- 1981 Pacific typhoon season
Infobox hurricane season
Track=1981 Pacific typhoon season summary.jpg
Basin=WPac
Year=1981
First storm formed=March 11, 1981
Last storm dissipated=December 28, 1981
Strongest storm name=Elsie
Strongest storm pressure=893
Strongest storm winds=150
Average wind speed=1
Total storms=28
Total hurricanes=16
Total intense=2
Fatalities=3457
Da
Inflated=
five seasons=1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983The 1981 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1981, but mosttropical cyclones tend to form in the northwesternPacific Ocean between May and November. [Gary Padgett. [http://www.typhoon2000.ph/garyp_mgtcs/may03sum.txt May 2003 Tropical Cyclone Summary.] Retrieved2007-01-05 .] 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; see1981 Pacific hurricane season . Tropical Storms formed in the entire west pacific basin were assigned a name by theJoint Typhoon Warning 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 thePhilippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA. This can often result in the same storm having two names.torms
29 tropical depressions formed this year in the Western Pacific, of which 28 became tropical storms. 16 storms reached typhoon intensity, of which 2 reached super typhoon strength.
Typhoon Freda
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Freda 1981 track.png
Formed=March 11
Dissipated=March 17
1-min winds=100
Pressure=940Freda was the first tropical cyclone in the western Pacific in 1981 and the fourth typhoon to occur in March since 1959. The incipient disturbance was nearly stationary near theGilbert Islands for a few days, before drifting northwest and slowly intensifying. During the morning of the March 11 it was upgraded to a tropical depression. It tracked along the periphery of thesubtropical ridge with slow development for the next few days. On March 14 intensification became more rapid and Freda became a typhoon. Passing 120 km/75 mi west ofWake Island with 100 kt/115 mph intensity, the island sustained wind gusts to typhoon force and waves to 6 meters/20 ft. As the typhoon moved more northeast, the cyclone weakened, and Freda was absorbed by March 17 into anotherextratropical cyclone . [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/01.pdf#search=%22typhoon%20freda%20march%201981%22 Typhoon Freda.] Retrieved on2006-08-26 .]Tropical Storm Gerald
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Gerald 1981 track.png
Formed=April 15
Dissipated=April 20
1-min winds=60
Pressure=982This cyclone initially formed in response to a mid to upper level cyclone southeast of Ponape on April 12. Thunderstorms developed near the upper level system, and an outflow pattern was present on satellite imagery, but a surface circulation did not materialize until April 15. The system became a tropical depression by that night. Steady intensification was seen until around midday on April 17 when a new upper level high formed to its east, inducing southernly verticalwind shear . Weakening began while the storm was located about 130 km east ofGuam late on April 18. Moderate to heavy rainfall did occur on the island, with 3-5 inches (75-125 mm) being measured. After passing Guam, the remaining thunderstorm activity sheared away, leaving a low-level swirl which moved northwest. The cyclone was absorbed by a system approaching in the main belt in the Westerlies on April 19. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/02.pdf Tropical Storm Gerald.] Retrieved on2007-01-04 .]Tropical Storm Holly
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Holly 1981 track.png
Formed=April 29
Dissipated=May 7
1-min winds=45
Pressure=997A broad area of thunderstorm straddled theequator around theInternational Date Line beginning on April 21. A tropical system in thesouthern hemisphere was interacting with a strong system in the main belt of the Westerlies. Around this time, convective increased north of the equator, with a low level circulation forming near 4N 169E late on April 25. By midday on April 29 it had become a tropical depression as it continued to move westward. Holly became a tropical storm on April 30 and almost became a typhoon late on May 1. Southwesterly verticalwind shear began to weaken the cyclone thereafter, causing Holly to dissipate over the open Pacific ocean. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/03.pdf Tropical Storm Holly.] Retrieved on2007-01-04 .]Typhoon Ike (Bining)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Ike 1981 track.png
Formed=June 8
Dissipated=June 14
1-min winds=65
Pressure=967This cyclone formed in theSouth China Sea at the end of themonsoon transition season. Around noon on June 8 a broad area of lowered pressures was seen west of thePhilippines . Moderate northeastwind shear displaced its mid-level center as far as 110 km from the surface center, which retarded development. By midday on June 9, Ike strengthened into a tropical storm. An upper trough in the main belt of the Westerlies was moving across Asia, and steering Ike to the northeast. Intensification continued as it accelerated, and Ike became a typhoon late on June 12. The cyclone reached its peak intensity as it made landfall on the island ofTaiwan . Weakening substantially over the mountainous island, Ike attempted slight tropical redevelopment before it became anextratropical cyclone late on the morning of June 14. Eight perished due to Ike, four from Taiwan and four from the Philippines. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/04.pdf Typhoon Ike.] Retrieved on2007-01-04 .]Typhoon June (Kuring)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=June 1981 track.png
Formed=June 15
Dissipated=June 22
1-min winds=75
Pressure=965A tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT) was located over thePhilippine Sea early in June. In response, a tropical disturbance formed inPalau . An upper cyclone to the disturbance's northeast led to development of the disturbance. As the TUTT cell moved to the disturbance's northwest, intensification sped up and a low level circulation center formed on June 15 about 200 miles north of Palau. By the afternoon of June 17, the cyclone had become a tropical storm. June tracked northwest towardsTaiwan , and by late on June 19, had reached its maximum intensity as a typhoon. About 75 km southeast of Taipei, June recurved to the north, and gradually weakened. While approachingJapan , the cyclone linked up with a frontal boundary and became anextratropical cyclone late on June 22. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/05.pdf Typhoon June.] Retrieved on2007-01-04 .]Typhoon Kelly (Daling)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Kelly 1981 track.png
Formed=June 29
Dissipated=July 5
1-min winds=75
Pressure=966A tropical disturbance organized into a tropical depression east of the Philippines on June 28. It tracked westward, reaching tropical storm on the 30th before hitting the central Philippines. Kelly weakened over the islands, but restrengthened in theSouth China Sea , attaining typhoon status on July 2. The typhoon hit southernHainan Island on the 3rd, crossed theGulf of Tonkin as a weakening tropical storm, and made landfall on northernVietnam on the 4th as a 40 mph tropical storm. Kelly dissipated the next day, after causing torrential flooding and mudslides, resulting in 200 casualties and leaving thousands homeless. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/06.pdf Typhoon Kelly.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Tropical Storm Lynn (Elang)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Lynn 1981 track.png
Formed=July 2
Dissipated=July 7
1-min winds=55
Pressure=983On the morning of June 27, an area of enhanced thunderstorm activity was spotted just south of Ponape along a weak portion of themonsoon trough . As Tropical Storm Kelly led to some verticalwind shear over the system, the disturbance was slow to organize. A low pressure area formed late on June 29. By late on July 2, Kelly's negative influence on the disturbance abated, allowing for further development. Early on July 3, the system developed into a tropical depression, and by afternoon Lynn was a tropical storm. Previously moving at a fast pace to the west, the cyclone slowed as it passed by the northern fringe of the Philippines. Inflow from theSouth China Sea led to convection focusing in the terrain of the Philippines, which distorted Lynn's convective pattern. It took until late on July 4 for the storm to recover from its Philippine interaction and redevelop acentral dense overcast and quicken its pace to the west across Luzon. Turning northwest across the South China Sea, light to moderate easterly wind shear prevented Lynn's development into a typhoon. The cyclone struck Chuan-Tao,China early on July 7. Lynn was the second tropical cyclone is three days to impact the Philippines. The cyclone took 30 hours to track across the northern portion of thearchipelago . Very heavy rainfall led to mudslides which took 18 lives and left tens of thousands homeless. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/07.pdf Tropical Storm Lynn.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Tropical Storm Maury (Huling)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Maury 1981 track.png
Formed=July 17
Dissipated=July 20
1-min winds=55
Pressure=985On the morning of July 14, satellite imagery revealed an area of convection about 205 km north-northwest ofYap . By late on July 16, a mid-level center has formed in association with the thunderstorm complex, which was moving northwest. Ship reports indicated the system had become a tropical storm by the morning of July 18. Southwesterly verticalwind shear was impacting Maury at this time, leading to a tilting of the cyclone with height to the northeast. By early on July 19 the wind shear lessened, and the cyclone's structure improved. While approaching China, a strong ridge to its northwest deflected the storm on a more westerly heading, sending the center towardTaiwan . This ridge also led to weak east-northeasterly vertical wind shear, which halted development. By late on July 19, the cyclone's center moved ashore northern Taiwan. Heavy rains led to significant flooding and the loss of 27 lives, with many others missing. Moving through theFormosa Strait as a weak tropical storm, Maury made a second landfall near Fu-Chou, China on the morning of July 20. Its remains were dragged southwest by an upper cyclone to its southeast back into theGulf of Tonkin . By late on July 23, the circulation center moved back to the north near Yin-Chou, China and dissipated inland late on July 24. Its former thunderstorm activity decoupled from the surface center while still offshore and moved inland near Nam Dinh,Vietnam before dissipating over Laos late on July 24. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/08.pdf Tropical Storm Maury.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Tropical Storm Nina (Ibiang)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Nina 1981 track.png
Formed=July 22
Dissipated=July 23
1-min winds=35
Pressure=995The eastern portion of the large convective mass from Maury led to Nina's formation. It was first noted late on July 20 to the east ofTaiwan . As it moved northwest around northern Taiwan late on the morning of July 22. By late afternoon a surface low formed with enough convective activity to be designated a tropical depression. Moving northwest at 12 knots, the cyclone briefly became a tropical storm before nearly land and weakening back into a tropical depression. Early on the morning of July 23, its center made landfall northwest of Hsia-p'u, China before quickly dissipating in mountainous terrain inland. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/09.pdf Tropical Storm Nina.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Typhoon Ogden
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Ogden 1981 track.png
Formed=July 27
Dissipated=August 1
1-min winds=65
Pressure=975An area of convection active for the previous 48 hours led to the formation of a low level circulation near 23N 151E early on July 27. Gradual intensification ensued, and the system developed into a tropical depression that evening, a tropical storm on July 28, and a typhoon by July 31 as it moved west-northwest. The cyclone struck southern Kyūshū, in Japan, early on July 31 which weakened the cyclone. The tropical storm then moved into theEast China Sea which continuing to spin down. Upper level wind shear took its toll, leading to its weakening into a tropical depression and its ultimate dissipation in theYellow Sea along the west coast ofKorea . [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/10.pdf Typhoon Ogden.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Tropical Depression 11W
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=11-W 1981 track.png
Formed=July 31
Dissipated=August 2
1-min winds=20
Pressure=994Both Tropical Depression 11W and Tropical Storm Phyllis were associated with the same synoptic scale feature, similar to Maury and Nina. On July 30 themonsoon trough extended from theNorthern Marianas islands southeast towardPalau . Two circulations were at opposite ends of the trough. Tropical Depression 11W formed north of Guam late on July 31. Moving northeast, the tropical depression experienced verticalwind shear as the upper anticyclone fostering development accelerated faster than the tropical depression. This led to dissipation by late morning on August 2.Tropical Storm Phyllis
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Phyllis 1981 track.png
Formed=August 3
Dissipated=August 4
1-min winds=45
Pressure=978A second circulation along the monsoon trough which spawned Tropical Depression 11 was noted north of Palau. By late on August 3 it had developed into Tropical Storm Phyllis. Tracking northward at 11 knots, the cyclone intensified slowly due to westerly vertical wind shear. Increased vertical wind shear from the southeast and coolersea surface temperature s led to the decline of Phyllis late on August 4, and it dissipated as a tropical cyclone early on August 5. Its remains tracked northeast, merging with anextratropical cyclone offshore Japan. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/12.pdf Tropical Storm Phyllis.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Tropical Storm Roy (Miling)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Roy 1981 track.png
Formed=August 3
Dissipated=August 9
1-min winds=50
Pressure=986The initial disturbance formed east ofVietnam during the first few days of August. By August 2, a low level circulation was present. Moving slowly to the north, the low pressure area developed central convection. By late on August 4, the disturbance strengthened into a tropical depression before reaching tropical storm strength on August 5. Easterly shear began soon afterwards, and Roy's circulation center became exposed well to the east of the main convection. This caused its subsequent weakening and dissipation before reaching Hai-nan. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/13.pdf Tropical Storm Roy.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Tropical Storm Susan
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Susan 1981 track.png
Formed=August 7
Dissipated=August 13
1-min winds=60
Pressure=975Themonsoon trough became well-established along the 20th parallel. To the east of Phyllis, part of the monsoon trough shifted east towardsWake Island while the western portion moved north with Phyllis. Early on August 7, a tropical disturbance was noted about 110 km north of Wake Island. During this time, Wake experienced gale-force winds and heavy rainfall. The low level center became exposed for a time, though gales continued. By late on August 8, convection at the edge of the surface low strengthened as the verticalwind shear weakened. At this point, the gale center was deemed to be a tropical cyclone, and was named Susan. The storm tracked north until reaching the 30th parallel, before turning northwest towards a weak cold front. Early on August 11, Susan entrained cooler and drier air from behind the frontal zone which led to a significant reduction in thunderstorm activity. A warm core ridge building to its northeast forced the storm on a more west-northwest course, and as a second cold front approached, Susan recurved into the boundary, becoming anextratropical cyclone during the late morning of August 13. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/14.pdf Tropical Storm Susan.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Typhoon Thad (Openg)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Thad 1981 track.png
Formed=August 15
Dissipated=August 23
1-min winds=85
Pressure=956An activemonsoon trough spawned three tropical cyclones within 48 hours beginning on August 16. Thad was the first of the trio, initially noted on August 10 near 18N 130E. On August 15, limited outflow was witnessed over its low level circulation. The system developed into a tropical depression late on August 16. Thad moved north and northeast, maturing into a typhoon by late morning on August 18. On August 22 Thad accelerated northward between a subtropical ridge to its east and a deepening shortwave to its west, striking eastern Japan with a forward motion near 45 knots. Thereafter, the cyclone rapidly transitioned into anextratropical cyclone by late on August 23. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/15.pdf Typhoon Thad.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Tropical Storm Vanessa
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Vanessa 1981 track.png
Formed=August 16
Dissipated=August 19
1-min winds=55
Pressure=983This system developed about 110 km south ofMarcus Island near the merger of themonsoon trough and a sharp surface trough brought into the region by Susan. Thunderstorm activity increased in the area on August 12, the next system up themonsoon trough from Thad. Once Vanessa freed itself from nearby troughs of low pressure, it lost one of its primary outflow channels and its northeastward movement subsequently exposed the system to the main belt of the westerlies. Within two days of formation as a tropical cyclone, Vanessa was already devoid of convection and transitioning to anextratropical cyclone on the morning of August 19. The exposed surface circulation was tracked an additional couple days, merging with a mid-latitude system near 40N 165E on the morning of August 21. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/16.pdf Tropical Storm Vanessa.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Tropical Storm Warren
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Warren 1981 track.png
Formed=August 17
Dissipated=August 20
1-min winds=45
Pressure=991The initial disturbance which led to Warren's formation formed withini themonsoon trough on August 14. Strong northeasterly wind shear halted further development for the next few days. By August 17 the verticalwind shear relaxed, and thunderstorms increased south of the center. Moving slowly westward, the system became a tropical storm on the afternoon of August 18. Warren tracked overHai-nan island, and into theGulf of Tonkin . Intensification renewed, but maximum sustained winds leveled off at 45 knots. The cyclone made its final landfall near Nam Dinh,Vietnam on August 20 and dissipated rapidly that evening. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/17.pdf Tropical Storm Warren.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Typhoon Agnes (Pining)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Agnes 1981 track.png
Formed=August 26
Dissipated=September 1
1-min winds=95
Pressure=947On August 23, a well-defined Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough moved westward from theInternational Date Line . On August 24, a surface cyclone developed in its vicinity nearWake Island . An extensive area of disorganized thunderstorm activity developed on its southwest side initially. As the convection moved westward, upper level outflow improved northeast ofGuam . A well-defined mid-level cyclone passed just north of the island on the morning of August 26. A low level center began to form as the area moved northwest of Guam. By the early morning of August 27, a tropical depression had formed about 600 km west-northwest of Guam. Development continued, and the system became a tropical storm that evening. Moving west-northwestward, Agnes became a typhoon on the morning of August 29. The following day, the intensifying typhoon passed 165 km southwest ofOkinawa . Entering a region of hostile northerly verticalwind shear , Agnes began to weaken. Its tropical characteristics (central convection) were almost completely gone by the morning of September 2. Agnes remained well south of Korea until September 3, when it unleashed a torrent of rainfall, the heaviest of the 20th century up to that time, when 28 inches (71 cm) fell upon the peninsula. Agnes' remains passed through theKorea Strait into theSea of Japan by September 4. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/18.pdf Typhoon Agnes.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Typhoon Bill
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Bill 1981 track.png
Formed=September 2
Dissipated=September 7
1-min winds=85
Pressure=959The initial disturbance formed about 550 km east-southeast ofMarcus Island on September 1. A compact system, with an area of central convection a mere 280 km wide, Bill rapidly spun up into a tropical storm on September 3, and typhoon on September 4. Its central pressure was quite high for winds that high, and the pressure gradient between the cyclone and the subtropical ridge to its northeast appeared to be the main culprit. The typhoon followed a classic parabolic track around the periphery of thesubtropical ridge east of Japan, weakening back into a tropical storm on September 7. Rapid extratropical transition occurred as Bill interacted with the main belt of the Westerlies, and by midnight, Bill became anextratropical cyclone . [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/19.pdf Typhoon Bill.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Typhoon Clara (Rubing)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Clara 1981 track.png
Formed=September 15
Dissipated=September 22
1-min winds=120
Pressure=924Themonsoon trough spawned a tropical depression on September 13 well east of the Philippines. The depression moved to the west-northwest, strengthening into a tropical storm on September 16 and a typhoon on September 18. Clara rapidly intensified to a peak of 120 knot winds on September 19 before brushing northernLuzon . Its circulation disrupted, Clara steadily weakened as it continued to the northwest, hitting southeast China on the 21st as a 70 knot typhoon. Clara caused extensive damage and loss of life, leaving thousands homeless from the heavy rains. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/20.pdf Typhoon Clara.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Typhoon Doyle
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Doyle 1981 track.png
Formed=September 19
Dissipated=September 23
1-min winds=80
Pressure=964Like Bill, Doyle was a midget typhoon that spent its life out over the openPacific ocean . Its initial disturbance was first detected near 25N 178E on September 18. The cyclone built down to the surface while moving westward, and Doyle became a tropical storm on the afternoon of September 20 and a typhoon the following day. Recurving around thesubtropical ridge , Doyle accelerated rapidly northeastward, weakening over cool waters as it was merging with a frontal zone and becoming anextratropical cyclone during the early morning of September 24 near 39N 172E. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/21.pdf Typhoon Doyle.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]uper Typhoon Elsie (Tasing)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Elsie 1981 track.png
Formed=September 24
Dissipated=October 2
1-min winds=150
Pressure=893Themonsoon trough became diffuse on September 19 and September 20 in the wake of Typhoons Clara and Doyle. A small thunderstorm area formed near 8N 150E late on the morning of September 22, which slowly developed into a tropical depression early on September 25. Development was steady into a tropical storm later that day, a typhoon on the morning of September 26, and a super typhoon during the afternoon of September 27, maintaining that intensity into September 30. Elsie moved on a parabolic curve around the subtropical ridge to its northeast and east, moving offshore Japan as a typhoon on October 1 and October 2. By October 2, interaction with the upper trough which led to its recurvature also transitioned the typhoon into anextratropical cyclone . [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/22.pdf Super Typhoon Elsie.] Retrieved on2007-01-04 .]Tropical Storm Fabian (Unsing)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Fabian 1981 track.png
Formed=October 12
Dissipated=October 14
1-min winds=45
Pressure=990An area of active yet disorganized thunderstorm activity was located northeast ofPalau on October 6. Moving westward over the next several days, there was little change in organization until is approachedSamar Island . Passing over the Philippines, it lost what convection it did have near the center, yet let to very heavy rainfall and flooding though a surface circulation was not apparent. Once the disturbance entered theSouth China Sea , it redeveloped and reached tropical depression strength on the afternoon of October 13. It crossed the sea and struck Cam Ranh Bay,Vietnam . By October 15, the cyclone had dissipated inland. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/23.pdf Tropical Storm Fabian.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Typhoon Gay (Walding)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Gay 1981 track.png
Formed=October 13
Dissipated=October 22
1-min winds=95
Pressure=947The system formed within a very large area of thunderstorm activity. The system originally had a large circulation center, which led to problems in fixing its center via satellite imagery. The development of a large eye on October 20 finally led to the tracking of a more definitive, well-defined, circulation center. The typhoon brought relief to drought conditions in Okinawa, when 5.89 inches (150 mm) of rainfall fell there are the circulation center of Gay moved by about 175 km to their southeast. As it continued moving towards Japan, the center passed only 50 km fromTokyo , bringing significant rainfall to central portions of the islandarchipelago . The typhoon ultimately merged with a second low pressure system moving eastward to the north of Japan. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/24.pdf Typhoon Gay.] Retrieved on2007-01-04 .]Typhoon Hazen (Yeyeng)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Hazen 1981 track.png
Formed=November 13
Dissipated=November 23
1-min winds=100
Pressure=956A tropical disturbance developed along a trough east ofGuam . Its circulation improved, and a low pressure center formed on November 13. It became a tropical depression by the morning of November 14, and a tropical storm that evening. Moving on a general westward track across the western Pacific, it moved over northernSaipan on the afternoon of November 15, bringing gusts approaching typhoon force. Hazen moved about 110 km north ofGuam before reaching typhoon strength on early on November 16. Its intensity fluctuated on November 17 and November 18 as Hazen interacted with a nearby frontal zone. Weakening as it neared the Philippines, Hazen moved just south ofCatanduanes Island , entering theSouth China Sea . Never recovering from the mountainous archipelago, Hazen struckVietnam about 280 km east-northeast of Hanoi, and dissipated as it entered southeast China. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/24.pdf Typhoon Hazen.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]uper Typhoon Irma (Anding)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Irma 1981 track.png
Formed=November 17
Dissipated=November 27
1-min winds=135
Pressure=902Super Typhoon Irma developed from the near-equatorial trough on November 17. As a tropical depression, it headed westward, and steadily intensified, first to a tropical storm on the 19th, later to a typhoon on the 20th. Irma quickly strengthened on the 22nd to a 155 mph super typhoon, but its outflow was disrupted by the Philippines to the southwest. Irma hit the northern Philippines on the 24th as a 95 mph typhoon, and rapidly weakened over the country. As a weakened tropical storm, Irma turned northeastward, where it was absorbed by a cold front on the 27th. A total of 409 fatalitiesDavid Michael V. Padua. [http://www.typhoon2000.ph/stats/DeadliestPhilippineTyphoons.htm DEADLIEST TYPHOONS OF THE PHILIPPINES: (1947 - 2002).] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .] and $9 million in damage (1981 USD) can be attributed to the typhoon. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/26.pdf Super Typhoon Irma.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Tropical Storm Jeff (Binang)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Jeff 1981 track.png
Formed=November 21
Dissipated=November 26
1-min winds=35
Pressure=999A distinct surface circulation formed by November 18. Jeff became a tropical storm on November 23 on the heels of Irma and approachingGuam . It navigating through a break in thesubtropical ridge and dissipated over cooler waters on November 26 due to increasing verticalwind shear well to the south of Japan. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/27.pdf Tropical Storm Jeff.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Typhoon Kit (Kadiang)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Kit 1981 track.png
Formed=December 10
Dissipated=December 21
1-min winds=115
Pressure=924A strong and long lived tropical cyclone for December, the initial low level center for the system formed southwest of Ponape on December 4. By December 7, it had moved southwest ofTruk without further development. By the morning of December 10, its structure was improving, and by the next afternoon a tropical depressions had formed. Late on December 11, it had evolved into a tropical storm. A slow moving system, Kit shifted from the northwest to a westerly heading, passing just south ofGuam without any further development. Intensification resumed on the following two days reaching its first peak in intensity on December 16. The storm moved sharply northward for a second time at a slow rate of motion before resuming its westward motion due to a northeast surge in the trade winds. Reintensification occurred as the upper trough to its north acted as an outflow channel. Kit reached its peak intensity on the evening of December 17 before increasing westerlies aloft began to weaken the cyclone. On December 20, the surface circulation began to emerge south of its central convection. Thereafter, Kit was steered the low-level flow to the south and southwest as a deck of stratocumulus. On December 21. Kit became a tropical depression once more and by afternoon no longer qualified as atropical cyclone . Late on December 22, the low level cloud swirl moved intoMindanao before dissipating. [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/28.pdf Typhoon Kit.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Typhoon Lee (Dinang)
Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=WPac
Track=Lee 1981 track.png
Formed=December 22
Dissipated=December 28
1-min winds=95
Pressure=948While Kit was dissipating in the westernPhilippine Sea on December 21, a disturbed area of weather organized west ofTruk . Strong northerlies previously diverted into Kit closed off a portion of themonsoon trough , with near gale-force winds wrapping around the convection. Development continued, and by the afternoon of December 22, the system became classified as a tropical depression. Tropical storm status was achieved that night. Moving west-northwest, Lee intensified rapidly into a typhoon on December 23 and reaching its peak intensity by December 24. Rapid weakening began as Lee crossed the Philippines, and the cyclone was once again a tropical storm by December 25. On December 28, all of the cyclone's convection was removed well east of the circulation center due to moderate to strong westerly verticalwind shear . Turning to the north, Lee dissipated as a tropical cyclone around 280 km south ofHong Kong . [Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1981atcr/pdf/wnp/29.pdf Typhoon Lee.] Retrieved on2007-01-05 .]Lee's affect on the Philippines was devastating. A total of 2,764 perished during the cyclone's passage, which is the third most deadly tropical cyclone since 1947 for the island archipelago, but later reanalysis reduced the death toll to 188.David Michael V. Padua. [http://www.typhoon2000.ph/stats/DeadliestPhilippineTyphoons.htm DEADLIEST TYPHOONS OF THE PHILIPPINES: (1947 - 2002).] Retrieved on
2007-01-05 .]Other storms
Five additional tropical depressions were not named as tropical storms by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). They were, however, designated as tropical cyclones by the Philippines (PAGASA) once they enterred the Philippine area of responsibility.
*Tropical Depression Atring (February 14-February 16)
*Tropical Depression Goring (July 7-July 9)
*Tropical Depression Luming (July 30-August 1)
*Tropical Depression Narsing (August 8-August 9)
*Tropical Depression Saling (September 24-September 26)torm names
Western North Pacific tropical cyclones were named by the
Joint Typhoon Warning Center . The first storm of 1981 was named Freda and the final one was named Lee. The name Hazen was removed from the list after this season for unknown reasons.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. This is the same list used for the 1977 season. No names from this list were retired after the 1981 season.ee also
*
List of Pacific typhoon seasons
*1981 Pacific hurricane season
*1981 Atlantic hurricane season
*1981 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
* Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons: 1980-81, 1981-82References
External links
* [http://www.typhoon2000.ph Typhoon2000 Philippine typhoon website] .
* [http://www.typhoon2000.ph/plotting/PhilippineTyphoonChart.gifPhilippine Area of Responsibility] .
* [https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc.html Joint Typhoon Warning Center] .
* [http://www.weather.gov.hk/informtc/sound/tc_pronunciatione.htm Meaning of Tokyo Typhoon Centre names] .
* [http://www.typhoon2000.ph/stormarchives/1963-1988_PTC.txt PAGASA names 1963-1988] .
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