Overview of Tropical Cyclones in October 2014

(Tracks)

        Three tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific in October 2014.

        Phanfone formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 810 km east of Guam on the morning of 29 September and tracked northwestwards in the general direction of Ryukyu Islands and the seas south of Japan. Phanfone intensified gradually in the following few days, developing into a severe typhoon on the morning of 2 October and becoming a super typhoon about 600 km south-southeast of Okinawa on the morning of 4 October. At peak intensity, maximum sustained wind reached 185 km/h near its centre. Phanfone then started to weaken and turn northeastwards on 5 October, skirting past the southern part of Honshu. It finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas east of Japan on the afternoon of 6 October. According to press reports, at least nine people were killed, more than 3.2 million people had to be evacuated and over 600 flights were cancelled in Japan during the passage of Phanfone.

        Vongfong formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 800 km east-southeast of Guam on the morning of 3 October. It intensified gradually and moved west-northwestwards steadily in the following few days. Vongfong developed into a super typhoon on the night of 7 October and reached peak intensity the next morning with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 240 km/h near its centre, becoming the most intense tropical cyclone in the region so far this year. It took on a northward course towards Ryukyu Islands on 9 October and started to weaken gradually. After skirting past Ryukyu Islands on the afternoon of 11 October, Vongfong turned northeastwards and weakened into a severe tropical storm the following night. It swept across the southern part of Kyushu, the southern part of Shikoku and Honshu of Japan on 13 October and became an extratropical cyclone over the seas east of Honshu on 14 October. According to press reports, at least three people were killed and around 100 people were injured in Japan during the passage of Vongfong. About 660 flights were cancelled. Electricity supply to at least 100 000 households in Okinawa and Kyushu was interrupted.

        Nuri formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 770 km east of Manila on the morning of 31 October and moved generally westwards. Nuri developed into a tropical storm that night and continued to intensify.