- 1939 Pacific typhoon season
Infobox hurricane season
Basin=WPac
First storm formed=February 3, 1939
Last storm dissipated=December 26, 1939
Strongest storm name=Twenty-Six
Strongest storm pressure=952
Strongest storm winds=
Total storms=29
Total hurricanes=24
Total intense=
Fatalities=151 direct, 12 missing
five seasons=1937 1938 1939 1940 1945|The 1939 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1939, but mosttropical cyclones tend to form in the northwesternPacific Ocean between May and November. [cite web | url = http://www.typhoon2000.ph/garyp_mgtcs/may03sum.txt | title = GARY PADGETT'S MONTHLY GLOBAL TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY: May 2003 | accessdate = 2007-01-15 | last = Padgett | first = Gary | coauthors = John Wallace, Kevin Boyle, and Simon Clarke | date = 2003-08-17 | work = Typhoon2000.ph | publisher = David Michael V. Padua ] These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwesternPacific 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 1939 Pacific hurricane season. Storms in the season were tracked by the United States Weather Bureau and released in theMonthly Weather Review under the header "Typhoons and Depressions over the Far East". The Monthly Weather Review only coverstropical cyclone s west of 150° E. Due to lack of satellites and ship reports due to the Pacific Theatre ofWorld War II , it is possible other tropical cyclones existed, especially if they were short-lived or of minor intensity.torms
Depression One
A depression was first observed on February 3 while located about 250 miles (400 km) of
Yap . It tracked steadily westward until February 7 when it stalled about 200 miles (320 km) east of the Philippine island ofMindanao . The depression remained nearly stationary for two days until turning to a steady northwest motion. It approached the island ofSamar Island on February 12, where a pressure of 1006 mbar was reported, and subsequently turned to the north and later to the northeast. The depression was last observed on February 16 accelerating towards theAleutian Islands . The system produced heavy rainfall in the Philippines, with extensive flooding reported inSurigao del Norte . It is unknown if the system intensified into a tropical storm.cite web|author=Bernard F. Doucette|year=1939|title=Typhoons and depressions over the Far East: February 1939|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|accessdate=2007-01-06|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/067/mwr-067-02-0054.pdf]Typhoon Two
On April 29, an area of low pressure was located about 300 miles (480 km) south of
Yap . It moved westward, northward, and ultimately to the west-northwest before developing into a tropical depression on May 2 to the east of thePhilippines . Early on May 3, after intensifying into a tropical storm the system struck the Philippine island ofSamar Island , and the next day it hitMasbate before turning northward. After passing over northernLuzon on May 5, the storm accelerated northeastward as it moved through theLuzon Strait , and intensified into a typhoon on May 7. While the typhoon was off the southern coast ofJapan , a ship located 290 miles (465 km) south ofNagoya reported a minimum central pressure of 986 mbar (hPa). The typhoon weakened as it paralleled about 100 miles (160 km) off the coast ofJapan , and was last observed on May 9 accelerating northeastward.Cite web|author=Bernard F. Doucette|year=1939|title=Typhoons and depressions over the Far East: April 1939|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|accessdate=2007-01-06|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/067/mwr-067-05-0153.pdf]The storm produced strong winds throughout the eastern portions of the Philippine archipelago. 90 fishermen were caught in the storm, with one person drowned and eleven missing at one estimate one month after the storm passed the area. Winds reached tropical storm force in southern Japan.
Typhoon Three
A tropical depression developed on May 26 in the northern portion of the
South China Sea . After initially moving to the northwest, the depression later turned to the northeast and quickly intensified to attain typhoon status by May 28 while located to the east ofHainan Island . The typhoon stalled stalled on May 30 before turning to the west, and moved inland on southernChina on May 31. Several ships reported strong winds, rough seas, and heavy rainfall in conjunction with the storm, with one ship reporting a minimum central pressure of 994 mbar (hPa). On land, a station inHong Kong recorded a pressure of about 1000 mbar as well as minor winds. No damage was reported.cite web|author=Bernard F. Doucette|year=1939|title=Additional Report on Typhoons and Depressions over the Far East: May 1939|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|accessdate=2007-01-06|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/067/mwr-067-06-0192b.pdf]Typhoon Four
On July 7, a tropical depression was first observed while located about 400 miles (645 km) east of
Naha, Okinawa . It moved to the northwest, and the next day a station in Ōshima reported winds in excess of 65 mph (105 km/h) and a pressure of 978 mbar (hPa) when the storm was nearby. Based on the report, it is estimated it intensified into a typhoon, and after turning northeastward upon entering theYellow Sea it struckNorth Korea . The storm turned to the east, and was last observed on July 12 in the openPacific Ocean . Rainfall and flooding from the typhoon and several other storms during the month resulted in two deaths and considerable damage to private and public property in the Philippines.cite web|author=Bernard F. Doucette|year=1939|title=Additional Report on Typhoons and Depressions over the Far East: July 1939|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|accessdate=2007-01-06|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/067/mwr-067-07-0227.pdf]Typhoon Five
A tropical depression developed roughly 250 miles (400 km) of the eastern
Philippines on July 7. The depression tracked northwestward initially, and after intensifying into a typhoon its motion turned to the north-northeast, followed by a turn back to the northwest on July 10. The typhoon crossed theEast China Sea and made landfall on easternChina nearShanghai on July 12, where 80-mph (130-km/h) winds and a pressure of 992 mbar (hPa) were recorded. The storm weakened as it continued its motion while roughly paralleling the northern coastline, and dissipated on July 13. The passage of the typhoon killed at least six people in Shanghai.Typhoon Six
A typhoon quickly developed about 120 miles (195 km) west of northern
Luzon on July 10. It initially moved northwestward, then a day later turned to the northeast. After passing through theLuzon Strait , the typhoon changed its motion to the northwest, resulting in a landfall on northernTaiwan . The typhoon struck southeasternChina , and dissipated about 500 miles (800 km) inland on July 17. A ship en route toHong Kong reported a pressure of 997 mbar (hPa) and winds of over 40 mph (65 km/h). A station on western Luzon recorded minor winds and slightly below normal pressures in association with the system, though damage, if any, is unknown.Typhoon Seven
On July 15, a
low pressure area formed into a tropical depression while located about halfway between thePhilippines and theMarianas Islands . The depression steadily intensified as it tracked to the northwest, and attained typhoon status on July 18. After a brief turn to the north-northeast, the storm changed its motion to the northwest, and made landfall on southeasternTaiwan and later onChina on July 20 about 120 miles (195 km) south ofShanghai . It quickly dissipated. A station in the Ryūkyū Islands reported a pressure of 997 mbar (hPa) with light winds. Damage, if any, is unknown.Typhoon Eight
A tropical depression formed on July 20 while located between the
Philippines and theMarianas Islands . After moving steadily northwestward, the system stalled for two days, and later turned to the north-northeast. The storm intensified into a typhoon shortly before crossing the Ryūkyū Islands, after which it turned sharply westward. Unfavorable conditions encountered the storm, and it rapidly dissipated over the open waters of theEast China Sea on July 27. A station inNaha, Okinawa recorded a pressure of 999 mbar, with another station in the Ryūkyū Islands reporting winds of around 20 mph (32 km/h). There was no reported damage.Typhoon Nine
A well-developed typhoon was first observed on July 22 moving rapidly northward about 700 miles (1125 km) east of
Taiwan . The typhoon turned to the northwest, passing just south of theJapan ese island ofKyūshū . It turned to the west, crossing theYellow Sea and striking the Chinese province ofShandong before dissipating on July 25. A station in the Ryūkyū Islands recorded a pressure of 997 mbar (hPa), with a station onBorodino Island reporting winds of about 15 mph (24 km/h). Damage, if any, is unknown.Typhoon Ten
On July 22 a small typhoon developed a short distance off the coast of
Taiwan . It drifted northwestward, then turned to the northeast, and by July 24 unfavorable conditions caused it to dissipate. A ship sailing betweenHong Kong andShanghai ,China reported a pressure of 995 mbar and winds of around 35 mph (55 km/h). No reports are available from Taiwan, and damage, if any, is unknown.Typhoon Eleven
An area of low pressure organized into a tropical depression on July 25 over the open waters of the western
Pacific Ocean . The depression tracked northwestward, and gradually strengthened to attain typhoon status on July 27. After turning to the west, it gradually recurved towards the north and approached northernTaiwan . Under varying steering currents, the typhoon executed a counterclockwise loop over the country, and exited from the southern coastline after turning eastward. By the morning of August 1, it was located about 250 miles (400 km) east of Taiwan, after which the typhoon accelerated to the northeast. After reaching the Ryūkyū Islands on August 3, the storm stalled, turned to the northwest for a day, then weakened until dissipating on August 6 to the south ofJapan after turning to the east. A station in thePhilippines reported a pressure of 996 mbar (hPa) in association with the storm, with another station recording winds of 68 mph (110 km/h). Damage, if any, is unknown.Typhoon Twelve
On July 28, a low pressure area formed into a tropical depression over the
Marianas Islands . It tracked to the northwest, and quickly intensified into a typhoon a few hours after developing while located about 250 miles (400 km) south of theOgasawara Islands . After changing its motion to the west, the typhoon turned sharply northward on July 31, followed by a turn to the east-northeast. The storm passed through the Ogasawara Islands on August 2, and halted its forward motion before turning to the northwest. On August 6 the typhoon struck south-centralJapan and later the island ofHokkaidō after turning to the northeast, and it was last observed on August 8 in the open westernPacific Ocean . A ship passing through the center of the typhoon recorded a pressure of 960 mbar (hPa) and winds exceeding 55 mph (88 km/h). Damage from the typhoon, if any, is unknown.Depression Thirteen
A tropical depression formed on September 12 about 300 miles (480 km) south of
Guam . It moved northwestward without strengthening, and dissipated on September 16 about 600 miles (965 km) east of thePhilippines . The depression never affected land.cite web|author=Bernard F. Doucette|year=1939|title=Typhoons and Depressions over the Far East: September 1939|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|accessdate=2007-01-07|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/067/mwr-067-09-0358.pdf]Typhoon Fourteen
On September 17 a tropical depression developed in the
South China Sea . It tracked westward, and intensified into a typhoon. On September 19, the storm made landfall onVietnam about 150 miles (240 km) northwest ofDa Nang , and subsequently dissipated. Meteorological details for the typhoon are unavailable due to the presence of the Pacific Theatre ofWorld War II .Typhoon Fifteen
An area of disturbed weather organized into a tropical depression on September 18 about 250 miles (400 km) west of
Guam . The depression slowly intensified as it moved generally northwestward, and by September 21 it attained typhoon status while located about east of Aparri on the Philippine island ofLuzon . Shortly after strengthening into a typhoon, the storm turned to the northeast and paralleled the southern coastline ofJapan a short distance offshore. It was last observed on September 24. Effects, if any, are unknown.Typhoon Sixteen
Atmospheric pressure was relatively low over the
South China Sea during the last week of September, and subsequent to the development of a circulation in an area of disturbed weather, a tropical depression formed on September 27. It quickly strengthened to typhoon status, and made landfall on easternVietnam just south ofDa Nang on September 30. The storm quickly weakened over land, with only slight traces of the former typhoon by the following day. A station in the northernPhilippines recorded a pressure of 1000 mbar (hPa), and a recording station near the location of its final landfall reported winds of about 50 mph (80 km/h). Damage is unknown.Typhoon Seventeen
On October 3 a tropical depression developed about 500 miles (800 km) south-southeast of
Guam , likely having originated from a tropical disturbance in the easternCaroline Islands . The system gradually strengthened to typhoon status while it tracked west-northwestward. On October 7 the typhoon turned to the northwest and moved through the southernLuzon Strait , passing about 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Basco in the Filipino province ofBatanes on October 9. Under unfavorable conditions the typhoon steadily weakened over the subsequent days, and dissipated on October 12 over the southern portion of theTaiwan Strait . The minimum pressure associated with the typhoon was a value of 957 mbar (hPa) at Basco, where winds exceeding 75 mph (120 km/h) were also recorded. Reportedly damage was minor over northernLuzon , and no deaths occurred.cite web|author=Bernard F. Doucette|year=1939|title=Typhoons and Depressions over the Far East: October 1939|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|accessdate=2007-01-08|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/067/mwr-067-10-0406b.pdf]Typhoon Eighteen
A tropical depression was first observed on October 7 to the east-northeast of
Guam . Tracking to the northwest, the depression steadily intensified to attain typhoon status. Several days later, it began to weaken while gradually recurving to the northeast, and on October 13 it became extratropical. A ship on its way to thePhilippines recorded a pressure of 995 mbar (hPa) along with winds of about 50 mph (80 km/h).Typhoon Nineteen
On October 10 a tropical depression was first observed about 300 miles (480 km) south of
Guam . It initially moved west-northwestward, and strengthened into a typhoon on October 11 while briefly changing its motion to the southwest. The next day the typhoon turned to the northwest, and days later turned to the north while located about 150 miles (240 km) east ofBataan Province in thePhilippines . After passing through the Ryūkyū Islands, it weakened as it turned to the northeast and east, and on October 17 it was last observed turning to the southeast over the openPacific Ocean . A ship en route toHong Kong on October 15 recorded a pressure of 968 mbar (hPa) and winds of over 75 mph (120 km/h) while located to the east ofTaiwan . The passage of the typhoon caused 33 fatalities inJapan .Typhoon Twenty
A
low pressure area developed into a tropical depression on October 21 about 300 miles (480 km) northwest ofGuam . After initially moving northwestward, it turned to the north and intensified into a typhoon on October 22. On October 23 it passed near or over theOgasawara Islands , where a recording station reported a pressure of 996 mbar. The typhoon was last observed on October 23 accelerating northeastward.Tropical Storm Twenty-One
On November 4 a tropical disturbance organized into a tropical depression while located about 300 miles (480 km) east of
Mindanao . It moved quickly to the west-northwest, and struck the Philippine island ofSamar without strengthening further. After passing through the archipelago, the storm entered theSouth China Sea late on November 5, and gradually weakened until dissipation on November 9 near southwesternTaiwan . A station in Santa Cruz in Laguna province recorded a pressure of 997 mbar (hPa), with at least one station in the Philippines reporting tropical storm force winds. Reports from the country indicate it was potentially a typhoon, though meteorologists decided it was not due to relatively high pressures and lack of significant convection to the southwest of the center. Damage, if any, is unknown.cite web|author=Bernard F. Doucette|year=1939|title=Typhoons and Depressions over the Far East: November 1939|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|accessdate=2007-01-08|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/067/mwr-067-11-0432b.pdf]Depression Twenty-Two
A tropical depression formed on November 6 about 500 miles (800 km) east of
Mindanao . It initially moved to the west-northwest, and gradually recurved to the northeast. After accelerating east-northeastward, the depression was last observed on November 13 as a remnant low pressure area over the open westernPacific Ocean . It is unknown if it strengthened into a tropical storm.Typhoon Twenty-Three
On November 18 a tropical depression was first observed to the east of
Mindanao . The depression steadily intensified as it tracked west-northwestward, and intensified into a typhoon before strikingSamar Island andLeyte Island on November 19. It continued westward until reaching the western region of theSouth China Sea on November 22. An approaching cold front turned the typhoon to the northeast, resulting in a rare occurrence of a typhoon recurving northeastward in the western portion of the South China Sea. On November 24 the typhoon passed overMacau , and two hours later the eye crossed directly overHong Kong . The calm of the center of the eye lasted for fifteen minutes at theHong Kong Observatory , the first time on record that the calm of a typhoon was recorded there. The typhoon began to becomeextratropical after making landfall,cite web|author=G.S.P. Heywood|year=1940|title=The Typhoon of November 23, 1939|publisher=The Hong Kong Naturalist|accessdate=2007-01-09|url=http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/27/2700497.pdf] and continued northeastward through southernChina . It gradually weakened while passing through theTaiwan Strait and possibly overTaiwan before dissipating on November 26.While crossing over the
Philippines , a station inCapiz onPanay Island recorded a pressure of 981 mbar (hPa) as well as winds in excess of 55 mph (88 km/h). The passage of the typhoon sunk a motor boat onMasbate island, killing 48 of the 50 occupants aboard. One person was reported missing and presumed dead in Balangiga inEastern Samar , believed to be caused by drowning. Property damage was great in Samar, Leyte, andCapiz province s. InHong Kong , wind gusts reached 74 mph (119 km/h) during arainband ahead of the storm. Rainfall began seven hours before the arrival of the typhoon, and amounted to roughly 4.27 inches (108 mm). The heaviest rainfall occurred in rainbands ahead of the typhoon, with about 1.6 inches (40 mm) falling during a 1-hour time period. The lowest pressure recorded in Hong Kong was about 989 mbar (hPa) while the typhoon was passing through the area. Damage was minor in Hong Kong.Tropical Depression Twenty-Four
On November 22 a tropical depression formed to the east of
Mindanao , and subsequently tracked to the northwest. Days later it stalled while located about 250 miles (400 km) east ofSamar Island , and gradually weakened. Cold air intruded the circulation on November 25, and two days later it became extratropical.Typhoon Twenty-Five
A well-developed typhoon was first observed on November 29 while located about 150 miles (240 km) south of
Yap . It moved to the northwest, and struckSamar Island on December 2. The typhoon continued northwestward through the archipelago, and gradually weakened while drifting through theSouth China Sea . It turned to the northeast, and dissipated on December 5 off the coast of northernLuzon . The typhoon produced heavy rainfall and strong winds along its path through thePhilippines . Rivers throughoutMasbate island were overflown from the abundant rainfall, causing 34 fatalities on the island. A station on Samar Island recorded a barometric minimum of 975 mbar (hPa).cite web|author=Bernard F. Doucette|year=1940|title=Typhoons and Depressions over the Far East: December 1939|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|accessdate=2007-01-08|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/068/mwr-068-01-0030b.pdf]Typhoon Twenty-Six
An area of disturbed weather organized into a tropical depression on December 5 about 200 miles (320 km) southwest of
Guam . After moving west-northwestward for several days, it turned to the northeast on December 9, during which it attained typhoon status. The typhoon maintained peak winds for about two days before quickly weakening to a remnant area of low pressure on December 11. A ship in the vicinity of the cyclone reported a minimum pressure of 952 mbar.Typhoon Twenty-Seven
On December 16, a
low pressure area quickly organized into a typhoon about 350 miles (565 km) east of Surigao. It moved quickly to the northwest at speeds of about 30 mph (48 km/h), faster than all but one previously known typhoon. The storm struck southeasternLuzon and turned to the north and north-northeast. After passing nearManila it reached open waters on December 20. For the following two days, it drifted eastward, possibly executing a loop, and after accelerating to the northeast it was last observed on December 24. A station atSorsogon recorded a pressure of 998 mbar. While passing through the northernPhilippines , the typhoon produced heavy rainfall, killing 19 onMasbate and 14 in northern Luzon.Typhoon Twenty-Eight
The final typhoon of the season was first observed on December 22 about 225 miles (360 km) south of
Guam . It initially moved to the northwest, and on December 24 the typhoon turned to the east-northeast. It steadily weakened, and was last observed on December 26 accelerating out to sea. The typhoon produced heavy rainfall and winds of around 50 mph (80 km/h) on Guam. The minimum pressure associated with the typhoon was a ship report of 995 mbar (hPa).ee also
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1925-1949 Pacific hurricane seasons
*1939 Atlantic hurricane season References
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