Typhoon Kujira (2003)

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Typhoon Kujira (Amang)
Typhoon Kujira at peak intensity on April 16
Meteorological history
FormedApril 9, 2003
ExtratropicalApril 25, 2003
DissipatedApril 30, 2003
Very strong typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds165 km/h (105 mph)
Lowest pressure930 hPa (mbar); 27.46 inHg
Category 4-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds250 km/h (155 mph)
Lowest pressure904 hPa (mbar); 26.70 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities3 total
Damage$230,000 (2003 USD)
Areas affected
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 2003 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Kujira, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Amang,

International Dateline
towards the end of April 2003.

Shortly after developing, Kujira caused two fatalities in Pohnpei in addition to minor agricultural and infrastructure damage; similar effects were felt in Guam. Several days later, the typhoon prompted cyclone warnings and other precautionary measures in the Philippines after forecasts indicated the potential for strong winds and rain. However, effects on the island chain associated with the storm remained minimal. The typhoon also prompted warning products in Taiwan, making it the first April typhoon since 1978 to cause such a feat. Unlike in the Philippines, however, Kujira would bring significant rainfall to Taiwan. Effects from the typhoon were most significant in Japan, particularly in the Ryukyu Islands. Strong winds, rain, and waves caused US$230,000 (¥27.8 million)[nb 2] in agricultural damage on Ishigaki Island. One person was killed due to injuries resulting from the waves. In Kyushu, heavy rainfall, peaking at 196 mm (7.7 in) in Ōita Prefecture, was reported. Overall, despite its distance away from land and weak intensity at the time of its sole landfall, Kujira resulted in three fatalities.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

The systems that would develop into Typhoon Kujira began as a broad area of

tropical storm intensity just six hours after cyclogenesis,[2] while the JMA continued to classify the system as a tropical depression.[3]

Intensification was more gradual following April 9. At 0000 UTC on April 11, the JMA upgraded the system to tropical storm intensity, thus identifying it with the name Kujira.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 1200 UTC on April 16, and as such the name Amang was assigned to the typhoon by the agency.[nb 3][1]

Typhoon Kujira off the Philippines on April 19

On April 17, the tropical cyclone began to track slightly southwestward and encountered an area of dry air and enhanced wind shear,

International Dateline on April 30.[1]

Preparations and impact

Estimated rainfall rate within Tropical Storm Kujira on April 23 as documented by the TRMM

Shortly after forming, Kujira tracked near Pohnpei, resulting in heavy rainfall across the island, peaking at 250 mm (9.8 in). Despite the typhoon's far distance from the island, two people were killed – one died after being crushed by a prostrated tree, while the other was killed offshore for unknown reasons.

National Disaster Coordinating Council readied regional disaster coordinating councils and contingency plans while the Armed Forces of the Philippines prepared for any potential emergency situation.[8][9] The Philippine Coast Guard patrolled Filipino waters throughout Kujira's close passage in order to redirect ships away from the typhoon.[10] Though the typhoon had also threatened to cancel the biennial San Fernando Race, the concurrent SARS outbreak which had impacted the Philippines ultimately resulted in its cancelling.[11] Eventually any effects in the Philippines remained minimal.[12]

As Kujira began to track towards Taiwan, the Taiwanese government issued land- and sea-based warnings in advance of the storm.

Central Weather Bureau to issue medium typhoon warnings for several portions of Taiwan, though these warnings were downgraded to light typhoon status following the subsequent weakening of the typhoon on April 22.[15] This made Kujira the first April typhoon to prompt the issuance of any cyclone-related warnings in Taiwan since 1978.[1] Impacts on the island were expected to be limited to rainfall,[16] though the forecasted precipitation was also expected to lessen ongoing drought conditions.[17] However, mudslides were also a potential impact from the typhoon. The National Fire Administration and Taiwan Power Company developed a contingency plan for the typhoon and had also undertaken other precautionary measures.[18] Airports on Orchid Island and Green Island were closed.[1] The resultant rainfall from Kujira's outer rainbands would be some of the most significant for the island in several months.[19]

Effects from Kujira in Japan were of the greatest extent as opposed to other regions. Several flights were cancelled due to poor visibility in

Okinawa, a woman was swept away by the wave action. Though she was later rescued and transported to a nearby hospital, she later died of resulting injuries.[22] Further south, on Ishigaki Island, intense rainfall and near-record high wind gusts were reported. These combined effects caused US$230,000 (¥27.8 million) in agricultural damage spread out over an area of 190 hectares (470 acres).[23] However, the heaviest rainfall associated with Kujira in Japan were on Kyushu. There, precipitation peaked at 196 mm (7.7 in) in Shakadake, Ōita Prefecture. Five other locations, all of which were on Kyushu, reported rainfall totals in excess of 125 mm (4.9 in).[24] Upon its final landfall near Ushibuka, Kumamoto, Kujira became the earliest typhoon in any given calendar year to make landfall in Japan.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ All maximum sustained wind figures were measured over a period of ten minutes, unless otherwise noted.
  2. ^ All damage totals are in 2003 USD unless otherwise noted.
  3. ^ The PAGASA assigns names to tropical cyclones that enter their area of responsibility, regardless of its official JMA designation. This name is used locally and for PAGASA tropical cyclone monitoring purposes.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Padgett, Gary; Boyle, Kevin; Chunliang, Huang (April 2003). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary April 2003". Summaries and Track Data. Australiansevereweather.com. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Furze, Peter; Preble, Amanda (2003). 2003 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report (PDF). JTWC Annual Tropical Cyclone Report (Report). Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: Joint Typhoon Warning Center/United States Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Regional Specialized Meteorological Center – Tokyo (2003). Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center 2003 (PDF) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  4. ^ National Climatic Data Center (April 10, 2003). Storm Event Report for Tropical Storm in Micronesia on April 10, 2003. NCDC Storm Events (Report). Micronesia: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  5. ^ Newman, Steve (April 19, 2003). "Earthweek: A diary of the planet". The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, British Columbia. Tribune Media Services. p. F2.
  6. ^ Vanzi, Sol Jose (April 18, 2003). "Typhoon Veers, Threatens Bicol Region". Quezon City, Philippines. Philippine Headline News Online. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  7. ^ Araja, Rio (April 23, 2003). "Typhoon weakens, mild quake hits MM". Manila Standard. Manila, Philippines. Associated Press. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  8. ^ "Philippines ready for year's first typhoon". Manila, Philippines. Xinhua General News Service. April 17, 2013.
  9. ^ "Philippines braces for Typhoon Kujira, relief agencies on alert". Deutsche Presse-Agentur. April 18, 2003.
  10. ^ "First typhoon touches Philippines". Manila, Philippines. Xinhua General News Service. April 18, 2013.
  11. ^ Sallay, Alvin (April 17, 2003). "Philippines sinks the San Fernando Race". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong, Hong Kong. South China Morning Post, Ltd.
  12. ^ "Weakened Kujira spares the Philippines, heads for Taiwan". Manila, Philippines. Agence France Presse. April 22, 2003.
  13. ^ "ROUNUP: Taiwan issues warnings for typhoon Kujira". Taipei, Taiwan. Deutsche Presse-Agentur. April 21, 2003.
  14. ^ Channel NewsAsia (April 21, 2003). "Taiwan warns ships on Typhoon Kujira". Singapore Pte Ltd.
  15. ^ "Taiwan downgrades warning for typhoon Kujira". Taipei, Taiwan. Deutsche Presse-Agentur. April 22, 2013.
  16. ^ "Storm Kujira losing steam, donwpours expected". Taipei, Taiwan. Agence France Presse. April 23, 2003.
  17. ^ "Typhoon Kujira a mixed blessing as it approaches Taiwan". Taipei, Taiwan. Agence France Presse. April 21, 2003.
  18. ^ Lu, Fiona (April 22, 2013). "Taiwan wary of Typhoon Kujira's approach". Taipei Times. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  19. ^ Newman, Steve (April 26, 2003). "Earthweek: A diary of the planet". The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, British Columbia. Tribune Media Services. p. G7.
  20. ^ KITAMOTO Asanobu. "Digital Typhoon: Weather Disaster Report (2003-887-03)". Digital Typhoon Weather Disaster Database (in Japanese). National Institute of Informatics. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  21. ^ KITAMOTO Asanobu. "Digital Typhoon: Weather Disaster Report (2003-893-02)". Digital Typhoon Weather Disaster Database (in Japanese). National Institute of Informatics. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  22. ^ KITAMOTO Asanobu. "Digital Typhoon: Weather Disaster Report (2003-936-04)". Digital Typhoon Weather Disaster Database (in Japanese). National Institute of Informatics. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  23. ^ KITAMOTO Asanobu. "Digital Typhoon: Weather Disaster Report (2003-918-15)". Digital Typhoon Weather Disaster Database (in Japanese). National Institute of Informatics. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  24. ^ KITAMOTO Asanobu. "Typhoon 200302 (KUJIRA)". National Institute of Informatics. Retrieved 6 October 2013.

External links

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