Tropical Cyclones in 2022 > Review of tropical cyclones in 2022

2.1 Review of tropical cyclones in 2022

2.1.1 Tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific (including the South China Sea)

In 2022, a total of 27 tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific (WNP) and the South China Sea (SCS) bounded by the Equator, 45°N, 100°E and 180°, less than the long-term (1961 - 2020) average figure of around 30. During the year, 11 of the tropical cyclones attained typhoon intensity or above, less than the long-term average (1961 - 2020) of about 15, with four of them reaching super typhoon intensity (maximum 10-minute wind speed of 185 km/h or above near the centre).

Figure 2.1 shows the monthly frequencies of the occurrence of tropical cyclones in WNP and SCS in 2022.

During the year, six tropical cyclones made landfall over China, with two of them crossing the south China coast within 300 km of Hong Kong. Three traversed the Philippines and three made landfall over Vietnam. With an estimated maximum sustained wind speed of 230 km/h and a minimum sea-level pressure of 910 hPa near the centre (Table 4.1), Super Typhoon Hinnamnor (2211) in August to September (Figure 2.3) was the most intense tropical cyclone over the WNP and the SCS in 2022.

2.1.2 Tropical cyclones in Hong Kong’s area of responsibility

Amongst the 27 tropical cyclones in 2022, 13 of them occurred inside Hong Kong’s area of responsibility (i.e. the area bounded by 10°N, 30°N, 105°E and 125°E), slightly more than the long-term annual average (1961-2020) figure of around 16 (Table 2.1). Five of them developed within Hong Kong’s area of responsibility. Altogether, 318 tropical cyclone warnings to ships and vessels were issued by the Hong Kong Observatory this year (Table 4.2).

2.1.3 Tropical cyclones over the South China Sea

Nine tropical cyclones affected SCS bounded by 10°N, 25°N, 105°E and 120°E in 2022, less than the long-term annual average (1961-2020) of around 12. Four of them formed over the SCS.

2.1.4 Tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong

In 2022, the typhoon season in Hong Kong started on 29 June when Tropical Depression Chaba (2203) formed over the central part of the SCS, necessitating the issuance of the Standby Signal No. 1. The typhoon season ended with the cancellation of all tropical cyclone warning signals on 3 November when Tropical Depression Nalgae (2222) weakened and moved inland after making landfall over Zhuhai.

Six tropical cyclones affected Hong Kong during 2022 (Figure 2.2), on par with the long-term (1961-2020) average of about six in a year (Table 2.2). They were Typhoon Chaba (2203) in June to July, Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm Mulan (2207) and Typhoon Ma-on (2209) in August, Typhoon Nesat (2220) in October, and Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae (2222) in October to November. The No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal was issued during the passage of Chaba, Ma-on and Nalgae on 1 July, 24 August and 2 November respectively, the highest tropical cyclone warning signal issued in 2022. The No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal issued during the passage of Chaba was the first time on the HKSAR Establishment Day. Nalgae was the third tropical cyclone necessitating the issuance of the No. 8 Signal in November since 1946. The No. 3 Strong Wind Signal was issued during the passage of Mulan and Nesat. The Tropical Depression necessitated the issuance of the Standby Signal No. 1 in Hong Kong.

2.1.5 Tropical cyclone rainfall

Tropical cyclone rainfall for Hong Kong (total rainfall recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters from the time when a tropical cyclone comes within 600 km of Hong Kong to 72 hours after it has dissipated or moved more than 600 km away from Hong Kong) in 2022 was 697.4 mm (Table 4.8.1). This accounted for approximately 31.6% of the year’s total rainfall of 2205.4 mm and slightly less than the 1961-2020 long-term average of 704.2 mm.

According to the above definition, Tropical Storm Mulan (2207) brought 206.5 mm of rainfall to Hong Kong (Table 4.8.1) and was the wettest tropical cyclone in 2022.

2.2 Monthly overview

A monthly overview of tropical cyclones in 2022 is given in this section. Detailed reports on tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong, including reports of damage, are presented in Section 3.

JANUARY TO MARCH

No tropical cyclone formed over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea from January to March 2022.

APRIL

Malakas (2201) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1320 km east-southeast of Yap on the morning of 7 April. It generally moved northwestwardsand intensified gradually. Malakas developed into a typhoon on the morning of 12 April. It turned to move northeastwards towards the vicinity of Iwo Jima. Malakas further intensified into a super typhoon in the small hours on 14 April and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 185 km/h near its centre. Malakas started to weaken afterwards and finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas south of Japan on 15 April.

Megi (2202) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 780 km east-southeast of Manila on the morning of 9 April. It moved slowly westwards towards the Philippines and intensified gradually. Megi intensified into a tropical storm the next morning and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. Megi then lingered over the eastern part of the Philippines and weakened gradually. It finally dissipated over the eastern part of the Philippines on 12 April.

According to press reports, Megi brought torrential rain to the Philippines with flooding and landslides reported in many places. There were at least 214 deaths and 132 missing. Over 2 million people were affected.

MAY

No tropical cyclone formed over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in May 2022.

JUNE TO NOVEMBER

Chaba (2203) developed into a tropical depression over the central part of the South China Sea about 460 km east-southeast of Xisha on the morning of 29 June. It moved slowly west-northwestwards on that day and intensified gradually. Chaba developed into a tropical storm the next day and moved generally north-northwestwards towards the coast of western Guangdong. It further intensified into a typhoon on the morning of 2 July, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 120 km/h near its centre. Chaba made landfall near Maoming later in that afternoon. It then moved inland and weakened afterwards. Chaba finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over inland Guangxi on the night of 3 July.

According to press reports, Chaba brought torrential rain and squalls to Guangdong and there were flooding over many places. Power supply to over 230 000 households in Maoming was suspended. Chaba also triggered quite a number of tornados in Guangdong, resulting in a large number of building damages. Under inclement weather, a construction vessel sank over the seas about 160 miles southwest of Hong Kong. 12 crew members were killed and 14 others were reported missing.

Aere (2204) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 890 km south-southeast of Okinawa on the night of 30 June. It moved northwards towards the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands and intensified gradually. Aere intensified into a tropical storm the next morning and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 75 km/h near its centre in the afternoon. Aere turned to move northwestwards skirting past the vicinity of Ryukyu Islands on 2 July and weakened gradually. It finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over Kyushu, Japan on 5 July.

Songda (2205) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 830 km south of Iwo Jima on the afternoon of 27 July. It moved north-northwestwards and intensified gradually. Songda developed into a tropical storm on the night of 28 July and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. It moved rapidly west-northwestwards in the following two days and weakened. Songda finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the Yellow Sea on the night of 31 July.

Trases (2206) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 510 km south of Okinawa on the afternoon of 30 July. It moved northwards towards the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands and intensified gradually. Trases intensified into a tropical storm on the morning of 31 July and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. It then moved across the East China Sea and weakened gradually. Trases finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the Korean Peninsula on 1 August.

A tropical depression formed over the northeastern part of the South China Sea about 310 km east-southeast of Hong Kong on the night of 3 August. It tracked west-northwestwards towards the east of the Pearl River Estuary with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 45 km/h near its centre. The tropical depression made landfall over the coast of Huidong on the morning of 4 August and degenerated into an area of low pressure over inland Guangdong afternoon.

Mulan (2207) formed as a tropical depression over the central part of the South China Sea about 700 km south-southwest of Hong Kong in the small hours on 9 August. It moved north to north-northeastwards at first. Mulan intensified into a tropical storm in the afternoon and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. It turned to move northwestwards on the night of 9 August. Mulan skirted past the northeastern part of Hainan Island and the southern part of Leizhou Peninsula on 10 August and moved across Beibu Wan at night. It made landfall over the northern part of Vietnam and weakened into an area of low pressure over inland on 11 August.

Meari (2208) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 190 km northwest of Iwo Jima on the morning of 10 August. It moved northwestwards and intensified gradually. Meari intensified into a tropical storm on the night of 11 August and generally tracked northwards towards Honshu, Japan. Meari reached its peak intensity on the night of 12 August with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 75 km/h near its centre. It moved northeastwards and skirted past the southern coast of Honshu, Japan on the next day and finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas east of Japan on 14 August.

According to press reports, Meari brought torrential rain and squalls to Japan which caused about 10 000 households without electricity supply during its passage.

Ma-on (2209) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 730 km east-northeast of Manila on the afternoon of 21 August. It moved west-southwestwards and intensified gradually. Ma-on turned to track west-northwestwards on 22 August and developed into a severe tropical storm in the small hours on 23 August. It moved across the northern part of Luzon that day and entered the northern part of the South China Sea at night. Ma-on tracked west-northwestwards and moved rapidly across the northern part of the South China Sea towards the coast of western Guangdong the next day. Ma-on further developed into a typhoon that night, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 120 km/h near its centre. Affected by relatively strong vertical wind shear over the northern part of the South China Sea, Ma-on weakened gradually afterwards. It made landfall near Dianbai, Maoming before noon on 25 August and finally weakened into an area of low pressure over the northern part of Vietnam on 26 August.

According to press reports, the rail and shipping services in Zhuhai were suspended under the influence of the torrential rain and squalls associated with Ma-on.

Tokage (2210) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 050 km east of Iwo Jima in the small hours of 22 August. It generally tracked northwards and intensified gradually. Tokage intensified into a typhoon on the night of 23 August and reached its peak intensity in the small hours on 24 August with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 145 km/h near its centre. It then weakened gradually and finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific to the east of Japan on 25 August.

Hinnamnor (2211) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 970 km east of Iwo Jima in the small hours on 28 August. It generally moved northwestwards and intensified gradually. Hinnamnor tracked westwards towards the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands and intensified rapidly on 29 August. Hinnamnor developed into a super typhoon on the morning of 30 August, reaching its peak intensity that night with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 230 km/h near its centre. It weakened into a severe typhoon gradually and turned to move southwards slowly, lingering over the seas east of Taiwan in the following three days. Hinnamnor turned to move northwards across the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands on 3 September. It developed into a super typhoon again on the afternoon of 4 September. Hinnamnor turned to move north-northeastwards the next day and weakened gradually. It finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the seas north of Honshu, Japan on 6 September.

According to press reports, 2 persons were injured and electricity supply to around 3 000 households in Ishigaki Jima and Miyako Jima were suspended during the passage of Hinnamnor. There were more than 35 000 households without electricity supply in Kyushu, Japan. Moreover, Hinnamnor also caused at least 11 deaths and 1 missing in Korea.

Muifa (2212) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 340 km north of Yap on the afternoon of 6 September and moved south-southwestwards. It turned to track gradually north-northwestwards towards the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands and intensified gradually in the following four days. Muifa intensified into a severe typhoon in the small hours on 11 September and reached its peak intensity in the afternoon with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 175 km/h near its centre. Muifa weakened gradually afterwards and moved across the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands towards the coast of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Muifa moved across the coastal area of the East China on 14 and 15 September and finally weakened into an area of low pressure near Shandong on 16 September.

According to press reports, at least 2 people were injured in Ishigaki Jima during the passage of Muifa. Moreover, the rail and aviation services in Zhejiang were suspended under the influence of Muifa.

Merbok (2213) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 740 km west-northwest of Wake Island on the afternoon of 11 September. It moved east or east-northeastwards at first and intensified gradually. Merbok intensified into a severe tropical storm in the small hours on 13 September and tracked generally northwards. Merbok further intensified into a typhoon the next morning and reached its peak intensity in the afternoon with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 130 km/h near its centre. Merbok weakened gradually afterwards and finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific on 15 September.

Nanmadol (2214) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 440 km southwest of Iwo Jima on the morning of 13 September. It moved slowly at first and intensified gradually. Nanmadol intensified into a tropical storm the next day and tracked westwards towards the vicinity of the Ryukyu Islands. It further intensified into a super typhoon on the afternoon of 16 September and turned to move generally northwestwards. Nanmadol reached its peak intensity in the small hours on 17 September with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 220 km/h near its centre. It turned to move north-northwestwards and weakened gradually afterwards. Nanmadol swept across Kyushu, Japan on 18 September and finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over Honshu, Japan, the next day.

According to press reports, Nanmadol left 5 deaths, 153 injuries in Kyushu, Japan during its passage. Electricity supply to about 430 000 households was interrupted. Over 800 flights were cancelled and rail services were suspended.

Talas (2215) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 100 km south-southwest of Iwo Jima on the afternoon of 21 September. It moved northwestwards and intensified gradually. Talas intensified into a tropical storm on the morning of 22 September and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. It turned to move northeastwards and weakened gradually afterwards. Talas finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the coast of Honshu, Japan on 24 September.

According to press reports, under the influence of Talas, there were 3 deaths and 6 injuries in Japan.

Noru (2216) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 500 km east-northeast of Manila on the morning of 22 September. It moved west-southwestwards towards Luzon and intensified gradually. Noru started to intensify rapidly on the morning of 24 September. It developed into a super typhoon on the next day and tracked westwards. Noru reached its peak intensity that morning with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 220 km/h near its centre. Noru moved across Luzon afterwards and weakened into a typhoon on 26 September. It reorganized after entering the central part of the South China Sea and developed into a super typhoon again on 27 September. Noru made landfall near Da Nang on 28 September and weakened. It finally dissipated over the Indochina Peninsula on 29 September.

According to press reports, at least 12 persons were killed and 5 persons were missing when Noru skirted past the Philippines. It also caused 7 deaths in Vietnam. There were 1 death and 2 injuries in Thailand during the passage of Noru. Noru also brought torrential rain and squalls to Cambodia, leaving 16 deaths.

Kulap (2217) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 670 km southeast of Iwo Jima on the afternoon of 25 September. It moved northwestwards and intensified gradually. Kulap intensified into a tropical storm over the vicinity of Iwo Jima the next afternoon. It then gradually turned to move northeastwards and continued to intensify. Kulap further intensified into a severe tropical storm on the morning of 27 September and reached its peak intensity in the next afternoon with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 110 km/h near its centre. It finally evolved ino an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific to the east of Japan on 29 September.

Roke (2218) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 860 km southeast of Okinawa in the small hours on 28 September and moved northwestwards at first. It then turned to move northwards that afternoon and intensified rapidly. Roke intensified into a typhoon on the afternoon of 29 September and turned to move northeastwards. It reached its eak intensity that night with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 140 km/h near its centre. Roke weakened gradually afterwards and finally evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific to the east of Japan on 1 October.

Sonca (2219) formed as a tropical depression over the southern part of the South China Sea about 820 km east-southeast of Da Nang on the morning of 13 October. It moved generally northwestwards towards the central part of Vietnam and intensified gradually. Sonca intensified into a tropical storm on the afternoon of the next day and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. It weakened gradually 40 afterwards. Sonca finally dissipated inland after making landfall over the central part of Vietnam on 15 October.

According to press reports, Sonca brought torrential rain and squalls to Vietnam, leaving 9 deaths with economic loss of around US$82 million.

Haitang (2221) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 850 km east-northeast of Guam on the afternoon of 13 October. It moved northeastwards at first and tracked northwards gradually the next day. Haitang weakened into an area of low pressure in the small hours on 15 October and its remnant continued to track northwards in the following two days. The low pressure area associated with the remnant of Haitang re-intensified into a tropical depression on the afternoon of 17 October. Haitang moved generally northeastwards and intensified gradually. It intensified into a tropical storm in the small hours on 18 October, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. Haitang evolved into an extratropical cyclone over the western North Pacific the next day.

Nesat (2220) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 800 km northeast of Manila in the small hours on 15 October. It moved westwards towards Luzon Strait and intensified gradually. Nesat entered the northern part of the South China Sea and intensified into a typhoon on the afternoon of the next day. It turned to move west-southwestwards towards the vicinity of Xisha on 17 October. Nesat reached its peak intensity that night with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 145 km/h near its centre. Under the influence of the northeast monsoon, it weakened gradually in the following three days and finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the central part of the South China Sea to the southwest of Hainan Island on 20 October.

A tropical depression formed over the western North Pacific about 1 130 km northeast of Manila on the morning of 20 October and moved westwards. The tropical depression reached its peak intensity on the afternoon of 21 October with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 55 km/h near its centre. It skirted past Luzon Strait and entered the northern part of the South China Sea the next day. The tropical depression finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the northern part of the South China Sea to the south of Dongsha on 23 October.

Nalgae (2222) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 1 390 km east of Manila on the morning of 26 October. It moved generally west-northwestwards towards the Philippines and intensified gradually. Nalgae intensified into a severe tropical storm in the small hours on 29 October and moved across the Philippines. It weakened into a tropical storm next day and entered the central part of the South China Sea. Nalgae turned to move north-northwestwards that night and intensified gradually again. Nalgae re-intensified into a severe tropical storm on the afternoon of 31 October and attained its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 110 km/h near its centre. Nalgae continued to edge closer to coast of Guangdong on 2 November. However, it weakened into a tropical storm in the afternoon due to the influence of the northeast monsoon. Nalgae skirted past the waters south of Hong Kong that night and made landfall over Zhuhai the next morning. It degenerated into an area of low pressure over the western part of Guangdong afterwards.

According to press reports, the passage of Nalgae left 155 deaths, 129 injuries and 34 missing in the Philippines. Over 2 million people were affected and economic loss exceeded 120 million USD.

Banyan (2223) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 140 km west-southwest of Yap on the afternoon of 30 October and tracked west-southwestwards. Banyan intensified into a tropical storm in the small hours on 31 October, reaching its peak intensity that morning with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 75 km/h near its centre. It weakened afterwards and finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the western North Pacific to the east of the Philippines on 1 November.

Yamaneko (2224) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 110 km north-northwest of Wake Island in the small hours on 12 November and moved west-northwestwards. It intensified into a tropical storm that night, reaching its peak intensity that morning with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 65 km/h near its centre. Yamaneko gradually turned to move northwards at night and finally degenerated into an area of low pressure over the western North Pacific to the north-northwest of Wake Island on 14 November.

DECEMBER

Pakhar (2225) formed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 480 km east-northeast of Manila in the small hours on 11 December. It moved generally northeastwards and intensified gradually. Pakhar developed into a tropical storm that night and reached its peak intensity in the small hours on 12 December with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 75 km/h near its centre. It then weakened gradually and degenerated into an area of low pressure over the western North Pacific to the south of Ryukyu Islands that night.