Typhoon Nelson (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

The second of three early season tropical cyclones to form in the West Pacific basin, Typhoon Nelson can be traced back to a low latitude area of disturbed in mid-March.[1][nb 2] The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) started watching the system at 0000 UTC on March 18[3][nb 3] while a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) was issued. Initially, the system was disorganized, but the disturbance was located in a favorable environment aloft and began to develop rapidly. Ten hours after the TCFA, the JTWC upgraded the system into a tropical depression.[1] Early on March 19, the JMA classified the system as a tropical storm.[3] Later that morning, Hurricane Hunters reported winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) and a barometric pressure of 993 mbar (29.3 inHg).[1] Based on this, the JTWC designated the system as Tropical Storm Nelson.[5]

Nelson tracked westward, staying south of a large subtropical ridge. Despite the aforementioned favorable environment,[1] Nelson briefly weakened late on March 19, but re-intensified slightly the following morning.[5] Shortly thereafter, the JTWC upgraded the system into a typhoon. Further intensification was halted due to increased easterly wind shear,[1] and the storm began to level off in intensity[5] as it accelerated on a westward course.[1] On March 21, the JMA declared Nelson a severe tropical storm.[3] According to the JTWC, the storm fluctuated between tropical storm and typhoon status for about 60 hours,[1] even though the JMA suggest that Nelson did not become a typhoon until March 24.[3] Around this time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also started monitoring the storm, assigning it with the local name Bising.[6]

After becoming a typhoon, Nelson forward's speed began to slow down as the storm began to move away from the ridge and encounter more conducive conditions. Consequently, Typhoon Nelson began to deepen more rapidly,[1] and by the afternoon of March 25, both the JTWC and JMA increased the intensity to 185 km/h (115 mph).[5] Although the JMA suggests the system reached its peak intensity at that time,[3] the JTWC indicated that Nelson strengthen slightly on March 25, and attained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph), equivalent to a major hurricane or a Category 3 system on the United States-based Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.[1] Shortly thereafter, the storm moved ashore in the Philippine at peak intensity.[5] After making landfall, Nelson weakened over the south-central portion of the nation. By March 26, the JMA had lowered the winds to 160 km/h (100 mph).[3]

By March 27, Nelson re-emerged into the South China Sea, having weakened considerably,[1] and data from both the JMA and JTWC indicated that Nelson was no longer a typhoon.[5] The next day, Nelson briefly re-intensified slightly, and at 1800 UTC on March 28, the JMA estimated a secondary peak intensity of 105 km/h (65 mph).[3] On the following day, Nelson resumed weakening due to increased wind shear. Despite the presence of a trough, Nelson did not recurve northeast, and instead meandered westward.[1] On the afternoon of March 31, the JMA ceased watching Nelson.[3] On the next day, the JTWC followed suit while located about 450 km (280 mi) east of Nha Trang, Vietnam.[1]

Typhoon Nelson was the second storm to strike the Philippines within a week, following Tropical Storm Mamie, which claimed 54 lives. Considered a "pre-season" storm by newspapers, Nelson required storm warnings for parts of the nation, which were broadcast via radio.[7] Much of the southern section of the Philippines were placed on typhoon alert.[8] Due to the threat of storm surge, residents in coastal areas were advised to evacuate to higher ground.[9]

Typhoon Nelson was responsible for significant flooding across the Philippines.[10] On the offshore Leyte Island, a radio transmitter and a school were destroyed.[10] In Cebu City, schools, businesses, and government offices were closed for a day. Across the low-lying town of Abucay, flooding occurred.[11] A total of 1,261 dwellings were leveled,[12] including 703 houses destroyed in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, and Surigao,[13] leaving approximately 83,000 people homeless.[14] In Loreto Town, part of the Suriago Province, 95% of all coconut trees were toppled, and all but 45 of the town's 600 houses were demolished.[12] A total of 165,462 persons evacuated to shelters.[13] Widespread power outages occurred while[10] many bridges were washed away.[13] Shipping and air services were halted;[10] 30 fishing boats[15] and 23 ferries were destroyed.[12] In all, 56 people perished due to Typhoon Nelson.[13] Ten died in the hard-hit Leyte Province.[12] At least eight of the casualties were due to drownings, which included two woman and an infant.[16] Overall, damage from Nelson amounted to $17.2 million,[6] crop and property damage alone totaled $7.4 million.[16]

• Typhoon Hagupit (2014)
• Typhoon Lee (1981)
• Typhoon Irma (1981)
• Typhoon Rai (2021)

• Digital Typhoon: Typhoon198202 (NELSON) - National Institute of Informatics