the Ryukyu Islands, leaving more than 1 200 households without power there.
Maria (1222) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 870 km south-southeast of Iwo Jima on 14 October and moved west-northwestwards. It intensified into a tropical storm that evening and turned to move northwards on the following day. Maria intensified further into a severe tropical storm to the southwest of Iwo Jima on 16 October, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre and turned to move northeastwards subsequently. It moved east-northeastwards on 17 October and weakened into a tropical storm on the following day. Maria finally became an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific near 157 °E on 19 October.
Son-tinh (1223) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 320 km east-southeast of Manila on 22 October and moved westwards. It intensified into a tropical storm on 24 October and took up a west-northwesterly track across the central part of the Philippines. Son-tinh entered the central part of the South China Sea on 25 October and intensified into a severe tropical storm on the following day. It moved across the central part of the South China Sea and continued to strengthen, became a severe typhoon over the seas south of Hainan Island on 27 October, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 155 km/h near its centre. Son-tinh weakened into a typhoon over Beibu Wan on the following day and adopted a north-northwesterly track. It made landfall over the coast of northern Vietnam, then turned to drift eastwards on 29 October, and finally dissipated over Beibu Wan the next day. In the fury of Son-tinh, around 27 people were killed in the Philippines. On Hainan Island, at least one person was killed and five missing during the passage of Son-tinh. In addition, over 2 700 houses collapsed or were damaged, some 41 000 hectares of farmland inundated and the direct economic loss estimated to exceed 900 million RMB.
A tropical depression formed over the southern part of the South China Sea about 450 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City on 14 November and moved west-northwestwards. The estimated maximum sustained wind near its centre was 55 km/h. The tropical depression turned to move northwestwards on 15 November and dissipated over the seas just off the coast of southern Vietnam that evening.
Bopha (1224) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 740 km southeast of Guam on 26 November and moved generally west to west-northwestwards. It intensified into a tropical storm on the following day and further into a severe tropical storm on 30 November. Bopha became a typhoon over the western North Pacific about 770 km southeast of Yap on 1 December. It intensified gradually into a super typhoon that evening, reaching its peak intensity the following day with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 210 km/h near its centre. Bopha crossed the southern part of the Philippines on 4 December and gradually weakened into a typhoon. It entered the central part of the South China Sea on 5 December and turned to move northwestwards. It intensified again into a severe typhoon over the South China Sea to the east-southeast of Xisha on 7 December. Bopha turned to move east-northeastwards to the east of Xisha on the following day and gradually weakened into a severe tropical storm. Bopha weakened further into a tropical storm on 9 December and dissipated over the seas west of Luzon that afternoon. According to press reports, Bopha triggered flooding and landslides in the Philippines, where at least 1 146 people were killed, and more than 800 people missing.
Wukong (1225) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 250 km east-southeast of Manila on 24 December and moved westwards. It intensified into a tropical storm on the following day, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. Wukong moved west to west-northwestwards across the central Philippines on 26 December. It weakened into a tropical depression on 27 December, entered the central part of the South China Sea and turned to move west-southwestwards. Wukong dissipated over the southern part of the South China Sea to the west-southwest of Xisha on 28 December. Eleven people were killed in the Philippines during the passage of Wukong.
Note: Casualties and damage figures were compiled from press reports.
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