Typhoon

TYPHOONS
Under What
Conditions do
Tropical Cyclones
Form?
Where did the tropical cyclones
form? On land or in the ocean?
What can you say about the

temperature of the bodies of
water in the vicinity of the
Philippines? Is the water warm or
cold?
Tropical cyclones need water vapor in
order to form. Which is a better source of
water vapor, landmasses or oceans? The
answer is obvious. But not all parts of the
ocean can provide water vapor. Where do
you think would evaporation be greatest,
near the equator or away from the
equator?
Thus, tropical cyclones
require warm ocean waters to be
able to develop. According to
scientists, the temperature of
ocean water must be 26.5°C or
greater.
Tropical cyclones generally move
in a northwest direction. The reason
is because there are large-scale
winds that push the tropical
cyclones in that direction. This is
similar to the way a whirlpool is
carried along by a flowing stream.
Sendong started out in the
Pacific as an area of low pressure.
Because it was just a low-pressure
area, it was not given a name. Then
it intensified into a tropical
depression. Again it was not yet
given a name because it was still
outside the PAR.
When it finally entered the PAR,
it had already strengthened into a
tropical storm. Since it was within
the PAR by then, PAGASA gave it a
name—Sendong— from its prepared
list. Internationally, the tropical
storm was called Washi
Sendong brought hours of torrential
rains to Mindanao. Some places received
more than 200 mm of rain. Because of
the excess rain, flash floods and
landslides took place. Nearly a thousand
people were killed, many in the cities of
Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Damage to
houses, roads, and bridges reached up to
2 billion pesos.
After the Sendong disaster, who
would have thought that another tropical
cyclone would again hit Mindanao the
following year. Tropical cyclone Pablo
(international name, Bopha) was so
strong it was categorized as a
supertyphoon. Clearly, we need to learn
about tropical cyclones in order to survive
Inside Tropical
Cyclones
As you have learned from the activity,
the lowest air pressure is at the eye of a
tropical cyclone. In fact, all tropical
cyclones have low air pressure at the
center. This is the reason why the air in
the surroundings move toward the eye.
Recall in Grade 7 that air moves toward
low-pressure areas.
You also learned that at the eye of a
tropical cyclone, wind speed is low. But in
the dense clouds surrounding the eye, at
the eyewall itself, the wind speed is great.
When newspapers report that a tropical
cyclone has sustained winds of 200
km/hour, for instance, they are referring to
the winds at the eyewall.
When the eye of a tropical
cyclone passes over a certain place,
it is the winds at the eyewall that
wreak a lot of damage. As it
approaches, one side of the eyewall
brings strong winds blowing in one
direction.
Then comes the eye with its
somewhat calm weather. As it
leaves, the other side of the eyewall
brings strong winds again, but this
time in the opposite direction.
Are You Prepared?
When a tropical cyclone enters the PAR
and it is on its way toward land, warning
signals are issued. The following signals
are used by PAGASA to warn people about
the approaching weather disturbance. Do
you know what the signals mean?
PSWS # 1
What it means
– A tropical cyclone will affect the locality
– Winds of 30-60 kph may be expected in at
least 36 hours or irregular rains may be
expected within 36 hours
PSWS # 1
The following may happen
– Twigs and branches of small trees are broken
– Some banana plants are tilted or downed
– Some houses of very light materials partially
unroofed
– Rice crops suffer significant damage in its
flowering stage
PSWS # 1
What to do
– Watch out for big waves
– Listen to severe weather bulletin issued by
PAGASA
PSWS # 2
What it means
– A tropical cyclone will affect the locality
– Winds of greater than 60 kph up to 100 kph
may be expected in at least 24 hours
PSWS # 2
– Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be
partially or totally unroofed
– Some old galvanized iron roof may be peeled off
– Winds may bring light to moderate damage to
exposed communities
PSWS # 2
– Some coconut trees may be tilted while few are
broken
– Few big trees may be uprooted
– Many banana plants may be downed
– Rice and corn may be adversely affected
PSWS # 2
What to do
– Avoid riding in small sea craft
– Those who travel by sea and air should
avoid unnecessary risks
– Postpone outdoor activities of children
PSWS # 3
What it means
– A tropical cyclone will affect locality
– Winds of greater than 100 kph to 185 kph
may be expected in at least 18 hours
PSWS # 3
– Many coconut trees broken or destroyed
– Almost all banana plants downed and a large
number of trees uprooted
– Rice and corn crops suffer heavy losses
PSWS # 3
– Majority of all nipa and cogon houses uprooted or
destroyed; considerable damage to structures of
light to medium construction
– Widespread disruption of electrical power and
communication services
– Moderate to heavy damage experienced in
agricultural and industrial sectors
PSWS # 3
What to do
– Avoid riding in any sea craft
– Seek shelter in strong buildings
– Evacuate from low-lying areas
– Stay away from coasts and river bank
PSWS # 4
What it means
– A very intense typhoon will affect locality
– Very strong winds of more than 185 kph
maybe expected in at least 12 hours
PSWS # 4
– Coconut plantation may suffer extensive
damage
– Many large trees maybe uprooted
– Rice and corn plantation may suffer severe
losses
PSWS # 4
– Most residential and institutional buildings of
mixed construction maybe severely damaged
– Electrical power distribution and communication
services maybe severely disrupted
– Damage to affected communities ca be very heavy
PSWS # 4
What to do
– All travels and outdoor activities should be
cancelled
– Evacuation to safer shelters should have been
completed by now
– The locality is very likely to be hit directly by
the eye of the typhoon.
To be fully prepared for tropical cyclones,
you should also put together an emergency
kit which includes the following:
• drinking water, • extra batteries,

• canned goods, • Clothes,
• can opener, • Blanket, and
• Radio, • first aid kit
• Flashlight,
The End

Typhoon

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TYPHOONS

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• drinking water, • extra batteries,

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