Typhoon Ken (1982)

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

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

During mid-September, a monsoon trough was present in the Philippine Sea. On September 14, a persistent area disturbance weather was first visible on satellite imagery.[1] On September 15, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) started to monitor the system.[2][nb 1] The next day, a Hurricane Hunter aircraft reported a closed atmospheric circulation. Based on this, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) upgraded the storm into a tropical depression, without issuing a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA). Six hours later, the storm was upgraded into a tropical storm.[1] Around this time, the JMA followed suit and upgraded the system into a tropical storm.[2] Initially, Ken was expected by the JTWC to move west and pass near Luzon, but this did not occur. At 0600 UTC on September 17, Ken was upgraded into a severe tropical storm by the JTWC[1] and the JMA.[2] That evening, Ken was upgraded to typhoon status by both the JTWC[1] and the JMA[2] when the hunters recorded a pressure of 976 mbar (28.8 inHg).[1] Ken continued to gain strength; at 1800 UTC on September 18, the Hurricane Hunter aircraft reported winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). This wind speed is equivalent to a low-end Category 3 typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS). Several hours later, the JTWC reported that Ken attained peak intensity of 200 km/h (125 mph) while centered about 800 km (495 mi) east-southeast of Taiwan.[1]

The typhoon moved west-northwest at a slower rate than expected, but on September 19, Typhoon Ken, a subtropical ridge moved west-southwest, moving into south China and the South China Sea. As such, many tropical cyclone forecast models showed Ken turning north-northeast, but Ken began to stall on September 20 instead.[1] Around this time, the JMA estimated peak wind speeds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a peak pressure of 940 mbar (28 inHg).[2] Initially, Ken was small, but around this time the storm began to grow in size. The cause of the structural change is unknown, but it is possible that some dry air got induced into the storm's circulation, which also caused the eye to collapse[1] and the storm to weaken.[2]

By September 21, Ken began to move erratically due to a deepening trough that was centered north of Typhoon Ken before taking off in the general direction of Japan. Weakening ensued thereafter due to increased wind shear. By September 23, the JWC reported that winds had diminished below Category 2-equaivlent strength on the SSHWS[1] while the JMA reported winds of 130 km/h (80 mph).[2] At this time, Ken was located around 650 km (405 mi) south of Tokyo. By the next day, however, this weakening trend had leveled off;[1] data from the JMA suggests that the storm did not weaken further until September 25.[1] After according to the JTWC, maintain winds of 135 km/h (85 mph) during September 24, the typhoon weakened slightly. Ken made landfall near Shikoku early on September 25 with winds of 130 km/h (80 mph), and after weakening a little according to the JTWC, Ken passed over Honshu. That day, the system moved into the Sea of Japan, where it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while producing winds just below typhoon-force.[1] Despite this, the JMA kept an eye on the system for two more days.[2]

Because Ken posed a threat to shipping lanes, a tropical cyclone warning was issued for shipping lanes for a span of 66 hours, lasting from 0900 UTC September 19 until 0300 UTC September 22.[4] Upon making landfall in Japan, Ken became the fourth storm to strike the nation during the season.[5] Ken was responsible strong winds, including a 90 km/h (56 mph) wind speed on Honshu.[6] Additionally, wind gusts of 221 km/h (137 mph) were measured on Shikoku.[1] Torrential rains were also recorded;[7] a peak rainfall total was measured at 500 mm (20 in) in Funato, which also sustained the highest hourly rainfall total of 79.0 mm (3.11 in).[8] In Uwajima on the island Shikoku (the smallest of the four main Japanese islands), a peak six-hour total of 220 mm (8.7 in) was recorded.[7] Additionally, a daily rainfall peak of 280 mm (11 in) was measured at Kadena.[1] Somewhere in Shikoku, 470 mm (19 in) of rain was recorded in a two-day time span.[9]

Heavy rains resulted in 114 mudslides,[10] which destroyed eight homes. According to nation's police service, a total of 2,440 dwellings were flooded[7] including over 450 in Uwajimi.[11] Four homes were also damaged in Shikoku.[12] Two minor bridges were washed away due to flooding rivers.[13] Airlines cancelled 74 flights and the Japan National Railways halted 17 trains on the southernmost main island of Kyushu.[14] A total of five people were killed by the storm,[4] including three oh Shikoku.[11] An elderly couple was killed in their bed while a 30-year-old man drowned in his car.[15] In addition to these fatalities, 18 persons were hurt; five of these injuries occurred on Shikoku.[14] Overall, the storm directly affected 21 districts of Japan.[15]

• Typhoon Judy (1982)