Typhoon Sanba

Typhoon Sanba, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Karen, was the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide in 2012. The sixteenth named storm and tenth typhoon of the annual typhoon season, Sanba formed as a tropical depression east of the Philippines on September 10. The storm gradually intensified as it moved generally northward in an area favorable for tropical development. The system was soon upgraded to a tropical storm less than a day after formation and subsequently further to a typhoon on September 12. Later that day, Sanba entered a phase of rapid intensification, and quickly strengthened. On September 13, the system attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h),[nb 1] and a barometric pressure of 900 mbar (hPa; 26.58 inHg), becoming the strongest typhoon in the Western Pacific Ocean since Megi in 2010. Accelerating towards more northerly latitudes, a period of gradual weakening ensued afterwards as its eye expanded. It made landfall on South Korea late on September 17 as a typhoon before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone the following day. Sanba's remnants tracked into the Primorsky Krai region of eastern Russia before they were last noted on September 19.

Typhoon Sanba (Karen)
Typhoon Sanba at peak intensity on September 14
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 10, 2012
ExtratropicalSeptember 18, 2012
DissipatedSeptember 19, 2012
Violent typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds205 km/h (125 mph)
Lowest pressure900 hPa (mbar); 26.58 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds285 km/h (180 mph)
Lowest pressure907 hPa (mbar); 26.78 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities6
Damage$361 million (2012 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines, Japan, Korea, Russia
IBTrACS
Part of the 2012 Pacific typhoon season

Passing just to the west of Japan, Sanba caused extensive losses to agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries on the islands of Okinawa Prefecture. Further inland on Kōchi and Gifu Prefectures, heavy rains damaged agricultural regions and washed out numerous roads. Losses on both prefectures totalled to ¥2.5 billion (US$31.8 million).[nb 2] Upon its landfall on the Korean Peninsula on September 17, it became the first time in 50 years that the peninsula had been struck by at least four typhoons in a single year.[1] In South Korea, torrential rainfall also washed out road systems and inundated crop land, as well as damaged infrastructure. Losses there associated with Sanba totaled to ₩365.7 billion (US$328 million). In North Korea, the heavy precipitation worsened preexisting flood conditions initially started by Tropical Storm Khanun two months prior. In all, the typhoon killed six people and caused US$361 million in losses.

Meteorological history
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

On September 9, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) started to monitor an area of convection approximately 150 nautical miles (280 km) to the east of Palau. At the time, its low-level circulation center had been developing under persisting deep convection, and was under an environment of moderate to strong vertical wind shear offset by strong, diffluent easterly flow.[2] By the next day, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had upgraded the system into a tropical depression.[3] As it continued to organize, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) on the system at 14:00 UTC on the same day.[4] 7 hours later, the agency started issuing advisories on the depression, designating it as 17W.[5] By September 11, the depression intensified into a tropical storm, with the JMA naming the system as Sanba.[6] The PAGASA had also started issuing advisories on the storm, handing its Philippine name Karen.[7] Nine hours later, the JTWC also upgraded Sanba to a tropical storm, as its convective banding deepened and wrapped tighter to its low-level circulation center.[8]

Typhoon Sanba approaching Okinawa on September 15

As wind shear decreased, Sanba continued to strengthen as it moved northwestward.[9] At 06:00 UTC on September 12, the JMA upgraded Sanba to a severe tropical storm.[10] Six hours later, Sanba intensified into a typhoon, as it formed a pinhole eye.[10][11] The system then started its rapid intensification, becoming a Category 2-equivalent typhoon on the Saffir-Simpson scale at 03:00 UTC on the next day,[12] before becoming a Category 4-equivalent typhoon six hours later, with a 18 nmi (33 km) eye present on satellite imagery. This was owed to the favorable environment the storm was in, with 29–30 °C (84–86 °F) sea surface temperatures, low wind shear, radial outflow, an excellent poleward outflow being enhanced by a tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT) to the northwest, as well as a subtropical low southeast of Honshu, and an equatorial channel.[13] Sanba ultimately reached its peak intensity at 18:00 UTC that same day, with 10-minute sustained winds of 110 knots (205 km/h; 125 mph) and a central pressure of 900 hectopascals (27 inHg), according to the JMA.[14] The JTWC estimated Sanba to have 1-minute sustained winds of 155 knots (285 km/h; 180 mph), making the storm a Category 5-equivalent super typhoon.[10]

On September 14, Sanba showed signs of undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle, as concentric rings were seen in microwave imagery.[15] It later weakened into a Category 4-equivalent typhoon at 15:00 UTC that same day, due to wind shear increasing once again as it continued northward.[16] By the next day, it further weakened into a Category 3-equivalent typhoon, as dry air had started to encircle the system while it redeveloped its eye.[17] A 25 nmi (46 km) eye soon reappeared on satellite imagery, with the subtropical jet stream enhancing its poleward outflow as it turned to the north-northwest under the influence of a deep-layered subtropical ridge positioned to the east of Japan.[18] Sanba later exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, with the PAGASA issuing its last advisory on the storm.[19]

At 6:30 am JST on September 16 (21:30 UTC September 15), Sanba made landfall over Okinawa.[20] Sanba then further weakened to a Category 2-equivalent typhoon, as higher amounts of wind shear began affecting its northwestern quadrant, along with decreasing sea surface temperatures.[21] As it continued weakening, the tight banding into its ragged eye began to unravel, with strong poleward outflow continuing to sustain the system as wind shear became even stronger as it got embedded into the subtropical jet stream.[22] By the next day, it weakened into a Category 1-equivalent typhoon, as it commenced its extratropical transition.[23] Around 12:00 pm KST (03:00 UTC), Sanba made landfall over southern Yeosu, South Korea.[24] The JMA downgraded Sanba to a severe tropical storm 3 hours later, before the JTWC subsequently issued their final advisory on the system.[25][26] Turning to the north-northeast and emerging into the Sea of Japan, Sanba further weakened into a tropical storm.[27] By September 18, Sanba transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, as it moved over Russia.[28]

Preparations and impact

Philippines

As Sanba was developing on September 10, flash flooding in Malaybalay, Bukidnon caused 53 families to be evacuated. No casualties nor damages were reported. A landslide occurred two days later in Hinabangan, Samar, where two houses were partially damaged, but no casualties were also reported.[29]

Locally known as Karen, it enhanced the southwest monsoon affecting the Philippines, which caused flooding over parts of Metro Manila on September 15. The continued heavy rainfall also forced 300 families in Quezon City to be evacuated, along with 120 residents in San Juan. 10 domestic flights were also cancelled due to the heavy rains.[30]

In Southern Leyte, a 70 year-old fisherman drowned amid bad weather conditions brought by the storm.[31]

Sanba over South Korea on September 17

Japan

In Okinawa, more than 67,000 homes lost power, with flooding reported in some areas in the island as Sanba passed over on September 16. A man drowned while swimming in high waves off southern Nagasaki.[32] Damage to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries amounted to ¥947 million (US$12.1 million).[33] In Kōchi Prefecture, 222 ha (550 acres) of agricultural land was damaged by the storm, with losses reaching ¥50 million (US$640,000).[34] Heavy rains from the storm in Gifu Prefecture triggered numerous landslides and caused significant flooding that washed out hundreds of roads. Losses in the prefecture reached ¥1.5 billion (US$19.1 million).[35]

South Korea

As Sanba approached South Korea, typhoon warnings were issued to most of the country, including Seoul. More than 1,100 people were forced to evacuate their homes, and 380,000 households experienced power outage as the storm moved over the country.[36]

Heavy rains from the storm washed out numerous roads and flooded cropland.[37] More than 200 millimetres (7.9 in) of rain were received in the southern regions of the country during Sanba's passage.[36] Numerous structures along rivers were damaged or destroyed by flooding. Across the nation, four people were killed and the damage from the typhoon reached ₩365.7 billion (US$328 million).[37]

Russia

The extratropical remnants of Sanba brought flooding to Primorsky Krai. In Artyom, more than 300 ha (740 acres) of crops were inundated. Preliminary losses over the region were estimated to be ₽40 million (US$1.29 million).[38]

See also

Notes
  1. All winds are in ten-minute sustained standards, as per the Japan Meteorological Agency, unless otherwise stated.
  2. All monetary values are based on the value of its respective currency during 2012.

References
  1. "Yonhap News Agency".
  2. Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans, 1900Z 9 September 2012 Reissued (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 9 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  3. WWJP25 RJTD 100000 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  4. Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (Invest 98W) (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 10 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  5. Tropical Depression 17W (Seventeen) Warning No. 1 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 10 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  6. RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 110000 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 11, 2012. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  7. Tropical Depression "KAREN" Weather Bulletin Number ONE (Report). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. September 11, 2012. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  8. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 3 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 11 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  9. Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 5 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 11 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  10. "2012 Super Typhoon SANBA (2012254N09135)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) Project. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  11. Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 7 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 12 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  12. Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 10 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 13 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  13. Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 11 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 13 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  14. RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 131800 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 13, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  15. Prognostic Reasoning for Category 4-Equivalent Super Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 14 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 14 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  16. Prognostic Reasoning for Category 4-Equivalent Super Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 16 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 14 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  17. Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 18 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 15 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  18. Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 19 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 15 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  19. Typhoon "KAREN" (SANBA) Weather Bulletin Number TEN (FINAL) (Report). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. September 15, 2012. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  20. Judson Jones (September 17, 2012). "Powerful typhoon rumbles over Japanese island of Okinawa". CNN. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  21. Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 22 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 16 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  22. Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 24 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 16 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  23. Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 26 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  24. Steff Gaulter (September 17, 2012). "Sanba strikes again". Al Jazeera. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  25. RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 170600 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 17, 2012. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2023 – via MT Archive.
  26. Tropical Storm 17W (Sanba) Warning No. 27 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  27. RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 171200 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 17, 2012. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2023 – via MT Archive.
  28. RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory 180000 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. September 18, 2012. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2023 – via MT Archive.
  29. Sitrep No. 12 re: Effects of the Typhoon "KAREN" (SANBA) enhanced by Southwest Monsoon (PDF) (Report). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. September 17, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2023 – via ReliefWeb.
  30. Evelyn Macairan (September 16, 2012). "Torrential rains cause MM floods". Philippine Star. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  31. "NDRRMC: 70-yr-old Leyte fisherman Typhoon Karen's 1st fatality". GMA News. September 17, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  32. Associated Press (September 17, 2012). "Typhoon Sanba batters 2 Koreas after drenching Japan". National Post. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  33. 台風１６号被害 ９億円超 県内引き続き調査. 琉球新報 (in Japanese). Yahoo! News. September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  34. 行政ファイル：台風１６号の県内被害は５０００万円 ／高知. 毎日新聞 (in Japanese). Yahoo! News. September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  35. 多園尚樹 (September 25, 2012). 台風１６号被害、西濃中心に１５億円 (in Japanese). Chunichi Shimbun. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  36. "Typhoon Sanba causes property damage". The Korea Times. September 17, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  37. 강한 태풍 '솔릭' 한반도 접근 중...'관통하는 태풍'은 6년 만 (in Korean). Chosun Ilbo. August 19, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  38. Ущерб фермерам Приморья от тайфуна "Санба" оценивается в 40 млн руб (in Russian). Interfax. September 19, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
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