Typhoon Son-Tinh (Ofel)
Typhoon Son-Tinh near peak intensity on October 27
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 21, 2012
DissipatedOctober 29, 2012
Very strong typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds155 km/h (100 mph)
Lowest pressure945 hPa (mbar); 27.91 inHg
Category 3-equivalent typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds195 km/h (120 mph)
Lowest pressure944 hPa (mbar); 27.88 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities42 total
Damage$776 million (2012 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines, Vietnam, China
IBTrACS
Part of the 2012 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Son-Tinh (transliterated from Vietnamese Sơn Tinh), known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Ofel, was a powerful, late-forming typhoon that devastated the Philippines with tropical storm strength, and battered Northern Vietnam with hurricane-force winds at landfall on October 28, 2012. Originating from a broad area of low pressure over Palau on October 20, the system strengthened into a tropical depression by October 21, and on October 22, it became the 23rd named storm of the season.

Twenty-seven people were killed in the Philippines due to the heavy rain from Son-Tinh. Six fishermen were reported missing, and more than 13,000 passengers were stranded at ferry terminals and ports.[1]

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

At 09:30 UTC on October 21, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began to monitor an area of convection that was located approximately 95 nautical miles (176 km) to the southeast of Palau. At the time, it had persistent deep convection over the southern side of its poorly-organized low-level circulation center, and was under a marginal environment of weak vertical wind shear and diffluent northeasterly flow.[2] Three hours later, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) designated the low as a tropical depression, before initiating advisories on the system early by the next day.[3][4] As it moved westward, it organized its broad center, with curved banding wrapping into it.[5] By 10:30 UTC on October 22, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system, as it continued to improve its structure.[6] Five hours later, the PAGASA started issuing advisories on the tropical depression, as it developed in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), assigning its local name Ofel.[7] Late on the next day, both the JMA and PAGASA reported that the tropical depression intensifed into a tropical storm, with the former naming it Son-Tinh.[8][9] At the same time, the JTWC started issuing advisories on Son-tinh as a tropical depression,[10] before subsequently upgrading it to a tropical storm by the next day, noting deep convection along the eastern half of the system's center wrapping to its western half.[11] Son-Tinh didn't intensify further,[12] as it made landfall over Leyte Province,[13] before emerging to the Visayan Sea,[14] and make landfall over three more locations: southwestern Masbate, Sibuyan Island,[15] and southern Mindoro.[16]

Son-Tinh making landfall on Leyte on October 24

Upon emerging to the West Philippine Sea on October 25, Son-Tinh struggled to intensify, with the continued effects of land interaction in the eastern quadrant.[17][18] Late on the same day, the JTWC noted that Son-Tinh had started to develop banding over its northern and southern peripheries, with deep convection wrapping to its center.[19] At 06:00 UTC the next day, the JMA upgraded Son-Tinh to a severe tropical storm, as it continued westward under the influence of the subtropical ridge to its north, leaving the PAR.[20][21][22] Twelve hours later, the JTWC upgraded Son-Tinh to a typhoon, as its structure continued to improve, with its center having tightly-curved banding.[23] The JMA would not upgrade Son-Tinh to a typhoon until 06:00 UTC on October 27, when it developed a 15-nautical-mile-wide (28 km) eye.[24][25] Son-Tinh then reached its peak intensity six hours later, as it rapidly intensified to a category 3-equivalent typhoon, while entering a hostile environment of moderate wind shear and strong westerlies to its north.[12][26] With its eye soon filled,[27] the system started weakening by the next day, as it slowed its movement, with wind shear increasing.[28] As a result, the JTWC downgraded Son-Tinh to a category 2-equivalent typhoon, as it turned to the north-northwest.[29] By 12:00 UTC that same day, the JMA downgraded the system to a severe tropical storm.[12] As it made landfall between Nam Định Province–Thái Bình Province in Vietnam,[30] the JMA downgraded Son-Tinh to a tropical storm, while the JTWC downgraded the system to a category 1-equivalent typhoon.[12][31] The JTWC downgraded Son-Tinh to a tropical storm and issued their final advisory at 00:00 UTC on October 29, as it turned northeast while weakening from land interaction.[32] Six hours later, the JMA issued their final advisory on the system, as it weakened to a tropical depression.[33] Son-Tinh then dissipated late on the same day.[34]

Preparations and impact

Philippines

The track and the Public Storm Warning Signal of Tropical Storm Ofel during it affects the Central Philippines. Area's under the orange color are signal No. 2 while the light green color are signal No. 1

Son-Tinh was forecast to hit Central Philippines. However, it impacted the entire islands with almost every provinces of the country receiving storm signals. The PAGASA issued Storm Signals as the storm approached. Storm Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Leyte provinces, Western and Eastern Samar. As the tropical depression neared the country, it intensified into a tropical storm. Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Cebu, Leyte provinces, Samar provinces and Surigao provinces.

On October 24, the storm capsized 6 boats in Tacloban City.[35] It hardly hit Cebu with rain and winds, prompting classes in Cebu City to be suspended the next day.[36] Authorities in the Philippines confirmed at least four deaths – an 8-year-old boy who drowned, two men crushed by falling trees, and an elderly man who died from hypothermia. Widespread flooding was reported as rivers burst their banks, in some instances rising as much as 12.8 meters in 24 hours. A cargo ship, called the ML Lady RP II, sank with around 1,200 sacks of copra near Zamboanga City at the height of the storm. Strong winds derailed a train in Quezon.[1]

Throughout the country, 27 people were killed by the storm and damage amounted to PHP155 million (US$3.74 million).[37]

China

The center warned ships and people in affected areas to be careful urging authorities to take full precautions. It was forecast up to 80 cm of precipitation that day along the coast of eastern and southern Hainan province and eastern coast of Leizhou peninsula.

Authorities reported that more than 82,00 people were relocated to temporary shelters as Son-Tinh moved near Hainan. It also brought heavy rainfall, with rivers in Beihai, Qinzhou and Fangchenggang rising significantly.[38] In all, 7 people lost their lives in China. Total economic losses were counted to be CN¥1.52 billion (US$243 million).[39]

Vietnam

In Vietnam, the typhoon moved along the Tonkin Gulf, ravaging the coastal provinces of Nghệ An, Thanh Hóa, Ninh Bình and Thái Bình before making landfall 20 kilometers west of Halong Bay on October 29. A 180 m (590 ft) tall mast tower in Nam Định collapsed during the storm.[40] A total of eight people were killed in the country while three others were listed as missing. Another 90 people were injured in various accidents related to the typhoon. In all, 429 homes collapsed and 55,251 were damaged while about 95,000 hectares (235,000 acres) of crops were flooded. The storm caused ₫11 trillion (US$530 million, 2012 USD) in damage.[41][42]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Tropical Storm 'Ofel' slices across Visayas; 4 dead". News Inquirer. October 21, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  2. ↑ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans, 0930Z 21 October 2012 Reissued (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 21, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  3. ↑ WWJP25 RJTD 211200 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. October 21, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  4. ↑ RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 220000 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. October 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  5. ↑ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans, 0600Z 22 October 2012 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  6. ↑ Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (Invest 92W) (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  7. ↑ Tropical Depression "OFEL" Severe Weather Bulletin Number ONE (Report). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. October 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  8. ↑ RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 231800 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  9. ↑ Tropical Storm "OFEL" (SON-TINH) Severe Weather Bulletin Number SIX (Report). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  10. ↑ Tropical Depression 24W (Twentyfour) Warning No. 1 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  11. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 2 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 24, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "2012 Typhoon SON-TINH (2012296N06135)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) Project. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  13. ↑ Tropical Storm "OFEL" (SON-TINH) Severe Weather Bulletin Number EIGHT (Report). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. October 24, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  14. ↑ Tropical Storm "OFEL" (SON-TINH) Severe Weather Bulletin Number NINE (Report). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. October 24, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  15. ↑ Tropical Storm "OFEL" (SON-TINH) Severe Weather Bulletin Number TEN (Report). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. October 24, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  16. ↑ Tropical Storm "OFEL" (SON-TINH) Severe Weather Bulletin Number ELEVEN (Report). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  17. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 7 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  18. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 8 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  19. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 9 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  20. ↑ RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 260600 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. October 26, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  21. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 11 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 26, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  22. ↑ Tropical Storm "OFEL" (SON-TINH) Severe Weather Bulletin Number SIXTEEN (FINAL) (Report). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. October 26, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  23. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 13 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 26, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  24. ↑ RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 270600 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. October 27, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  25. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 15 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 27, 2012. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  26. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 16 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 27, 2012. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  27. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 17 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 27, 2012. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  28. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 18 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 28, 2012. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  29. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 19 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 28, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  30. ↑ National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. 7th Integrated Workshop Member Report : Socialist Republic of Vietnam (PDF) (Report). ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  31. ↑ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 21 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 28, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  32. ↑ Tropical Storm 24W (Son-Tinh) Warning No. 22 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. October 29, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  33. ↑ RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 290600 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. October 29, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  34. ↑ Annual Report on the Activities of the RSMC Tokyo - Typhoon Center 2012 (PDF) (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. 2013. p. 90. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  35. ↑ "16 missing, 6 boats capsize in Tacloban". News Inquirer. October 21, 2012. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Cebu City classes suspended, Signal No. 2 for Typhoon Ofel". News Inquirer. October 21, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  37. ↑ "SitRep No. 17 re Effects of Tropical Storm "Ofel" (Son-Tinh)" (PDF). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. November 1, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 17, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  38. ↑ "Typhoon Son-Tinh brings gales, rains to Hainan". China Daily. October 28, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  39. ↑ China Meteorological Agency (November 26, 2012). Member Report: China (PDF). ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee: 7th Integrated Workshop. ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  40. ↑ "3 người chết, tháp truyền hình đổ sập vì bão Sơn Tinh" (in Vietnamese). VnExpress.net. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  41. ↑ "Recent storm causes losses over VND7,000 billion". Government of Vietnam. ReliefWeb. November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  42. ↑ http://danida.vnu.edu.vn/cpis/files/Dac_Diem_KTTV/dacdiemkttv_2012.pdf
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