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Typhoon Usagi (2024)

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For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Usagi and List of storms named Ofel.
Typhoon Usagi (Ofel)
Typhoon Usagi nearing landfall at peak intensity on November 13
Meteorological history
FormedNovember 9, 2024
Very strong typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds175 km/h (110 mph)
Lowest pressure940 hPa (mbar); 27.76 inHg
Category 4-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds240 km/h (150 mph)
Lowest pressure933 hPa (mbar); 27.55 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
InjuriesNone
Missing2
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedPhilippines (particularly Northern Luzon), Taiwan
Part of the 2024 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Usagi, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Ofel, is an active tropical cyclone which recently made landfall in the northeastern part of Luzon. It was the fourth tropical cyclone in a series to impact the Philippines, following Tropical Storm Trami and Typhoons Kong-rey, Yinxing, and Toraji which had occurred just a few weeks earlier; Usagi also struck just a few days before Man-yi. Additionally, it was the first time since records began in 1951 that four named storms had existed simultaneously in November.[1]

The twenty-fifth named storm and the fifth super typhoon of the annual typhoon season, Usagi, developed from an area of convection located 494 km (307 mi) east of Chuuk. As it moved westward along the southern periphery of a mid-level subtropical high, the system exhibited formative convective banding wrapping cyclonically around the northern and western quadrants, signaling intensification. On November 11, the JMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm named Usagi. On November 13, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported that the system had peaked as a Category 4-equivalent super typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson scale, with 1-minute sustained winds of 240 km/h (150 mph). The JMA noted that Yinxing reached its maximum strength with 10-minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph) and a central pressure of 940 hPa (27.76 inHg). Usagi made landfall in Baggao, Cagayan, on Luzon Island on November 14, as indicated by satellite imagery. After crossing northern Luzon, Usagi emerged into the Babuyan Channel, moving northwestward along the southwestern periphery of a mid-level subtropical high and passing close to the Babuyan Islands and northern Cagayan, with satellite imagery revealing a rapidly weakening low-level circulation and deep convection flaring to the northeast of a broad, partially exposed center.

PAGASA issued Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal for various areas, and the DSWD announced it had spent ₱1 billion (US$20.3 million) in response to Usagi and previous storms. As a precaution, two spillways at the Magat Dam were left open, and authorities advised people evacuated due to earlier typhoons not to return home. In Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning for the southern part of the Taiwan Strait on November 14, followed by a land warning for Pingtung County and the Hengchun Peninsula. Usagi left two people missing in the Philippines.

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

Typhoon Usagi emerged from an area of convection 494 km (307 mi) east of Chuuk, with satellite imagery showing a broad area of persistent convection that began to consolidate on November 8.[2] At 12:00 UTC the following day, the JMA classified the system as a tropical depression, citing a favorable environment for development, with low to moderate vertical wind shear, moderate divergence aloft, and warm sea surface temperatures.[3][4] By 13:00 UTC on November 10, the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a tropical cyclone formation alert, citing increasing curved convective banding around the periphery and convection building over the center of the system, indicating an intensifying tropical system.[5] The next day, the JTWC designated the system as 27W, as it developed at the southeast end of an active zone extending from the Philippine Sea off the northeast coast of Luzon.[6] As it moved westward along the southern periphery of a mid-level subtropical high, the system exhibited formative convective banding wrapping cyclonically around the northern and western quadrants, signaling intensification,[7] and at 18:00 UTC on the same day, the JMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm and named it Usagi;[8] it then moved into the Philippine Area of Responsibility, where PAGASA named it Ofel.[9]

Four simultaneously active tropical cyclones on November 11. From left to right: Yinxing, Toraji, Usagi, and Man-yi, the first occurrence since 1951

Early the next day, the JMA upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm, as improved convective banding wrapped around the western periphery.[10][11] On November 12, both the JMA and the JTWC upgraded the system to a minimal typhoon, as it exhibited well-defined convective banding tightly wrapping around an obscured low-level circulation center.[12][13] Satellite imagery reveals that the pinhole eye has contracted even further, indicating extremely rapid intensification.[14] On November 13, the JTWC reported that the system had peaked as a Category 4-equivalent super typhoon after Usagi attained 1-minute sustained winds of 240 km/h (150 mph),[15] while the JMA indicated that Usagi reached its peak intensity with 10-minute sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph) and a central pressure of 940 hPa (27.76 inHg).[16] Usagi made landfall in Baggao, Cagayan, on Luzon Island at around 1:30 PM PHT (05:30 UTC) on November 14,[17] as indicated by satellite imagery, with the eye quickly filling and the central dense overcast becoming more asymmetric.[18] After crossing northern Luzon, Usagi emerged into the Babuyan Channel, moving northwestward along the southwestern periphery of a mid-level subtropical high and passing close to the Babuyan Islands and northern Cagayan,[19] leading the JMA to downgrade the system to a severe tropical storm,[20][21] while satellite imagery shows a rapidly weakening low-level circulation with deep convection flaring to the northeast of a broad, partially exposed center.[22]

Preparations and impact

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Usagi approaching the Philippines on November 12

Beginning November 12, PAGASA issued Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 for Cagayan, the Babuyan Islands and parts of Apayao and Isabela.[23] The next day, Signal No. 2 was raised over Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands) and parts of Isabela and Apayao, while Signal No. 1 was raised in Abra, Batanes, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Quirino and parts of Aurora and Nueva Vizcaya.[24] On November 12, Signal No. 3 was raised in northeastern Cagayan, while Signal No. 1 was extended to parts of Ilocos Sur.[25] PAGASA also warned of storm surges and torrential rainfall affecting northern Luzon and Aurora.[26] On November 14, PAGASA initiated Signal No. 5, its highest wind signal, for the northern portion of Cagayan, while Signal No. 4 was raised for Babuyan Islands and other parts of the province.[27]

The DSWD said that it had spent ₱1 billion (US$20.3 million) in funds to respond to Usagi and previous storms Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine), Typhoon Kong-rey (Leon), Yinxing (Marce) and Toraji (Nika).[28] Two spillways in the Magat Dam were left open as a precaution.[29] Authorities advised people evacuated due to previous typhoons Yinxing (Marce) and Toraji (Nika) not to return home.[30] The DILG advised officials in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region to prepare resources for the storm.[31] Evacuations were also ordered in Cagayan,[32] where a red alert status was retained.[33] More than 5,000 families were evacuated in the province,[34] while 3,471 individuals were evacuated in Isabela.[35] Usagi destroyed infrastructure in Baggao, where more than 1,000 families were evacuated.[36] In Gonzaga, two houses were swept away, while uprooted trees caused a bridge to collapse in the same town, cutting off access to the neighboring town of Santa Ana,[37][38] which was in turn affected by floods.[39] In Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration released a sea warning for the storm covering the southern part of the Taiwan Strait on November 14, followed by a land warning covering Pingtung County and the Hengchun Peninsula later in the day.[40] Several flights, ferries and train services were cancelled.[41]

In the Philippines, two people went missing after drowning in Amulung, Cagayan.[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Shackelford, Robert (2024-11-12). "Four storms churning the West Pacific at the same time mean more bad news for the Philippines". CNN. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  2. ^ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans, 01Z 8 November 2024 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 8 November 2024. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  3. ^ Warning and Summary 091200 (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. November 9, 2024. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  4. ^ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans, 03Z 9 November 2024 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 9 November 2024. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  5. ^ Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (Invest 94W) (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 10 November 2024. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  6. ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 27W (Twenty-Seven) Warning No. 1 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  7. ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 27W (Twenty-Seven) Warning No. 3 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  8. ^ Prognostic Reasoning No. 8 for TS Usagi (2425) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. November 4, 2024. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  9. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #1 for Tropical Storm 'Ofel' (Usagi)" (PDF). PAGASA. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  10. ^ Tropical Cyclone Advisory for STS Usagi (2425) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. November 12, 2024. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  11. ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 27W (Usagi) Warning No. 5 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  12. ^ Tropical Cyclone Advisory for TY Usagi (2425) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. November 12, 2024. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  13. ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 27W (Usagi) Warning No. 9 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  14. ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 27W (Usagi) Warning No. 11 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  15. ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Category 4-Equivalent Super Typhoon 27W (Usagi) Warning No. 12 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  16. ^ Tropical Cyclone Advisory for TY Usagi (2425) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. November 14, 2024. Archived from the original on November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  17. ^ Arceo, Acor (2024-11-14). "Ofel weakens into typhoon, makes landfall in Cagayan". Rappler. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  18. ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 27W (Usagi) Warning No. 14 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  19. ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 27W (Usagi) Warning No. 15 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  20. ^ Prognostic Reasoning No. 20 for STS Usagi (2425) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. November 14, 2024. Archived from the original on November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #18 for Typhoon 'Ofel' (Usagi)" (PDF). PAGASA. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  22. ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 27W (Usagi) Warning No. 18 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  23. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #4 for Severe Tropical Storm 'Ofel'" (PDF). PAGASA. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #7 for Typhoon 'Ofel' (Usagi)" (PDF). PAGASA. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #9 for Typhoon 'Ofel' (Usagi)" (PDF). PAGASA. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Cagayan, Isabela to see torrential rain as Typhoon Ofel strengthens". Rappler. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  27. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #13 for Super Typhoon 'Ofel' (Usagi)" (PDF). PAGASA. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  28. ^ "DSWD: 5 last cyclones depleted P1B quick response fund". GMA News. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  29. ^ "Still recovering from Nika, Isabela braces for Typhoon Ofel". GMA News. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  30. ^ "Typhoon Nika evacuees in Cordillera told to stay put ahead of Ofel". ABS-CBN. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  31. ^ "DILG asks northern Luzon LGUs to prepare resources for Ofel". GMA News. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  32. ^ "Evacuations, call for aid as Typhoon Ofel approaches Philippines". ABS-CBN. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  33. ^ "Epekto ng Bagyong Ofel aasahan na sa Isabela at Cagayan". Bombo Radyo (in Filipino). Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  34. ^ "Evacuees in Cagayan swell as Ofel makes landfall". GMA News. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  35. ^ "Bilang ng mga inilikas sa Isabela dahil sa pananalasa ng Bagyong Ofel, umabot na sa 3,471 indibidwal". Bombo Radyo (in Filipino). Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  36. ^ "Ilang istruktura sa paaralan sa bayan ng Baggao, Cagayan, nawasak dahil sa pananalasa ng Bagyong Ofel". Bombo Radyo (in Filipino). Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  37. ^ "Typhoon Man-yi bears down on Philippines still reeling from Usagi". France 24. 2024-11-15.
  38. ^ "Tulay sa San Jose, Gonzaga sa Cagayan, nahati". Net 25 (in Filipino). Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  39. ^ "Typhoon Ofel leaves trail of destruction in Cagayan". GMA News. 2024-11-15.
  40. ^ "Taiwan issues land warning for Typhoon Usagi". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  41. ^ "Flights, trains, ferry services in Taiwan affected by Typhoon Usagi". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  42. ^ "Search and rescue operation sa anim na taong gulang na bata sa bayan ng Amulung, nagpapatuloy". Bombo Radyo (in Filipino). Retrieved November 16, 2024.
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