Typhoon Ampil was a powerful tropical cyclone that brushed Japan and brought torrential gusty winds to Alaska in early August 2024. The seventh named storm and third typhoon of the annual typhoon season. Ampil emerged from an atmospheric convection east of Kadena Air Base and was later classified as a tropical storm on August 12 and named Ampil by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Ampil gradually intensified as it turned northward, reaching its peak intensity with ten-minute sustained winds of 155 km/h (100 mph) and a central pressure of 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) before peaking at Category 4-equivalent intensity on the Saffir–Simpson scale on August 16, with one-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h (130 mph) before making its closest approach to Japan. It then rapidly weakened as it began to undergo an extratropical transition on August 19. The remnants of Ampil accelerated east-northeastward, entering the Bering Sea, crossing the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, and then moving inland over the Russian Far East and Arctic Alaska before emerging into the Arctic Ocean and dissipated on August 23.
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 11, 2024 |
Extratropical | August 19, 2024 |
Dissipated | August 23, 2024 |
Very strong typhoon | |
10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
Highest winds | 155 km/h (100 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 950 hPa (mbar); 28.05 inHg |
Category 4-equivalent typhoon | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 947 hPa (mbar); 27.96 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Injuries | Several |
Damage | Minimal |
Areas affected | Japan, Alaska |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2024 Pacific typhoon season |
Ampil affected Japan during the Obon holiday week, shortly after Tropical Storm Maria caused unprecedented rainfall to northern Japan. As the storm neared the coast, hundreds of thousands in Tokyo and nearby regions were urged to evacuate. Numerous modes of transportation, such as flights and trains, were canceled due to the approaching typhoon. The NHK reported that Tokyo suffered minimal damage, while several people were injured in Kanagawa Prefecture. However, Japan was struck by a more powerful cyclone named Typhoon Shanshan one week later. Later, the remnants of Ampil caused a high surf advisory, a high wind watch, and a coastal flood advisory in Alaska, bringing strong winds and coastal waves to western Alaska. Ampil contributed to an atmospheric river when its moist core entered a low-pressure system and merged with the Pacific jet stream, which was anticipated to reach California.
Meteorological history
editTyphoon Ampil emerged from an area of convection 976 km (606 mi) east of Kadena Air Base on August 3.[1] At 18:00 UTC on August 11, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) designated it as a tropical depression.[2] Soon after, the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began to re-monitoring it, noting that it was in a marginal favorable environment for development.[3] At 07:00 UTC on August 12, the agency issued a tropical cyclone formation alert on the disturbance.[4] A few hours later, they recognized the system as a tropical depression, designating it as 08W.[5] Soon after, the JMA noted that it had intensified into a tropical storm, with convective bands wrapping around a well-defined low-level circulation center, and named it Ampil.[6][7]
Ampil then turned north-northeastward as the increasing influence of the low-level flow became the primary steering mechanism.[6] A central dense overcast was obscuring the low-level circulation center;[8] however, Ampil became distinctly better defined, featuring a well-defined center and spiral banding.[9] The JMA upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm on August 13.[10] Around 15:00 UTC on August 14, the JTWC reported that Ampil had intensified into a minimal typhoon, as animated infrared imagery indicated the development of a pinhole eye feature, which exhibited excellent equatorward outflow and good poleward outflow.[11] The JMA then reported that Ampil had intensified into a typhoon due to warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear on August 15.[12] The JMA reported that Ampil reached its peak intensity at 12:00 UTC that day with 10-minute sustained winds of 155 km/h (100 mph) and a central pressure of 950 hPa (28.05 inHg).[13] Ampil then turned northward, along the western periphery of a mid-level subtropical ridge.[14] Ampil eventually peaked at Category 4-equivalent intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale at 03:00 UTC on August 16,[15] with 1-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h (130 mph) and a large eye measuring 46 miles (74 km) in diameter before making its closest approach to Japan.[16] This made Ampil the first storm in the 21st century in the Western Pacific basin to reach the 34th parallel north while at or above Category 3-equivalent strength, with only two others having been recorded—Typhoon Carmen in 1965 and Typhoon Oscar in 1995.[17]
Ampil degraded due to internal fluctuations and a symmetric central dense overcast, while convection was confined to the southern semicircle.[18] Satellite imagery depicted a well-defined 10 miles (17 km) wide eye surrounded by deep convection,[19] though the banding diminished after encountering cold, dry air.[20] Ampil was beginning to undergo an extratropical transition, as its convective structures had dissipated by August 17.[21] The JTWC then ceased issuing advisories on the system the next day as it turned east-northeastward and merged with the mid-latitude westerlies.[22] The JMA reported that Ampil had transitioned into an extratropical low on August 19.[23] The extratropical storm entered the Bering Sea on August 20, crossed the Aleutian Islands, moved inland over the Russian Far East and Arctic Alaska, emerged into the Arctic Ocean between August 21–22, and dissipated on August 23.[24]
Preparations and impact
editJapan
editTyphoon Ampil arrived during Japan’s Obon holiday week—just days after Tropical Storm Maria caused record-breaking rainfall in parts of northern Japan.[25] As the strong storm brushed the coast of Japan, hundreds of thousands in Tokyo and surrounding areas were advised to evacuate. A total of around 178,000 households, over 404,000 people, were given an evacuation order. Similar notices were issued in Yokohama. Many modes of transportation like flights and trains were cancelled on August 16 as the typhoon approached.[26] Japan Airways and All Nippon Airways cancelled around 600 flights to Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport.[27][28] East of Tokyo in the Chiba Prefecture, trees were downed and many roads were flooded. In Tokyo and in multiple bordering regions, heavy rainfall affected areas, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. High waves warnings were issued, mainly in the Izu Islands.[29] The Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) was raised from TCCOR 3 to TCCOR 2 for Yokosuka Naval Base on August 15, indicating that winds of 92 km/h (57 mph) or higher were possible within 24 hours.[30] A barrier obstructing Japan's Mount Fuji from a nearby convenience store was recently taken down to avoid damage.[31]
A Level 4 evacuation order was issued for Mobara and Asahi in Chiba Prefecture, along with Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture.[32] All buslines in the city of Mobara were cancelled. Tokyo Disneyland closed around six hours before normal closing time, and it was closed all together on August 17. The cancellation of flights and railway transportation was expected to impact over 120,000 people.[29] The NHK reported that Tokyo suffered minimal damage, while several people were injured in Kanagawa Prefecture.[32] Over 5,000 homes were left without power, though only 250 in both Ibaraki and Tochigi. Signboards were damaged, as well as bicyles and poles getting knocked over by strong winds. After the storm passed by, some flights were still delayed by Yamato Transport,[33] while energy company officials confirmed that electricity was restored to most areas.[34]
Alaska and California
editThe remnants of Ampil were driving a frontal boundary across Alaska, prompting a high surf advisory and a high wind watch for the Seward Peninsula, Gambell, St. Lawrence Island,[35] while a coastal flood advisory was in effect for the Bering Strait Coast, the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta Coast, the eastern Norton Sound, and the Nulato Hills.[36] Ampil brought strong winds and coastal waves to western Alaska.[37] Ampil's remnants influenced an atmospheric river as its moist core flowed into the low-pressure system and was absorbed into the Pacific jet stream, which was expected to reach California.[38]
See also
edit- Tropical cyclones in 2024
- Weather of 2024
- Tropical Storm Mirinae (2021) - another tropical cyclone followed the same trajectory as Ampil, although it was in a weaker category
- Typhoon Shanshan (2018) – another tropical system which passed very close to Japan
- Typhoon Faxai (2019) – impacted the same areas threatened by Ampil
References
edit- ^ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans, 06Z 3 August 2024 Reissued (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 3, 2024. Archived from the original on August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ "RSMC Tropical Cyclone Best Track Name 2407 Ampil (2407)". Japan Meteorological Agency. November 26, 2024. Archived from the original on November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans, 1930Z 11 August 2024 Reissued (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 11, 2024. Archived from the original on August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (Invest 91W) (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 12, 2024. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 08W (Eight) Warning No. 1 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 12, 2024. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Prognostic Reasoning No. 4 for TS Ampil (2407) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. August 8, 2024. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 08W (Ampil) Warning No. 5 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 8, 2024. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 08W (Maria) Warning No. 7 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 14, 2024. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ Tropical Cyclone Advisory for STS Ampil (2407) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. August 13, 2024. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 08W (Ampil) Warning No. 6 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 13, 2024. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 08W (Ampil) Warning No. 9 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 14, 2024. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ Tropical Cyclone Advisory for TY Ampil (2407) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. August 13, 2024. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning No. 15 for TY Ampil (2407) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. August 15, 2024. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning No. 14 for TY Ampil (2407) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. August 15, 2024. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ "Danger not over as typhoon passes Japan | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News". NHK WORLD. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 08W (Ampil) Warning No. 15 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 16, 2024. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ "Typhoon 08W (Ampil), # 19 FINAL". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 08W (Ampil) Warning No. 17 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 16, 2024. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 08W (Ampil) Warning No. 18 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 16, 2024. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 08W (Ampil) Warning No. 19 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 17, 2024. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 08W (Ampil) Warning No. 23 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 17, 2024. Archived from the original on August 18, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ Tropical Storm 08W (Ampil) Warning No. 24 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. August 18, 2024. Archived from the original on August 18, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ Tropical Cyclone Advisory for Developing Low Former STS Ampil (2407) (Report). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Meteorological Agency. August 19, 2024. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- "North Pacific Ocean Difax Version 7 Days". College Park, Maryland: Ocean Prediction Center. August 23, 2024. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- "North Pacific Ocean Difax Version 7 Days". College Park, Maryland: Ocean Prediction Center. August 20, 2024. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- "Alaska/Arctic 24 Hour Surface Forecast 7 Days". College Park, Maryland: Ocean Prediction Center. August 23, 2024. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ "Flights, trains cancelled as 'very strong' typhoon barrels towards Tokyo". South China Morning Post. August 16, 2024. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ Shackelford, Jessie Yeung, Taylor Ward, Robert (August 15, 2024). "Japan braces as powerful Typhoon Ampil strengthens near Tokyo". CNN. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Speed, Jessica (August 15, 2024). "'Very strong' Typhoon Ampil set to approach eastern Japan on Friday". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ Yoon, John (August 15, 2024). "Typhoon Ampil Approaches Japan, Disrupting Flights and Trains". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Yoon, John (August 16, 2024). "Typhoon Ampil Lashes Eastern Japan, Forcing Evacuations". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ "US bases in Tokyo area pause, prepare for approaching Typhoon Ampil". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ Caleon, Patricia. "Mount Fuji Barrier Removed to Prevent Damage Amidst Typhoon Ampil". www.tripzilla.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Traylor, Daniel; Kaneko, Karin; Speed, Jessica (August 16, 2024). "Typhoon Ampil lashes eastern Japan with heavy rain and wind". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ "Return to normal after typhoon lashes Japan | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News". NHK WORLD. Archived from the original on August 18, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ Kageyama, Yuri. "Typhoon Ampil moves away from Japan as train services resume and no major damage is reported". www.sfgate.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ Morrison, Aaron (August 21, 2024). "Former Typhoon Ampil moves north into the Bering Sea". Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ Morrison, Aaron (August 19, 2024). "Remnants of Typhoon Ampil to bring winds and rain to Alaska". Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Purcell, Jackie (August 23, 2024). "A sunny break again Friday for southcentral". Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ Porter, Greg (August 21, 2024). "Typhoon's remnants to trigger California storm, bringing a shift to cooler weather". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
External links
edit- 08W.AMPIL from the United States Naval Research Laboratory
- General Information of Typhoon Ampil (2407) from Digital Typhoon
- JMA Best Track Data (Graphics) of Typhoon Ampil (2407)
- JMA Best Track Data of Typhoon Ampil (2407) (in Japanese)
- Short news report on Typhoon Ampil by Deutsche Welle [1]