From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2002 Pacific typhoon season

Season summary map
First storm formed:	January 12, 2002
Last storm dissipated:	December 11, 2002
Strongest storm:	Fengshen – 920 hPa (mbar), 185 km/h (115 mph) (10-minute sustained)
Total storms:	26 official, 2 unofficial
Typhoons:	15
Super typhoons:	8 (unofficial)
Total fatalities:	310
Total damage:	$7.4 billion (2002 USD) $9 billion (2009 USD)
Pacific typhoon seasons 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

The 2002 Pacific typhoon season had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 2002, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November.^[1] 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 2002 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.

Storms

In storm information below, wind-speed advisories differ from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (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. Most of the 31 cyclones that developed this year either remained out at sea or were weak at landfall.

Tropical Storm Tapah (Agaton)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	January 12 – January 13
Intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min), 996 hPa (mbar)

An area of convection formed Southeast of Yap on January 8 ^[2]. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center, issued an Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, on the Developing system on January 9. On January 10 it was designated Agaton by PAGASA & 01W by the JTWC with an initial Wind Speed of 30 knots (56 km/h).^[3] The Japan Meteorological Agency upgraded the System on January 12 to Tropical Storm Tapah, which was submitted by Malaysia, and refers to a fresh water Catfish.^[4]. Later that day Tapah reached its peak 1 minute wind speed of 50 knots (93 km/h) ^[5] and started to weaken as Tapah was experiencing some shear with most of the deep convection sheared to the north of the Low Level Circulation Center.^[6] It was downgraded to a Tropical Depression on January 13 ^[7] and then dissipated the next day ^[2]

Typhoon Mitag (Basyang)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	February 28 – March 8
Intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min), 930 hPa (mbar)

In Micronesia, one person was killed and caused $150 million in damages^[8]

Typhoon Hagibis

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	May 16 – May 21
Intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min), 935 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Storm Noguri (Espada)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	June 8 – June 10
Intensity	110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min), 975 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Rammasun (Florita)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	June 29 – July 6
Intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min), 945 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Chataan (Gloria)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	June 29 – July 11
Intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min), 930 hPa (mbar)

On July 2, 55 mph (89 km/h) Tropical Storm Chataan passed through Chuuk, causing numerous mudslides on the island. The storm continued to the northwest, passing close to Guam before reaching a peak of 150 mph (240 km/h) winds on the 7th. Chataan turned to the northeast, and became extratropical on the 11th. Chataan killed 55 and $59.8 million in damage between Chuuk and Guam, making it the first typhoon to hit the area since Typhoon Paka in 1997.

Typhoon Halong (Inday)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	July 7 – July 16
Intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min), 945 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Storm Nakri (Hambalos)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	July 9 – July 12
Intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 983 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Fengshen

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 5 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	July 14 – July 27
Intensity	185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min), 920 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Storm Kalmaegi

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	July 20 – July 21
Intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min), 1002 hPa (mbar)

A Tropical Cyclone formation Alert was issued on July 19 for a Tropical Disturbance that was located east of the international Date Line. The Next day the Disturbance crossed the international date line and was classified as a Tropical Depression by the JMA. The JMA then upgraded the depression to a tropical storm and named it Kalmaegi. The JTWC then issued their first advisory on Tropical Depression 15W (Kalmaegi). On July 21 Both agencies issued their final advisories on Kalmaegi as weak outflow and vertical wind sheer caused Kalmaegi to dissipate that day.

Typhoon Fung-wong (Kaka)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	July 20 – July 27
Intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min), 960 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri (Lagalag)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	August 3 – August 5
Intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min), 980 hPa (mbar)

Kammuri was a name contributed by Japan which means 'crown'. Lagalag was a Filipino name and an adjective meaning 'wandering, or 'roving'.

Tropical Depression 16W formed at 0600 UTC on the August 2 as it tracked west-northwestward. The system turned northward the next day under the influence of a low to mid-level ridge over the East China Sea. The depression turned back to the west shortly later as it became less influenced by the southwesterly monsoon flow. The system was consolidating, and six hours later, the cyclone was upgraded to Tropical Storm Kammuri. Soon afterwards, a surge in the southwest monsoon was pushing Kammuri on an east-northeast and the cyclone started to lift out of the monsoon trough. Kammuri made landfall with winds of 60 mph (50 kts) at 2200 UTC, just east of Shanwei. The storm began to accelerate ahead of an approaching mid-latitude low-pressure system and was downgraded to a tropical depression at midday as it moved farther inland. The surface cyclone dissipated over the mountainous coastline of eastern China and its remnants linked up with a cold front by August 5.

107 people died because of Kammuri and the direct economic losses are estimated at 4.219 billion yuan. The reported number of collapsed houses was 20,182.^[9]

Typhoon Phanfone

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	August 12 – August 21
Intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min), 940 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Storm Vongfong (Milenyo)

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	August 18 – August 19
Intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min), 985 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Storm Vongfong was considered by the JMA and the Thai Metrological Department (TMD) to be a redevelopment of Tropical Storm 18W (Milenyo). However when the JTWC started to issue advisories for this tropical depression they did not consider this depression to be a redevelopment of Tropical Storm 18W , instead they considered it to be a new Tropical Depression designating it Tropical Depression 20W.

Early on August 18 both the JTWC and the JMA upgraded the Tropical Depression to a Tropical Storm with the JMA designating it as Tropical Storm Vongfong. The name Vongfong was submitted by Maco China and is a wasp.

Typhoon Rusa

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	August 23 – September 1
Intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min), 950 hPa (mbar)

When 80 mph (130 km/h) Typhoon Rusa, which peaked at 135 mph (217 km/h) winds earlier in its lifetime, hit South Korea, it caused torrential flooding, causing 113 casualties (with 71 missing) and nearly $6 billion in damage (2002 USD). The name Rusa was retired after this year.

Typhoon Sinlaku

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	August 29 – September 8
Intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min), 950 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Sinlaku made landfall about 100 km South of Wenzhou.

Typhoon Ele

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	August 30 – September 9
Intensity	165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min), 940 hPa (mbar)

An eastern extension of the monsoon trough south of Hawaii organized into Tropical Depression Two-C on August 27 and strengthened into Tropical Storm Ele six hours later. Despite the nearby presence of Alika, Ele developed rapidly and strengthened into a hurricane on August 28. After contributing to the demise of Alika, Ele continued strengthening. It reached Category 2 intensity late on August 28 and became a major hurricane 6 hours later. Ele then crossed the International Date Line and became a typhoon. Typhoon Ele turned to the northwest after crossing the dateline and continued to strengthen. It reached Category 4 before turning north and weakening again. After briefly restrengthening back into a Category 4, the typhoon declined and turned to the northwest. Ele fell to a tropical storm on September 7, a depression on September 9, and dissipated shortly after that. Ele was of no threat to land.^[2]

Tropical Storm Hagupit

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	September 10 – September 12
Intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min), 990 hPa (mbar)

Hagupit developed as a Tropical Depression about 140 km southeast of DongShaDao on 10 September and moved steadily over northern part of South China Sea. It intensified into a Tropical Storm and later to a severe Tropical Storm on 11 September. On 12 September Hagupit made landfall near Yangjiang in Western Guangdong and weakened into a Tropical Storm. On 12 September night it weakened into a Tropical Depression and later weakened into a low pressure on 13 September over the coastal areas of Guangxi.

Tropical Storm Changmi

Tropical storm (JMA)
Duration	September 21 – September 22
Intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min), 985 hPa (mbar)

[3]

Tropical Storm Mekkhala

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	September 25 – September 28
Intensity	85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min), 990 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Higos

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	September 26 – October 2
Intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min), 930 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Higos, after weakening from a peak of 155 mph (249 km/h) winds, hit near Tokyo, Japan on October 1 as a 90 mph (140 km/h) typhoon, the 3rd strongest landfall here since 1945. 9 deaths and widespread flooding can be attributed to Higos.

Typhoon Bavi

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	October 9 – October 13
Intensity	120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min), 970 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Storm Maysak

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	October 27 – October 30
Intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min), 980 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Huko

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	November 3 – November 7
Intensity	140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min), 985 hPa (mbar)

See the 2002 Pacific hurricane season for information on Huko before it had crossed the International Dateline. Hurricane Huko crossed the International Dateline early on November 3 and in to the Japan Meteorological Agency's (JMA) Area of responsibility who redesignated it as a Typhoon and assigned the international designation of TY 0224. After moving in to the western pacific it reached its peak 10 minute wind speeds of 75 knots (139 km/h).^[10] Huko maintained this strength for a couple of days as it moved towards the west.^[10] Huko moved west-northwestward over the sea north of the Marshall Islands and then on November 5 it then made a slow turn towards the North-west after passing to the North of Wake Island.^[10] Later that day Huko was downgraded to a severe tropical storm as it recurved towards the northeast and then into a Tropical storm early the next day.^[10] On November 7 both the JTWC and JMA issued their final advisories on Huko as it had become Extra tropical.^[10] The remnant low of Huko moved back to in the Central Pacific later that day and continued moving westwards.^{[11] [12]}

Typhoon Haishen

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	November 20 – November 25
Intensity	165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min), 955 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Pongsona

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	December 3 – December 11
Intensity	165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min), 940 hPa (mbar)

Typhoon Pongsona was the last typhoon of the season, and was the costliest disaster in 2002 in the United States.^[13] The name "Pongsona" was contributed by North Korea and is the Korean name for the garden balsam. Pongsona developed out of an area of disturbed weather on December 2, and steadily intensified to reach typhoon status on December 5. On December 8 it passed through Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands while near its peak 10-min winds of 175 km/h (110 mph). It ultimately turned to the northeast, weakened, and became extratropical on December 11.

Considered by some to be the worst typhoon to have struck Guam, Pongsona produced strong wind gusts peaking at 278 km/h (173 mph), which left the entire island without power and destroyed about 1,300 houses. With strong building standards and experience from repeated typhoon strikes, there were no fatalities directly related to Pongsona, though there was one indirect death from flying glass. Damage on the island totaled over $700 million (2002 USD, $800 million 2007 USD), making Pongsona among the five costliest typhoons on the island. The typhoon also caused heavy damage on Rota and elsewhere in the Northern Marianas Islands, and as a result of its impact, the name was retired.

Other storms

These systems were not officially named as tropical storms by the JMA, although the JMA might have monitored them as tropical depressions. They were, however, designated as tropical cyclones by the Philippines (PAGASA), China (CMA), and/or the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Tropical Depression 03W (Caloy)

Tropical depression ( PAGASA)
Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	March 18 – March 25
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 1000 hPa (mbar)

On March 19 the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on a Tropical disturbance which was located south east of Mindanao Philippines. Later that day the JTWC upgraded the disturbance to a Tropical Depression and assigned the number 03W to it. PAGASA then issued their first advisory on Tropical depression Caloy the next day as it approached the Mindanao on the 21st, the center then turned toward the west-northwest, crossing the Philippine islands of Bohol, Cebu, Negros and Panay before moving into the South China Sea. After crossing Tropical depression Caloy, then moved northwest across the South China Sea, towards the Vietnamese coast with both the JTWC issuing their final advisory on March 25. When Tropical Depression 03W crossed the southern and central Philippines on March 21 and 22nd, it caused 35 casualties and $1.7 million in damage.

Tropical Depression 04W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	April 5 – April 6
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min), 1000 hPa (mbar)

On April 5 a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert was issued on a tropical disturbance which was located south east of Wake Island. Later that day the JTWC upgraded it to Tropical Depression 04W with peak winds of 30 kn (56 km/h). On April 7 the JTWC declared the depression Extra tropical and released their final advisory on the depression.

Tropical Depression 06W (Dagul)

Tropical depression ( PAGASA)
Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	May 27 – May 30
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 1002 hPa (mbar)

A Tropical cyclone formation alert was issued on May 27 by the JTWC on a developing system in the South China sea. Early the next day both PAGASA, and JTWC upgraded the system with the JTWC designating it as Tropical Depression 06W whilst PAGASA named the system Dagul. Dagul moved slowly north east towards Taiwan. The JTWC issued its final advisory on Tropical depression 06W the next day as it had become Extra tropical however PAGASA continued to monitor Dagul for another day until it made landfall in Taiwan on May 30.

Tropical Storm 13W (Juan)

Tropical depression ( PAGASA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	July 17 – July 23
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 997 hPa (mbar)

On July 16 the JTWC issued a TCFA on a tropical Disturbance. Two days later PAGASA issued their first warning on the Disturbance and upgraded it to a tropical depression assigning the name Juan to the Depression. The JTWC also issued its first warning at the same time as PAGASA, with the JTWC assigning the number 13W to the Depression. With the system located about 50 nmi (93 km) east of Mindanao in the Philippines. Moving west-northwestward at 6 knots (11 km/h), the depression accelerated to 12 knots (22 km/h) and turned north-northwestward towards the central Philippines. Tropical Depression Juan then crossed Samar early on the 19 July with the Maximum Sustained Winds estimated at 30 knots (56 km/h). On 20 July the JTWC Upgraded Juan to Tropical Storm Status with peak wind speeds of 35 kn (65 km/h). Within their next advisory the JTWC downgraded Juan to tropical depression status. Tropical Depression Juan then moved over Luzon Island. The system then moved into the South China Sea on the 22 July. However as the LCCC and the convection were dissipating the JTWC issued their final warning early that day. However PAGASA continued to issue advisories on Juan’s Remnants for another day before releasing their final advisory on July 23. Damage in the Philippines was estimated at $25 Million with Juan causing 18 Deaths.

Tropical Depression 17W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	August 5 – August 6
Intensity	45 km/h (30 mph) (1-min), 999 hPa (mbar)

A TCFA was released on a Tropical Disturbance, which was located south-east of Japan, on August 5, by the JTWC. The disturbance was upgraded to Tropical Depression 17W later that day with peak wind speeds of 25 knots (46 km/h). However the depression did not develop any further, and the final advisory was released later that day due to Moderate vertical shear, a weak outflow, and cool sea surface temperatures.^[14]

Tropical Storm 18W (Milenyo)

Tropical depression ( PAGASA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	August 10 – August 14
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 997 hPa (mbar)

A tropical disturbance formed in the Philippine Sea on August 8. A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert was issued on August 10, by The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), who upgraded the disturbance to Tropical Depression 18W later that day when they issued their first advisory. PAGASA then issued their first warning on the depression, designating it as Milenyo. The JTWC then upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm status on August 12, However neither PAGASA nor the JMA upgraded the system to Tropical Storm status as they both analysed the depression as having peak winds of 30 knots (56 km/h). The JTWC then downgraded the system to a tropical depression early on August 13 due to it having its Low Level Circulation Centre exposed. Later that day tropical depression 18W (Milenyo) made landfall on Luzon, Philippines; there were no casualties reported though. The JTWC issued their last advisory on August 13 after the depression made landfall.

Tropical Depression 27W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	October 16 – October 20
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min), 1000 hPa (mbar)

On October 16, a tropical disturbance formed about 700 nautical miles (1,300 km) northeast of Saipan. Later that day, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert was issued by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center {JTWC}. The next day the JTWC designated the system Tropical Depression 27W. However, it failed to develop any further and dissipated on October 19 due to a weak outflow and moderate vertical shear.

Tropical Depression 28W

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	October 17 – October 19
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min), 1000 hPa (mbar)

On October 17 a Tropical Disturbance formed just east of the International Dateline.^[15] Later that day the Joint Typhoon Warning Center Issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the developing system.^[16] It was then designated as Tropical Depression 28W the next day ^[17]. However it did not develop any further and quickly dissipated due to shear.^[15]

Storm names

Western North Pacific tropical cyclones are named by the RSMC Tokyo-Typhoon Center of the Japan Meteorological Agency. 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 2002 was named Tapah and the final one was named Pongsona.

Two central pacific storms, Hurricane Ele 02C and Hurricane Huko 03C, crossed into this basin. They became Typhoon Ele and Typhoon Huko keeping their original name and "C" suffix.

Philippines

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) uses its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones within its area of responsibility. Lists are recycled every four years.

Retirement

The names Chataan, Rusa, and Pongsona were retired after this year. They were replaced with Matmo, Nuri, and Noul.

See also

Tropical cyclones portal

• List of Pacific typhoon seasons
• 2002 Pacific hurricane season
• 2002 Atlantic hurricane season
• 2002 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2001-02, 2002-03
• Australian region cyclone seasons: 2001-02, 2002-03
• South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2001-02, 2002-03

References

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
• Digital Typhoon - Typhoon Images and Information
• Typhoon2000 Philippine typhoon website
• Trail of a Terrible Typhoon