Typhoon Francisco (2013)

Typhoon Francisco (Urduja)
Typhoon (JMA scale)
Category 5 (Saffir–Simpson scale)

Francisco at peak intensity on October 19
Formed October 15, 2013
Dissipated October 26, 2013
Highest winds 10-minute sustained: 195 km/h (120 mph)
1-minute sustained: 260 km/h (160 mph)
Lowest pressure 920 hPa (mbar); 27.17 inHg
Fatalities None
Damage $150,000 (2013 USD)
Areas affected Guam, Ryukyu Islands, Japan
Part of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Francisco, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Urduja, was a powerful typhoon that strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The 25th named storm and the 10th typhoon of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season, Francisco formed on October 16 east of Guam from a pre-existing area of convection. With favorable conditions, it quickly intensified into a tropical storm before passing south of Guam. After stalling to the southwest of the island, Francisco turned to the northwest into an environment of warm waters and low wind shear, becoming a typhoon. The JTWC upgraded it to super typhoon status on October 18, while the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) estimated peak 10‑minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph). Gradual weakening ensued, and after the typhoon turned to the northeast, Francisco deteriorated into a tropical storm on October 24. Passing southeast of Okinawa and mainland Japan, the storm accelerated and became extratropical on October 26, dissipating later that day.

On Guam and in the Northern Marianas Islands, Francisco produced tropical storm force wind gusts, strong enough to knock over some trees and cause $150,000 (2013 USD) in damage. The typhoon also dropped heavy rainfall on Guam, peaking at 201 mm (7.90 in) at Inarajan. Later, Francisco brought gusty winds and some rainfall to Okinawa. In Kagoshima Prefecture, 3,800 homes lost power, while an island-wide evacuation advisory was issued for Izu Ōshima after Typhoon Wipha spawned a deadly mudslide a week prior. Rains in Japan peaked at 600 mm (24 in) in Niyodogawa, Kōchi on Shikoku.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale

Early on October 15, an area of convection persisted about 750 km (465 mi) east-northeast of Guam. Initially the system was located within an area of moderate wind shear, although conditions gradually became more favorable for tropical cyclogenesis.[1] At 12:00 UTC on October 15, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)[nb 1] estimated that a tropical depression developed about 450 km (280 mi) east of Guam.[3] A few hours later, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)[nb 2] issued a tropical cyclone formation alert before initiating advisories on Tropical Depression 26W early on October 16.[5][6] At that time, the depression was passing about 100 km (65 mi) southeast of Guam. After formation, the system moved west-southwestward under a ridge to the north. Its circulation consolidated as the thunderstorm activity organized, aided by warm sea surface temperatures and decreasing wind shear.[6] At 06:00 UTC on October 16, the JMA upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Francisco (1327).[3]

As a quickly organizing tropical cyclone, Francisco developed an eye feature late on October 16 in the center of the convection, as outflow improved and an anticyclone formed aloft.[7][8] Based on the improved structure, the JMA upgraded Francisco to a severe tropical storm at 18:00 UTC on October 16, followed by upgrading it to typhoon status at 06:00 UTC the next day.[3] Francisco slowed its forward motion as steering currents weakened,[7] with a north-northwest drift beginning on October 17 due to an extension of the subtropical ridge.[8] By later that day, the typhoon had a well-defined eye 28 km (17 mi) across and surrounded by deep convection, while passing west of Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands.[9] The track accelerated more to the northwest, steered by the strengthening ridge.[10] With the eyewall convection become more distinct, Francisco continued to intensify, and the JTWC upgraded it to a super typhoon on October 18.[11] At 18:00 UTC, the JMA estimated the typhoon attained peak 10‑minute sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph).[3] On October 19, the JTWC upgraded Francisco to peak 1‑minute winds of 260 km/h (160 mph), the equivalent of a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale; by that time, the eyewall contracted to just 19 km (12 mi) in diameter.[12]

Satellite image of Francisco approaching the Ryukyu Islands on October 23

After maintaining its peak intensity for about 36 hours, Francisco began weakening,[3] after the eye lost definition due to building wind shear.[13] By October 21, the eye became ragged and cloud-filled while the overall satellite presentation of the storm became elongated.[14] That day, the typhoon entered the area of responsibility of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which gave Francisco the local name Urduja;[15] the agency would cease issuing advisories on October 23.[16] Conditions generally remained favorable, allowing the eye to remain distinct despite a great reduction in the sustained winds.[17] Dry air began affecting the tropical cyclone late on October 22, cutting off the flow of moist air, and water temperatures cooled along the storm's track.[18] As a result, the eye dissipated and the convection weakened.[19] An approaching trough from the Korean peninsula weakened the ridge to the north, slowing the typhoon and allowing it to turn north and northeast on October 24.[20] Francisco weakened below typhoon status after passing 210 km (130 mi) southeast of Okinawa.[3][21] The storm began interacting with the approaching cold front while it passed south of Japan, moving around the subtropical ridge. With increasing wind shear, the circulation became exposed from the convection,[22] and the JTWC discontinued advisories on October 25, declaring that Francisco was becoming extratropical.[23] On the next day, Francisco completed its extratropical transition, but dissipated later on October 26, to the southeast of Japan.[3]

Preparations and impact

While Francisco was developing near Guam, the local National Weather Service office issued a tropical storm watch for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. On Guam, 1,223 people evacuated to nine schools serving as emergency shelters.[24] A cross country invitational was delayed by one day due to the storm.[25] As a developing system, Francisco passed south of Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. Gusts on Guam reached 84 km/h (52 mph) at Andersen Air Force Base, while Saipan and Rota reported winds of 63 km/h (39 mph) and 61 km/h (38 mph), respectively. Wind gusts were not as strong when the typhoon approached the islands for a second time. The typhoon also dropped heavy rainfall on Guam, peaking at 201 mm (7.90 in) at Inarajan. Damage in the region totaled $150,000 (2013 USD), and was largely limited to fallen trees.[24] There was a power outage on Guam during the storm, but the Guam Power Authority was able to quickly restore service; this was due to the first usage of newly installed meters that showed exactly where the cuts had occurred.[26]

Later, while passing near Okinawa, Francisco brought gusty winds and some rainfall. The threat of the storm prompted organizers to cancel a tennis tournament in Kantō.[27][28] The looming storm also forced the Japanese refiner company Nansei Sekiyu KK to suspend some marine operations at its facility on Okinawa.[29] After the storm, about 100 United States military on the island helped clear debris and sand from the road.[30] Unsettled weather from the typhoon caused an Oita Heat Devils basketball game to be canceled.[31] Francisco's gusty winds left about 3,800 homes without power in Kagoshima Prefecture.[32] Heavy rainfall occurred across Shikoku, including a 48‑hour total of about 600 mm (24 in) at Niyodogawa, Kōchi.[33] On Izu Ōshima, officials advised all 8,365 residents to evacuate, the first such advisory in 27 years. About 1,300 people were under mandatory evacuation orders. This was after Typhoon Wipha spawned a deadly mudslide a week prior.[34] Rainfall at Izu Ōshima totaled around 150 mm (6 in).[35] Evacuees were allowed to return after the storm exited the area.[36]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The Japan Meteorological Agency is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the western Pacific Ocean.[2]
  2. ↑ The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the western Pacific Ocean and other regions.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Significant Tropical Weather Outlook". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-15. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013.
  2. ↑ Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo: Typhoon Center 2003 (PDF) (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. 8. Retrieved 2014-01-20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RSMC Tokyo — Typhoon Center (2013-11-20). Typhoon Francisco (RSMC Tropical Cyclone Best Track). Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  4. ↑ "Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2011. Archived from the original on July 26, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-15. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  6. 1 2 "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 26W (Twentysix) Warning NR 01". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-16. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  7. 1 2 "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 04". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-16. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  8. 1 2 "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 06". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-16. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  9. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 08". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-17. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  10. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 09". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-18. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  11. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 12". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-18. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  12. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 14". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-19. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  13. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 19". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-20. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  14. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 21". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-21. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  15. ↑ "Typhoon Urduja Weather Bulletin Warning Number One". Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. 2013-10-21. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  16. ↑ "Typhoon Urduja Weather Bulletin Warning Number Six". Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. 2013-10-23. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  17. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 26". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-22. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  18. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 28". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-22. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  19. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 29". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-23. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  20. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 33". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-24. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  21. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 34". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-24. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  22. ↑ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 38". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-25. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  23. ↑ "Tropical Storm 26W (Francisco) Warning NR 40". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 2013-10-25. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  24. 1 2 "Event Report for Guam". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 2014-07-01.
  25. ↑ Dave Ornauer (2013-10-21). "Asia-Pacific Invitational XC meet in review". Stars and Stripes.
  26. ↑ "Hawaii: Guam Residents Can Track Power Usage Online". US Official News. 2013-12-06. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
  27. ↑ Dave Ornauer (2013-10-23). "Kadena runners capture Okinawa titles". Stars and Stripes.
  28. ↑ Dave Ornauer (2013-10-27). "Things learned, observed in Pacific high school football Week 10.0". Stars and Stripes.
  29. ↑ Osamu Tsukimori (2013-10-22). "Japan refiner Nansei halts marine ops due to typhoon". Reuters. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  30. ↑ Katherine Belcher (2013-11-03). "Washington: Army personnel on Okinawa are making a difference with community service projects". Army.mil. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  31. ↑ "Akita hammers Shinshu, raises record to 7-0". The Japan Times. 2013-10-27.
  32. ↑ "Typhoon Francisco brings rain to southern Japan". Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 2013-10-25. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
  33. ↑ "International News". Japan Economic Newswire. 2013-10-25. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
  34. ↑ "Japan issues evacuation order as typhoon approaches - Kyodo". BBC Worldwide Monitoring. 2013-10-26. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
  35. ↑ "International News". Japan Economic Newswire. 2013-10-26. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
  36. ↑ "Evacuees to return home on typhoon-hit Izu Oshima Island". Japan Economic Newswire. 2013-10-28. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
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