1962 Pacific typhoon season

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1962 Pacific typhoon season
Season summary map
Season summary map
First storm formed: February 2, 1962
Last storm dissipated: December 10, 1962
Strongest storm: Super Typhoon Karen - 897 hPa (mbar),
Total storms: 30
Typhoons: 26
Super typhoons: 2
Total fatalities: 1683
Total damage: Unknown
Pacific typhoon seasons
1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964

The 1962 Pacific typhoon season had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1962, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December. 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 with two exceptions this season as Tropical Depressions 50 and 63 formed in the Central Pacific. Storms that form east of the date line and north of the equator are called hurricanes; see 1962 Pacific hurricane season. All tropical depressions were assigned a number. Most systems reaching tropical storm strength were assigned a name; all typhoons were named.

Contents

Season activity

Typhoon Tracks of the 1962 season
Ruth, Sarah, Thelma and Vera on August 23

Ninety tropical waves formed in the 1962 season. Only 78 of these became major easterly waves. 42 of these waves became tropical depressions, 30 became storms and 24 become typhoons. This record of 24 typhoons beat 1952 record which had 21. This record was beaten in the 1964 season with 26 typhoons. Six super typhoons formed in 1962 which were Georgia, Emma, Ruth, Opal, Amy and Karen. Even with the high activity, only about half the cyclones in 1962 made landfall. There were also seventeen suspect cyclones discovered by the JTWC in post-season reports. Three were reported to reach typhoon intensity, three at tropical storm status and two needed tropical depression warnings. [1]

Tropical Storm and Tropical Depression Tracks of the 1962

Two depressions, 50 and 63, formed in the Central Pacific under the Joint Hurricane Warning Center's (now The Central Pacific Hurricane Center) jurisdiction and were included in the JTWC archives. Both depressions stayed out to sea and had no effects on land. The Central Pacific also got Nora, Opal, Ruth, Gilda, Emma and Thelma, the remnants of Nadine and the ending of Karen near the end of the season.[1] [2][3] Strangely, six typhoons entered the Bering Sea, which were Nora, Opal, Ruth, Thelma, Amy and Emma. Four of the six were super typhoons. Three typhoons also missed entering the Bering Sea, which were Typhoons Hope, Sarah and Gilda. Also, Typhoons Georgia, Hope, Joan, Nora, Opal, Ruth, Thelma, Wanda, Amy, Emma, Gilda, Jean and Karen all lasted for at least one week with Opal lasting for eighteen straight days from a wave to the day the JMA ceased advisories. [4]

Storms

Tropical Storm Fran

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration February 1—February 6
Intensity 90 km/h (55 mph) (1-min)

Tropical Depression 2W formed on the morning of February 2 off the coast of the Philippines. The system strengthened quickly from a 30 mph (50 km/h) depression into a 40 mph (60 km/h) tropical storm in six hours. Fran curved to the north and strengthened into a 55 mph (95 km/h) storm on the evening of February 3.[5] This proved to be its peak intensity, as it began to weaken on February 5. On the morning of February 6, Fran weakened into a tropical depression and the final advisory was released six hours after.

Super Typhoon Georgia

Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration April 16—April 26
Intensity 240 km/h (150 mph) (1-min)

A large surge from the Southern Hemisphere from the outdraft entered into the easterlies. The surged formed on April 13 near Woleai Atol at 5°N in latitude and made landfall in Ulithi before strengthening into Tropical Depression 13W on April 16. 13W made a cyclonic loop to the north and soon became a storm, given the name Georgia on the same day. Georgia reached typhoon status by the next day and reached Category 4 super typhoon status by April 20, peaking at a 150 mph (240 km/h) super typhoon and having a minimum pressure of 936 millibars. Weakening was slow as Georgia was able to stay a typhoon until on April 23. Georgia encountered cool air and was declared extratropical on the evening of April 24 as a 60 mph (97 km/h) tropical storm.

The Japan Meteorological Agency continued to track Georgia while an extratropical storm for five more days. Georgia reached a peak extratropical intensity of 978 mbar on April 26. Soon afterwards, Georgia continued to weaken and the JMA stopped issuing advisories on April 29 at extremely high latitudes.[4]

Georgia left 9.85 inches (0.250 m) in rainfall over Yap Island, where no damage was recorded.[6] Damage caused by Georgia was limited to $28,000 (1962 USD) which was to a ship and its cargo ($187,000 in 2006 USD). In total, Georgia moved up 45° in north latitude, the longest of any cyclone in 1962.[7][4]

Typhoon Hope

Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration May 16—May 22
Intensity 155 km/h (95 mph) (1-min), 978 hPa (mbar)

A fracture after superposition of polar trough and an easterly wave with a slight surge from the easterlies occurred on May 11 while over Koror. Strengthening was slow as the wave became Tropical Storm Hope on May 16 near the Philippines. The storm quickly made landfall in the Philippines the next day as a 60 mph (97 km/h) tropical storm. Hope weakened into a depression while over land, regaining storm strength east of Manila and weakening again to a depression. When Hope entered open waters, strengthening occurred, becoming the second typhoon of the season on May 19 and peaking at 95 mph (153 km/h) winds on the night of the 20th. Hope weakened, losing much convection and became extratropical due to cool air on the 22nd of August near Chichi Jima as a tropical depression. [8]

The Japan Meteorological Agency continued to track the extratropical remnants of Hope for six more days. The remnants passed by Japan on May 24, reaching an extratropical peak of 996 mbar. Hope moved to the northeast and passed by the Kurin Islands of Russia on May 26. The Japan Meteorological Agency discontinued all advisories near the Aleutian Islands as a 1018 mbar extratropical depression. [4]

Damage and fatalities in the Philippines are unavailable. [8]

Tropical Storm Iris

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration May 26—May 29
Intensity 110 km/h (70 mph) (1-min), 991 hPa (mbar)

A easterly wave and polar trough which was fractured by superpostion formed on May 26 northeast of Koror and strengthened into Tropical Depression 22W several hours later near the Philippines. 22W strengthened into a tropical storm several hours after forming, being given the name Iris. Iris moved north, peaking at 75 mph (121 km/h) which is a minimal typhoon. Weakening occurred rapidly as most of Iris' life was as a tropical depression. Iris dissipated on May 30 due to lack of upper-level divergence and was irrecognizeable.[9]Iris never making landfall. The JMA continued tracking the leftovers of Iris until the next day. [4]

Iris killed five people but no estimate of damage was reported to crops. [9]

Typhoon Joan

Typhoon Joan (6205) 1
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Duration July 6 – July 11, 1962
Intensity 90 mph (145 km/h), 985 mbar

A easterly wave and polar trough which was fractured by superpostion formed on July 6 northeast of the Philippines and strengthened into Tropical Depression 37W on July 7 near the Philippines. Rapid strengthening occurred and 37W reached typhoon status by the next day with the name Joan.[10]Joan weakened moderately after peaking at 90 mph (140 km/h) winds on the 9th as an unorganized storm. Joan made landfall in South Korea on the 10th as a 50 mph (80 km/h) tropical storm. Joan was declared extratropical by the JTWC on July 11.

The Japan Meteorological Agency continued tracking the extratropical remnants of Joan. The now-extratropical Joan moved north off of the Koreas and peaked as a 996 mbar extratropical storm on July 12. Joan continued to weaken and made landfall in Russia on July 14. Joan's remnants dissipated over Siberia the next day. [4]

Damage from Joan was $500,000 (1962 USD), especially from crops and communications. ($3,349,000 in 2006 USD). Nora was the only system in 1962 to make landfall in mainland Russia, except for Super Typhoon Amy which made landfall on the Kamchatka Peninsula and Opal which made landfall in the Kuril Islands.[10]

Typhoon Kate

Typhoon Kate (6206) 2
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Duration July 18 – July 24, 1962
Intensity 95 mph (155 km/h), 964 mbar

The forty-fourth tropical wave of the season formed on July 18 a short distance of northern Luzon. The wave quickly strengthened into Tropical Depression 44W on the same day. Twelve hours later, T.D. 44W strengthened into a tropical storm, being given the name Kate. Kate gained strength at a rate of 6:5 from 40-55 mph winds in 24 hours. Kate made a cyclonic loop to the northeast and achieved typhoon strength during the loop.

Kate strengthened into a 95 mph (153 km/h) Category 2 typhoon with a pressure of 964 mbar on September 22. Kate soon made landfall in Taiwan on the 22nd as a 85 mph (137 km/h) typhoon. Kate moved north and made a second landfall in eastern China on the 24th, dissipating over land.

Kate was responsible for $163 million in damage (2006 USD) and 110 deaths. [11]Kate was one of very few typhoons to ever to have cases of discontinuous tracks. Others were Typhoon Iris in 1955 and Typhoon B108 in 1925. [12]

Typhoon Louise

Typhoon Louise (6207) 1
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Duration July 19 – July 25
Intensity 90 mph (145 km/h), 958 mbar

A tropical wave formed on July 19 southeast of Wake Island and moved to the north. The wave quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Louise on July 20. Rapid strengthening occurred, as Louise was able to reach typhoon status on July 21 at the third advisory. Louise made a curve to west and strengthened into a maximum Category 1 typhoon on July 24. Louise passed by the island of Iwo Jima and moved to the northeast, whacking Japan as a maximum tropical storm.

Louise moved over land and quickly weakened into a depression, where the JTWC declared that Louise had dissipated, however the JMA continued to release advisories on Louise. Louise moved to the northeast and advisories were discontinued near Japan's northernmost islands on July 29. Louise killed fifteen people and doing $7.5 million (1962 USD- $47 million in 2006 USD) in damage to crops, homes and bridges in Japan. [13]

Typhoon Nora

Typhoon Nora (6209) 1
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Duration July 26 – August 4, 1962
Intensity 85 mph (135 km/h), 968 mbar

Tropical Depression 46W formed on July 26 west of Guam from an easterly tropical wave and a surge from the westerlies at the 200 mbar level. Strengthening occurred slowly as 46W was not given the name Nora until July 29. Nora moved northward, the storm reached typhoon status and soon peaked at 85 mph (137 km/h) winds with a minimum pressure of 965 mbar on August 1. Nora made landfall in Hong Kong on August 2 as a moderate tropical storm, then moved west, making landfall in northern Japan on the 4th and being declared extratropical soon after.

On August 5, the extratropical remnants of Nora entered the Bering Sea, in the Eastern Hemisphere, where Nora got farther north than any other cyclone of the season, reaching about 62°N latitude and 182.5°W longitude near the Bering Strait, when advisories by the JMA were discontinued as Nora became an extratropical system. [4]

Damage totaled out to a million dollars with four people killed in Hong Kong. (1962 USD ($6.6 million in 2006 USD)). Hong Kong would be devastated a month later by the stronger Typhoon Wanda. [14]

Tropical Storm Marge

Tropical Storm Marge (6208) TS
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Duration July 28 – July 29, 1962
Intensity 45 mph (70 km/h) [15], 1002 mbar (hPa)[16]

A tropical wave formed in the open Pacific Ocean waters on July 25 and strengthened into Tropical Depression 47W on July 28 in an area of ocean north of Truk. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm and was given the name Marge. Marge peaked at a 45 mph (72 km/h), 1002 mbar weak tropical storm on July 28. Marge dissipated on the morning of July 29 near Guam and Saipan.

No damage or fatalities were reported, as Marge never made landfall. [3]

Super Typhoon Opal

Super Typhoon Opal (6210) 5
Typhoon Opal TIROS V 24 aug 1962 0810Z.jpg
Duration July 30 – August 8, 1962
Intensity 165 mph (270 km/h), 910 mbar (hPa)

An easterly wave formed on July 28 near Ponape and on July 30, a tropical depression developed over the open Western Pacific waters, likely from the monsoon trough. After tracking westward without strengthening, it turned to the northwest, where it quickly intensified into a tropical storm on August 1 and into a typhoon on the 2nd. On the 5th, Opal peaked at 165 mph (266 km/h), and hit northeastern Taiwan at that intensity on the night of the 5th. It weakened over the island, and hit eastern China the following morning. Opal turned and accelerated to the north, and was declared extratropical over northeastern China on the 7th.

The remnants of Opal continued to move to the northeast and made landfall in North Korea as a 982 mbar extratropical storm. Opal continued moving and made another landfall in northern Japan the next day, without much change in strength. Opal made its fifth landfall in Russia's Kuril Islands on the 11th of August and crossed the Aleutians into the Bering Sea, where the JMA ceased advisories on Opal on the 14th in the Central Pacific basin. [4]

The storm caused 87 deaths, with 20 missing and 1400 injuries.[17] Damage totaled out to $25 million (1962 USD-$166 million (2006 USD)) in crop, transportation, and structural damage. [18]

Typhoon Patsy

Typhoon Patsy (6211) 1
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Duration August 6 – August 11, 1962
Intensity 75 mph (120 km/h), 980 mbar

A surge from the westerlies entered the easterlies on August 5 near Yap, making landfall there before becoming the 51st tropical system of the season the next day. 51W strengthened into Tropical Storm Patsy, crossed the central Philippines on August 7 and 8, and strengthened into a typhoon in the South China Sea. After weakening to a tropical storm while moving northwestward, Patsy hit Hainan Island, turned to the west, crossed the Gulf of Tonkin, and dissipated over Vietnam on the 11th due to cold air.

Patsy's heavy rain and flooding caused 29 casualties with more than 200 missing.[19][17] Damage totaled out to $2.5 million (1962 USD ($13.36 million in 2006 USD). Damage included ripping off the University of Santo Thomas & shutting down the Manila airport. The backlash from Patsy destroyed over 6,400 acres (26 km2) of rice and damaged roads through Thailand.[20] Patsy made landfall four times, three as a tropical system.[21]

Typhoon Sarah

Typhoon Sarah (6213) 1
Typhoon Sarah TIROS V 19 aug 1962 0458Z.jpg Track- Sarah - 1962 (Pt.1).PNG
Duration August 15 – August 25, 1962
Intensity 80 mph (130 km/h), 978 mbar

A tropical wave formed near Iwo Jima on August 8 and moved gradually to south. The wave made a turn to the east and soon the northeast, lasting for six straight days. The first advisory released jumped the wave into a 70 mph (110 km/h) tropical storm with the name Sarah. Sarah quickly made a cyclonic loop on the 15th which took until the 18th to complete. During this loop, Sarah reached its peak intensity of 85 mph (137 km/h), a Category 1 typhoon on the 16th. Sarah weakened quickly, making landfall in southern Japan as a 40 mph (64 km/h) minimal tropical storm. Sarah weakened into a tropical depression, and encountered cool air, being declared a weak extratropical depression on the 22nd. No damage in Japan is available.

Sarah's remnants continued to the northeast where the storm missed entering the Bering Sea of Alaska and Russia, where the JMA ceased advisories as Sarah was a 984 mbar extratropical low on August 25.[4]

Sarah spent six days as a tropical wave (August 8 - August 14), seven days as a tropical cyclone (August 15- August 22), and three days as an extratropical cyclone (August 23, 24 & 25), lasting for a total of sixteen days. Sarah was also one of three active systems on August 21 at the same time with Typhoon Thelma and Super Typhoon Ruth. [22] [23]

Super Typhoon Ruth

Super Typhoon Ruth (6212) 5
Typhoon Ruth TIROS V 18 aug 1962.jpg
Duration August 13 – August 23, 1962
Intensity 185 mph (295 km/h), 916 mbar

A surge from the westerlies and a cut-off caused an MPT formed on August 11 just north of Truk. The wave moved to the northeast, strengthening into Tropical Storm Ruth on August 13 near Guam, without starting as a depression. Ruth's movement was slow, but the storm's strength was fast as Ruth became a typhoon on August 14 while grazing the island of Saipan with winds of 75 mph (121 km/h).

Ruth moved north and rapidly strengthened, which included a jump from a Category 1 typhoon to a Category 3 tyhpoon on the 15th and soon to a Category 4 typhoon. Ruth became a Category 5 super typhoon on the same day, peaking at a 185 mph (298 km/h) super typhoon late on August 16 while passing by Iwo Jima with a pressure of 916 mbar. Ruth kept that intensity until the next day when the storm weakened to 160 mph (260 km/h) near Chichi Jima. Ruth continued to weaken, passing by Tokyo and weakening to a tropical storm on August 22 while losing tropical characteristics. Ruth was declared a moderate extratropical storm on the 46th advisory on August 23. Damage in Saipan from Ruth is unavailable.

Ruth's remnants continued to the northeast where the extratropical storm made landfall on the 24th on the Aleutian Island of Semisopochnoi, passing 180° and thus entering the Western Hemisphere. [4] Ruth entered the Bering Sea of Alaska and Russia, where the JMA ceased advisories as a 986 mbar extratropical low on August 25. [4] However, while an extratropical storm, Ruth underwent drastic changes in wind strength from the 23rd to its death on the 25th, Ruth went from a 45 mph (72 km/h) storm straight back to a 60 mph (97 km/h) storm, then to a minimal storm and back to a 55 mph (89 km/h) storm when Ruth died out. [24]

Ruth was one of three active systems on August 21 at the same time with Typhoon Thelma and Typhoon Sarah. [25]

Typhoon Thelma

Typhoon Thelma (6214) 4
Typhoon Thelma TIROS V 24 aug 1962 0207Z.jpg
Duration August 21 – August 26, 1962
Intensity 140 mph (230 km/h), 946 mbar

A 10-knot (19 km/h) easterly tropical wave on August 21 after inconclusive data on a surge from the westerlies caused the wave near the coast of Saipan. [26] Rapid strengthening occurred as 58W was given the name Thelma. Thelma reached 70 mph (110 km/h) winds but fell to 55 mph (89 km/h) in cool air. Thelma gained strength again, reaching typhoon status by the 22nd. Thelma continued to intensify reaching 140 mph (230 km/h) winds as a peak with a pressure of 946 mbar on the 25th near Japan. Thelma made landfall in Japan the next day as a 100 mph (160 km/h) typhoon and turned to the east, making a second landfall in Japan as a minimal tropical storm, dissipating soon after.

The remnants of Thelma moved to the east and soon to the northeast, reaching a pressure of 988 mbar as an extratropical cyclone. Thelma made landfall on Little Sitkin Island in the Aleutian Islands.[4]The extratropical cyclone entered the Bering Sea, becoming the fourth typhoon this season to do such, where the JMA ceased advisories on the 1st of September in the Central Pacific.[4]

No damage or fatality reports are unavailable. Thelma was one of three active systems on August 21 at the same time with Super Typhoon Ruth and Typhoon Sarah. [26] [23]

Typhoon Wanda

Typhoon Wanda (6216) 2
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Duration August 27 – September 1, 1962
Intensity 110 mph (175 km/h), 949 mbar

The precursor to Wanda formed on August 23 southwest of Ponape from a tropical wave from the Southern Hemisphere outdrafts. [27] On the 24th, the first advisory was released near Truk. The wave finally strengthened into Tropical Depression 59W on the afternoon of August 27, and in the evening, 59W became Tropical Storm Wanda. Strengthening was slow as Wanda didn't reach typhoon status until early August 29 northeast of Luzon Island in the Philippines.

Typhoon Wanda reached a Category 2 strength as it moved through the Luzon strait on August 30. It continued its westward motion, peaking at 110 mph (180 km/h) before cold air was entrained in the circulation. Wanda hit near Hong Kong on September 1 as a well-developed typhoon and dissipated later that day. The Japan Meteoroloical Agency continued tracking Wanda over China, and soon re-entered water on the 3rd, quickly making landfall again on Hainan Island where the JMA ceased advisories. [4]

Wanda was responsible for 434 fatalities and 515 injuries,[17] with millions of damage occurring. Storm surge was significant in Hong Kong and the water level was 17'9" above chart datum in some places. Maximum hourly mean wind and instantaneous minimum pressure at the Royal Observatory were 68 knots (133 km/h) and 953 mbar. Neither record has been surpassed since then.

Wanda is considered the second worst typhoon in the recorded history of Hong Kong (second only to the catastrophic typhoon of September 2, 1937. Wanda also created the record of being the last of three typhoons to have caused sustained hurricane winds in Hong Kong in three consecutive years (after Typhoon Mary of 1960 and Typhoon Alice of 1961). This record has never been equalled ever since. [27]

Typhoon Vera

Typhoon Vera (6215) 1
Typhoon Vera (1962).JPG
Duration August 25 – August 28, 1962
Intensity 85 mph (135 km/h), 983 mbar

As Typhoons Ruth and Sarah were weakening, a new tropical system formed on August 23 far to the southeast of Okinawa, Japan near the active Typhoon Thelma. The system quickly moved to the northeast, strengthening into Tropical Storm Vera on the morning of August 25. Rapid strengthening occurred as Vera went from a 55 mph (89 km/h) tropical storm to a 75 mph (121 km/h) typhoon within 24 hours. Vera peaked the next morning as a 85 mph (137 km/h), 983 mbar typhoon, west of Iwo Jima. Weakening occurred slowly as Vera stayed a maximum tropical storm until the storm started affecting Japan. Vera quickly weakened into a tropical depression over southern Japan where it dissipated on the morning of August 28.

No damage or fatalities were reported in association with Typhoon Vera.[28]

Super Typhoon Amy

Super Typhoon Amy (6217) 5
Typhoon Amy TIROS V 31 aug 1962 2322Z.jpg
Duration August 29 – September 8, 1962
Intensity 160 mph (260 km/h), 939 mbar

The precursor to Super Typhoon Amy formed on August 27 far northeast of Truk as a surge from the westerlies moved into the easterlies . The wave moved west and became Tropical Depression 62W west of Saipan two days later. The depression quickly strengthened, becoming a tropical storm and being given the name Amy. Amy strengthened rapidly, becoming a typhoon on the 30th northeast of Saipan. Amy's movement was erratic, and reached super typhoon status on September 1 while making a curve to the northeast.

Amy strengthened into a weak Category 5 super typhoon northeast of the Philippines, peaking at 160 mph (260 km/h) with a pressure of 939 mbar around midnight on September 1. Weakening was slow, and Amy made landfall in Taiwan as a Category 4 super typhoon on September 4. Amy weakened quickly, making landfall in western China as a 85 mph (137 km/h) typhoon. Amy moved out into the South China Sea, sped up and made landfall in South Korea as a 45 mph (72 km/h) tropical storm on September 7. Amy was declared extratropical as a depression on September 8. [4]

The Japan Meteorolgical Agency continued tracking Amy for two more days. During that time, Amy made landfall in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on the 9th, and entered the Bering Sea, the sixth typhoon this season to do so. The JMA ceased advisories on September 10 in the sea.

Amy's flooding killed 24 people, with millions of dollars in damage (1962 USD) to crops, power, communication lines and buildings. [29]

Typhoon Carla

Typhoon Carla (6220) 1
{{{image}}}
Duration September 19 – September 23, 1962
Intensity 85 mph (135 km/h), 983 mbar

A surge from the westerlies and a cut-off caused an MPT, while Carla formed downstream. From the surge, a tropical wave on September 14 south of Yap. The wave was unable to gain strength, making landfall in Luzon while it was a tropical wave. The wave finally strengthened into Tropical Depression 65W on September 19 off the Luzon coast. Tropical Depression 65W strengthened into a tropical storm on September 20, quickly gaining strength. Carla made landfall on Hainan Island on the 21st as a 85 mph (137 km/h) typhoon, its peak winds. Carla continued moving west and made landfall in northern Vietnam on September 22 as a 65 mph (105 km/h) tropical storm. Carla dissipated over land on September 23 from lack of moisture.

No damage reports are available in association with Carla, however at least 13 people were killed. [30] [31]

Tropical Storm Babe

Tropical Storm Babe (6218) TS
{{{image}}}
Duration September 13 – September 17, 1962
Intensity 65 mph (100 km/h) [15], 994 mbar (hPa)

The sixty-seventh tropical wave formed on September 13 in the open South China Sea. The wave quickly strengthened into Tropical Depression 67W the same day and became a tropical storm on September 14, with the name Babe. Babe strengthened into a 65 mph (100 km/h) moderate tropical storm with a minimum pressure of 994 mbar (29.35 inHg). Babe made landfall in southern Vietnam and dissipated over the Laos border with Cambodia. The same area would be battered by Tropical Depression 68W nine days later.

Damage in Vietnam and Laos are unavailable.[3]

Typhoon Dinah

Typhoon Dinah (6221) 3
{{{image}}}
Duration September 24 – October 4, 1962
Intensity 115 mph (185 km/h), 953 mbar

A surge from the westerlies and a cut-off caused an MPT, while Dinah formed downstream. From the surge, a tropical wave formed near the coast of Guam on September 24. The wave strengthened into Tropical Depression 69W twelve hours later. Strengthening was very slow, as 69W did not reach tropical storm status until September 29. During the depression stage, 69W made a curve to the northwest. Finally at the second advisory on September 29, the depression was upgraded to a minimal tropical storm and was given the name Dinah.

Dinah moved to the west, continuing to strengthen and by the morning of September 30, Dinah was the sixteenth typhoon of the season. Dinah continued moving to the west, reaching Category 2 status on October 1, and Category 3 the next day. Dinah peaked on October 2 with 115 mph (185 km/h) winds, a minimal Category 3 typhoon and a minimum pressure of 953 mbar (28.10 inHg). Weakening was slow and Dinah made landfall in Hong Kong on October 3 as a maximum tropical storm with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Dinah quickly weakened into a depression over land and dissipated over Hong Kong on October 4.

Damage in Hong Kong is unavailable. [32]

Typhoon Freda

Typhoon Freda (6223) 3
ColumbusDayStormPeakGustMap.jpg
Duration October 3 – October 10, 1962
Intensity 115 mph (185 km/h), 950 mbar (hPa)

A 15 mph outdraft formed on the morning of September 28 south of Eniwetok Atoll. The outdraft became an ordinary tropical cyclone on October 3, when it developed 500 miles (800 km) off Wake Island. It moved to the northeast, then turned to a northwest where it strengthened into a typhoon and peaked at 115 mph (185 km/h) on the 5th. Freda then turned and accelerated to the northeast, where it weakened until becoming extratropical on October 10 to the south of the Aleutian Islands. The extratropical remnants of Freda headed to the east, and hit Victoria, British Columbia on October 12 with winds of 45-50 mph, with wind gusts up to 90 mph (140 km/h). There, great damage was seen across the Pacific northwest, causing a major disruption in daily life with power outages and store closings from shattered windows.

As an extratropical storm, Freda caused an estimated $10 million in damage (1962 USD, $517 million 2006 USD), with 46 deaths occurring. [17] For more information on the extratropical remnants, see the Columbus Day Storm of 1962. [33]

Super Typhoon Emma

Super Typhoon Emma (6222) 5
Typhoon Emma (1962).gif
Duration October 1 – October 11, 1962
Intensity 165 mph (270 km/h), 903 mbar

The seventy-third tropical wave of the season formed north of Saipan on September 30 and moved south. The wave strengthened into Tropical Storm Emma at the first advisory on October 1. Emma strengthened into the eighteenth typhoon of the 1962 season and grazed Guam while making a U-turn to the north on October 1.

Emma continued to strengthen, reaching Category 2 intensity on October 2, while passing Saipan and Category 3 intensity the next day. By the 4th, Emma became a Category 4 Super Typhoon and reached Category 5 status. The next day, Emma peaked at 165 mph (266 km/h) winds with a minimum pressure of 903 mbar. Weakening was slow, as Emma turned to the northeast. Emma peaked at 125 mph (201 km/h) winds on October 7 and refused to weaken until October 9 when Emma fell to 120 mph (190 km/h) winds. Emma sped up to the northeast and was declared extratropical on October 11 as a moderate Category 1 typhoon, due to cool air.

The extratropical remnants of Emma moved to the northeast, reaching a peak pressure of 950 mbar on October 12. Emma made landfall on Little Sitkin Island in the Aleutian Islands on the 13th as a 55 mph (89 km/h) extratropical storm, and entered the Bering Sea the same day, dissipating soon afterwards at the 180°latitude line, entering the Central Pacific. Emma was the sixth typhoon to enter the Bering Sea.[4]

Damage in Guam and Saipan totaled out to $250,000 from damages to communication equipments, buildings and fishing boats ($1.6 million 2006 USD). Emma was the fifth super typhoon of the 1962 season.[34]

Typhoon Gilda

Typhoon Gilda (6224) 4
{{{image}}}
Duration October 19 – October 30, 1962
Intensity 135 mph (215 km/h), 933 mbar

A tropical wave formed on October 18 and struck Yap as a wave. The wave strengthened with a flow from the Southern Hemisphere and became Tropical Depression 74W on the next day. Strengthening was slow as 74W did not reach tropical storm status until it performed a cyclonic loop on the 22nd and was given the name Gilda. Gilda strengthened quickly afterwards and became a typhoon on \[\[October 23\]\].

Gilda strengthened into a Category 4 typhoon on October 26, peaking at 933 mbar with 135 mph (217 km/h) winds. Gilda kept this intensity until the next day when the storm weakened into a Category 3 typhoon. On the 28th, Gilda absorbed the weakening Typhoon Ivy southeast of Okinawa, Japan as a Category 2 typhoon after have a Fujiwhara interaction.[1] Gilda sped up and weakened to a tropical storm on October 30 near Japan. Typhoon Gilda entered cool air and was declared an extratropical storm the same day at the forty-seventh advisory near the Japanese coast. The Japan Meteorological Agency continued to track Gilda to the northwest Pacific Ocean just south of the Aleutian Islands, where Gilda was declared over on November 1 in the Central Pacific. [4]

No damage or fatalities were reported in association with Gilda. [35] Gilda had the same notability of Typhoon Kate earlier in the season by have a discontinuous track but of secondary lows on the lee. [12]

Typhoon Ivy

Typhoon Ivy (6226) 3
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Duration October 28 – October 29, 1962
Intensity 115 mph (185 km/h), 997 mbar[16]

A tropical wave formed on October 26 near Ulithi and Woleai Atol. The wave moved to the northwest and strengthened from a wave into a Category 3 typhoon with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). Interaction from the active Typhoon Gilda caused a Fujiwhara effect between the two and caused Ivy to weaken at a rapid pace from a Category 3 typhoon to a minimal tropical storm in 48 hours. The stronger Typhoon Gilda absorbed the weak Ivy on October 29 south of Iwo Jima.

Ivy never made landfall thus no damage or fatalties were reported. [36]

Tropical Storm Harriet

Tropical Storm Harriet (6225) TS
Harriet 1962 track.PNG
Duration October 25 – October 31, 1962
Intensity 60 mph (95 km/h)[15], 1000 mbar[16]

The Japan Meteorological Agency first tracked Tropical Storm Harriet as a tropical wave on the morning on October 19 with a minimum pressure of 1003 mbar off the Philippines. The wave weakened to 1006 mbar and became Tropical Depression 78W on October 22 out in the open South China Sea. The depression was raised into Tropical Storm Harriet on October 25 by the JMA, where a minimal pressure of 1000 mbar was recorded. [4]

Tropical Storm Harriet was first observed by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center on October 25, just off the east coast of Thailand. It hit that night as a 60 mph (97 km/h) tropical storm, and crossed into the Indian Ocean. During landfall its storm surge flooded the Laem Talumphuk peninsula in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. There, it moved to the northwest, then recurved to the northeast. It hit Bangladesh on October 30, and dissipated the next day. In the urbanized area of Pak Phanang, water rose to a depth of four meters at the river nearby. Laem Talumpuk was swept clean by Harriet as all but five houses were destroyed in the village of four thousand people at the end of the peninsula, which had been battered with three meter high waves. In a town near the River Bang Chak, 30 percent of the houses were destroyed as well as half of the rice crop in the area.

His Majesty the King who promptly delivered aid to the people. He personally made an appeal for public assistance, with tremendous response and donations flowing in to Chitralada Villa. He made available fund and donated materials to disaster victims, and provided fund for the Ministry of Education to rebuild 12 elementary schools destroyed by storm in six southern provinces, graciously named Rajaprajanugroh 1,2,3,4 to 12. [37]

Harriet caused 900+ fatalities (with 142 missing), injured 252, left over 10000 homeless throughout Thailand from an accompanying storm surge. The storm also affected Bangladesh on October 30, after entering the North Indian Ocean.

The next storm that devastating for the Malay Peninsula would be Typhoon Gay of 1989. [3]

Typhoon Jean

Typhoon Jean (6227) 2
Typhoon Jean (1962).JPG
Duration November 6 – November 13, 1962
Intensity 105 mph (170 km/h), 960 mbar

A easterly tropical wave after the polar trough fractured the superposition formed on November 3 near Yap. [38] The wave made landfall in the Philippines on the 6th and strengthened into Tropical Depression 81W over land. Strengthening occurred an 81W became Tropical Storm Jean on the 6th near Manila. Rapid strengthening occurred and Jean peaked at a 100 mph (160 km/h) typhoon on November 9 near Vietnam. Jean started weakening and dissipated on November 13 because of lack of upper level divergence.

The Japan Meteorological Agency continued to track Jean for six more days. During that time, Jean made an anti-cyclonic loop to the south, where Jean was declared an extratropical low on November 19 in the open South China Sea. No damage or fatalities were reported. [4][38] Jean's lengthtivity from formation as a wave to time the JMA ceased advisories was sixteen straight days.[4][38]

Super Typhoon Karen

Super Typhoon Karen (6228) 5