The 1959 Pacific typhoon season had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1959, but
most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and
December. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern
Pacific Ocean.
The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator and west of the International Date Line. Storms that form east of the Date Line and north of the equator are
called hurricanes; see 1959 Pacific hurricane season. All typhoons
were assigned a name and number. Tropical storms and tropical depressions formed in the entire west Pacific basin were assigned a
name and number by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, but the latter was not
added if no reconnaissance missions were assigned. Systems handled by the responsibility of the USWB and FWB featured no
number.
The 1959 Pacific typhoon season featured 23 tropical cyclones, though operationally 59 total areas of investigation were
classified by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC);[1] three systems were handled by the
responsibility of FWB at Pearl Harbor and the USWB at Honolulu. Three systems were questionable due to lack of reconnaissance aircraft use. In total, the season featured 65 tropical cyclones and areas of
investigation operationally, including central Pacific Hurricane
Patsy, which was operationally believed to have crossed the International Date
Line into the western Pacific.[1] The first annual tropical cyclone report for the western North Pacific Ocean was issued by the agency.[1]
Storms
Timeline of tropical activity in 1959 Pacific typhoon season
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Of the 23 tropical cyclones and 65 total areas of investigation, 17 storms attained typhoon status, which was below the yearly
average of 19.[1] At least nine
other tropical systems never exceeded tropical storm intensity operationally. Most of the systems were noted to have developed
within the typical spawning grounds for typhoons originating from easterly waves within the Intertropical Convergence Zone; the exceptions were Ellen and Georgia which developed
from cold-core troughs extending southward into the tropical latitudes.[1] Of the 17 typhoons that formed,
five were first detected within 300 miles (500 km) of the island of
Guam. Three of the typhoons developed at a slow rate, while three others rapidly intensified to
typhoon status within hours. Only four typhoons were small in diameter, while at least three typhoons developed to large sizes
and became the dominant tropical features during the season.[1] Two of the typhoons—Joan and Vera—featured sea-level pressures below 900 millibars and
were the most intense tropical cyclones during the season, each featuring winds of 190 mph (305 km/h) or greater.[1][2] Of the total number of typhoons, 215 reconnaissance missions were flown into
the storms, including 3,799 observations and 391 total fixes. The average track error for each advisory for storms during the
season was 63.9 miles (102.8 km) for 12-hour forecasts and 301.6 miles (485.4 km) for 48-hour forecasts.[1]
Tropical Storm Two (Ruby)
The first tropical storm of the season was detected by reconnaissance aircraft on February 27 about 300 miles (500 km) south of Yap with winds of 60
mph (90 km/h).[2] Moving erratically westward, Ruby maintained intensity until it passed
90 miles (140 km) south of Palau on
February 28, when it began to weaken and move to the west-northwest. Ruby weakened to below
tropical storm intensity on March 1 and then turned to the southwest. The depression dissipated later on the same day
300 miles (500 km) east of Mindanao.
Ruby was a short-lived tropical storm that did not affect any major land masses,[2] and it was the only tropical cyclone in the season that formed during the
month of February.
Tropical Storm Three (Sally)
Three days after Ruby dissipated, the second tropical cyclone of the season was detected 200 miles (300 km) southeast of Majuro in the
Marshall Islands with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h).[2] After drifting northwest, Sally moved to the southwest on March 5 and then
began to move westward, with its winds fluctuating to 50 mph (80 km/h). Sally soon restrengthened on March 6, reaching a secondary peak of 60 mph (90 km/h), and
maintained its intensity for 18 hours as it moved steadily westward. After weakening to 45 mph (75 km/h) on March 8, Sally briefly jogged to the west-northwest on
March 9, and it began to re-intensify as it turned back to the west, quickly reaching its third peak of 60 mph (90 km/h) on
March 10.[2]
Sally slowly weakened as it turned to the northwest and slowed in forward speed, with its winds decreasing to 45 mph (75 km/h) on
March 11. After briefly restrengthening to 60 mph (90 km/h) on March 12, Sally turned to the west and quickly weakened to a
tropical depression. The depression briefly turned to the west-southwest and dissipated on March 13 300 miles (500 km) east of Mindanao.[2]
Typhoon Four (Tilda)
One month after Sally dissipated, the first typhoon of the season formed from a closed cyclonic circulation 300 miles (500 km) south of Chuuk. The circulation
drifted westward, and reports from the surface showed intensification. On April 14 a reconnaissance aircraft mission estimated
winds of tropical storm force, and the third tropical storm of the season was named Tilda.[3] Tilda slowly moved northwest at 9 mph (14 km/h) and briefly oscillated
to 3 mph (6 km/h) on April 15 as it intensified to a typhoon with 75 mph (121 km/h) winds.[2] Tilda then moved generally to the northwest with minor fluctuations on
April 16 and the following day before turning northward on April 18, when it rapidly
intensified. Tilda attained its peak intensity of 145 mph (230 km/h) 400 miles (600 km) west of Guam on April 19,[3] and it
slowly weakened as it turned north-northeast and decreased in forward speed. The typhoon became quasi-stationary for 30 hours on
April 20,[3] weakening to a minimal typhoon in the process by the next day. After drifting under weak
steering currents, Tilda accelerated to the north-northeast on April 22 and weakened to a tropical storm. Tilda dissipated on
April 23 as it merged with the upper-level westerlies 130 miles (210 km) southwest of Iwo Jima.[2][3] Thirty-seven warnings for Tilda were issued by the Joint Typhoon
Warning Center over the course of seven days. Tilda caused no damage or direct deaths.[3]
Tropical Storm Wilda
|
Tropical Depression Four |
TD |
|
 |
Image:4-W 1959 track.png |
|
| Duration |
July 4—July
6, 1959 |
| Intensity |
Winds unknown, Pressure unknown |
After two months of inactivity, a tropical depression formed on July 4 in the South China
Sea 480 miles (770 km) west of Luzon. After briefly drifting northeast, the depression moved erratically northward on July 5, and it made landfall on mainland China east of Hong Kong on July 6.
The depression quickly dissipated after moving inland.[2] Operationally the system was classified as a tropical storm under the name Wilda, but
post-analysis determined the tropical cyclone never attained winds of 39 mph (60 km/h) or greater. No reconnaissance aircraft
investigated the system, which was one of only three disturbances not monitored during the season.[1]
Typhoon Eight (Billie)
An area of disturbed weather east of the Philippines organized into a tropical depression
on July 12. Moving to the northwest, it quickly strengthened, reaching tropical storm status
later on the 12th and typhoon strength on the 13th. After peaking at 105 mph (169 km/h), Billie crossed over northeastern Taiwan, quickly weakened, and made landfall on eastern China on the 15th. A trough
of low pressure brought the storm northeastward, where after weakening to a tropical storm, it traversed the Yellow Sea and crossed the Korean Peninsula, losing tropical characteristics
on the 18th. Typhoon Billie caused extreme flooding in northeastern Taiwan, causing $500,000 in property damage, leaving 10,000
homeless in the capital city of Taipei, and killing 1. In Japan,
the outer edges of the typhoon caused torrential rains, killing 45 and destroying more than 65,000 houses.
Hurricane Dot (Six)
- Main article: Hurricane Dot (1959)
Typhoon Twelve (Ellen)
115 mph (185 km/h) Typhoon Ellen, which reached its peak while south of
Japan on August 4, struck the southern part of the country on
the 7th. It paralleled the southern portion of the archipelago, and became extratropical on the 9th over the open western Pacific
Ocean. Ellen dropped up to 35 inches of rainfall on Japan, killing 11 and causing severe rice crop damage. Ellen's greatest
effect, however, was on Taiwan, where torrential rains associated with the typhoon caused
disastrous flooding that killed nearly 700, left tens of thousands homeless, and destroyed much of the transportation
infrastructure in the central and southwestern part of the island. Some locations received almost 50 inches of rain in three
days, exceeding local annual average totals. The heaviest rain event was on August 7th, when as much as 25 inches of rain fell in
the mountains and western plains, causing rivers and streams to burst through levees and flood thousands of hectares of farmland,
washing away rural villages, and causing widespread urban flooding as well in Taichung and other cities. The economic impact was
particularly extensive and long-lasting due to the widespread flooding of farmland. In Taiwan the event is remembered as the
"Great August 7 (8-7) Flood".
Typhoon Fourteen (Georgia)
Just 4 days after Ellen hit Japan, 105 mph (169 km/h) Typhoon Georgia
hit the southeastern portion of the country. After rapidly crossing the archipelago it dissipated in the Sea of Japan on
August 15. Georgia brought more heavy rains to the country, causing 246 fatalities and leaving
over 50,000 homeless. Georgia caused torrential damage to Japan's railroad network, and, combined with Typhoon Ellen, produced a
damage total of $50 million (1959 USD).
Typhoon Eighteen (Iris)
Typhoon Iris, which formed on August 19 to the east of Luzon, passed near the northeastern
portion of the island on the 21st as a minimal typhoon. It turned to the northwest, peaking at 105 mph (169 km/h) before weakening to a tropical storm. Iris made landfall on
southeastern China on the 22nd, and quickly dissipated. Typhoon Iris caused rough seas off the
coast of Luzon, sinking at least two ships and killing 89 people. In China, the storm brought torrential rains, killing 720
people with 996 missing in the Fujian province in southeast China.
Typhoon Twenty-one (Joan)
On August 25, Tropical Storm Joan formed in the open Western Pacific, and attained typhoon
status early the next day. As Joan moved to the west-northwest, it continued to rapidly intensify, reaching Super Typhoon status
on the 28th and peak winds of 195 mph (314 km/h) on the 29th. Such winds
are dubious, due to the infancy of Reconnaissance Aircraft at the time and the lack of satellite images. Nevertheless, Joan was a
powerful typhoon, and struck eastern Taiwan with estimated winds of 185 mph (298 km/h) on the 29th. It rapidly weakened while crossing the island and the
Formosa Strait, and dissipated over China on the 31st. Strong winds and heavy flooding caused 11 casualties and $3 million in
crop damage. Property damage was extensive as well, with 3,308 houses destroyed from the typhoon. In China, 3 people were killed
and 57 were injured from Joan.
Tropical Storm Twenty (Kate)
Typhoon Twenty-two (Louise)
Just 5 days after Joan hit Taiwan, 135 mph (217 km/h) Typhoon Louise
southeastern Taiwan, and quickly weakened as it moved northward. After weakening to a tropical depression over China, it
restrengthened to a tropical storm before hitting North Korea and dissipating on
September 7. Louise left 6 dead and over 6000 homeless.
Tropical Storm Twenty-six (Nora)
Tropical Storm Twenty-seven (Opal)
Typhoon Twenty-nine (Patsy)
Typhoon Thirty-three (Sarah)
Super Typhoon Sarah, which peaked at 190 mph (310 km/h) on
September 15, weakened to a 115 mph (185 km/h) typhoon just before making landfall on southern South Korea on the 17th. It continued to the northeast, and dissipated on the 19th over northern
Japan. In the Ryukyu Islands, Sarah's high winds and rain
caused 6 deaths and destroyed 6,000 houses, causing $2 million in crop damage. In all of Korea,
extreme flooding and storm surge killed 669 people and left 782,126 homeless. Extreme crop damage and property damage amounted to
$100 million (1959 USD) ($638 million 2005 USD). Flooding in Japan killed 24, with thousands of houses either destroyed or
damaged.
Typhoon Thirty-nine (Vera)
 |
It is requested that this article (or section of this article) be expanded.
Please see discussion on the talk page.
|
- Main article: Typhoon Vera (1959)
Typhoon Vera was one of Japan's worst typhoons ever, causing the deaths of 5,159 people and producing a damage total of $261
million dollars (1959 dollars).
Typhoon Forty (Amy)
Tropical Storm Forty-one (Babs)
Typhoon Forty-two (Charlotte)
An area of low pressure organized into a tropical depression on October 9 to the east of
the Philippines. It moved northwestward, quickly intensifying to typhoon status on the 10th. Charlotte continued to intensify,
and reached a peak of 165 mph (266 km/h) on the 13th before recurving to
the northeast. Cooler, drier air weakened the typhoon, and after passing near Okinawa
on the 16th it paralleled the southern coast of Japan offshore. The weakening storm turned to the
east, and dissipated on the 19th. Charlotte brought a total of 24 inches of rain on Okinawa, causing landslides that damaged much
of the island. Crop damage was severe, with 75% of the rice crop destroyed. The five feet of flooding in some areas damaged 618
homes and destroyed 275. In all, Charlotte caused 46 casualties and left 1,068 homeless.
Typhoon Forty-three (Dinah)
Just weeks after Super Typhoon Vera, another northward moving 170 mph (270 km/h) Super Typhoon was moving northward through the Pacific Ocean.
Dinah's turn to the northeast spared the country, and it became extratropical on October 21
to the east of the archipelago.
Typhoon Forty-six (Emma)
Typhoon Forty-eight (Freda)
A disturbance in the Intertropical Convergence Zone organized into a tropical storm to the east of the Philippines on
November 13. Freda moved west-northwestward, attaining typhoon status the next day. As it
paralleled the northeast coast of Luzon, it rapidly intensified to a 135 mph (217 km/h) typhoon, and made landfall on the 16th with slightly weaker winds
of 120, the weakening due to land interaction. Freda rapidly weakened as it crossed the island, and turned to the north. After
passing close to Taiwan on the 18th, it accelerated to the north and became extratropical on the
20th. Freda brought torrential rains to the city of Manila, driving two vessels aground. Crop
damage was heavy on the southern part of the island, while 7,600 were left homeless from the flooding. Freda caused 58 fatalities
as it passed through the Philippines.
Typhoon Fifty-six (Gilda)
On December 18, 170 mph (270 km/h)
Super Typhoon Gilda made landfall on the eastern Philippines. It quickly crossed the archipelago, and weakened over the South
China Sea. Gilda made landfall on southeastern Vietnam on the 21st as a tropical storm, and
dissipated the next day. Gilda caused 23 casualties in the Philippines from extensive rainfall, and left nearly 60,000
homeless.
Typhoon Fifty-eight (Harriet)
On December 30, just weeks after Gilda, 145 mph (233 km/h) Typhoon Harriet hit the eastern Philippines. It weakened as it
crossed the islands, and dissipated over the South China Sea on January 2. Harriet brought
strong winds and rainfall to Luzon, causing considerable property and crop damage. In all, the typhoon killed 5 and left more
than 12,000 homeless.
Tropical Depression Violet
|
Tropical Depression Violet |
TC |
|
|
|
| Duration |
June 28—June
29, 1959 |
| Intensity |
Winds unknown, Pressure unknown |
Tropical Depression Seven (Anita)
|
Tropical Depression Seven (Anita) |
TC |
|
|
|
| Duration |
July 5—July
7, 1959 |
| Intensity |
Winds unknown, Pressure unknown |
Tropical Storm Clara
Tropical Depression Thirteen (Fran)
Tropical Depression Fifteen (Hope)
Tropical Depression Marge
Tropical Depression Thirty-one (Ruth)
Tropical Depression Thirty-six (Thelma)
