The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that Super Typhoon Pepito (Super Typhoon Man-yi) that devastated the Philippines this month has ended, but one or two more storms are expected in December.
The northeast monsoon will determine the intensity of December's typhoons, whether they will be as fierce as Typhoon Kristine (Trami) and Super Typhoon Man-yi, noted PAGASA Director Nathaniel Servando.
“If a tropical storm hits in the first week of December, it will likely be stronger,” Servando said.
PAGASA chief pointed out that any storm that makes landfall in late December is unlikely to develop into a super typhoon. This is due to the influence of the northeast monsoon.
PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja likened the five types of tropical cyclones to vehicles, with a super typhoon being compared to a moving plane.
A tropical depression can be compared to a moving bicycle; a tropical storm to a moving motorcycle; and a severe tropical storm and typhoon can be compared to a moving train, Mr. Estareja said.
“We classify it as a super typhoon if the winds reach 221 km/h, but we downgraded it to 185 km/h because that wind speed is already very strong,” he said.
Mr. Estareja added that tropical depressions have wind speeds of 61 km/h or less; tropical storms have speeds of 62-88 km/h; severe tropical storms have speeds of 89-117 km/h; typhoons have speeds of 118-184 km/h and super typhoons have speeds of 185 km/h or more.
Hurricanes are typically most active from June to September.
“During these months, the southwest monsoon also strengthens like when super typhoon Carina hit the country. It has a big impact because of the southwest monsoon,” Mr. Estareja said, adding that typhoons rarely occur from January to May.
“Based on our experience, even if a typhoon enters the Philippine forecast area (PAR) from January to May, it eventually weakens into a depression. The typhoons will make landfall during the months of October to December,” Mr. Estareja said.
“A storm is forming in warm tropical waters, including the Philippines. Storm hazards include strong winds, heavy rains and high waves,” he said.
An average of 20 storms enter the PAR each year, nearly half of which make landfall.
PAR covers not only the Philippine mainland but also the surrounding seas, including the Pacific Ocean. To the right is the Philippine Sea; to the north is the Balintang Channel; to the west is the South China Sea, and to the south are the Sulu Sea and the Celebes Sea.
PAR also covers parts of Taiwan (China) because when there is a typhoon, Batanes province in the Philippines is the most affected.
The Philippines has suffered dozens of casualties and property damage worth billions of pesos as six typhoons hit several provinces in the past two months, with super typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) recently hitting Luzon the strongest.
Many of the storms after passing through the Philippines entered the East Sea, such as storm Enteng (storm Yagi - storm number 3), storm Kristine (storm Trami - storm number 6), super storm Pepito (super storm Man-yi - storm number 9).
