Marine Weather Review – North Pacific Area
September 2014 to February 2015

George P. Bancroft
Ocean Forecast Branch, Ocean Prediction Center, College Park, MD
NOAA National Center for Environmental Prediction

Introduction

The weather pattern over the North Pacific was more active during the early fall months of September and October than during the same period a year ago as a series of cyclones moved northeast or east out of the western Pacific near Japan to the Bering Sea or just south the Aleutian Islands to the Gulf of Alaska, with three each in September and October developing hurricane force winds. Some of these included former western North Pacific tropical cyclones. Other developing lows moved out of the central or eastern North Pacific toward the Gulf of Alaska. Cyclones continued to develop mainly on a southwest to northeast track during November and December with increasing energy, with some originating in the eastern Pacific and a few turning north toward the western Bering Sea or even going west of the Kamchatka Peninsula, where they weakened. One of these, former Super Typhoon Nuri, became the most intense extratropical cyclone ever detected on the North Pacific in early November. December was the most active month with nine systems developing hurricane force winds. Activity decreased in January 2015 which produced seven hurricane force systems, and then fell off sharply in February when no cyclones with that intensity developed. A study done a decade ago based on QuikSCAT winds found that December has the highest number of hurricane force events (VonAhn and Sienkiewicz, April 2005). Tropical activity in North Pacific including cyclones appearing on OPC oceanic surface analyses was concentrated from September to early November, with Two (2) tropical storms, Three (3) super typhoons and one hurricane occurring. The hurricane in late October, Ana, originated in the central Pacific and moved north of 30N into OPC’s high seas area, an unusual occurrence. One tropical cyclone, Higos, made a brief appearance on OPC’s North Pacific radiofacsimile charts in early February.

Tropical Activity

Tropical Storm Fengshen: Fengshen tracked northeast to the south of Japan as a strengthening tropical storm on September 7 and on the following night. The cyclone passed near 28N 133E at 1200 UTC on the 7th with sustained winds of 45 kts. The LAMBERT MARU (7JMK) near 27N 132E reported west winds of 45 kts and 8.5 m seas (28 ft) at that time. Six hours later the NORTHWEST SEAEAGLE (ZCAS2) encountered northwest winds 50 kts near 28N 134E. Figure 1 shows Fengshen at maximum strength as a tropical storm, transitioning into a post tropical storm force low. The ASCAT image in Figure 2 returned winds to 50 kts and even some 55 kts west of the center. With low bias of the imagery at higher wind speeds, actual winds likely approached hurricane force. After initially weakening to a gale while moving out over the central North Pacific over the following two days, Fengshen re-intensified into a storm while turning north into the Bering Sea on the 12th. It developed a lowest central pressure of 961 hPa near 56N 172W at 0600 UTC on the 13th. Six hours later the buoy 46072 (51.7N 172.2W) reported west winds 35 kts with gusts to 45 kts and 5.5 m seas (18 ft), and highest significant wave heights of 7.5 m (25 ft) seven hours later. Buoy 46073 (55.0N 172.0W) reported similar conditions at 0400 UTC on the 13th, and a peak gust of 49 kts one hour later.

Tropical Storm Kammuri: Kammuri originated in the deep tropics from a non tropical low near 10N 158E early on September 20 and moved northwest, becoming a tropical storm near 21N 150E four days later and developing a maximum intensity of 55 kts for sustained winds while passing near 24N 145E at 1800 UTC on the 26th. The cyclone moved north and began to weaken the following day and became a minimal tropical storm on the 28th before becoming a post tropical storm force low east of Japan near 35N 149E at 0600 UTC on the 29th. Kammuri then moved northeast and weakened to a gale a day later before turning southeast October 1 and dissipating out over the North Pacific two days later.

Super-Typhoon Phanfone: A developing tropical cyclone near 10N 155E at 1200 UTC September 28 and moved west northwest, becoming a tropical storm near 12N 152E 12 hours later and Typhoon Phanfone near 17N 144E 0000 UTC October 1 with sustained winds of 65 kts. Phanfone continued to intensify for the next three days and briefly became a low end super typhoon with sustained winds of 130 kts while passing near 26N 133E at 0000 UTC October 4. The cyclone began to recurve northeast into the westerlies on the 4th and weaken while approaching Japan. HYUNDAI REPUBLIC (H3ZA) near 31N 128E reported north winds of 46 kts and 9.8 m seas (32 ft) at 0600 UTC on the 5th. At 0600 UTC on the 6th the HATSU ETHIC (VQFS4) near 39N 142E encountered north winds of 55 kts and 4.9 m seas (16 ft). Figure 3 shows Phanfone undergoing extratropical transition as it merges with a front front and subsequent re-intensification into an intense 948 hPa hurricane force low over the central North Pacific 60 hours later. Figure 4 is an infrared satellite image of Tropical Storm Phanfone six hours before being declared post tropical by Joint Typhoon Warning Center. It shows what looks like a partial eyewall of central dense overcast becoming embedded in frontal clouds. The ASCAT image in Figure 5 shows scatterometer winds around the post tropical cyclone as it was approaching maximum intensity, with highest winds 50 to 55 kts on the south side. The image might miss higher winds in the data free gap between passes. The cyclone maintained hurricane force winds from 1800 UTC on the 7th through 0000 UTC on the 9th. After that the cyclone weakened with its top winds lowering to gale force in the Gulf of Alaska by the 10th. Dissipation followed late on the 11th in the northern Gulf of Alaska.

Super-Typhoon Vongfong: Tropical Storm 19W formed near 7N 162E at 0600 UTC October 3 and moved northwest, becoming Typhoon Vongfong late on the 4th and passing near 16N 143E with sustained winds of 80 kts at 0000 UTC on the 6th (Figure 3). Rapid intensification followed, with Vongfong becoming a super typhoon early on the 7th with maximum sustained winds of 130 kts, near 17N 135E, and peaked in intensity six hours later with sustained winds of 150 kts. A weakening trend set in early on the 8th as the center of Vongfong passed west of 130E, the western boundary of the Unified Surface Analysis (opc.ncep.noaa.gov) . Vongfong returned as a northeastward moving weakening tropical storm late on the 12th and early on the 13th (Figure 6) and became post tropical east of Japan late on the 13th. The PUTERI ZAMRUD (9MCD3) near 32N 135E reported northeast winds of 68 kts at 1800 UTC on the 11th. The second part of Figure 6 shows Vongfong at maximum strength as a post tropical storm force low. A scatterometer pass from 1036 UTC on the 14th revealed winds to 55 kts on the south and west sides, similar to Figure 2. The cyclone then moved northeast and gradually weakened, with its top winds lowering to gale force south of the eastern Aleutian Islands late on the 16th, and dissipated near the southern Alaska coast by the 20th.

Hurricane Ana: Tropical systems originating in the eastern or central tropical Pacific do not normally move northward and cross 30N into OPC’s high seas area. Ana, a minimal tropical storm west of Hawaii early on October 22, moved northward and re-intensified into a low end category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 65 kts while passing north of 30N by early on the 25th (Figure 7). Tropical Cyclone Julio performed a similar feat the previous August. Ana then tracked northeastward as a weakening tropical system in the warm sector of a gale passing to the north as depicted in Figure 7. Ana became a post tropical storm force low near 42N 148W early on the 26th and developed a central pressure down to 984 hPa near 49N 140W the next day, before weakening near Southeast Alaska on the 28th.

Super-Typhoon Nuri: Nuri was the most significant event of the period in the North Pacific, both as a tropical cyclone and as an intense extratropical low. Originating well south of Japan near 12N 140E 1200 UTC October 30, the developing tropical cyclone became Tropical Storm Nuri 24 hours later and then moved northwest while rapidly intensifying. Nuri became a typhoon near 15N 133E at 1800 UTC November 1 and a super typhoon 18 hours later while turning northward. The peak intensity of 155 kts for sustained winds with gusts to 190 kts came as the center passed near 18N 132E at 1800 UTC on the 2nd. Nuri then turned northeastward and began to weaken the next day, weakening to a tropical storm south of Tokyo near 29N at 0000 UTC on the 6th. At 1800 UTC on the 6th Nuri was a strong tropical storm before becoming a post tropical hurricane force low six hours later. Figure 8 depicts the rapid reintensification into an intense extratropical low over a thirty six hour period. The central pressure fell 57 hPa in a 24 hour period ending at 0000 UTC on the 8th more than twice the rate needed for the cyclone to be considered a “bomb” (Sanders and Gyakum, 1980). The 924 hPa central pressure was likely a record for the North Pacific, with the previous record 925 hPa at Dutch Harbor, AK in a late October storm in 1977 (Reference 7). Figure 9 is an infrared satellite image of the post tropical cyclone near peak intensity, showing a fully occluded and mature system with broad cold topped frontal bands wrapping around a well defined center. The ASCAT image in Figure 10 returned winds 50 to 65 kts both north and south of the center with the highest 70 kts appearing north of an occluded front. Also at the surface, a drifting buoy at 55.08N 170.71E (21574) reported a lowest pressure of 929 hPa at 0210 UTC on the 8th. Shemya, Alaska in the western Aleutians reported a southeast wind of 63 kts with gusts to 80 kts at 1929 UTC on the 7th and a peak gust of 84 kts at 1856 UTC on the 7th, followed by a lowest pressure of 946 hPa at 1956 UTC on the 8th. WELLINGTON STAR (C6TJ9) near 53N 172E reported southeast winds of 55 kts and 8.2 m seas (27 ft) at 1900 UTC on the 7th. Buoy 46035 (57.0N 177.7W) reported at 0600 UTC on the 8th a southeast wind of 40 kts with gusts 45 kts and 4.0 m seas (13 ft), and seas of 8.8 m (29 ft) 20 hours later. Buoy 46072 (51.7N 172.2W) reported highest seas of 9.5 m (31 ft) at 0100 UTC on the 9th. The cyclone subsequently moved east and weakened with its top winds lowering to storm force late on the 8th and to gale force the next day as it stalled over the central Bering Sea. The system dissipated near the central Aleutians on the 13th.

Typhoon Higos: Higos drifted northwest into OPC’s North Pacific radiofacsimile chart area near 154E on the morning of February 10 as a weakening typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 85 kts. 12 hours later Higos was a tropical storm near 17N 153E with sustained winds of 50 kts. The cyclone then weakened to a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on the 11th before accelerating north and becoming a dissipating remnant low near 20N 154E at 1800 UTC on the 12th.

Other Significant Events of the Period

Western North Pacific Storm, September 4-5: An early season storm force low developed in the western waters early in September. A frontal wave of low pressure moved east northeast from Japan on the 1st and developed a lowest central pressure of 974 hPa with storm force winds near 44N 176E at 1800 UTC on the 5th. An ASCAT (METOP-A) pass from 2257 UTC on the 5th revealed a small area of winds to 50 kts on the south side of the center. The cyclone turned northward toward the Bering Sea on the 6th when its winds weakened to gale force. The COSCO HARMONY (VRJA4) near 49N 175E reported northeast winds of 45 kts and 5.8 m seas (19 ft) at 0600 UTC on the 6th. The MSC TEXAS (DCSY2) near 48N 172W encountered southeast winds of 45 kts at 2100 UTC on the 6th. The cyclone stalled in the southern Bering Sea with winds below gale force on the 8th.

Northwest Pacific Storm, September 18-20: Originating south of Japan early on the 17th, this cyclone developed into the first hurricane force low of the season as depicted in Figure 11. The central pressure fell 32 hPa in the 24 hour periodending at 1200 UTC on the 19th. The second part of Figure 11 shows the cyclone at maximum intensity. An ASCAT (METOP-A) pass from 1053 UTC on the 19th revealed winds to 50 kts southeast of the center of a compact circulation. BUDAPEST EXPRESS (DGWE2) reported south winds of 45 kts near 42N 162E at 2100 UTC on the 18th. The EVER SAFETY (3EMQ4) encountered west winds of 35 kts and 9.0 m seas (30 ft) near 46N 162E at 0600 UTC on the 20th. The system subsequently weakened as it moved into the western Bering Sea, where it stalled and dissipated on the 23rd.

Eastern North Pacific Storm, September 21-24: Figure 12 depicts the development of this hurricane force low. It originated in the central waters well south of the central Aleutians early on the 20th. The second part of Figure 12 shows the cyclone near maximum intensity. The ASCAT image in Figure 13 shows a swath of 50 kts winds on the south and west sides.

Northwest Pacific Storm, September 25-27: A developing low moved northeast across Japan on September 24 and developed storm force winds near the northern Kurile Islands early on the 26th and a lowest central pressure 976 hPa with hurricane force winds near 49N 162E at 0000 UTC on the 27th. The SANTA FIORENZA (A8AJ4, 48N 156E) reported north winds of 50 kts at 2200 UTC on the 26th. Two hours later the HANOVER EXPRESS (DFGX2) encountered north winds of 45 kts and 9.0 m seas (30 ft). An ASCAT METOP-B image from 2315 UTC on the 26th showed northwest winds of 50 kts at the edge of a pass and it is possible it missed higher winds. The cyclone subsequently moved east from the 27th through the 30th as a gale and then turned northeast and moved into Southeast Alaska late on October 3rd.

Western North Pacific Storm, October 11-13: Low pressure formed well southeast of Japan near 27N 158E at 0600 UTC October 11th and moved northeast while intensifying over the next 36 hours, briefly developing hurricane force winds on the 12th. The central pressure fell 29 hPa in the 24 hour period ending at 1800 UTC on the 12th, when the cyclone was at 37N 171E with a 973 hPa central pressure. Figure 6 shows the cyclone eighteen hours later and beginning to weaken while moving northeast. The cyclone weakened to a sub gale force low near Southeast Alaska late on the 17th.

North Pacific and Bering Storm, October 29 - November 1: A wave of low pressure moved out of the western waters and toward the Bering Sea while rapidly intensifying as depicted in Figure 14. The central pressure fell 39 hPa during this 24 hour period. The cyclone briefly developed hurricane force winds late on the 30th, with the lowest central pressure of 963 hPa occurring early on the 31st near 56N 172W. An ASCAT (METOP-B) pass from 2130 UTC on the 30th returned 50-55 kts winds on the south side, similar to Figure 16 for a mid November event. The APL CHINA (WDB3161) near 53N 158W reported west winds of 50 kts and 9.4 m seas (31 ft) at 0000 UTC November 1st. Buoy 46072 (51.7N 172.2W) reported west winds of 40 kts with gusts to 52 kts and 8.2 m seas (27 ft) at 0600 UTC on the 31st, and a report of 10.4 m seas (34 ft) one hour later. The cyclone then turned eastward and weakened to a gale on November 1st, and dissipated in the Gulf of Alaska on November 4th.

North Pacific Storm, November 18-20: Mid November was the start of a more active period lasting through December. Figure 15 shows a frontal wave of low pressure moving out of the western waters and rapidly developing. The central pressure fell 38 hPa in the 24 hour period ending at 0000 UTC on the 20th. The central pressure reached 949 hPa six hours later. The ASCAT image in Figure 16 shows strong support for hurricane force winds with winds of 50 to 60 kts appearing south of the center with limited coverage. The ship VRIZ9 (35N 169W) reported south winds of 40 kts and 8.5 m seas (28 ft) at 0000 UTC on the 20th. Buoy 46066 (52,8N 155.0W) reported southwest winds 37 kts with gusts to 47 kts and a peak gust of 51 kts at 2300 UTC on the 20th, and a report of 9.0 m seas (30 ft) one hour later. The cyclone subsequently moved north and then turned west and stalled and weakened near the Alaska Peninsula late on the 21st and on the 22nd.

North Pacific Storms, November 23-26: Three strong lows developed during this period, all briefly developing hurricane force winds and central pressures around 980 hPa either on or late on November 25th. Figure 17 and Figure 18 shows the development of an eastern Pacific system; another near 180W and a third moving off Japan. The eastern low, originating near 32N 157W late on the 23rd, developed a lowest central pressure of 979 hPa near 40N 148W at 0000 UTC on the 26th. The Rapidscat imagery in Figure 19 shows a swath of 45 to 55 kts winds south and west of the center and some higher winds to 75 kts near 40N which are rain flagged. Rapidscat is a QuikSCAT type instrument aboard the International Space Station offering better coverage than ASCAT except at high latitudes. The cyclone weakened to a gale on the 26th and continued to weaken as it drifted northeast and then southeast toward the end of the month. The APL THAILAND (WCX8882) near 38N 134W reported south winds of 45 kts and 7.0 m seas (23 ft) at 0000 UTC on the 26th. The central Pacific system originated near 29N 149E at 0000 UTC on the 23rd and developed a lowest central pressure of 980 hPa and hurricane force winds near 45N 175W at 1200 UTC on the 25th. An ASCAT (METOP-A) image from 0926 UTC on the 25th revealed northwest winds 50 to 60 kts near the edge of a pass. The LIBERTY PRIDE (KRAU) near 41N 179E reported northwest winds of 35 kts and 9.4 m seas (31 ft) at 0600 UTC on the 25th. Buoy 46072 (51.7N 172.2W) reported southeast winds of 40 kts and 10.7 m seas (35 ft) at 0400 UTC on the 26th. The cyclone subsequently moved into the Bering Sea as a gale by the 26th and dissipated on the 29th over eastern Russia. The western cyclone developed as two weak lows near Japan merged (Figure 17 and Figure 18) to form a 982 hPa center near 48N 173E with hurricane force winds at 0600 UTC on the 26th. It then weakened as it moved north through the Bering Sea from the 27th to the 29th.

Western North Pacific Storm, November 25-30: A wave of low pressure passed across Japan on November 25th and quickly developed storm force winds east of Japan early on the 26th. It developed an intensity similar to that of the previous three storms as the center passed near 37N 168E with a 978 hPa central pressure at 1800 UTC on the 28th. OPC analyzed this system as having hurricane force winds from 0000 UTC to 1800 UTC on the 28th. Weakening set in as the system tracked east northeast toward the eastern Aleutians.

North Pacific Storm, December 4-7: The next significant event was a stronger development originating over southern Japan late on December 3rd and moving northeast. Figure 20 depicts the final 24 hours of development leading to a lowest central pressure of 956 hPa, the pressure fell 42 hPa in the 24 hour period ending at 1200 UTC on the 5th. Figure 21 shows a large area of ASCAT winds of 50 to 60 kts with good support for classifying this as a hurricane force low. The EVER DIAMOND (3FQS8) near 35N 157E reported southwest winds of 40 kts and 8.5 m seas (28 ft). The cyclone then moved east with some weakening but maintaining storm force winds until becoming absorbed by a new development to the east on the 7th.

North Pacific Storm, December 9-12: This developing hurricane force low shown in Figure 22 tracked south of the previous system and starting from a weak low off Japan, developed hurricane force winds in only 24 hours, with the central pressure falling 33 hPa in this period, impressive for that low latitude. The Rapidscat image in Figure 23 is similar to Figure 19 for the eastern event except for showing more numerous winds in the 60 to 75 kts range. The COSCO GLORY (VRIR7) near 38N 161W encountered south winds of 45 kts and 7.0 m seas (23 ft) at 2200 UTC on the 11th. The cyclone developed a lowest central pressure of 968 hPa near 43N 178W at 1200 UTC on the 11th. The system subsequently moved east and weakened to a gale force low late on the 12th in the eastern North Pacific, before dissipating late on the 13th.

North Pacific Storms, December 15-18: Two strong cyclones developed at about the same time in mid December as depicted in Figure 24. The western system moved off Japan early on the 16th and is shown at maximum intensity in the second part of Figure 26. The central pressure fell 52 hPa in the 24 hour period ending at 0000 UTC on the 17th. This was the most rapid rate of intensification among all cyclones with non tropical origin in the North Pacific during the period. The scatterometer pass near the time of maximum intensity (Figure 25) reveals winds 50 to 60 kts both north and south of the storm center near the southern Kurile Islands. The cyclone subsequently drifted southeast and weakened, before dissipating late on the 17th. The hurricane force low on the eastern edge of the second part of Figure 24 originated 39N 154E early on the 15th and tracked east northeast, developing hurricane force winds over the central waters near 43N 174W at 1800 UTC on the 16th and a deepest central pressure of 958 hPa near 47N 162W at 1200 UTC on the 17th. An ASCAT (METOP-A) pass from 2108 UTC on the 17th was similar to Figure 21 for the December 4th-7th event except winds were higher, up to 65 kts. A weakening trend set in thereafter, as the system moved toward the Gulf of Alaska, where winds became sub-gale force late on the 19th.

Northwest Pacific Storm. December 19-21: A low pressure area rapidly intensified as it moved northeast across the Sea of Japan late on the 19th and early on the 20th, developing storm force winds in the northern Sea of Japan early on the 20th and hurricane force winds later that day as it moved east of Sakhalin Island. The central pressure fell 40 hPa in the 24 hour period ending at 0600 UTC on the 21st. The cyclone developed a lowest central pressure of 954 hPa near 53N 145E at 1200 UTC on the 21st. The HANOVER EXPRESS (DFGX2) near 39N 148E reported south winds of 50 kts and 5.5 m seas (18 ft) at 1800 UTC on the 20th. . The APL THAILAND (WCX8882) near 39N 145E encountered northwest winds of 45 kts and 7.0 m seas (23 ft) six hours later. An ASCAT (METOP-B) pass from 1125 UTC on the 21st revealed east to northeast winds 50 to 60 kts on the north side of the cyclone. The cyclone subsequently stalled and weakened, with Figure 26 showing it as a dissipating gale in the western Sea of Okhotsk.

Northeastern Pacific Storm, December 22-23: This relatively short lived event originated as a new low near 41N 147W at 0600 UTC on December 22nd which moved north and developed rapidly. The cyclone developed a lowest central pressure of 976 hPa and briefly hurricane force winds near 53N 138W at 1200 UTC on the 23rd. An ASCAT (METOPB) pass from 0537 UTC on the 23rd revealed a swath of west winds 50 to 55 kts south of the cyclone center, near the time of maximum intensity. The APL PHILLIPINES (WCX8884) near 47N 140W reported southwest winds of 50 kts and 6.0 m seas (20 ft) at 0600 UTC on the 23rd. The MIDNIGHT SUN (WAHG) encountered northwest winds of 45 kts and 9.4 m seas (31 ft) near 52N 137W at 1800 UTC on the 23rd. The cyclone then drifted northeast and weakened near the Queen Charlotte Islands on the 24th.

Northwest Pacific and Bering Sea Storm, December 22-24: Originating over Japan late on December 20th, this developing cyclone moved northeast and rapidly intensified after the 21st, with the central pressure dropping 33 hPa in the 24 hour period ending at 1200 UTC on the 23rd (Figure 26). It briefly developed hurricane force winds with a lowest central pressure of 954 hPa near 55N 176E at 1800 UTC December 23rd. The second part of Figure 26 shows this Bering Sea system six hours later, when it began to drift northwest and weaken. An ASCAT (METOP-A) pass from 2339 UTC on the 23rd showed east to northeast winds to 50 kts over the northwest Bering Sea. A vessel reporting with the SHIP call sign reported south winds of 45 kts and 4.9 m seas (16 ft) near 36N 180W at 0000 UTC on the 24th. The SAGA SPRAY (VRWW5) near 54N 171E encountered southwest winds of 40 kts and 6.7 m seas (22 ft) 12 hours later. The cyclone subsequently drifted over the western Bering Sea and dissipated over the Kamchatka Peninsula early on the 25th.

North Pacific Storm, December 23-24: Low pressure formed near 43N 160E with a 992 hPa center at 0600 UTC December 24th, rapidly intensified in the following twelve hours and briefly developed hurricane force winds near 48N 171E with a 976 hPa central pressure at 0000 UTC on the 24th (Figure 26). The ASCAT imagery in Figure 27 shows an area of west winds 50 to 60 kts south of the low center. Winds detected by ASCAT were actually higher with this smaller and more compact cyclone than with the larger Bering Sea system. The cyclone subsequently moved northeast into the Bering Sea as a gale late on the 24th before dissipating over Alaska the next day.

Northwest Pacific and Bering Sea Storm, December 29-31: A developing low tracked northeast from Japan to the western Bering Sea at the end of December. Figure 28 shows the main development over a thirty six hour period and includes a drop in central pressure of 44 hPa in the 24 hour period ending at 1200 UTC on the 30th. The 947 hPa central pressure made it the deepest cyclone of the period not including those with tropical origin. Figure 29 shows a swath of winds 50 to 60 kts south of the center appearing in scatterometer imagery. The STAR FUJI (LAVX4) near 50N 155E reported northwest winds of 50 kts and 6.0 m seas (20 ft) at 1200 UTC on the 31st. The PRAGUE EXPRESS (DGZR2) near 54N 165E encountered northeast winds 40 kts and 9.0 m seas (30 ft). The cyclone subsequently moved north and weakened, before dissipating over the Kamchatka Peninsula late on the 31st.

Northwest Pacific and Bering Sea Storms, December 31-January 4: Two subsequent events at the beginning of January followed tracks similar to that of December 29-31 event except were not quite as intense. The first of these moved northeast off Japan’s main island early on December 31st and rapidly deepened, becoming a hurricane force low as it passed near 45N 160E with a 962 hPa central pressure at 1800 UTC January 1st. Its central pressure had fallen 27 hPa in the preceding 24 hour period. An ASCAT (METOP-A) pass from 0958 UTC January 1st showed a partial view of winds 50 to 60 kts at the pass edge on the southeast side of the cyclone center. The cyclone developed a lowest central pressure of 958 hPa near 56N 166E at 1800 UTC on the 2nd, but its top winds had weakened to storm force by that time. Figure 30 shows this system in the western Bering Sea weakening and moving inland over Russia while the second low rapidly intensified east of Japan. The second low became slightly more intense, developing a lowest central pressure of 954 hPa near 47N 166E at 0600 UTC on the 4th. The period covered by Figure 30 includes a 24 hour period ending at 1800 UTC on the 3rd when the central pressure fell 38 hPa. An ASCAT (METOP-B) pass from 2227 UTC on the 3rd returned winds as high as 65 kts south of the center, but otherwise similar to the pattern seen in Figure 25 for the mid December event near the Kurile Islands. The cyclone then weakened on the 4th as it moved north, with its top winds lowering to gale force later that day as it passed 50N. Dissipation followed late on the 6th near the Kamchatka Peninsula.

North Pacific Storm, January 11-13: Figure 31 depicts the development of a compact 961 hPa hurricane force low over a 24 hour period from a weak low near 37N 164E. The central pressure fell 32 hPa during this time, impressive for that low latitude development. The ASCAT image in Figure 32 reveals a compact circulation with the highest wind retrievals of 60 kts. The APL CHINA (WDB3161) near 44N 163E at 1500 UTC on the 13th reported northwest winds of 40 kts and 5.2 m seas (17 ft). The lowest central pressure of 957 hPa occurred later; at 0000 UTC on the 14th near 46N 167W after the winds had weakened to storm force. The cyclone then dissipated by early on the 15th as new gale force lows formed to the northeast and southwest.

Western North Pacific Storm, January 15-16: As the previous event was ending, a new gale force low passed just south of Japan late on January 14th and developed storm force winds while passing east of Japan early on the 15th, and briefly hurricane force near 39N 154E with a central pressure as low as 981 hPa at 0600 UTC on the 16th. A vessel with the SHIP call sign reported west winds of 35 kts and 6.0 m seas (20 ft) near 35N 141E at 1500 UTC on the 15th. The cyclone then tracked east along 39N with its winds weakening to gale force 18 hours later. Figure 33 shows this system as a weakening gale. It subsequently moved into the eastern Pacific on the 18th and then turned north into the Gulf of Alaska by the 20th, and dissipated by the 21st.

Western/ Central North Pacific Storm, January 17-20: A stronger cyclone developed and moved east of northern Japan late on January 16th and on the 17th immediately following the preceding event (Figure 33). It briefly developed hurricane force winds late on the 17th and early on the 18th with the ASCAT image in Figure 34 showing a swath of west to northwest winds 50 to 60 kts south of the center and extending south to near 34N. The cyclone moved out over the North Pacific and developed a lowest central pressure of 958 hPa near 43N 175E at 1200 UTC on the 19th, but its top winds had weakened to storm force early on the preceding day. The BREMEN EXPRESS (DHBN) near 41N 143E reported northwest winds of 55 kts at 1800 UTC on the 17th, and 12 hours later northwest winds of 50 kts and 6.4 m seas (21 ft) near 43N 147E). The COSCO GLORY (VRIR7) encountered north winds of 45 kts and 8.5 m seas (28 ft) near 44N 149E at 0200 UTC on the 18th. The cyclone subsequently stalled near 47N 170W as a gale force low late on the 20th, then drifted southeast on the 22nd and dissipated on the 24th.

Western North Pacific Storm, January 22-24: Low pressure originating well south of Japan near 26N on January 21st passed just east of Tokyo as a gale early on the 22nd. The cyclone tracked northeast and developed storm force winds 12 hours later and briefly hurricane force winds late on the 23rd as the center passed near 44N 153E. The central pressure fell 24 hPa in the 24 hour period ending at 1800 UTC on the 23rd. An ASCAT (METOP-A) pass from 2301 UTC on the 23rd returned winds to 50 kts on the south side but likely missed stronger winds in a data free gap. The cyclone developed a lowest central pressure of 966 hPa at 1800 UTC on the 23rd. The TOKYO EXPRESS (DGTX) near 37N 144E reported northwest winds of 50 kts at 1200 UTC on the 23rd. The SEA-LAND LIGHTNING (WDB9986) near 48N 157E reported east winds of 50 kts and 7.0 m seas (23 ft) at 0000 UTC on the 24th, and then 12 hours later reported seas of 8.2 m (27 ft) near 47N 153E. A weakening trend set in late on the 23rd with the cyclone becoming a gale near 46N 170E early on the 25th. The cyclone spawned new centers to the northeast and became absorbed on the 26th.

Western North Pacific Storm, January 30-February 2: Low pressure originating near Japan early on January 30th (Figure 35) developed hurricane force winds in the next 18 hours, and passed near 42N 149E with a lowest central pressure of 976 hPa at 1200 UTC on the 31st (Figure 36). The scatterometer image from 1032 UTC on the 31st (Figure 37) shows a swath of winds 50 to 60 kts on the south side of the cyclone. The cyclone then drifted northeast with its top winds weakening to storm force on the 31st and to gale force by 1800 UTC February 2nd near 44N 153E. The system then drifted southeast and dissipated late on the 3rd.

Eastern North Pacific Storm, January 30-February 2: Concurrent with the western hurricane force event, a deep low formed in the eastern waters over a 24 hour period as depicted in Figure 35 and Figure 36. The 953 hPa central pressure reached at 1200 UTC January 31st made this cyclone the deepest of the January to February period. The central pressure fell 36 hPa during 24 hour period. The scatterometer image in Figure 38 returned winds to 50 kts north, south and west of the center but the data free gap might miss higher winds, and for warning purposes OPC considers this system a storm force low. The cyclone then stalled near 46N 157W through February 2nd and weakened to a gale, and then moved west northwest as a sub gale force low, blocked by high pressure to the north. The cyclone dissipated near 180W on the 6th.

Western North Pacific Storm, February 18-19: An area of low pressure passed just south of Japan on February 17th. Figure 39 depicts the subsequent development of this slow moving system into a storm force low, with the second part of Figure 39 showing the cyclone at maximum intensity. The ASCAT-B image in Figure 40 winds to 50 kts on the south and west sides close to the center. This system, aided by its passage over relatively warm southern waters, appeared to be the one coming closest to hurricane force during February. The cyclone continued slow eastward motion and maintained storm force winds through the 19th, before weakening to a gale early on the 20th. The cyclone then spawned a new storm center to the north near 37N 163E at 0000 UTC on the 21st with the centers merging late on the 21st near 37N 176E while maintaining gale to storm force winds. The cyclone then dissipated near 35N 164W late on the 26th.

References

1. Sanders, Frederick and Gyakum, John R., Synoptic-Dynamic Climatology of the “Bomb”, Monthly Weather Review, October 1980.

2. Ocean Surface Winds, http://manati.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/products.php

3. VonAhn, Joan. and Sienkiewicz, Joe, “Hurricane Force Extratropical Cyclones Observed Using QuikSCAT Near Real Time Winds”, Mariners Weather Log, Vol. 49, No. 1, April 2005.

4. Saffir-Simpson Scale of Hurricane Intensity: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

5. Tropical Cyclone Reports, 2014, National Hurricane Center, http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/index.php?season=2014&basin=atl

6. Sienkiewicz, Joe and Chesneau, Lee, “Mariner’s Guide to the 500-Millibar Chart”, Mariners Weather Log, December 2008.

7. http://www.mashable.com/2014/11/10/typhoon-nuri-bering-bomb-storm/

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