1961 Pacific typhoon season

1961 Pacific typhoon season
Season summary map
First system formed January 14, 1961
Last system dissipated December 14, 1961
Strongest storm1 Nancy – 882 hPa (mbar), 345 km/h (215 mph)
Total depressions 53
Total storms 35
Typhoons 20
Super typhoons 8
Total fatalities at least 308
Total damage Unknown
1Strongest storm is determined by lowest pressure
Pacific typhoon seasons
1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963

The 1961 Pacific typhoon season had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1961, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December. 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 1961 Pacific hurricane season. Tropical storms formed in the entire west pacific basin were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Tropical depressions in this basin had the "W" suffix added to their number.

Storms

Tropical Storm Rita

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Duration January 14 – January 19
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min)  996 hPa (mbar)

A tropical low developed from the ITCZ about 140 miles to the south of Eauripik on January 8.[1] The low gradually deepened as it moved west-northwest during the following days. Early on January 14 the system organized itself enough to be classified as a tropical depression. The next day the depression strengthened into a tropical storm, and was named Rita by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Rita reached a peak intensity of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimal surface pressure of 996 hPa (29.4 inHg) on January 16.[2] At this time a cold front to the north and a subtropical ridge positioned behind it forced the storm to turn sharply to the north-northeast.[3] Rita began to, at this time, weaken, and became a depression on January 17. It remained a depression for the next three days. On January 19 Rita weakened to a remnant low and became attached to the tail-end of a passing front. By the 21 what was left of Rita became fully absorbed by the aforementioned front.[4]

Rita stayed largely at sea with little to minor effects to Palau or to the Mariana Islands, besides some rain and squally weather.

Tropical Depression Susan

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Duration February 27 – March 1
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min)  1006 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Tess

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration March 22 – March 31
Peak intensity 240 km/h (150 mph) (1-min)  940 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Depression Viola

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Duration April 9 – April 11
Peak intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min)  1004 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Alice

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration May 15 – May 20
Peak intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min)  980 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Alice formed to the east of the Philippines on the 17th of May. Alice quickly strengthened and passed directly over Hong Kong with gusts of 85 mph on the 18th before recurving through the Chinese Mainland. Sustained winds in Hong Kong never reached hurricane force; maximum 60-minute winds reached 90km/h in Waglan Island and 83km/h at the RHKO. 4 people were killed and 20 people were injured in Hong Kong.[5]

Typhoon Betty

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration May 21 – May 28
Peak intensity 240 km/h (150 mph) (1-min)  945 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Cora

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration June 21 – June 25
Peak intensity 130 km/h (80 mph) (1-min)  985 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Storm 13W

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration June 25 – June 29
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min)  996 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Storm Doris

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Duration June 27 – July 3
Peak intensity 85 km/h (50 mph) (1-min)  990 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Elsie

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration July 6 – July 16
Peak intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min)  975 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Storm Flossie

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration July 11 – July 19
Peak intensity 85 km/h (50 mph) (1-min)  992 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Depression Grace

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration July 18 – July 25
Peak intensity 75 km/h (45 mph) (1-min)  997 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Helen

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration July 22 – August 3
Peak intensity 165 km/h (105 mph) (1-min)  970 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Ida

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration July 27 – July 31
Peak intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min)  980 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon June

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration August 1 – August 8
Peak intensity 175 km/h (110 mph) (1-min)  960 hPa (mbar)

20 people were killed from heavy rain and mudslides when 90 mph Typhoon June hit southeastern Taiwan on August 6.

JMA Tropical Storm Fourteen

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration August 8 – August 10
Peak intensity Winds not specified  1000 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Kathy

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration August 13 – August 18
Peak intensity 150 km/h (90 mph) (1-min)  988 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Lorna

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration August 19 – August 27
Peak intensity 220 km/h (140 mph) (1-min)  950 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Storm Marie

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration August 28 – September 5
Peak intensity 95 km/h (60 mph) (1-min)  998 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Storm Olga

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration September 4 – September 11
Peak intensity 130 km/h (80 mph) (1-min)  985 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Olga struck Hong Kong killing 7 people.[6]

Typhoon Pamela

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration September 5 – September 13
Peak intensity 285 km/h (180 mph) (1-min)  910 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Pamela, which formed on September 8, rapidly intensified to a peak of 180 mph on the 11th. Pamela weakened to a 145 mph typhoon by the time it hit eastern Taiwan late on the 11th, and after crossing the island and the Taiwan Strait, the storm hit eastern China as a 65 mph tropical storm. Pamela dissipated on the 12th, after causing 98 casualties (with 27 missing), $5 million in damage (1961 USD), and leaving 50,000 homeless.

Typhoon Nancy

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration September 6 – September 17
Peak intensity 345 km/h (215 mph) (1-min)  882 hPa (mbar)
Main article: Typhoon Nancy (1961)

Tropical Storm Nancy, having developed on September 7 in the open West Pacific, rapidly intensified to reach super typhoon status early on the 9th. Nancy continued to strengthen, and reached peak winds of 215 mph (187 knots) on the 12th. Such intensity is speculative, as Reconnaissance Aircraft was in its infancy and most intensities were estimates. Furthermore, later analysis indicated that equipment likely overestimated Nancy's wind speed; if the measurements were correct, Nancy would have had the highest wind speeds of any tropical cyclone by 15 mph. Regardless, Nancy was a formidable typhoon, and retained super typhoon status until the 14th as it neared Okinawa. The typhoon turned to the northeast, and made landfall on southern Japan on the 16th with winds of 100 mph. It continued rapidly northeastward, and became extratropical on the 17th in the Sea of Okhotsk. Well executed warnings lessened Nancy's potential major impact, but the typhoon still caused 172 fatalities and widespread damage.

Tropical Storm Ruby

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration September 20 – September 24
Peak intensity 100 km/h (65 mph) (1-min)  992 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Sally

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Counterclockwise vortex
Duration September 23 – October 1
Peak intensity 130 km/h (80 mph) (1-min)  980 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Tilda

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration September 25 – October 5
Peak intensity 260 km/h (160 mph) (1-min)  925 hPa (mbar)

When 90 mph Typhoon Tilda, having once had a 160 mph peak, hit northeastern China on October 4, it caused 11 deaths, over $6 million in crop damage, and sank 1 ship killing 2.

Typhoon Violet

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration October 2 – October 10
Peak intensity 335 km/h (205 mph) (1-min)  895 hPa (mbar)

Violet was first observed from a small circulation to the south-west of Marcus Island. On October 2 the system had organized enough to warrant further investigation. After a few days of observation, a report of tropical storm force winds was relayed back to the JTWC and on October 4 it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Violet. Violet took an unusual track, moving in a southern direction after formation. This was due to its location west of a high pressure system which the storm struggled to move around. After completing a curve to the south of the ridge, Violet quickly intensified into a typhoon. The movement of the subtropical ridge to the east resulted in Violet turning abruptly to the northwest. Violet continued to intensify and soon reached a peak intensity, on October 7, of 205 mph (335 km/h) and a minimal surface pressure of 886 hPa (26.2 inHg);[7] however, the wind readings during this era of reconnaissance were erroneously high.

The vessels SS Pioneer Muse and SS Sheik stranded on Kitadaitōjima

Violet moved in a smooth path northward and clipped the Boso Peninsula area of Japan, near Tokyo. After landfall Violet began to translate into an extra-tropical cyclone and continued to move northward. By October 10 Violet had become fully extra-tropical.[8]

Violet was an intense storm, yet did not impact any landmass at or near peak intensity. On Guam damages were light, mostly consisting to crop damage. The effects on Japan were generally minimal due in part to early preparation. A 9124-ton freighter, The Pioneer Muse, was left stranded on the Daitō Islands during the passing of the typhoon on October 9. All men on board were saved and later the cargo of military hardware was scavenged.[9] Another ship, The Sheik, also was stranded a few miles from The Pioneer Muse, it would later break in two due to rough seas. Two fatalities were reported in Japan due to the passage of Violet.[8]

Tropical Storm Wilda

Tropical Storm (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Duration October 5 – October 13
Peak intensity 110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min)  990 hPa (mbar)

Wilda was first record on October 5 over the South China Sea, near the western coast of Luzon. The system moved to the southwest, neared the coast of Vietnam, but abruptly turned in the opposite direction on October 8. The depression completed an elongated clockwise loop and continued to the southeast. The depression gradually deepened and by October 11 Wilda became a tropical storm while curving in a west direction. Wilda reached a peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimal surface pressure of 990 hPa (29 inHg) before making landfall on Vietnam.[10] Wilda proceeded to dissipate a short time later.[11]

Wilda contributed to an already rain drenched area of Cambodia and Vietnam. The extra rain caused the flood level to reach the highest since 1937 along the Mekong River.[11]

Tropical Depression Anita

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical Storm (SSHWS)
Duration October 18 – October 21
Peak intensity 65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min)  1004 hPa (mbar)

Anita first formed to the north of Busuanga Island on October 18. It traveled in a generally westward direction over the South China Sea, and intensified into a tropical storm later that day. On October 19 the storm weakened slightly before making landfall on Vietnam. Anita rapidly weakened into a remnant low on October 20. The low tracked over Indochina before emerging over the Bay of Bengal and completely dissipated on October 22.[12] The remaining moisture may have helped aid the development of a tropical depression, on October 22, near present-day Rakhine.[13]

Impact, if any, was minimal or disconcernable from the previous tropical system Wilda, which had struck a week before.

Typhoon Billie

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration October 18 – October 29
Peak intensity 130 km/h (80 mph) (1-min)  970 hPa (mbar)

Billie originated from an extensive area of low pressure near Pohnpei. The Japan Meteorological Agency first picked up on the system on October 18 as it tracked to the west. The organization, at first, was poor as multiple vortices were present within the circulation.[8] One of these vortices split from the main circulation and became a weak tropical depression while it moved southwest. Over the next few days one circulation became dominant and the whole system began to strengthen. The first warning was issued by the JTWC on October 23, by that time the cyclonic radius extended over 1,000 nautical miles from the center.[8] Quickly the system strengthen into a tropical storm, and by midday October 24, had become a typhoon. Billie began to curve to the north during this time; passing to the south of Guam. The radius of Billie had also decreased to 750 nautical miles, which it remained constant throughout the rest of its life. The size of Billie's eye was comparable to the extensive radius of the circulation. At times the eye measured over 180 miles in diameter, an eye size not matched by any of the other typhoons during this season.[8] By this time, October 26, Billie had reached a peak intensity of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimal surface pressure of 961 hPa (28.4 inHg).[14] The large typhoon continued almost straight north, maintaining its intensity, before encountering a polar front. It merged with the associated low pressure area near the Kuril Islands on October 30. At this point Billie had completely translated into an extra-tropical low and passed over the Kamchatka Peninsula.[8]

Despite Billie's rather large size it did not pass over any significant land mass. The biggest impact to land was at Iwo Jima where strong winds and excess rain occurred. No damage; however, was reported. Billie contributed to the sinking of a Japanese freighter, The Fukazan Maru. A leak in the vessel's hold caused the ship to slowly sink. All 47 crew members were rescued and safely transported to Guam.[8]

Typhoon Clara

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration October 25 – November 1
Peak intensity 140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min)  985 hPa (mbar)

Clara had formed form a vortex embedded within the ITCZ near Enewetak Atoll. The circulation was pulled north by the influence of Typhoon Billie. The storm had organized enough that by October 25 it was classified as a tropical depression by the JMA. Gradually intensifying as it moved to the northeast, the first warning was issued by the JTWC on October 26 as sea surface reports indicated Clara was a tropical storm.[8] By October 27 Clara had intensified into a typhoon and started a small clockwise loop that was completed by October 28. Soon after Clara had reached a peak intensity of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimal surface pressure of 984 hPa (29.1 inHg).[15] Moving in a westward direction Clara weakened back into a tropical storm. Clara continued to gradually weaken over the next few days, performing swaying movements in its track. On November 1 Clara turned to the north and transitioned into an extra-tropical low after encountering a polar front.[8]

Clara remained mostly over open ocean during its life; however, its path did near a few minor islands. No damage was reported, but there were possibilities that damage to shipping or small islands occurred.[8]

Typhoon Dot

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration November 7 – November 15
Peak intensity 260 km/h (160 mph) (1-min)  930 hPa (mbar)

The origin of Dot can be traced back to a compact low pressure center over open water to the east of Guam on November 7. Moving in a zig-zag pattern the system quickly organized into a typhoon late on November 8. Initially it wasn't until November 9 that when pilots traversing the Pacific reported the existence of an area of severe weather to the northeast of Guam. Reconnaissance investigation of the storm had found a fully developed typhoon. It was likely, due to the small size of Dot, that it would not to have been discovered before it reached the Mariana Islands, had it not passed through a route used by trans-Pacific aircraft.[8] Dot moved in a near westward direction after being discovered, passed through the Mariana Islands, and gradually intensifying into a category five super typhoon to the northwest of Guam. On November 11 Dot reached a peak intensity of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimal surface pressure of 923 hPa (27.3 inHg).[16] During this time Dot began to curve to the northeast, weakening gradually from the influence of a trough to the north. By November 13 the typhoon had weakened to a category three and was accelerating to the northeast. This motion was carried on for three days before Dot transitioned into an extra-tropical low on November 15.[8] The extra-tropical low traversed the rest of the Pacific Ocean and made landfall over Southern California on November 20.[11] The low continued over the Rocky Mountains, weakened, then regenerated over the western Gulf of Mexico states. From there it crossed into the Atlantic Ocean and was finally absorbed by another low pressure area off the East Coast on November 26.[17]

Impacts from Dot were mostly confined to its passing of the Mariana Islands. Damage to Alamagan was substantial.[8] The extra-tropical low of Dot dumped one to five inches of rain over the Southwest U.S. and contributed to excessive rainfall over the New England area.[17]

Typhoon Ellen

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHWS)
Duration December 5 – December 14
Peak intensity 240 km/h (150 mph) (1-min)  945 hPa (mbar)

Ellen originated from a low pressure area near Chuuk Lagoon where data supported a closed circulation;However, it had soon moved into a data void to the south of Guam early in December. The low developed into a tropical depression with well-defined spiral storm bands and a closed circulation early on December 5. The depression moved westward, and passed to the north of Palau. It organized itself into a tropical storm on December 7 and underwent rapid intensification. By the December 8, the cyclone had become an intense typhoon with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a sea surface pressure of 970 hPa (29 inHg). An eye wall was observed during this time. By December 9, Ellen had reached a peak intensity of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimal pressure of 946 hPa (27.9 inHg).[18] During this time Ellen made its closest approach to land. Ellen began to weaken on December 10 as it curved to the northeast. By December 11, the typhoon reached a secondary peak intensity, and small hail was observed within the eye during this time. On December 13, the circulation had become poorly defined and Ellen weakened back to a tropical storm. Ellen dissipated on December 14 while moving in a northeastern direction out into the open ocean.[8]

Ellen was the most destructive typhoon of 1961 for the Philippines. Impacts from Ellen were most severe on Catanduanes island when the center passed within ten miles from the northern point of the island. The eye during this time was about thirty-six miles across and had winds of 150 mph within the eye wall. Damages were placed at about $500,000 at the Coast Guard Loran Station[19] while damage elsewhere is estimated at about ₱2 million. Several people were reported either missing or dead.[20] A Panamanian freighter carrying logs to Hong Kong sank in the South China Sea, near the Spratly Islands, due to squally weather on December 9. Thirty-three of the crew members were lost to the turbulent sea.[11]

1961 storm names

  • Agnes
  • Bess
  • Carmen
  • Della
  • Elaine
  • Faye
  • Gloria
  • Hester
  • Irma
  • Judy
  • Kit
  • Lola
  • Mamie
  • Nina
  • Ora
  • Phyllis
  • Rita 1W
  • Susan 4W
  • Tess 5W
  • Viola 6W
  • Winnie 9W
  • Alice 10W
  • Betty 11W
  • Cora 20W
  • Doris 19W
  • Elsie 26W
  • Flossie 28W
  • Grace 30W
  • Helen 31W
  • Ida 32W
  • June 33W
  • Kathy 39W
  • Lorna 42W
  • Marie 49W
  • Nancy 52W
  • Olga 51W
  • Pamela 50W
  • Ruby 53W
  • Sally 54W
  • Tilda 55W
  • Violet 56W
  • Wilda 58W
  • Anita 60W
  • Billie 62W
  • Clara 63W
  • Dot 66W
  • Ellen 69W
  • Fran
  • Georgia
  • Hope
  • Iris
  • Joan
  • Kate
  • Louise
  • Marge
  • Nora
  • Opal
  • Patsy
  • Ruth
  • Sarah
  • Thelma
  • Vera
  • Wanda
  • Amy
  • Babs
  • Charlotte
  • Dinah
  • Emma
  • Freda
  • Gilda
  • Harriet
  • Ivy
  • Jean
  • Karen
  • Lucy
  • Mary
  • Nadine
  • Olive
  • Polly
  • Rose
  • Shirley
  • Trix
  • Virginia
  • Wendy

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Northern Hemisphere Synoptic Weather Map" (PDF). United States of America Department of Commerce. 1961. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  2. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2013). "Rita IBTrACS File". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "Northern Hemisphere Synoptic Weather Map" (PDF). United States of America Department of Commerce. 1961. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "Northern Hemisphere Synoptic Weather Map" (PDF). United States of America Department of Commerce. 1961. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  5. ↑ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (2011-06-06). "Chapter IV: Individual Typhoons of 1961" (PDF). United States Navy. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 6, 2011. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  6. ↑ Hong Kong Observatory (2013-01-10). "Casualties and Damage Caused by Tropical Cyclones in Hong Kong since 1960". The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  7. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2013). "Violet IBTrACS File". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Joint Typhoon Warning Center (1962). "Annual Typhoon Report 1961" (PDF). United States Navy. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  9. ↑ Rosendal, Hans (January 1962). "Mariners Weather Log". Six (one). United States Weather Bureau: 24.
  10. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2013). "Wilda IBTrACS File". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Rosendal, Hans (May 1962). "Mariners Weather Log". Six (three). United States Weather Bureau: 101.
  12. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2013). "Anita IBTrACS File". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  13. ↑ India Meteorological Department (1961). "India Weather Review, 1961:Annual Summary" (PDF). Government of India. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  14. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2013). "Billie IBTrACS File". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  15. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2013). "Clara IBTrACS File". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  16. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2013). "Dot IBTrACS File". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  17. 1 2 United States Weather Bureau (1962). "The Weather and Circulations of November 1961" (PDF). United States Weather Bureau. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  18. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2013). "Ellen IBTrACS File". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  19. ↑ "TYPHOON ELLEN" (PDF). loran-history.info. 1961. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  20. ↑ Republic of the Philippines Annual Report of the Weather Bureau Fiscal Year 1960-61. United States Weather Bureau. 1961. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

External links

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