1959 Pacific typhoon season
The 1959 Pacific typhoon season was regarded as one of the most devastating years for Pacific typhoons on record, with China, Japan and South Korea sustaining catastrophic losses.
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 1959 Pacific hurricane season. All typhoons were assigned a name and number. Tropical storms and tropical depressions formed in the entire west Pacific basin were assigned a name and number by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, but the latter was not added if no reconnaissance missions were assigned. Systems handled by the responsibility of the USWB and FWB featured no number.
The 1959 Pacific typhoon season featured 24 tropical cyclones, though operationally 59 total areas of investigation were classified by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center ; three systems were handled by the responsibility of FWB at Pearl Harbor and the USWB at Honolulu. Three systems were questionable due to lack of reconnaissance aircraft use. In total, the season featured 65 tropical cyclones and areas of investigation operationally, including central Pacific Hurricane Patsy, which was operationally believed to have crossed the International Date Line into the western Pacific. The first annual tropical cyclone report for the western North Pacific Ocean was issued by the agency.
Systems
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from:27/02/1959 till:01/03/1959 color:TS text:"Ruby "
from:04/03/1959 till:13/03/1959 color:TS text:"Sally "
from:14/04/1959 till:23/04/1959 color:C4 text:"Tilda "
from:28/06/1959 till:29/06/1959 color:TD text:"Violet "
from:04/07/1959 till:08/07/1959 color:TD text:"Wilda "
from:04/07/1959 till:06/07/1959 color:TD text:"Anita "
from:12/07/1959 till:18/07/1959 color:C2 text:"Billie "
from:16/07/1959 till:22/07/1959 color:TS text:"Clara "
from:02/08/1959 till:12/08/1959 color:C3 text:"Ellen "
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from:12/08/1959 till:15/08/1959 color:C3 text:"Georgia "
from:17/08/1959 till:19/08/1959 color:TD text:"Hope"
from:19/08/1959 till:23/08/1959 color:C2 text:"Iris"
from:25/08/1959 till:31/08/1959 color:C5 text:"Joan"
from:25/08/1959 till:27/08/1959 color:TS text:"Kate"
from:30/08/1959 till:07/09/1959 color:C4 text:"Louise"
from:02/09/1959 till:03/09/1959 color:TD text:"Marge"
from:05/09/1959 till:12/09/1959 color:TS text:"Nora"
from:05/09/1959 till:06/09/1959 color:TS text:"Opal"
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from:06/09/1959 till:10/09/1959 color:C4 text:"Patsy"
from:08/09/1959 till:10/09/1959 color:TD text:"Ruth"
from:11/09/1959 till:19/09/1959 color:C5 text:"Sarah "
from:18/09/1959 till:19/09/1959 color:TD text:"Thelma"
from:21/09/1959 till:28/09/1959 color:C5 text:"Vera"
from:03/10/1959 till:09/10/1959 color:C1 text:"Amy"
from:05/10/1959 till:10/10/1959 color:TS text:"Babs"
from:09/10/1959 till:19/10/1959 color:C5 text:"Charlotte"
from:14/10/1959 till:25/10/1959 color:C5 text:"Dinah"
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from:05/11/1959 till:15/11/1959 color:C3 text:"Emma"
from:13/11/1959 till:21/11/1959 color:C4 text:"Freda"
from:13/12/1959 till:22/12/1959 color:C5 text:"Gilda"
from:24/12/1959 till:02/01/1960 color:C4 text:"Harriet"
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from:01/02/1959 till:01/03/1959 text:February
from:01/03/1959 till:01/04/1959 text:March
from:01/04/1959 till:01/05/1959 text:April
from:01/05/1959 till:01/06/1959 text:May
from:01/06/1959 till:01/07/1959 text:June
from:01/07/1959 till:01/08/1959 text:July
from:01/08/1959 till:01/09/1959 text:August
from:01/09/1959 till:01/10/1959 text:September
from:01/10/1959 till:01/11/1959 text:October
from:01/11/1959 till:01/12/1959 text:November
from:01/12/1959 till:01/01/1960 text:December
from:01/01/1960 till:31/01/1960 text:January 1960
Of the 33 tropical cyclones and 65 total areas of investigation, 18 storms attained typhoon status, which was below the yearly average of 19. At least nine other tropical systems never exceeded tropical storm intensity operationally. Most of the systems were noted to have developed within the typical spawning grounds for typhoons originating from easterly waves within the Intertropical Convergence Zone; the exceptions were Ellen and Georgia which developed from cold-core troughs extending southward into the tropical latitudes. Of the 18 typhoons that formed, five were first detected within 300 miles of the island of Guam. Three of the typhoons developed at a slow rate, while three others rapidly intensified to typhoon status within hours. Only four typhoons were small in diameter, while at least three typhoons developed to large sizes and became the dominant tropical features during the season. Two of the typhoons — Joan and Vera — featured sea-level pressures below 900 millibars and were the most intense tropical cyclones during the season, each featuring winds of 190 mph or greater. Of the total number of typhoons, 215 reconnaissance missions were flown into the storms, including 3,799 observations and 391 total fixes. The average track error for each advisory for storms during the season was 63.9 miles for 12-hour forecasts and 301.6 miles for 48-hour forecasts.
Tropical Storm Ruby
The first tropical storm of the season was detected by reconnaissance aircraft on February 27 about south of Yap with winds of. Moving erratically westward, Ruby maintained intensity until it passed south of Palau on February 28, when it began to weaken and move to the west-northwest. Ruby weakened to below tropical storm intensity on March 1 and then turned to the southwest. It dissipated later on the same day east of Mindanao. Ruby did not affect any major land masses.Tropical Storm Sally
Three days after Ruby dissipated, the second tropical cyclone of the season was detected southeast of Majuro in the Marshall Islands with winds of After drifting northwest, Sally moved to the southwest on March 5 and then began to move westward, with its winds fluctuating to. Sally soon restrengthened on March 6, reaching a secondary peak of, and maintained its intensity for 18 hours as it moved steadily westward. After weakening to on March 8, Sally briefly jogged to the west-northwest on March 9, and it began to re-intensify as it turned back to the west, quickly reaching its third peak of on March 10. Sally slowly weakened as it turned to the northwest and slowed in forward speed, with its winds decreasing to on March 11. After briefly restrengthening to on March 12, Sally turned to the west and quickly weakened to a tropical depression. The depression briefly turned to the west-southwest and dissipated on March 13 east of Mindanao.Typhoon Tilda
One month after Sally dissipated, the first typhoon of the season formed from a closed cyclonic circulation south of Chuuk. The circulation drifted westward, and reports from the surface showed intensification. On April 14 a reconnaissance aircraft mission estimated winds of tropical storm force, and the third tropical storm of the season was named Tilda. Tilda slowly moved northwest on April 15 as it intensified into a typhoon. Tilda then moved generally to the northwest with minor fluctuations on April 16 and on the following day before turning northward on April 18, when it rapidly intensified. Tilda attained its peak intensity of west of Guam on April 19, and it slowly weakened as it turned north-northeast and decreased in forward speed. The typhoon became quasi-stationary for 30 hours on April 20, weakening to a minimal typhoon in the process by the next day. After drifting under weak steering currents, Tilda accelerated to the north-northeast on April 22 and weakened to a tropical storm. Tilda dissipated on April 23 as it merged with the upper-level westerlies southwest of Iwo Jima. Thirty-seven warnings for Tilda were issued by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center over the course of seven days. Tilda caused no damage or direct deaths.Tropical Depression Violet
Tropical Depression Violet existed offshore Vietnam from June 28 to June 29.Tropical Storm Wilda
After two months of inactivity, a tropical depression formed on July 4 in the South China Sea 480 miles west of Luzon. After briefly drifting northeast, the depression moved erratically northward on July 5, and it made landfall on mainland China east of Hong Kong on July 6. The depression quickly dissipated after moving inland. Operationally the system was classified as a tropical storm under the name Wilda, but post-analysis determined the tropical cyclone never attained winds of 39 mph or greater. No reconnaissance aircraft investigated the system, which was one of only three disturbances not monitored during the season.Tropical Depression Anita
Tropical Depression Anita existed in the vicinity of the Federated States of Micronesia from July 4 to July 6.Typhoon Billie
An area of disturbed weather east of the Philippines organized into a tropical depression on July 12. Moving to the northwest, it quickly strengthened, reaching tropical storm status later on July 12 and typhoon strength. After peaking at 105 mph , Billie crossed over northeastern Taiwan, quickly weakened, and made landfall on eastern China on the 15th. A trough of low pressure brought the storm northeastward, where after weakening to a tropical storm, it traversed the Yellow Sea and crossed the Korean Peninsula, losing tropical characteristics on the 18th. Typhoon Billie caused extreme flooding in northeastern Taiwan, causing $500,000 in property damage, leaving 10,000 homeless in the capital city of Taipei, and killing 1. In Japan, the outer edges of the typhoon caused torrential rains, killing 45 and destroying more than 65,000 houses.Typhoon Ellen
115 mph Typhoon Ellen, which reached its peak while south of Japan on August 4, struck the southern part of the country on the 7th. It paralleled the southern portion of the archipelago, and became extratropical on the 9th over the open western Pacific Ocean. Ellen dropped up to of rainfall on Japan, killing 11 and causing severe rice crop damage. Ellen's greatest effect, however, was on Taiwan, where torrential rains associated with the typhoon caused disastrous flooding that killed nearly 700, left tens of thousands homeless, and destroyed much of the transportation infrastructure in the central and southwestern part of the island. Some locations received almost 50 inches of rain in three days, exceeding local annual average totals. The heaviest rain event was on August 7, when as much as of rain fell in the mountains and western plains, causing rivers and streams to burst through levees and flood thousands of hectares of farmland, washing away rural villages, and causing widespread urban flooding as well in Taichung and other cities. The economic impact was particularly extensive and long-lasting due to the widespread flooding of farmland. In Taiwan the event is remembered as the "Great August 7 Flood".Tropical Depression Fran
Tropical Depression Fran existed near Guam from August 11 to August 12.Typhoon Georgia
Just 4 days after Ellen hit Japan, 105 mph Typhoon Georgia hit the southeastern portion of the country. After rapidly crossing the archipelago it dissipated in the Sea of Japan on August 15. Georgia brought more heavy rains to the country, causing 246 fatalities and leaving over 50,000 homeless. Georgia caused torrential damage to Japan's railroad network, and, combined with Typhoon Ellen, produced a damage total of $50 million.Tropical Depression Hope
Tropical Depression Hope existed in the South China Sea from August 17 to August 19.Typhoon Iris
In mid-August, a tropical disturbance developed within the Intertropical Convergence Zone over the Philippine Sea. By August 19, the Japan Meteorological Agency began monitoring this system as a tropical depression. Additionally, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center classified the system as a tropical storm. Initially, a strong ridge over Southeast Asia caused the storm to track slowly west-northwestward; however, the ridge gradually weakened over the following days. The cyclone gradually strengthened to typhoon status on August 21, by which time it had developed a 32 km wide eye. Upon becoming a typhoon, the JTWC named the system Iris. Later on August 21, Iris turned northwestward as the ridge weakened and brushed the northeastern tip of Luzon. On August 22, Iris attained its peak intensity as a Category 2 equivalent typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale with winds of 165 km/h. Later that day, United States Air Force reconnaissance plane flew into the storm and recorded a barometric pressure of 966 mbar, the lowest in relation to the storm. After passing roughly 75 km south of Taiwan, known as Formosa at the time, Iris started weakening. Late on August 22, Iris made landfall near Kao-Chi, China as a strong tropical storm. The storm then rapidly transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over China before dissipating late on August 23.On August 21, Typhoon Iris brushed the northern coast of Luzon; however, there were no known reports of casualties or damage on land. Offshore, large swells produced by the storm were blamed on at least two shipwrecks. Following the incidents, the United States Seventh Fleet were sent to search for survivors. Near Palawan Island, at least 100 people drowned after a ferry sank; only 11 passengers were rescued. Five more people went missing near Quezon Province after their motorboat capsized. Heavy rains from the typhoon spread across Taiwan on August 22, triggering significant flash flooding. Along the Haifenglun River, a railroad bridge was washed away. Across the Pescadore Islands, approximately 1,000 people were left homeless. Across Fujian Province, torrential rains from the typhoon led to catastrophic flooding that killed at least 720 people, injured 618 and left 996 others missing; however, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the death toll may be as high as 2,334.
Typhoon Joan
On August 25, Tropical Storm Joan formed in the open Western Pacific, and attained typhoon status early the next day. As Joan moved to the west-northwest, it continued to rapidly intensify, reaching Super Typhoon status on the 28th and peak winds of 195 mph on the 29th. Such winds are dubious, due to the infancy of Reconnaissance Aircraft at the time and the lack of satellite images. Nevertheless, Joan was a powerful typhoon, and struck eastern Taiwan with estimated winds of 185 mph on the 29th. It rapidly weakened while crossing the island and the Formosa Strait, and dissipated over China on the 31st.Roughly 140,000 people were evacuated to safer buildings across Taiwan. More than 33,000 people were evacuated to public buildings in Taipei, and more than 6,600 took shelter in Keelung. Joan's approach disrupted international air traffic to the island for 36 hours. According to data from the JTWC, Joan's sustained winds upon its Taiwan landfall were among the strongest in recorded history. At least 11 people were killed by Joan in Taiwan, and another 74 people were injured. The storm also destroyed 3,308 homes and caused $3 million in crop damage. The counties of Nantou and Pingtung bore the brunt of crop damage, with significant losses reported to banana, papaya, and rice. The loss of 20,000 banana trees in Nantou was valued at $555,000. About 50,000 homes were evacuated in Fuzhou. On Mainland China, there were 60 casualties, including 3 deaths. Rainfall from Joan caused several rivers on the Korean peninsula to overflow their banks, killing 17 people and injuring 21. Another 7,000 people were rendered homeless.
Tropical Storm Kate
Tropical Storm Kate existed just east of the Philippines from August 25 to August 27.Typhoon Louise
Just 5 days after Joan hit Taiwan, 135 mph Typhoon Louise hit southeastern Taiwan, and quickly weakened as it moved northward. After weakening to a tropical depression over China, it restrengthened to a tropical storm before hitting North Korea and dissipating on September 7. Louise left 6 dead and over 6000 homeless.Tropical Depression Marge
Tropical Depression Marge existed in the South China Sea from September 2 to September 3.Tropical Storm Nora
Tropical Storm Nora existed from September 5 to September 12.Tropical Depression Opal
Tropical Storm Opal existed from September 5 to September 6.Typhoon Patsy
On September 6, reports from aircraft indicated the existence of a tropical storm near the international dateline. Earlier stages were missed because of a lack of data in the isolated area. A trough moved Patsy northeast. A second trough then developed, dominated over the first, and recurved Patsy northeast. It then slowly headed northwards and gradually weakened. It dissipated on September 10. Patsy's erratic path near the dateline was unusual and no known tropical cyclone had taken such a path over the previous ten years, although that of Typhoon June 1958 was somewhat similar.The Japan Meteorological Agency's "best track" does not give windspeeds, only indicating that Patsy was a typhoon. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center's report disagrees on location but also has Patsy's maximum windspeed east of the dateline; the JMA's data does not indicate windspeeds. Patsy is an uncommon west-to-east crosser of the dateline. Including only systems recognized by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, that has only happened six times since.