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Typhoon Kit (1966)

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Typhoon Kit (Emang)
Satellite image of Typhoon Kit
Meteorological history
FormedJune 20, 1966
DissipatedJune 29, 1966
Unknown-strength storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Lowest pressure880 hPa (mbar); 25.99 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds315 km/h (195 mph)
Overall effects
Fatalities64
Missing19
Areas affectedJapan
Part of the 1966 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Kit, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Emang, was one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record, and is tied for the seventh-most intense typhoon in the Western Pacific basin. Kit was the fifth tropical depression, fourth typhoon, and the first super typhoon of the 1966 Pacific typhoon season.

Meteorological history

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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

The incipient disturbance that became Super Typhoon Kit was first identified on June 20 near Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia.[1] The JMA designated that system as a tropical depression that day as the system moved steadily westward.[2] The JTWC followed suit with this classification on June 22 following an investigation by reconnaissance. Early the next day, the depression acquired gale-force winds and was dubbed Tropical Storm Kit. Turning to the northwest, Kit developed a 35–55 km (20–35 mi) wide eye and reached typhoon status late on June 23.[1] Explosive intensification ensued late on June 24 into June 25; Kit's central pressure dropped 51 mbar (hPa; 1.51 inHg) in 18 hours from 965 mbar (hPa; 28.50 inHg) to 914 mbar (hPa; 26.99 inHg).[3] During this time, Kit's eye contracted to 13 to 17 km (8.1 to 10.6 mi).[1]

Typhoon Kit June 26, 1966 surface analysis

At 06:00 UTC on June 26, the JMA estimated Kit's pressure to have abruptly dropped to 880 mbar (hPa; 25.99 inHg),[2] which would rank it among the top ten most intense tropical cyclones on record.[4] Around this time, the JTWC estimated Kit to have attained peak winds of 315 km/h (195 mph);[3][5] however, these winds are likely an overestimate.[6] A later reconnaissance mission on June 26 reported a pressure of 912 mbar (hPa; 26.93 inHg), the lowest observed in relation to the typhoon.[1] Weakening ensued thereafter as the system accelerated to the north-northeast. Retaining typhoon strength, Kit brushed southeastern Honshu, Japan, on June 28, passing roughly 155 km (100 mi) east of Tokyo. The system subsequently weakened to a tropical storm and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone south of Hokkaido on June 29.[3] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported the remnants of Kit to have dissipated the following day near northeastern Hokkaido.[7] However, the JMA states that the system turned eastward and accelerated over the north Pacific before losing its identity on July 3 near the International Dateline.[2]

Impact

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Most intense Pacific typhoons
Typhoon Season Pressure
hPa inHg
1 Tip 1979 870 25.7
2 June 1975 875 25.8
Nora 1973
4 Forrest 1983 876[8] 25.9
5 Ida 1958 877 25.9
6 Rita 1978 878 26.0
7 Kit 1966 880 26.0
Vanessa 1984
9 Nancy 1961 882 26.4
10 Irma 1971 884 26.1
11 Nina 1953 885 26.1
Joan 1959
Megi 2010
Source: JMA Typhoon Best Track Analysis
Information for the North Western Pacific Ocean.[9]

Although the center of Kit remained offshore, torrential rains and damaging winds wreaked havoc in eastern Japan.[10] An estimated 510 to 760 mm (20 to 30 in) of rain fell across the region, triggering deadly landslides and floods.[11] More than 128,000 homes were affected by flooding, of which 433 collapsed.[12] Large stretches of roadway crumbled or were blocked by landslides. Additionally, service along the 480 km (300 mi) Tokyo–Osaka rail line was disrupted for 12 hours.[10] "Hip-deep" waters also shut down Tokyo's subway system, stranding an estimated 2 million people.[13][14] Throughout the country, 64 people lost their lives while a further 19 were listed missing.[12] In the aftermath of the typhoon, 25 workers died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable generator while repairing a damaged irrigation tunnel near Utsunomiya.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Chapter V: Individual Tropical Cyclones in 1966: Typhoon Kit" (PDF). Annual Tropical Cyclone Report. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (Report). United States Navy. 1967. pp. 102–108. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Typhoon 196604 (Kit) - Detailed Track Information". Japan Meteorological Agency. National Institute of Informatics. October 17, 1990. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c Frank P. Rossi, ed. (May 1967). "Typhoons of the Western North Pacific, 1966". Mariners Weather Log. 11 (3). Washington, D.C.: 75–82.
  4. ^ "Typhoon List by Lowest Central Pressure: 870 hPa to 895 hPa". Japan Meteorological Agency. National Institute of Informatics. 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  5. ^ "Super Typhoon 4 (Kit) Best Track" (.TXT). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. 1967. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  6. ^ John A. Knaff; Charles R. Sampson (2006). "Reanalysis of West Pacific Tropical Cyclone Maximum Intensity 1966–1987" (PDF). American Meteorological Society. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  7. ^ Patrick E. Hughes, ed. (November 1966). "Tracks of Centers of Cyclones at Sea Level, North Pacific: June 1966". Mariners Weather Log. 10 (6). Washington, D.C.: 215.
  8. ^ "World Tropical Cyclone Records". World Meteorological Organization. Arizona State University. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  9. ^ Japan Meteorological Agency. "RSMC Best Track Data (Text)" (TXT).
  10. ^ a b "Typhoon Kit Takes 52 Lives". Mt. Vernon Register-News. Tokyo, Japan. Associated Press. June 29, 1966. p. 1.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  11. ^ "Typhoon Kit kills 38". The Oneonta Star. Tokyo, Japan. Associated Press. July 1, 1966. p. 13.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  12. ^ a b "台風196604号 (Kit) - 災害情報" (in Japanese). 国立情報学研究所. 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  13. ^ "Typhoon Kit Dies Down After Killing Over 50". The Index-Journal. Tokyo, Japan. Associated Press. June 29, 1966. p. 32.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  14. ^ "Hip-Deep Water". The Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. July 1, 1966. p. 4.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
  15. ^ "Death of 25 Blamed On Monoxide Exhaust". Albuquerque Journal. Utsunomiya, Japan. United Press International. July 10, 1966. p. 63.  – via Newspapers.com (subscription required)
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