Typhoon
Overview
A typhoon is a type of tropical cyclone that occurs in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, accompanied by powerful storms with a maximum sustained wind speed of 17 m/s or higher. It primarily occurs in summer and autumn and is one of the natural disasters that causes significant damage to East Asia, including the Korean Peninsula. Typhoons develop using warm water vapor from the ocean as an energy source, and their social and economic impact varies greatly depending on their size and intensity.
Main Content
Definition and Classification of Typhoons
Typhoons are classified by grade according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standards based on maximum sustained wind speed. A maximum sustained wind speed of 17–24 m/s is classified as a tropical storm, 25–32 m/s as a severe tropical storm, and 33 m/s or higher as a typhoon. The Korea Meteorological Administration further subdivides typhoons into 'medium' (33–43 m/s), 'strong' (44–53 m/s), and 'very strong' (54 m/s or higher). The eye of a typhoon is a calm region at the center, surrounded by a powerful eyewall.
Formation and Movement of Typhoons
Typhoons typically form in tropical waters where the sea surface temperature is 26.5°C or higher. In the northwestern Pacific, they frequently develop east of the Philippines. Influenced by westerlies and subtropical highs, they move northwestward and then gradually turn northeastward. The paths of typhoons are broadly divided into directions toward China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula, with typhoons making landfall on the Korean Peninsula mostly concentrated in July to September.
Structure and Characteristics of Typhoons
A typhoon consists of the eye at the center, the eyewall around the eye, and spiral rainbands. The eyewall experiences the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall, and the right semicircle (relative to the direction of movement) is known as the dangerous semicircle. As a typhoon moves, it generates storm surges that raise sea levels, causing severe flooding in coastal areas. Additionally, typhoons carry large amounts of water vapor, leading to torrential rainfall inland.
Impacts and Damage of Typhoons
Typhoons cause casualties and property damage through strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges. Strong winds can topple buildings, utility poles, and trees, while heavy rain triggers landslides and floods. Storm surges pose a particular threat to coastal regions. Historically, Typhoon Maemi in 2003, Typhoon Chaba in 2016, and Typhoons Maysak and Haishen in 2020 caused extensive damage on the Korean Peninsula. Typhoons also have widespread effects on social infrastructure, including crop damage, transportation paralysis, and power outages.
Prediction and Preparedness for Typhoons
Meteorological agencies use satellites, radar, weather observation ships, and dropsondes to predict the location, intensity, and path of typhoons. Typhoon forecasts are provided with lead times of 3, 5, and 7 days, and typhoon advisories are divided into watches and warnings. The public should regularly check weather information during typhoon events, prepare emergency supplies, avoid going outside, and securely fasten windows and doors. Governments aim to minimize damage through disaster text alerts, operation of shelters, and preemptive evacuation orders.
Latest Trends
In 2024 and 2025, due to climate change, typhoon intensity has become stronger and occurrence frequency more irregular. In 2024, 25 typhoons formed in the northwestern Pacific, 10 of which directly or indirectly affected the Korean Peninsula. Notably, Typhoon Krathon in September 2024 maintained very strong force and struck Okinawa, Japan, and southern South Korea, leaving record-breaking heavy rain and strong winds. In 2025, typhoon occurrence patterns are expected to fluctuate during the transition between El Niño and La Niña, and rapid intensification of typhoons is projected to occur more frequently due to rising sea surface temperatures. Additionally, AI-based typhoon prediction models have been introduced, improving forecast accuracy, and active research is underway on long-term typhoon risk assessments based on climate change scenarios.
Related Topics
- [[Tropical cyclone]]
- [[Climate change]]
- [[Natural disaster]]
- [[Meteorology]]
- [[Storm surge]]
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