2004 Pacific typhoon season
Encyclopedia
The 2004 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 2004, 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 2004 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.
(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.
. It tracked to the west, organizing slowly due to persistent vertical shear. On February 13 and February 14, the depression executed a clockwise loop. When the storm turned to the southwest, the vertical wind shear overcame it, and the storm dissipated on February 16.
on March 14. It headed generally northwestward, with a brief turn to the southwest. Just before the storm was about to hit the Philippines
, a trough brought it northward, where dry air and vertical shear caused it to dissipate on March 23.
and Pohnpei
. As it drifted to the northwest, it strengthened into a tropical storm. Sudal turned to the west, and steadily intensified to become a typhoon on April 6. On the April 9, with maximum sustained winds of 115 kt/130 mph, Typhoon Sudal hit the island of Yap
. After ravaging the island, Sudal reached a peak of 130 kt/150 mph winds. The typhoon turned to the northeast and became extratropical on the April 15. Yap experienced catastrophic damage, with 90% of buildings destroyed, 1,500 left homeless, and one fatality. Sudal is a Korean word meaning otter. The name was retired following this year.
spawned Tropical Depression 04W east of the Philippines
on May 13. The depression quickly strengthened, reaching tropical storm intensity on May 14 and typhoon status just six hours later. On May 15 and May 16 while moving northwest towards the Philippine coast, Nida rapidly intensified to a 140 kt/160 mph super typhoon, and crossed the eastern Philippines
shortly thereafter. Nida weakened slightly over the islands, and began to move to the north and northeast in response to a break in the subtropical ridge
. It became extratropical on May 21 east of Japan, after causing 31 deaths and about $1.3 million in damage. Nida is a Thai female name.
In the Philippines
, evacuation centers were opened to accommodate 2,986 people. The typhoon approach canceled ferry
operations stranding 15,057 passengers. In Taiwan
, forecasters at the Central Weather Bureau
issued a typhoon warning as forecast models predicted a high probability of the typhoon hitting Taiwan
.
before dissipating over open waters.
organized into a tropical depression on May 16, one of 3 active tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific at the time. The depression developed quickly, reaching tropical storm status later that day and reaching a peak of 60 kt/70 mph winds three days later on May 19. A weakening ridge brought Omais northward, where it became extratropical on May 22. Operationally, Omais was classified as a typhoon, but in post-analysis, it was dropped to a tropical storm. Omais is a Palauan word meaning 'wandering around'.
, a stationary area of disturbed weather developed into Tropical Depression 07W on June 4. It tracked eastward then northeastward, becoming a tropical storm on June 5 and a typhoon on June 7. Conson passed between Luzon
and Taiwan
, and peaked with 100 kt/115 mph winds on June 9. Conson weakened as it continued northeastward, and became extratropical on June 11 near Japan without causing any reported damage. Conson is an area in Vietnam
containing many historical monuments.
on July 5, 2004, Chanthu was first declared a tropical depression near southern Leyte Island
, in the Philippines
, on July 7. Tracking west-northwestward, the depression intensified into a tropical storm over the central Philippines before entering the South China Sea
. Once over the warm waters of the sea, the system quickly intensified, attaining its peak 10-minute winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) and 1-minute winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). On June 12, the storm made landfall
in Vietnam
before quickly weakening over land. By July 13, the system had weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated two days later.
In Vietnam, Chanthu wrought substantial damage and killed 38 people. Damage from the storm was estimated at 125 billion Vietnam dong ($7.9 million USD), mostly from agricultural losses. The remnants of Chanthu also brought heavy rains to Cambodia
, estimated to have exceeded 400 mm (15.7 in).
on June 13, headed north in the open Western Pacific. On the June 15 and June 16, Dianmu rapidly intensified from a 70 kt/80 mph typhoon to a 155 kt/180 mph super typhoon, one of nine typhoons since 1990 to reach that intensity. It lost some organization on June 18, but re-strengthened on June 19 to a super typhoon while south of Okinawa. Some dry air weakened Dianmu as it continued its northward movement, and hit southern Japan as a 55 kt/65 mph tropical storm on June 21. Dianmu became extratropical that night after causing 3 deaths. Dianmu is the name of the goddess of thunder and lightning in Chinese folklore.
spawned a tropical depression on June 23 near Guam
. It tracked westward, becoming a tropical storm that night but slowly strengthening as it continued westward due to vertical wind shear. When the shear abated, Mindulle quickly intensified, reaching typhoon strength on June 27 and peaking at 125 kt/145 mph winds on June 28. Land interaction with Luzon
to its south weakened Mindulle, and the typhoon weakened as it turned northward. On July 1 Mindulle hit eastern Taiwan
, and after accelerating to the northeast became extratropical near South Korea on July 4. Mindulle caused 56 deaths, with $833 million in damage in its path (2004 USD). Mindulle is the Korean word for the dandelion.
on June 25, steadily strengthened as it tracked to the northwest, and reached tropical storm status on June 26. Tingting passed Saipan
on June 27, and reached typhoon status early on June 28. After maximum sustained winds peaked at 80 kts/90 mph, the typhoon turned to the northeast, where it became extratropical on July 3 after causing 3 deaths on Saipan
. Tingting is a pet name for young girls in Chinese.
Circinus
.
on August 1. The storm caused no deaths or damage, with only 6 injuries. Namtheun is the name of a river in Laos
.
on August 5. Malou is the Chinese name for the mineral agate
.
, Zhejiang Province with winds of 110 km/h (70 mph). Rapid weakening ensued as the system moved inland; Rananim eventually dissipated near central China on August 15.
Throughout eastern China, Rananim produced torrential rainfall, peaking at 703.5 mm (27.7 in) in Zhejiang, marking a new daily record rainfall in the province. Wind gusts were recorded up to a local record of 211 km/h (131.1 mph). A total of 188 people were killed by the storm, mostly due to collapsed homes and landslides; roughly 1,800 were injured and over 18 million were affected by Rananim. Economic losses in China amounted to about $2.2 billion (USD). Due to the severity of damage wrought by the storm, the name Rananim was retired the following year.
extended from the Philippine Sea
northeastward for hundreds of miles spawned a disturbed area around 22N/150E late on August 8. A weak tropical depression formed out of this area late on August 9. Deep convection was in a cycling mode, and satellite imagery initially indicated that the system was subtropical in nature. The depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Malakas as it took on a more tropical appearance about 670 miles west-northwest of Wake Island
, and it moved northeastward along the northern periphery of the subtropical ridge
. By August 12, satellite imagery indicated that Malakas was becoming extratropical. JMA declared the system extratropical on the August 14, placing the weak 25 kt/30 mph low approximately 575 miles north-northwest of Midway Island
. Malakas is a Filipino word meaning 'strong' or 'powerful'.
on August 11, slowly developing into Tropical Depression 18W on the August 14, strengthening into a tropical storm on the August 16, and ultimately into a typhoon on the August 18 to the southwest of Japan. Megi moved northwest through the Ryūkyū islands
before recurving northeastward towards South Korea and Japan. Megi sped across northern Honshū
before completing its transition into a nontropical low off the east coast of Hokkaidō
. The resultant ocean cyclone moved rapidly eastward, reaching a point near 42N/174E late on the August 22.
Despite peaking at only minimal typhoon intensity, Megi had a significant impact on both Japan and South Korea. In Japan, the highest storm total rainfall noted was 610 mm at Tomisato between August 17 and August 21, with 398 mm falling in a 24 hour period. The highest wind gust was 109 mph/48.7 m/s at Izuhara, Nagasaki
early on the August 19. The lowest measured pressure was 974.1 mb at Isuhara. In South Korea, the heaviest 24 hour rain total was 332.5 mm at Wando between late on the August 17 and August 18. News reports indicated that five people were reported dead or missing after Typhoon Megi in South Korea. The number left homeless rose to more than 2400. Typhoon Megi left at least ten dead in Japan. Megi's landfall on northern Japan resulted in large blackouts as 130,000 homes were left in the dark. A group of about 165 primary school students were stranded by a Megi-induced landslide in western Japan, though were successfully rescued by helicopter. Megi is the Korean word for the catfish
.
, becoming the strongest typhoon of the year. After fluctuating between 100 kt/115 mph and super typhoon status for several days, Chaba weakened as it turned to the north, and hit the southwestern Japanese island of Honshū
. It accelerated to the northeast, and became extratropical on August 31. The storm killed seven people and brought extensive flooding to Honshū
. Chaba is a type of tropical flower.
Early on the 25th, six villages located in Gaoqiao Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, were struck by a tornado triggered by Typhoon Aere. The tornado did cause some economic losses, but no casualties were reported. Preliminary statistics indicated that the typhoon had caused 2.485 billion yuan of direct economic losses and was responsible for two deaths in Fujian province. Aere also affected 3,479,900 residents in 421 towns of 48 counties of 6 cities in Fujian, where three cities were flooded, 10,100 houses were toppled, 236 embankments and thousands of water conservancy facilities were damaged. Thirty-four people were killed in Taiwan as a result of the storm, and fifteen died as a mudslide buried a remote mountain village in the north of the island. Agricultural losses were estimated at 7.7 million New Taiwan dollars ($US 313,000). Forty-three deaths in the Philippines were caused by heavy rains induced by the typhoon. Eight provinces in northern and central Luzon were most severely affected with 70% of the provinces under water at one point.
with a possible weak low-level circulation center
had developed approximately 1,125 km (700 mi) east-southeast of Guam
on August 24, and was moving slowly towards the west-northwest. It was designated as a tropical depression on August 26 by the JMA. Shortly after, the JTWC designated the system as Tropical Depression 21W. The depression gradually intensified and was upgraded to Tropical Storm 21W by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) early on August 27 when located about 590 km (365 mi) east of Guam; however, in post-season analysis, the JTWC declassified 21W as a tropical storm. The depression reached its peak intensity at 0000 UTC on August 27 with winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a minimum pressure of 1000 hPa (mbar). By later that day, the center had become fully exposed with the deep convection being displaced westward over Guam, due to strong outflow from Typhoon Chaba to its north. The storm was downgraded back to depression status by JTWC around local midnight when centered approximately 395 km (245 mi) east-northeast of Guam, though it was never recognized as a tropical storm by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The weakening system dissipated on the 31st when the weak low was located approximately 1,210 km (750 mi) west of Saipan
. No damage or casualties are known to have resulted from short-lived tropical cyclone.
. Shortly thereafter, the JMA began monitoring the system as a tropical depression. Light wind shear and favorable diffluence allowed the system to strengthen, prompting the JTWC to issue their first advisory on Tropical Depression 22W the next day. By the morning of August 28, both agencies had upgraded the system to a tropical storm, with the JMA assigning it the name Songda, a branch of the Red River in northern Vietnam. By August 30, the system had intensified into a minimal typhoon. By the following day, the storm had undergone rapid intensification to attain its peak ten-minute sustained and one-minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph) and 230 km/h (145 mph) according to the JMA and JTWC respectively.
Over the following days, the powerful storm fluctuated in intensity, during which time it passed through the Northern Mariana Islands. On September 3, the storm briefly entered PAGASA's area of responsibility and was given the local name Nina. Early on September 5, Songda brushed the northern coast of Okinawa Island
, where a barometric pressure of 924 mbar (hPa; 27.28 inHg) was recorded. Curving towards the northeast, the storm gradually weakened and made landfall near Nagasaki, Japan
as a strong typhoon. Accelerating towards the northeast, the system quickly weakened to a tropical storm by the evening on September 7 before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone shortly thereafter. The remnants of Songda were monitored by the JMA until late on September 10, at which time they crossed the International Dateline near the Aleutian Islands.
Throughout Songda's track, several islands were affected; Enewetak Atoll recorded tropical storm-force winds with gusts up to 120 km/h (75 mph) during the storm's passage. In the Mariana Islands, Agrihan sustained widespread damage, with all crops and structures considered a total loss, leaving $500,000 in monetary losses. Throughout Japan, Songda caused catastrophic damage and significant loss of life, mainly due to rain-related events. The heaviest rains fell in Miyazaki Prefecture
, where a station measured 905 mm (35.6 in) during Songda's passage. Losses from the storm reached $9 billion, ranking it as the costliest storm to ever strike the country and one of the most destructive in the western Pacific. Forty-one people were killed by the storm, mainly in Kyūshū
.
In China, the lowest reported pressure was 998 mb in Yongqiang Town on the 13th and the highest 24 hour rainfall recorded was 250.8 mm at Pingtan in Fuzhou City between the 09th and 10th, which set a new September daily rainfall record for the station. In Taiwan, daily rainfall ranged as high as 393 mm in Taipei county, and 611.5 mm in Taipei City. The highest wind gust reported was 80 mph/35.9 m/s at Lanyu on the 11th. The storm damaged 78 square kilometres of farmland in Zhejiang Province, China, where direct economic losses were estimated to have been over 53 million yuan. Torrential rains (Sep 7-10), including those in the monsoonal flow around the pre-Haima depression had caused 54.6 million yuan of direct economic losses in Pingtan County and Changle City. In Japan, rainfall and winds were relatively light. In South Korea, the highest 24 hour rainfall report noted was 104.5 mm at Wando between the 11th and 12th.
The highest wind gust reported was 118 mph/52.7 m/s in Kagoshima early on the 29th. The lowest pressure measured during the passage of Meari was 975.5 mb, also at Kagoshima on the 29th. Three tornadoes were spawned in Japan, with two touching down in Okinawa Prefecture and one in Aichi Prefecture. The heaviest rains in Japan were saved for Osawe, where 904 mm fell between late on the 24th and the 30th, with 741 mm falling between late on the 28th and 29th. Reports indicate that at least 18 people died with several more reported missing as a result of Typhoon Meari. The worst affected areas were the prefectures of Mie and Ehime in Japan where torrential rains caused widespread flooding and mudslides destroyed several homes. Train and ferry services were suspended, stranding thousands of people. Damages from the storm amounted to $798 million (2004 USD).
. On the 5th, a northward drift ensued while well southeast of Okinawa. Upon reaching typhoon intensity late on the 06th, Ma-on turned northwest and ultimately became the sixth super typhoon of the year on the 8th while 250 miles southeast of Okinawa. The typhoon become the worst storm to hit eastern Japan in over ten years, only a week after Typhoon Meari had made landfall in that nation. Ma-on started to accelerate northeastward and its eye began to shrink in diameter and became more ragged. A slow weakening trend materialized as it entered the early stages of extratropical transition. Recurving northeast at a high rate of translation, Ma-on made landfall on the Izu Peninsula, Honshū, Japan, late on the 9th with maximum sustained winds of 105 kts/120 mph as a Category 3 typhoon. Ma-on weakened rapidly and was downgraded to a tropical storm by the 10th, and quickly completed its transformation into a nontropical low. The remnant system moved more east-northeastward away from eastern Japan before slowing its motion 1100 miles southeast of Hokkaidō.
Ma-on was one of the most powerful storms to strike eastern Japan over the last ten years. The highest wind gust reported was 151 mph/67.6 m/s in Irouzaki late on the 9th. The lowest pressure was also recorded at Irouzaki; 964 mb late on the 9th. The typhoon left at least six people dead, and three persons were reported missing. Plane, train and ferry services nationwide were disrupted, stranding thousands of travellers. Heavy downpours also disrupted practice and qualifying sessions for Formula One
's Japanese Grand Prix
in Suzuka, with the event featuring qualifying and the race in a single day as a result. The highest storm total amount was noted at Omaezaki, where a 413 mm deluge was seen between late on the 6th and 9th, with 360 mm falling in a 24 hour period. Rescuers on boats plucked dozens of residents from waterlogged homes in Shizuoka Prefecture. Damages from the storm amounted to $603 million (2004 USD).
The highest measured wind gust was 142 mph/63.7 m/s at Unzendake, Nagasaki on October 20. The lowest pressure from a land station was 949.4 mb at Okinoerabu, Kagoshima late on October 19. The highest rainfall amount noted in Japan was 550 mm at Fukuharaasahi between late on October 17 and October 21, with 470 mm falling within a 24 hour period. News reports indicated Tokage was the worst storm to strike Japan since Typhoon Mireille thirteen years before. A total of 69 deaths were attributed to high winds, flooding and mudslides caused by Tokage. A total of 18,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes. Damages from the storm amounted to $3.23 billion (2004 USD).
on October 20. Nock-ten reached its peak intensity of 110 kts/125 mph on October 23 as it tracked 480 miles south of Okinawa. Turning to a northerly track, Typhoon Nock-ten passed closest to Taipei during the afternoon of October 25, lying just off the northeastern tip of Taiwan by evening. The storm weakened and by local midnight the track became north-northeast. Nock-ten's motion to the east-northeast accelerated to 26 kts/29 mph, and the typhoon had become a nontropical low by the evening of October 26.
Typhoon Nock-ten lashed northern Taiwan with powerful winds and driving rain. The highest 24 hour rainfall on the island was 322 mm in Taipei City between early October 25 and October 27. The highest wind gust measured was 122 mph/54.4 m/s in Lanyu on October 24. Three fatalities occurred as a result of flash flooding. In Japan, the highest rainfall amount was spotted at Tanegashima which recorded 133.5 mm between midday October 26 and October 27.
blossom. The disturbance that was to become Typhoon Muifa was noted early on November 14 when located 215 nm north of Palau. It became Tropical Depression 29W later that day and strengthened into a tropical storm by early the 15th when centered 550 miles east-southeast of Manila, Philippines. PAGASA assigned the name Unding on the 14th as it passed the 135th meridian
. On the 16th, the tropical cyclone started drifting north-northeast. Muifa turned back onto a west-northwest heading and intensified. It reached typhoon intensity on the 17th just prior to beginning a two-day clockwise loop. Late on the 18th, Muifa's intensity peaked at 115 kts/130 mph still to the east of the Philippines. Muifa/Unding made landfall very late on the 19th near Naga City with maximum winds of 70 kts/80 mph. The system ambled across the Philippine Archipelago, dropping down to tropical storm intensity on the afternoon of the 20th. On the 21st, Muifa regained typhoon intensity in the South China Sea. Now moving west-southwest, early on the 22nd Muifa re-strengthened into a 90-kt/105 mph typhoon 440 miles east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Muifa held onto typhoon status until late on the 23rd when its weakened to a tropical storm once more. On the 25th, Tropical Storm Muifa accelerated westward at a 21 kt/23 mph clip. By early on the 26th, a weakening Tropical Depression Muifa was located 250 nm south of Bangkok, Thailand. Later that day Muifa turned northward into an environment of increased wind shear and dissipated 120 nm south-southwest of Bangkok.
The highest 24 hour rainfall amount from the Philippines was 246.4 mm at Catanduanes between midday the 15th and 16th. The lowest pressure at Naga City was 986.1 mb early on the 16th. The death toll reported from the Philippines was 68 dead, 160 injured, and 69 unaccounted for. A total of 26,238 houses were destroyed and 76,062 damaged; total damage reached 1.0089 billion pesos. Typhoon Muifa had a destructive impact on Vietnam. The highest 24-hour rainfall amount reported was 251.5 mm at Prachuap Khirikhan between the afternoon of the 25th and 26th. Floods and landslides triggered by the typhoon killed about 40 people, and 40 more people were reported missing. There were also many villages in the mountains which needed urgent relief but which could not be quickly reached. Hoi An, which is the town of world heritage, was hit by the flood, and more than 80 old houses were in danger of collapse.
Tropical Storm Merbok added to the misery caused by Typhoon Muifa/Unding in the Philippines, killing 31 people and injuring 187 others. In addition, 17 persons were reported missing. A total of 337 houses were destroyed and 1,286 damaged. Total estimated damage reached 253 million pesos with agriculture especially hard hit (210 million pesos.) The heaviest rainfall in the Philippines from this cyclone was 185.2 mm at Casiguran between midday the 22nd and 23rd.
According to news reports in the Philippines, 1,404 people were killed or left missing during the passage of Tropical Depression Winnie, primarily due to massive flashfloods and landslides in Quezon and Aurora Provinces triggered by the attendant heavy rains. The highest rainfall report from this system was 157.8 mm from Cabanatuan between midday November 29 and November 30. Damages from the storm amounted to $14.6 million.
Turning northwestward Typhoon Nanmadol took roughly six hours to cross the island of Luzon, and by early on December 3 had reemerged back over water. The northwesterly turn took Nanmadol into a weakness in the subtropical ridge before being lured away by a major shortwave trough. Nanmadol weakened markedly during December 3 as it gradually veered more towards the north. The cloud pattern became increasingly asymmetrical as Nanmadol moved east-northeastward across southern Taiwan before becoming extratropical during the afternoon of December 4. Nanmadol became the first known December tropical cyclone in the past 108 years to make landfall on the island. The remnants of Super Typhoon Nanmadol continued to rapidly move to the east-northeast and northeast and ultimately merged with another LOW, forming a powerful extratropical cyclone which brought strong winds and led to unseasonably warm temperatures to Japan.
Because Muifa, Merbok, Winnie, and Nanmadol all occurred within a space of two weeks, the exact number of casualties and total cost of damages is difficult to determine. Nanmadol caused at least 70 fatalities and 157 injuries. Nanmadol destroyed 10,457 houses and damaged 57,435. Agriculture also suffered badly as a result of this typhoon with losses amounting to 2,036 million pesos in the Philippines. The maximum rain in the Philippines was 228.1 mm at Daet between midday on December 2 and December 3. In Taiwan, as much as 907 mm fell in Hualien county between early December 3 and December 4. Puluowan reported the highest storm total accumulation of 1090 mm during the 35-hr period ending on the afternoon of December 4. In China, 106.3 mm fell at Dachen Dao between the morning of December 3 and December 4. In Taiwan, 2 deaths were reported, and agricultural losses there were estimated to have been $670 million New Taiwan dollars.
, became a tropical storm later that day. Talas moved to the west, peaking at 45 kt/50 mph before weakening due to lack of outflow. A break in the subtropical ridge allowed Talas to turn northward, where it reached 45 kt/50 mph winds before dissipating on December 19. Talas is Filipino for 'acuteness' or 'sharpness'.
Between December 10 and 11, Talas produced light rainfall, peaked at 8.4 mm (0.330708661417323 in) in Kwajalein
with winds reaching 74 km/h (46 mph) and gusting to 103 km/h (64 mph). After passing Kwajelein, the center of Talas brushed Ebeye
, producing gale-force winds on the island. Little impact was recorded on Ujae as the storm passed 90 km (55 mi) south of the island. The most severe damage was on Kwajalein; the newly constructed sandblast shelter was completely destroyed, metal doors at the local high school were blown off and the roof of the school was damaged, several metal buildings throughout the island sustained wind damage. On Ebeye, several homes had their roofs blown off and numerous coconut trees were uprooted. No damage was recorded on Ujae but crop losses were assumed to have occurred. In all, the storm caused $750,000 in damages, mainly due to the sandblast shelter. Following Talas, local governments quickly repaired damages wrought by the storm, costing $300,000.
. After becoming a tropical storm on December 18 Noru moved to the northwest, where it peaked with 55 kt/65 mph winds. Noru turned to the northeast, and became extratropical on December 21. Noru is the Korean word for the roe deer
.
Between December 19 and 20, Noru brought high winds and heavy rains to the northern Mariana Islands
. Upwards of 182 mm (7.2 in) fell on Saipan, resulting in isolated flooding. Winds gusted up to 95 kilometres per hour (59 mph) but little or no wind damage resulted from the storm. No structural damage occurred due to Noru.
. 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 2004 was named Sudal and the final one was named Noru.
(PAGASA) uses its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones within its area of responsibility. Lists are recycled every four years.
The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator and west of the international date line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
. Storms that form east of the date line and north of the equator are called hurricanes; see 2004 Pacific hurricane season
2004 Pacific hurricane season
The 2004 Pacific hurricane season officially started on May 15, 2004 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 2004 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 2004...
. 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
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is a Philippine national institution dedicated to provide flood and typhoon warnings, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, climatological, and other specialized information and...
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 CenterJoint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
(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 01W (Ambo)
The first tropical storm of the 2004 Pacific typhoon season developed on February 11 west of 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...
. It tracked to the west, organizing slowly due to persistent vertical shear. On February 13 and February 14, the depression executed a clockwise loop. When the storm turned to the southwest, the vertical wind shear overcame it, and the storm dissipated on February 16.
Tropical Storm 02W (Butchoy)
The near-equatorial trough spawned a tropical depression east of the PhilippinesPhilippines
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...
on March 14. It headed generally northwestward, with a brief turn to the southwest. Just before the storm was about to hit 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...
, a trough brought it northward, where dry air and vertical shear caused it to dissipate on March 23.
Typhoon Sudal (Cosme)
On April 4, Tropical Depression 03W began its life between 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...
and Pohnpei
Pohnpei
Not to be confused with Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.Pohnpei "upon a stone altar " is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia , situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group...
. As it drifted to the northwest, it strengthened into a tropical storm. Sudal turned to the west, and steadily intensified to become a typhoon on April 6. On the April 9, with maximum sustained winds of 115 kt/130 mph, Typhoon Sudal hit the island 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...
. After ravaging the island, Sudal reached a peak of 130 kt/150 mph winds. The typhoon turned to the northeast and became extratropical on the April 15. Yap experienced catastrophic damage, with 90% of buildings destroyed, 1,500 left homeless, and one fatality. Sudal is a Korean word meaning otter. The name was retired following this year.
Typhoon Nida (Dindo)
The monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
spawned Tropical Depression 04W east of 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...
on May 13. The depression quickly strengthened, reaching tropical storm intensity on May 14 and typhoon status just six hours later. On May 15 and May 16 while moving northwest towards the Philippine coast, Nida rapidly intensified to a 140 kt/160 mph super typhoon, and crossed the eastern 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...
shortly thereafter. Nida weakened slightly over the islands, and began to move to the north and northeast in response to a break in the subtropical ridge
Subtropical ridge
The subtropical ridge is a significant belt of high pressure situated around the latitudes of 30°N in the Northern Hemisphere and 30°S in the Southern Hemisphere. It is characterized by mostly calm winds, which acts to reduce air quality under its axis by causing fog overnight, and haze during...
. It became extratropical on May 21 east of Japan, after causing 31 deaths and about $1.3 million in damage. Nida is a Thai female name.
In 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...
, evacuation centers were opened to accommodate 2,986 people. The typhoon approach canceled ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
operations stranding 15,057 passengers. In Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, forecasters at the Central Weather Bureau
Central Weather Bureau
The Central Weather Bureau is the government meteorological research and forecasting institution of the Republic of China . In addition to meteorology, the Central Weather Bureau also makes astronomical observations, reports on sea conditions, and conducts research into seismology and provides...
issued a typhoon warning as forecast models predicted a high probability of the typhoon hitting Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
.
Tropical Storm 05W
From May 15 to May 17, Tropical Depression 05W persisted in the South China SeaSouth 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...
before dissipating over open waters.
Severe Tropical Storm Omais (Enteng)
A tropical disturbance southwest of 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...
organized into a tropical depression on May 16, one of 3 active tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific at the time. The depression developed quickly, reaching tropical storm status later that day and reaching a peak of 60 kt/70 mph winds three days later on May 19. A weakening ridge brought Omais northward, where it became extratropical on May 22. Operationally, Omais was classified as a typhoon, but in post-analysis, it was dropped to a tropical storm. Omais is a Palauan word meaning 'wandering around'.
Typhoon Conson (Frank)
In the South China SeaSouth 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...
, a stationary area of disturbed weather developed into Tropical Depression 07W on June 4. It tracked eastward then northeastward, becoming a tropical storm on June 5 and a typhoon on June 7. Conson passed between 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...
and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, and peaked with 100 kt/115 mph winds on June 9. Conson weakened as it continued northeastward, and became extratropical on June 11 near Japan without causing any reported damage. Conson is an area in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
containing many historical monuments.
Severe Tropical Storm Chanthu (Gener)
Originating from an area of low pressureLow pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
on July 5, 2004, Chanthu was first declared a tropical depression near southern Leyte Island
Leyte Island
Leyte is an island in the Visayas group of the Philippines.The island measures about 180 km north-south and about 65 km at its widest point. In the north it nearly joins Samar, separated by the San Juanico Strait, which becomes as narrow as 2 km in some places...
, in 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...
, on July 7. Tracking west-northwestward, the depression intensified into a tropical storm over the central Philippines before entering 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...
. Once over the warm waters of the sea, the system quickly intensified, attaining its peak 10-minute winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) and 1-minute winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). On June 12, the storm made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
before quickly weakening over land. By July 13, the system had weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated two days later.
In Vietnam, Chanthu wrought substantial damage and killed 38 people. Damage from the storm was estimated at 125 billion Vietnam dong ($7.9 million USD), mostly from agricultural losses. The remnants of Chanthu also brought heavy rains to Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, estimated to have exceeded 400 mm (15.7 in).
Typhoon Dianmu (Helen)
Tropical Depression 09W, which developed from the monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
on June 13, headed north in the open Western Pacific. On the June 15 and June 16, Dianmu rapidly intensified from a 70 kt/80 mph typhoon to a 155 kt/180 mph super typhoon, one of nine typhoons since 1990 to reach that intensity. It lost some organization on June 18, but re-strengthened on June 19 to a super typhoon while south of Okinawa. Some dry air weakened Dianmu as it continued its northward movement, and hit southern Japan as a 55 kt/65 mph tropical storm on June 21. Dianmu became extratropical that night after causing 3 deaths. Dianmu is the name of the goddess of thunder and lightning in Chinese folklore.
Typhoon Mindulle (Igme)
The monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
spawned a tropical depression on June 23 near Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. It tracked westward, becoming a tropical storm that night but slowly strengthening as it continued westward due to vertical wind shear. When the shear abated, Mindulle quickly intensified, reaching typhoon strength on June 27 and peaking at 125 kt/145 mph winds on June 28. Land interaction with 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...
to its south weakened Mindulle, and the typhoon weakened as it turned northward. On July 1 Mindulle hit eastern Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, and after accelerating to the northeast became extratropical near South Korea on July 4. Mindulle caused 56 deaths, with $833 million in damage in its path (2004 USD). Mindulle is the Korean word for the dandelion.
Typhoon Tingting
Tropical Depression 11W, which developed from the monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
on June 25, steadily strengthened as it tracked to the northwest, and reached tropical storm status on June 26. Tingting passed Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
on June 27, and reached typhoon status early on June 28. After maximum sustained winds peaked at 80 kts/90 mph, the typhoon turned to the northeast, where it became extratropical on July 3 after causing 3 deaths on Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
. Tingting is a pet name for young girls in Chinese.
Tropical Storm Kompasu (Julian)
An area of thunderstorms and convection organized into Tropical Depression 12W on July 13. Under high vertical shear and with a very small circulation, it was not expected to strengthen further. However, as it tracked erratically westward, it intensified, peaking with 40 kt/50 mph winds on July 14. Kompasu turned northward, hit the eastern part of Hong Kong directly as a minimal tropical storm, and dissipated on July 16. Kompasu is the Japanese word for compass, and the name of the constellationConstellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
Circinus
Circinus
The constellation Circinus is a small constellation in the southern sky, first defined in the 18th century. Its name is Latin for compass, referring to the drafting tool used for drawing circles; it should not be confused with Pyxis, a constellation that represents a mariner's...
.
Typhoon Namtheun
Tropical Storm Namtheun, which formed on July 25, rapidly intensified on July 26 to a 115 kt/135 mph typhoon. Dry air approached the system from the south, and it weakened as it tracked northwest towards Japan. On July 31, Namtheun hit southwest Japan as a 55 kt/65 mph tropical storm, and became extratropical in the Sea of JapanSea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
on August 1. The storm caused no deaths or damage, with only 6 injuries. Namtheun is the name of a river in Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
.
Tropical Storm Malou
An area of convection under moderate to high vertical wind shear developed into a tropical depression southeast of Japan on August 4. It became a minimal tropical storm before hitting central Japan on the night of August 4. Malou turned to the northeast and became extratropical in the Sea of JapanSea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
on August 5. Malou is the Chinese name for the mineral agate
Agate
Agate is a microcrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks and can be common in certain metamorphic rocks.-Etymology...
.
Typhoon Meranti
The first of nine named storms to develop during August, Meranti formed from an area of low pressure on August 3 and gradually strengthened. On August 5, the storm underwent a brief period of rapid intensification, attaining its peak intensity later day. According to the JMA, the storm attained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph) while the JTWC reported that the storm attained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). The following day, the typhoon quickly weakened to a tropical storm due to unfavorable conditions. By August 9, the system completed an extratropical transition; the remnants of the storm persisted until August 13, at which time it was absorbed by a large, non-tropical low.Typhoon Rananim (Karen)
On August 5, the JTWC began monitoring a persistent area of convection to the north-northwest of Guam; accompanied by a low pressure system, the disturbance developed into a tropical depression the following day. Tracking in a general north-northwest direction, the depression struggled to maintain convection over its center due to wind shear. By August 10, the system intensified into a typhoon, as its outflow became better defined. The following day, a ragged eye began to develop, fueling further strengthening. Rananim reached its peak intensity on August 11 with winds of 150 km/h (90 mph); the JTWC estimated the system to be slightly stronger, peaking with winds of 165 km/h) (105 mph). As the storm neared landfall, it began to weaken eventually crossing the Chinese coastline near WenlingWenling
Wenling is a coastal county-level city in the municipal region of Taizhou, in southeastern Zhejiang province, China. It borders Luqiao and Huangyan to the north, Yuhuan to the south, Yueqing to the west, looks out to the East China Sea to the east...
, Zhejiang Province with winds of 110 km/h (70 mph). Rapid weakening ensued as the system moved inland; Rananim eventually dissipated near central China on August 15.
Throughout eastern China, Rananim produced torrential rainfall, peaking at 703.5 mm (27.7 in) in Zhejiang, marking a new daily record rainfall in the province. Wind gusts were recorded up to a local record of 211 km/h (131.1 mph). A total of 188 people were killed by the storm, mostly due to collapsed homes and landslides; roughly 1,800 were injured and over 18 million were affected by Rananim. Economic losses in China amounted to about $2.2 billion (USD). Due to the severity of damage wrought by the storm, the name Rananim was retired the following year.
Tropical Storm Malakas
A reverse-oriented monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
extended from the Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
northeastward for hundreds of miles spawned a disturbed area around 22N/150E late on August 8. A weak tropical depression formed out of this area late on August 9. Deep convection was in a cycling mode, and satellite imagery initially indicated that the system was subtropical in nature. The depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Malakas as it took on a more tropical appearance about 670 miles west-northwest of Wake Island
Wake Island
Wake Island is a coral atoll having a coastline of in the North Pacific Ocean, located about two-thirds of the way from Honolulu west to Guam east. It is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior...
, and it moved northeastward along the northern periphery of the subtropical ridge
Subtropical ridge
The subtropical ridge is a significant belt of high pressure situated around the latitudes of 30°N in the Northern Hemisphere and 30°S in the Southern Hemisphere. It is characterized by mostly calm winds, which acts to reduce air quality under its axis by causing fog overnight, and haze during...
. By August 12, satellite imagery indicated that Malakas was becoming extratropical. JMA declared the system extratropical on the August 14, placing the weak 25 kt/30 mph low approximately 575 miles north-northwest of Midway Island
Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, near the northwestern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, about one-third of the way between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan. Unique among the Hawaiian islands, Midway observes UTC-11 , eleven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time and one hour...
. Malakas is a Filipino word meaning 'strong' or 'powerful'.
Typhoon Megi (Lawin)
Typhoon Megi was the fourth of eight significant tropical cyclones to form during August. Megi was initially spotted 260 miles west of GuamGuam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
on August 11, slowly developing into Tropical Depression 18W on the August 14, strengthening into a tropical storm on the August 16, and ultimately into a typhoon on the August 18 to the southwest of Japan. Megi moved northwest through the Ryūkyū islands
Ryukyu Islands
The , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
before recurving northeastward towards South Korea and Japan. Megi sped across northern Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
before completing its transition into a nontropical low off the east coast of Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
. The resultant ocean cyclone moved rapidly eastward, reaching a point near 42N/174E late on the August 22.
Despite peaking at only minimal typhoon intensity, Megi had a significant impact on both Japan and South Korea. In Japan, the highest storm total rainfall noted was 610 mm at Tomisato between August 17 and August 21, with 398 mm falling in a 24 hour period. The highest wind gust was 109 mph/48.7 m/s at Izuhara, Nagasaki
Nagasaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. The capital is the city of Nagasaki.- History :Nagasaki Prefecture was created by merging of the western half of the former province of Hizen with the island provinces of Tsushima and Iki...
early on the August 19. The lowest measured pressure was 974.1 mb at Isuhara. In South Korea, the heaviest 24 hour rain total was 332.5 mm at Wando between late on the August 17 and August 18. News reports indicated that five people were reported dead or missing after Typhoon Megi in South Korea. The number left homeless rose to more than 2400. Typhoon Megi left at least ten dead in Japan. Megi's landfall on northern Japan resulted in large blackouts as 130,000 homes were left in the dark. A group of about 165 primary school students were stranded by a Megi-induced landslide in western Japan, though were successfully rescued by helicopter. Megi is the Korean word for the catfish
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
.
Typhoon Chaba
Chaba formed on August 18 in the open Western Pacific. It moved westward, strengthening into a tropical storm on the August 19 and a typhoon on August 20. Chaba turned to the northwest, and rapidly intensified to a 155 kt/180 mph super typhoon on the August 22 with an estimated minimum central pressure of 910 mbarBar (unit)
The bar is a unit of pressure equal to 100 kilopascals, and roughly equal to the atmospheric pressure on Earth at sea level. Other units derived from the bar are the megabar , kilobar , decibar , centibar , and millibar...
, becoming the strongest typhoon of the year. After fluctuating between 100 kt/115 mph and super typhoon status for several days, Chaba weakened as it turned to the north, and hit the southwestern Japanese island of Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
. It accelerated to the northeast, and became extratropical on August 31. The storm killed seven people and brought extensive flooding to Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
. Chaba is a type of tropical flower.
Typhoon Aere (Marce)
Aere is the Marshallese word for 'storm'. A tropical disturbance developed into a tropical depression on the 19th about 400 miles west of Guam, and moved northwest at 10 kts/12 mph along the southwestern periphery of a mid-level steering ridge. The system reached tropical storm status on the 20th, gaining the name Aere. Aere subsequently crossed into the Philippine's area of responsibility and was assigned the name Marce. Aere was upgraded to typhoon intensity on the 21st, and its strength leveled off during the 21st and 22nd. On the 23rd, Typhoon Aere was downgraded to a tropical storm briefly due to vertical wind shear while located 200 miles south of Naha, Okinawa. Aere quickly regained typhoon strength and maintained intensity for the rest of the 23rd and developed a 50-mile wide eye. Aere reached its peak intensity of 85 kts/100 mph late on the 24th, when the pressure lowered to 955 mb. As the storm crossed the northern tip of Taiwan it began to weaken. Aere turned southwestward later that day, a trajectory that carried the storm past Xiamen early on the 26th and close to Shantou later that day before weakening into a tropical storm. The remnants of Typhoon Aere remained a tropical depression until the 31st.Early on the 25th, six villages located in Gaoqiao Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, were struck by a tornado triggered by Typhoon Aere. The tornado did cause some economic losses, but no casualties were reported. Preliminary statistics indicated that the typhoon had caused 2.485 billion yuan of direct economic losses and was responsible for two deaths in Fujian province. Aere also affected 3,479,900 residents in 421 towns of 48 counties of 6 cities in Fujian, where three cities were flooded, 10,100 houses were toppled, 236 embankments and thousands of water conservancy facilities were damaged. Thirty-four people were killed in Taiwan as a result of the storm, and fifteen died as a mudslide buried a remote mountain village in the north of the island. Agricultural losses were estimated at 7.7 million New Taiwan dollars ($US 313,000). Forty-three deaths in the Philippines were caused by heavy rains induced by the typhoon. Eight provinces in northern and central Luzon were most severely affected with 70% of the provinces under water at one point.
Tropical Depression 21W
An area of convectionAtmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
with a possible weak low-level circulation center
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
had developed approximately 1,125 km (700 mi) east-southeast of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
on August 24, and was moving slowly towards the west-northwest. It was designated as a tropical depression on August 26 by the JMA. Shortly after, the JTWC designated the system as Tropical Depression 21W. The depression gradually intensified and was upgraded to Tropical Storm 21W by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) early on August 27 when located about 590 km (365 mi) east of Guam; however, in post-season analysis, the JTWC declassified 21W as a tropical storm. The depression reached its peak intensity at 0000 UTC on August 27 with winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a minimum pressure of 1000 hPa (mbar). By later that day, the center had become fully exposed with the deep convection being displaced westward over Guam, due to strong outflow from Typhoon Chaba to its north. The storm was downgraded back to depression status by JTWC around local midnight when centered approximately 395 km (245 mi) east-northeast of Guam, though it was never recognized as a tropical storm by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The weakening system dissipated on the 31st when the weak low was located approximately 1,210 km (750 mi) west of Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
. No damage or casualties are known to have resulted from short-lived tropical cyclone.
Typhoon Songda (Nina)
On August 26, a new area low pressure system developed roughly 390 km (240 mi) northeast of KwajaleinKwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll , is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands . The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island. English-speaking residents of the U.S...
. Shortly thereafter, the JMA began monitoring the system as a tropical depression. Light wind shear and favorable diffluence allowed the system to strengthen, prompting the JTWC to issue their first advisory on Tropical Depression 22W the next day. By the morning of August 28, both agencies had upgraded the system to a tropical storm, with the JMA assigning it the name Songda, a branch of the Red River in northern Vietnam. By August 30, the system had intensified into a minimal typhoon. By the following day, the storm had undergone rapid intensification to attain its peak ten-minute sustained and one-minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph) and 230 km/h (145 mph) according to the JMA and JTWC respectively.
Over the following days, the powerful storm fluctuated in intensity, during which time it passed through the Northern Mariana Islands. On September 3, the storm briefly entered PAGASA's area of responsibility and was given the local name Nina. Early on September 5, Songda brushed the northern coast of Okinawa Island
Okinawa Island
Okinawa Island is the largest of the Okinawa Islands and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and is home to Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The island has an area of...
, where a barometric pressure of 924 mbar (hPa; 27.28 inHg) was recorded. Curving towards the northeast, the storm gradually weakened and made landfall near Nagasaki, Japan
Nagasaki
is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. Nagasaki was founded by the Portuguese in the second half of the 16th century on the site of a small fishing village, formerly part of Nishisonogi District...
as a strong typhoon. Accelerating towards the northeast, the system quickly weakened to a tropical storm by the evening on September 7 before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone shortly thereafter. The remnants of Songda were monitored by the JMA until late on September 10, at which time they crossed the International Dateline near the Aleutian Islands.
Throughout Songda's track, several islands were affected; Enewetak Atoll recorded tropical storm-force winds with gusts up to 120 km/h (75 mph) during the storm's passage. In the Mariana Islands, Agrihan sustained widespread damage, with all crops and structures considered a total loss, leaving $500,000 in monetary losses. Throughout Japan, Songda caused catastrophic damage and significant loss of life, mainly due to rain-related events. The heaviest rains fell in Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
, where a station measured 905 mm (35.6 in) during Songda's passage. Losses from the storm reached $9 billion, ranking it as the costliest storm to ever strike the country and one of the most destructive in the western Pacific. Forty-one people were killed by the storm, mainly in Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
.
Severe Tropical Storm Sarika
The name Sarika is originally from a songbird found in Cambodia. JMA classified a tropical depression early on September 4. By the 5th, a typhoon warning was issued for the island of Agrihan. Moving west-northwest along the southern periphery of the subtropical ridge, Tropical Depression 23W was upgraded to Tropical Storm Sarika that day. An upper-level LOW located to the southeast was providing an efficient eastern outflow channel in addition to the decent equatorial outflow. Rapid intensification ensued for a while with the MSW rising to 60 kts/70 mph late on the 5th, which was the peak intensity for Sarika. By the 6th, Tropical Storm Sarika passed 220 miles north of Saipan. Shortly afterward, the system's centre made its closest approach to Agrihan, tracking 10 miles south of that island. Near-typhoon conditions occurred on both Agrihan and Pagan while tropical storm-force winds were experienced on Alamagan. At its peak Sarika possessed a very compact wind field with gales extending no further than 90 miles from the centre while the radius of strongest winds never exceeded 15 miles. By the 6th, Sarika had turned westward 100 miles west of Agrihan. Early on the 7th, Sarika began to weaken as it entered a hostile shearing environment associated with Typhoon Songda's outflow. Sarika subsequently turned to the north-northwest at 9 mph/8 kts about 820 miles south of Tokyo, Japan while becoming fully exposed. It slowed as it turned northward late on the 7th. The system remained a tropical storm until the 8th when Sarika weakened back into a depression.Tropical Storm Haima (Ofel)
Haima is the Chinese word for the sea horse. Early on September 11, an area of thunderstorms was observed 150 nm southwest of Taipei, Taiwan. Later that day, the newly formed tropical depression saw its thunderstorms track across Taiwan, leaving the circulation center behind east of the mountainous isle as it took on a subtropical appearance. By the 12th, it had strengthened into a tropical storm named Haima by Japan and Ofel by the Philippines...the Joint Typhoon Warning Center considered the system a tropical depression or subtropical storm, but never a tropical storm. The center track just east of Taiwan on the 12th, towards the southeast coast of China. Haima made landfall south of Shanghai on the 13th before turning to the northwest. Haima soon become a completely sheared system due to interaction with the upper level winds over a frontal zone located to its west, and was declared dissipated on the 14th.In China, the lowest reported pressure was 998 mb in Yongqiang Town on the 13th and the highest 24 hour rainfall recorded was 250.8 mm at Pingtan in Fuzhou City between the 09th and 10th, which set a new September daily rainfall record for the station. In Taiwan, daily rainfall ranged as high as 393 mm in Taipei county, and 611.5 mm in Taipei City. The highest wind gust reported was 80 mph/35.9 m/s at Lanyu on the 11th. The storm damaged 78 square kilometres of farmland in Zhejiang Province, China, where direct economic losses were estimated to have been over 53 million yuan. Torrential rains (Sep 7-10), including those in the monsoonal flow around the pre-Haima depression had caused 54.6 million yuan of direct economic losses in Pingtan County and Changle City. In Japan, rainfall and winds were relatively light. In South Korea, the highest 24 hour rainfall report noted was 104.5 mm at Wando between the 11th and 12th.
Tropical Depression Pablo
This system was considered a tropical depression by JMA, PAGASA, the CWB of Taiwan and the Thai Meteorological Department with PAGASA assigning the name Pablo. JTWC released no warnings, but issued a pair of tropical cyclone formation alerts (TCFA) early on September 17th and 18th. Tropical Depression Pablo formed deep in the Philippine Sea east of Mindanao, moved westward across that island, thence turning northwestward and emerging into the South China Sea near the Calamian Group. After crossing the Philippine Archipelago the depression began to slowly weaken but limped across the South China Sea to near the central Vietnamese coastline before dissipating on the 18th where it dropped moderate to heavy rainfall. The maximum winds estimated by any agency were 30 kts/35 mph.Typhoon Meari (Quinta)
Meari is Korean for 'echo'. Late on September 18, an area of convection was spotted 510 miles east of Guam. On the 20th, Tropical Depression 25W organized out of this mass and was located just 35 miles southeast of Guam. Tropical Depression 25W turned more westward and began to accelerate as it moved along the southern periphery of a warm-core ridge. On the 21st, the system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Meari. It intensified steadily while moving more northwestward. The system was upgraded to typhoon intensity by late on the 22nd. Typhoon Meari possessed a very asymmetric circulation, elongated a bit to the north and northeast. Meari became a strong 100-kt/115 mph typhoon by late on the 23rd, and was assigned the name Quinta by PAGASA. After reaching 120 kts/140 mph on the 24th, its strength plateaued for the rest of the day. As it passed 70 miles south of Okinawa early on the 26th, Meari was slowly weakening. The cyclone ceased movement on the 27th about 170 miles west of Okinawa as it became lodged between two anticyclones. A slow northward drift began later that day and vertical wind shear associated with the subtropical jet stream began to take its toll on Meari. By the 29th, Meari was beginning its approach to the Japanese island of Kyūshū. Typhoon Meari made landfall over the southern tip of Kyūshū around midday local time with maximum sustained winds of 70 kts/80 mph. Meari weakened back into a tropical storm late on the 29th. The forward motion began to accelerate as Meari increasingly interacted with the westerlies. The system was followed until the 30th, when it became a nontropical low, which continued tracking eastwards through the north Pacific.The highest wind gust reported was 118 mph/52.7 m/s in Kagoshima early on the 29th. The lowest pressure measured during the passage of Meari was 975.5 mb, also at Kagoshima on the 29th. Three tornadoes were spawned in Japan, with two touching down in Okinawa Prefecture and one in Aichi Prefecture. The heaviest rains in Japan were saved for Osawe, where 904 mm fell between late on the 24th and the 30th, with 741 mm falling between late on the 28th and 29th. Reports indicate that at least 18 people died with several more reported missing as a result of Typhoon Meari. The worst affected areas were the prefectures of Mie and Ehime in Japan where torrential rains caused widespread flooding and mudslides destroyed several homes. Train and ferry services were suspended, stranding thousands of people. Damages from the storm amounted to $798 million (2004 USD).
Typhoon Ma-on (Rolly)
Ma-on is the name of a mountain in Hong Kong. Ma-on formed from a cluster of thunderstorms in the vicinity of Guam on September 29. The small system eventually trekked west-northwesterly. After days of sputtering across the western Pacific, Tropical Depression 26W formed on October 4, and quickly became named Tropical Storm Ma-on. The system became stationary approximately 650 nm southeast of Okinawa, Japan. PAGASA named the cyclone Rolly when it passed the 135th meridian135th meridian east
The meridian 135° east of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, Australasia, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
. On the 5th, a northward drift ensued while well southeast of Okinawa. Upon reaching typhoon intensity late on the 06th, Ma-on turned northwest and ultimately became the sixth super typhoon of the year on the 8th while 250 miles southeast of Okinawa. The typhoon become the worst storm to hit eastern Japan in over ten years, only a week after Typhoon Meari had made landfall in that nation. Ma-on started to accelerate northeastward and its eye began to shrink in diameter and became more ragged. A slow weakening trend materialized as it entered the early stages of extratropical transition. Recurving northeast at a high rate of translation, Ma-on made landfall on the Izu Peninsula, Honshū, Japan, late on the 9th with maximum sustained winds of 105 kts/120 mph as a Category 3 typhoon. Ma-on weakened rapidly and was downgraded to a tropical storm by the 10th, and quickly completed its transformation into a nontropical low. The remnant system moved more east-northeastward away from eastern Japan before slowing its motion 1100 miles southeast of Hokkaidō.
Ma-on was one of the most powerful storms to strike eastern Japan over the last ten years. The highest wind gust reported was 151 mph/67.6 m/s in Irouzaki late on the 9th. The lowest pressure was also recorded at Irouzaki; 964 mb late on the 9th. The typhoon left at least six people dead, and three persons were reported missing. Plane, train and ferry services nationwide were disrupted, stranding thousands of travellers. Heavy downpours also disrupted practice and qualifying sessions for Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
's Japanese Grand Prix
2004 Japanese Grand Prix
The 2004 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on October 10, 2004 at the Suzuka Circuit. All the running on Saturday was cancelled due to Typhoon Ma-on, meaning that both the qualifying sessions were run on Sunday morning...
in Suzuka, with the event featuring qualifying and the race in a single day as a result. The highest storm total amount was noted at Omaezaki, where a 413 mm deluge was seen between late on the 6th and 9th, with 360 mm falling in a 24 hour period. Rescuers on boats plucked dozens of residents from waterlogged homes in Shizuoka Prefecture. Damages from the storm amounted to $603 million (2004 USD).
Typhoon Tokage (Siony)
Tokage is the Japanese word for lizard. On October 12, an area of convection existed 480 miles east-southeast of Guam. The system developed into Tropical Depression 27W at late that day, moving in a west-northwesterly at 15 kts about 200 miles east of Guam. On the October 13, the system developed into a tropical storm, and was named Tokage, subsequently moving very close to the islands of Rota and Guam. Typhoon intensity was achieved early on October 14 when centered 970 miles southeast of Okinawa. Later that day, Tokage briefly turned to the west-southwest. The storm's path curved back to a northwesterly heading by the October 15. The storm curled towards the north as a major shortwave over weakened the subtropical ridge and by October 17 Tokage reached its peak intensity of 125 kts/145 mph. Weakening began later that day as the storm turned back to a more northwesterly heading towards Okinawa and Japan. On October 18, Typhoon Tokage was 290 miles south of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. Recurvature back to the north-northeast towards Japan ensued while the typhoon slowly weakened. Tokage made its closest approach to Okinawa late on October 19 when it was passed just to the south-southeast. The storm turned to the northeast as continued to accelerate as its extratropical transition began. Tokage made landfall over Tosa-Shimizu, near the southern tip of Shikoku, Japan still at typhoon strength. By October 21, the cyclone weakened into a tropical storm 130 nm west of Tokyo, and later that day, the system completed the transition to a nontropical low. The extratropical remains of Tokage moved rapidly northeastward, crossing the International Dateline around midday on October 23.The highest measured wind gust was 142 mph/63.7 m/s at Unzendake, Nagasaki on October 20. The lowest pressure from a land station was 949.4 mb at Okinoerabu, Kagoshima late on October 19. The highest rainfall amount noted in Japan was 550 mm at Fukuharaasahi between late on October 17 and October 21, with 470 mm falling within a 24 hour period. News reports indicated Tokage was the worst storm to strike Japan since Typhoon Mireille thirteen years before. A total of 69 deaths were attributed to high winds, flooding and mudslides caused by Tokage. A total of 18,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes. Damages from the storm amounted to $3.23 billion (2004 USD).
Typhoon Nock-ten (Tonyo)
The name Nock-ten is taken from a type of bird found in Laos. Typhoon Nock-ten originated from a disturbance that formed amongst the Marshall Islands early on October 13 while 45 miles west of Kwajalein Atoll. Tropical Depression 28W developed on October 14 about 275 miles east-northeast of Pohnpei and moving westward along the southern periphery of the subtropical ridge. The system assumed a more west-northwesterly track, becoming a tropical storm by late on October 16, and was named Nock-ten. Early on October 18, the storm turned southwest and slowed its forward motion. The system strengthened into a typhoon by noon local time and curved back towards the west. Nock-ten soon accelerated and moved more northwesterly, partially due to the remains of Typhoon Tokage. Typhoon Nock-ten passed 160 miles south of GuamGuam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
on October 20. Nock-ten reached its peak intensity of 110 kts/125 mph on October 23 as it tracked 480 miles south of Okinawa. Turning to a northerly track, Typhoon Nock-ten passed closest to Taipei during the afternoon of October 25, lying just off the northeastern tip of Taiwan by evening. The storm weakened and by local midnight the track became north-northeast. Nock-ten's motion to the east-northeast accelerated to 26 kts/29 mph, and the typhoon had become a nontropical low by the evening of October 26.
Typhoon Nock-ten lashed northern Taiwan with powerful winds and driving rain. The highest 24 hour rainfall on the island was 322 mm in Taipei City between early October 25 and October 27. The highest wind gust measured was 122 mph/54.4 m/s in Lanyu on October 24. Three fatalities occurred as a result of flash flooding. In Japan, the highest rainfall amount was spotted at Tanegashima which recorded 133.5 mm between midday October 26 and October 27.
Typhoon Muifa (Unding)
The name Muifa is taken from the umeUme
Prunus mume, with the common names including Chinese plum and Japanese apricot, is an Asian tree species classified in the Armeniaca section of the genus Prunus. The flower, long a beloved subject in the traditional painting of East Asia, is usually translated as plum blossom. This distinct tree...
blossom. The disturbance that was to become Typhoon Muifa was noted early on November 14 when located 215 nm north of Palau. It became Tropical Depression 29W later that day and strengthened into a tropical storm by early the 15th when centered 550 miles east-southeast of Manila, Philippines. PAGASA assigned the name Unding on the 14th as it passed the 135th meridian
135th meridian east
The meridian 135° east of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, Australasia, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
. On the 16th, the tropical cyclone started drifting north-northeast. Muifa turned back onto a west-northwest heading and intensified. It reached typhoon intensity on the 17th just prior to beginning a two-day clockwise loop. Late on the 18th, Muifa's intensity peaked at 115 kts/130 mph still to the east of the Philippines. Muifa/Unding made landfall very late on the 19th near Naga City with maximum winds of 70 kts/80 mph. The system ambled across the Philippine Archipelago, dropping down to tropical storm intensity on the afternoon of the 20th. On the 21st, Muifa regained typhoon intensity in the South China Sea. Now moving west-southwest, early on the 22nd Muifa re-strengthened into a 90-kt/105 mph typhoon 440 miles east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Muifa held onto typhoon status until late on the 23rd when its weakened to a tropical storm once more. On the 25th, Tropical Storm Muifa accelerated westward at a 21 kt/23 mph clip. By early on the 26th, a weakening Tropical Depression Muifa was located 250 nm south of Bangkok, Thailand. Later that day Muifa turned northward into an environment of increased wind shear and dissipated 120 nm south-southwest of Bangkok.
The highest 24 hour rainfall amount from the Philippines was 246.4 mm at Catanduanes between midday the 15th and 16th. The lowest pressure at Naga City was 986.1 mb early on the 16th. The death toll reported from the Philippines was 68 dead, 160 injured, and 69 unaccounted for. A total of 26,238 houses were destroyed and 76,062 damaged; total damage reached 1.0089 billion pesos. Typhoon Muifa had a destructive impact on Vietnam. The highest 24-hour rainfall amount reported was 251.5 mm at Prachuap Khirikhan between the afternoon of the 25th and 26th. Floods and landslides triggered by the typhoon killed about 40 people, and 40 more people were reported missing. There were also many villages in the mountains which needed urgent relief but which could not be quickly reached. Hoi An, which is the town of world heritage, was hit by the flood, and more than 80 old houses were in danger of collapse.
Tropical Storm Merbok (Violeta)
Merbok is the Malaysian word for the spotted-necked dove. This is the first tropical cyclone recognized by the Japan Meteorological Agency, but not Joint Typhoon Warning Center, since Changmi in 2002. Tropical Storm Merbok emanated from a disturbance located in the Philippine Sea and was first recognized as Tropical Depression Violeta by PAGASA on November 22. Later that day, it developed into a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Merbok tracked slowly towards the northwest and made landfall south of Baer on the east coast of Luzon. The storm's intensity held steady at 35 kts/40 mph (its peak strength) as it ambled its way across the mountains of Luzon, finally emerging off the northwest coast late on the 23rd. By this time, Merbok had lost most or all of its deep convection, the remnants continuing slowly north-westwards before dissipating southwest of Taiwan.Tropical Storm Merbok added to the misery caused by Typhoon Muifa/Unding in the Philippines, killing 31 people and injuring 187 others. In addition, 17 persons were reported missing. A total of 337 houses were destroyed and 1,286 damaged. Total estimated damage reached 253 million pesos with agriculture especially hard hit (210 million pesos.) The heaviest rainfall in the Philippines from this cyclone was 185.2 mm at Casiguran between midday the 22nd and 23rd.
Tropical Depression Winnie
Tropical Depression Winnie was a large system which brought torrential rains to Luzon, resulting in deadly flashfloods and landslides. Winnie formed east of the central Philippines on the 27th of November. JMA and the Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan were the only other agencies classifying Winnie as a tropical depression. The system moved west-northwestward over southeastern Luzon on the 29th. After moving well inland over Luzon, Winnie turned to a more north-northwesterly track up the west side of the island and was last mentioned on the 30th when it was located along the northwestern Luzon coast.According to news reports in the Philippines, 1,404 people were killed or left missing during the passage of Tropical Depression Winnie, primarily due to massive flashfloods and landslides in Quezon and Aurora Provinces triggered by the attendant heavy rains. The highest rainfall report from this system was 157.8 mm from Cabanatuan between midday November 29 and November 30. Damages from the storm amounted to $14.6 million.
Typhoon Nanmadol (Yoyong)
The name Nanmodol is from a famous ruin found on Pohnpei. Super Typhoon Nanmadol developed from a cluster of thunderstorms that was first noted early on November 28 when it was located 155 nm south-southwest of Pohnpei. It developed into Tropical Depression 30W about 690 miles east-southeast of Yap, and into Tropical Storm Nanmadol by midday November 29 as it moved westward south of the subtropical ridge. Nanmadol continued to strengthen, reaching typhoon intensity late that day after passing south of Satawal. The storm's track curved to the west-northwest. Late on November 30, the storm passed just north of Yap, bringing typhoon-force gusts and sustained tropical storm strength winds. The tropical cyclone reached its peak intensity of 130 kts/150 mph midday on December 2, then a super typhoon, 220 miles east of Manila, Philippines. Super Typhoon Nanmadol soon arrived at the Luzon coastline. At this time, the system began to lose strength and was downgraded from super typhoon status.Turning northwestward Typhoon Nanmadol took roughly six hours to cross the island of Luzon, and by early on December 3 had reemerged back over water. The northwesterly turn took Nanmadol into a weakness in the subtropical ridge before being lured away by a major shortwave trough. Nanmadol weakened markedly during December 3 as it gradually veered more towards the north. The cloud pattern became increasingly asymmetrical as Nanmadol moved east-northeastward across southern Taiwan before becoming extratropical during the afternoon of December 4. Nanmadol became the first known December tropical cyclone in the past 108 years to make landfall on the island. The remnants of Super Typhoon Nanmadol continued to rapidly move to the east-northeast and northeast and ultimately merged with another LOW, forming a powerful extratropical cyclone which brought strong winds and led to unseasonably warm temperatures to Japan.
Because Muifa, Merbok, Winnie, and Nanmadol all occurred within a space of two weeks, the exact number of casualties and total cost of damages is difficult to determine. Nanmadol caused at least 70 fatalities and 157 injuries. Nanmadol destroyed 10,457 houses and damaged 57,435. Agriculture also suffered badly as a result of this typhoon with losses amounting to 2,036 million pesos in the Philippines. The maximum rain in the Philippines was 228.1 mm at Daet between midday on December 2 and December 3. In Taiwan, as much as 907 mm fell in Hualien county between early December 3 and December 4. Puluowan reported the highest storm total accumulation of 1090 mm during the 35-hr period ending on the afternoon of December 4. In China, 106.3 mm fell at Dachen Dao between the morning of December 3 and December 4. In Taiwan, 2 deaths were reported, and agricultural losses there were estimated to have been $670 million New Taiwan dollars.
Tropical Storm Talas (Zosimo)
Tropical Depression 31W, which formed on December 10 near KwajaleinKwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll , is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands . The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island. English-speaking residents of the U.S...
, became a tropical storm later that day. Talas moved to the west, peaking at 45 kt/50 mph before weakening due to lack of outflow. A break in the subtropical ridge allowed Talas to turn northward, where it reached 45 kt/50 mph winds before dissipating on December 19. Talas is Filipino for 'acuteness' or 'sharpness'.
Between December 10 and 11, Talas produced light rainfall, peaked at 8.4 mm (0.330708661417323 in) in Kwajalein
Kwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll , is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands . The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island. English-speaking residents of the U.S...
with winds reaching 74 km/h (46 mph) and gusting to 103 km/h (64 mph). After passing Kwajelein, the center of Talas brushed Ebeye
Ebeye
Ebeye is the most populous island of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, as well as the center for Marshallese culture in the Ralik Chain of the archipelago. Settled on 80 acres of land, it has a population of more than 15,000. Over 50% of the population is estimated to be under the age of...
, producing gale-force winds on the island. Little impact was recorded on Ujae as the storm passed 90 km (55 mi) south of the island. The most severe damage was on Kwajalein; the newly constructed sandblast shelter was completely destroyed, metal doors at the local high school were blown off and the roof of the school was damaged, several metal buildings throughout the island sustained wind damage. On Ebeye, several homes had their roofs blown off and numerous coconut trees were uprooted. No damage was recorded on Ujae but crop losses were assumed to have occurred. In all, the storm caused $750,000 in damages, mainly due to the sandblast shelter. Following Talas, local governments quickly repaired damages wrought by the storm, costing $300,000.
Tropical Storm Noru
The final storm of the season, Noru, formed on December 17 to the east-southeast of SaipanSaipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
. After becoming a tropical storm on December 18 Noru moved to the northwest, where it peaked with 55 kt/65 mph winds. Noru turned to the northeast, and became extratropical on December 21. Noru is the Korean word for the roe deer
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
.
Between December 19 and 20, Noru brought high winds and heavy rains to the northern Mariana Islands
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
. Upwards of 182 mm (7.2 in) fell on Saipan, resulting in isolated flooding. Winds gusted up to 95 kilometres per hour (59 mph) but little or no wind damage resulted from the storm. No structural damage occurred due to Noru.
Storm names
Western North Pacific tropical cyclones are named by the RSMC Tokyo-Typhoon Center of the Japan Meteorological AgencyJapan Meteorological Agency
The or JMA, is the Japanese government's weather service. Charged with gathering and reporting weather data and forecasts in Japan, it is a semi-autonomous part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport...
. 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
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. The 13 nations or territories, along with Micronesia
Micronesia
Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest....
, each submitted 10 names, which are used in alphabetical order by the English name of the country. The first storm of 2004 was named Sudal and the final one was named Noru.
| Contributing Nation | Names | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambodia Cambodia Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia... |
Damrey | Kong-rey | Nakri | Krovanh | Sarika |
| China | Longwang | Yutu | Fengshen | Dujuan | Haima |
| DPR Korea North Korea The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea... |
Kirogi | Toraji | Kalmaegi | Maemi | Meari |
| Hong Kong | Kai-tak | Man-yi | Fung-wong | Choi-wan | Ma-on |
| Japan | Tembin | Usagi | Kammuri | Koppu | Tokage |
| Laos Laos Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west... |
Bolaven | Pabuk | Phanfone | Ketsana | Nock-ten |
| Macau Macau Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China... |
Chanchu | Wutip | Vongfong | Parma | Muifa Typhoon Muifa (2004) Typhoon Muifa was a typhoon during the 2004 Pacific typhoon season... |
| Malaysia | Jelawat | Sepat | Nuri | Melor | Merbok |
| Micronesia Micronesia Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest.... |
Ewiniar | Fitow | Sinlaku | Nepartak | Nanmadol |
| 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... |
Bilis | Danas | Hagupit | Lupit | Talas |
| RO Korea South Korea The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south... |
Gaemi | Nari | Changmi | Sudal Typhoon Sudal Typhoon Sudal was the strongest typhoon to strike the island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia in about 50 years. Yap is one of the four administrative divisions of the FSM... |
Noru |
| Thailand Thailand Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the... |
Prapiroon | Vipa | Mekkhala | Nida Typhoon Nida (2004) Super Typhoon Nida was the fourth tropical cyclone and second named storm of the 2004 Pacific typhoon season. Nida was the second super typhoon of the 2004 season, reaching a peak intensity of... |
Kulap |
| U.S.A. | Maria | Francisco | Higos | Omais | Roke |
| Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –... |
Saomai | Lekima | Bavi | Conson Typhoon Conson (2004) Typhoon Conson was the first of the record ten typhoons to impact Japan during the 2004 Pacific typhoon season. Developing out of a tropical depression near the northern Philippines in early June, Conson slowly traveled towards the north... |
Sonca |
| Cambodia Cambodia Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia... |
Bopha | Krosa | Maysak | Chanthu Tropical Storm Chanthu (2004) Severe Tropical Storm Chanthu was a strong tropical storm that produced deadly flooding in Vietnam and Thailand. Originating from an area of low pressure on June 5, 2004, Chanthu was first declared a tropical depression near southern Leyte Island in the Philippines... |
Nesat |
| China | Wukong | Haiyan | Haishen | Dianmu Typhoon Dianmu (2004) Typhoon Dianmu was a powerful typhoon that struck southeastern Japan during the 2004 Pacific typhoon season... |
Haitang |
| DPR Korea North Korea The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea... |
Sonamu | Podul | Pongsona | Mindulle | Nalgae |
| Hong Kong | Shanshan | Lingling | Yanyan | Tingting Typhoon Tingting Typhoon Tingting was a relatively weak, but destructive, typhoon that produced record-breaking rains in Guam. The eighth named storm of the 2004 Pacific typhoon season, Tingting originated from a tropical depression over the open waters of the western Pacific Ocean... |
Banyan |
| Japan | Yagi | Kajiki | Kujira | Kompasu | Washi |
| Laos Laos Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west... |
Xangsane | Faxai | Chan-hom | Namtheun | Matsa |
| Macau Macau Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China... |
Bebinca | Peipah | Linfa | Malou | Sanvu |
| Malaysia | Rumbia | Tapah | Nangka | Meranti Typhoon Meranti (2004) Typhoon Meranti was the first of the record nine named storms to develop during August within the 2004 Pacific typhoon season. Forming from an area of low pressure on August 3, Meranti gradually strengthened... |
Mawar |
| Micronesia Micronesia Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest.... |
Soulik | Mitag | Soudelor | Rananim Typhoon Rananim Typhoon Rananim was the strongest typhoon to make landfall on the Chinese province of Zhejiang since 1956. It formed on August 6, 2004, intensifying into a tropical storm on August 8... |
Guchol |
| 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... |
Cimaron | Hagibis | Molave | Malakas | Talim |
| RO Korea South Korea The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south... |
Chebi | Noguri | Koni | Megi | Nabi |
| Thailand Thailand Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the... |
Durian | Rammasun | Morakot | Chaba | Khanun |
| U.S.A. | Utor | Matmo | Etau | Aere Typhoon Aere (2004) Typhoon Aere was a mid-season category two typhoon that brought severe damage to Taiwan and the People's Republic of China... |
Vicente |
| Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –... |
Trami | Halong | Vamco | Songda | Saola |
Philippines
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services AdministrationPhilippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is a Philippine national institution dedicated to provide flood and typhoon warnings, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, climatological, and other specialized information and...
(PAGASA) uses its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones within its area of responsibility. Lists are recycled every four years.
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Typhoon Dianmu (2004) Typhoon Dianmu was a powerful typhoon that struck southeastern Japan during the 2004 Pacific typhoon season... 09W Typhoon Aere (2004) Typhoon Aere was a mid-season category two typhoon that brought severe damage to Taiwan and the People's Republic of China... 20W |
Typhoon Muifa (2004) Typhoon Muifa was a typhoon during the 2004 Pacific typhoon season... 29W |
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Retirement
The names Sudal and Rananim were retired by the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. The names Mirinae and Fanapi (which was later retired) were chosen to replaced Sudal and Rananim respectively. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced that the names Unding, Violeta, and Winnie had its names retired due to extensive damage and loss of life. The names Ulysses, Vicky, and Warren were chosen to replaced Unding, Violeta and Winnie respectively.See also
- List of Pacific typhoon seasons
- 2004 Pacific hurricane season2004 Pacific hurricane seasonThe 2004 Pacific hurricane season officially started on May 15, 2004 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 2004 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 2004...
- 2004 Atlantic hurricane season2004 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2004 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2004, and lasted until November 30, 2004. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
- 2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone season2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasonThe 2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone season had no bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with peaks in May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean.-Season summary:In 2004, RSMC New...
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2003-042003-04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasonThe 2003-04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an annual event of tropical cyclone formation. It started on November 15, 2003 and ended on April 30, 2004. For Mauritius and the Seychelles, the season continued until May 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when...
, 2004-052004-05 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasonThe 2004-05 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an annual event of tropical cyclone formation. It started on November 15, 2004 and ended on April 30, 2005. For Mauritius and the Seychelles, the season continued until May 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when... - Australian region cyclone seasons: 2003-042003-04 Australian region cyclone seasonThe 2003–04 Australian region cyclone season was an event in the ongoing cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It began on 1 November 2003 and ended on 30 April 2004...
, 2004-052004-05 Australian region cyclone seasonThe 2004–05 Australian region cyclone season was an event in the ongoing cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It began on 1 November 2004 and ended on 30 April 2005... - South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2003-042003-04 South Pacific cyclone seasonEarly on December 4, RSMC Nadi reported that Tropical Disturbance 01F had formed 725 km to the north-west of Nadi in Fiji. The disturbance was located within a large area of convection and lied to the north of an anticyclonic circulation. During that day the disturbance gradually organised and...
, 2004-052004-05 South Pacific cyclone seasonLate on October 28, RSMC Nadi reported that a tropical depression had formed about 420 km, to the northeast of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. The depressions low level circulation center at this time was located under the deep convection and lied in a weak monsoonal trough which had a low to...
External links
- 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
- Satellite movie of 2004 Pacific typhoon season