Typhoon Yunya (1991)

Typhoon Yunya, known in the Philippines as

Typhoon Diding, was a strong tropical cyclone Typhoon Yunya (Diding)
that struck the Philippines at the time of the Typhoon (JMA scale)
colossal eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991. A Category 3 typhoon (SSHWS)
small tropical cyclone, Yunya rapidly developed
from a tropical disturbance near East Samar on
June 11. By June 13 the storm had reached typhoon
status as it moved west-northwest near the
Philippines. Yunya attained its peak intensity the
following day with estimated winds of 145 km/h
(90 mph);[nb 1] however, strong wind shear soon
impacted the typhoon and caused it to rapidly
decay. The storm struck southern Luzon early on
June 15 as a minimal typhoon before moving over
the South China Sea later that day. After turning
north and weakening to a tropical depression, the
system brushed the southern tip of Taiwan on
June 16 before dissipating the following day.
Yunya as a Category 2 Typhoon on June
Across the Philippines, Yunya produced heavy rains
13
that triggered significant flooding. Hundreds of
homes and several bridges were washed away by Formed June 11, 1991
swollen rivers. Six people were killed as a direct Dissipated June 17, 1991
result of the storm, 2,013 homes were destroyed,
Highest winds 10-minute sustained:
and 24 others were damaged. Although the storm
150 km/h (90 mph)
itself caused significant damage, the worst effects
were related to the system's heavy rains mixing with 1-minute sustained:
volcanic ash from Mount Pinatubo, creating 195 km/h (120 mph)
massive lahars that killed 320 people. Lowest pressure 950 hPa (mbar); 28.05
inHg
Fatalities 6 direct, 320 indirect
Contents Areas affected Philippines, Taiwan
Part of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season
Meteorological history
Preparations and impact
See also
Notes
References

Meteorological history
On June 11, 1991, a tropical disturbance
developed east of East Samar. Situated to the
southwest of a tropical upper tropospheric
trough, the system experienced low wind shear
and gradually intensified as it moved
northwestward.[1] The following day, the Japan
Meteorological Agency (JMA) began monitoring
the system as a tropical depression.[2][nb 2] At
15:00 UTC on June 12, the Joint Typhoon
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical
according to the Saffir–Simpson scale Cyclone Formation Alert on the depression.[nb 3]
Map key Around this time, the storm began a period rapid
Saffir–Simpson scale development and a tiny central dense overcast
Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h) formed. At 18:15 UTC, the USNS Spica sailed
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h) directly through the storm, measuring a
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h) barometric pressure of 989.5 mbar (hPa;
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h) 29.22 inHg) and peak winds of 110 km/h
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178– (70 mph). Although Yunya was already a tropical
208 km/h)
storm, the JTWC did not issue their first advisory
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–
on the system until early on June 13, at which
251 km/h) time they assigned it the name Yunya.[1]
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Based on the measurements provided by the
Unknown
USNS Spica, the storm was analyzed as a midget
Storm type
Tropical cyclone cyclone with a gale diameter of 150 km (93 mi).[1]
Initially, the storm tracked northwestward at
Subtropical cyclone
20 km/h (12 mph).[5] Throughout June 13,
Extratropical cyclone / Remnant low / subsidence around the periphery of Yunya
Tropical disturbance / Monsoon depression allowed the system to develop good outflow. As a
result, the storm attained typhoon status later
that day before strengthening slowed. By June
14, Yunya turned towards the west-northwest in response to a subtropical ridge to the north.
Following this turn, the typhoon attained its peak intensity as a Category 3-equivalent
typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson scale with winds estimated at 195 km/h (121 mph).[1]
 Around the same time, the JMA assessed Yunya to have been slightly weaker, with peak
winds estimated at 150 km/h (93 mph) along with a pressure of 950 mbar (hPa;
28.05 inHg).[6][nb 4]

Within hours of reaching its peak strength on June 14,

strong wind shear associated with a second subtropical
ridge over Asia impacted the typhoon. Due to the
system's small size, the shear was able to disrupt the
cyclone's core and cause rapid weakening as it
approached southern Luzon. Around 00:00 UTC on
June 15, Yunya made landfall just north of Dingalan Bay
as a minimal typhoon and weakened to a tropical storm
shortly thereafter. As the storm moved across Luzon,
Mount Pinatubo, a volcano in the Zambales Mountains
on the island's western side, was experiencing a major
eruption—the second-largest to occur during the 20th
century. Due to Yunya's circulation, the massive cloud of Satellite image of Yunya as it made
ash produced by the eruption was moistened and landfall; the eruption column from
redistributed over the Philippines instead of blowing out Mount Pinatubo (in dark grey) can
to sea, greatly exacerbating the impact of the event.[1] clearly be seen through the storm's
clouds
Later on June 15, Yunya emerged into the South China
Sea as a minimal tropical storm. Persistent wind shear
prevented the system from strengthening and the storm ultimately degraded into a tropical
depression by June 16. Having turned north within a break in the subtropical ridge, Yunya
brushed the southern tip of Taiwan late on June 16 before dissipating the following day
within the westerlies.[1]

Preparations and impact

On June 14, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical
and Astronomical Services Administration raised storm
warnings in advance of Typhoon Yunya for much of
Luzon and areas south of Manila. With Mount Pinatubo
having already erupted once by this time, there were
fears that the storm's heavy rains, combined with ash
from the volcano, would create massive lahars capable of
burying towns 40 km (25 mi) away from Pinatubo.[8] As
The colossal eruption of Mount
a result, 60,000 individuals were evacuated.[9]
Pinatubo on June 15, partially
Landslides on June 14 destroyed bridges in Santa Fe and
obscured by rainclouds from Yunya
homes in nearby Castillejos were washed away.[8] By
June 15, air-borne ash combined with the typhoon's
rainfall, resulting in widespread travel disruptions and structural collapses. The mixture also
:
 made it appear as through it was nighttime during the middle of the day, prompting concern
from residents.[8] The wind from the typhoon carried ash within 160 km (100 mi) from
Pinatubo, including to Manila,[10] which prompted most of the airports in the country to
close and Philippine Airlines to cancel all domestic and international flights through
June 19.[11] Low to mid-level winds and heavy rains from the storm contributed to
widespread tephra falling over an area of 7,500 km2 (2,895 sq mi) of central and western
Luzon. Heavy rains also resulted in lahars along mountains between the Gumain River to the
Sacobia River and between Sacobia River to the O'Donnell River. These lahars inundated
crops and homes, especially along the Abacan River. As a result of the lahars, some buildings
and all bridges in Angeles City were destroyed.[9] Moreover, 320 people were killed and 279
others were injured.[12] The United States Geological Survey believes that the death toll from
the lahars would have been far lower if not for Yunya.[9]

In addition to the lahars, widespread flooding also took place in Luzon as rivers overtopped
their banks. Elsewhere, a person was killed by debris in Manila.[13] Across Olongapo City,
power was knocked out,[14] and one person was killed after the roof of a bus terminal
collapsed under the weight of ash and rain. Two people died and three others were injured in
an accident near Clark Air Base,[13] where power was also knocked out.[15] Along the Sacobia
River in Pampanga, at least 170 homes were washed away due to the storm. The Abacan
bridge spanning the Abacan River collapsed with a truck carrying three people, and an
empty car. It is unknown whether the three people survived.[13] A total of 2 people were
killed and at least 12 warranted evacuation in Angeles City when the roof of a bus terminal,
where 100 people were riding out the storm, operated by Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines
collapsed.[16] Civil defense officials confirmed that five other bridges collapsed in Pampanga
and Zambales provinces. All crops were destroyed throughout Iriga.[13] Overall, 2,013 homes
were destroyed and 24 others were damaged during the passage of the typhoon.[17] A total of
2,035 families or 10,185 people were evacuated to shelters.[18] Excluding from lahars, six
people were killed by Yuyna.[13][8][16]

See also
1991 Pacific typhoon season
Typhoon Mike (Ruping, 1990)
Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring, 1991), one of the deadliest tropical cyclones to hit the
Philippines in recent recorded history
Typhoon Angela (Rosing, 1995)
Typhoon Durian (Reming, 2006)
Tropical Storm Fung-wong (Mario, 2014)
Typhoon Vongfong (Ambo, 2020)
:
 Notes
1. All winds are in ten-minute sustained standards unless otherwise implied by the agency.
2. The Japan Meteorological Agency is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological
Center for the western Pacific Ocean.[3]
3. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air
Force task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the western Pacific Ocean and
other regions.[4]
4. Wind estimates from the JMA and most other basins throughout the world are sustained
over 10 minutes, while estimates from the United States-based Joint Typhoon Warning
Center are sustained over 1 minute. 10-minute wind speeds are about 1.14 times the
amount of 1-minute wind speeds.[7]

References
1. "1991 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: Typhoon Yunya (05W)" (http://www.usno.navy.mil
/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1991atcr.pdf) (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center
(Report). United States Navy. 1992. pp. 48–53. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
2. "RSMC Best Track Data - 1990-1999" (http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsm
c-hp-pub-eg/Besttracks/bst9099.txt) (.TXT). Japan Meteorological Agency. January 4,
1992. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
3. "Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo - Typhoon Center 2000" (http://www.jma
.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/AnnualReport/2000/Text/Text2000.pdf)
(PDF). Japan Meteorological Agency. February 2001. p. 3. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
4. "Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement" (https://web.archive.org/web/200707
26103400/https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/menu/JTWC_mission.html). Joint Typhoon
Warning Center. United States Navy. 2011. Archived from the original (https://metocph.n
mci.navy.mil/jtwc/menu/JTWC_mission.html) on July 26, 2007. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
5. Hong Kong Observatory (1992). "Part III – Tropical Cyclone Summaries". Meteorological
Results: 1991 (https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/publica/tc/files/tc1991.pdf) (PDF).
Meteorological Results (Report). Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
6. Kenneth R. Knapp; Michael C. Kruk; David H. Levinson; Howard J. Diamond; Charles J.
Neumann (2010). 1991 Typhoon Yunya (1991163N11128) (http://www.atms.unca.edu/ibtr
acs/ibtracs_v04r00/index.php?name=v04r00-1991163N11128). The International Best
Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track
data (Report). Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Retrieved March 18,
2020.
7. Christopher W Landsea; Hurricane Research Division (April 26, 2004). "Subject: D4)
What does "maximum sustained wind" mean? How does it relate to gusts in tropical
cyclones?" (http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E7.html). Frequently Asked Questions.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atlantic Oceanographic and
Meteorological Laboratory. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
8. Reid, Robert H. (June 14, 1991). "New Eruptions Send Glowing Rivers of Debris Down
Volcano". Associated Press. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
:
 Volcano". Associated Press. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
9. Newhall, Christopher (February 11, 2004). Fire and Mud: Eruptions and Laharsof Mount
Pinatubo, Philippines (https://www.unisdr.org/files/3004_fireandmud.pdf) (PDF) (Report).
United States Geological Survey. pp. 29–32. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
10. Reid, Robert H. (June 15, 1991). "Scientists Expect Catastrophic Blast, Thousands Flee
Homes". Associated Press. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
11. "Manila airport closed indefinitely". United Press International. June 17, 1991. –
via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
12. Newhall, Chris (June 11, 1999). "Building Damage Caused by the Mount Pinatubo
Eruption of June 15, 1991" (https://pubs.usgs.gov/pinatubo/spence/). United States
Geological Survey. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
13. Abbugao, Martin (June 15, 1991). "Typhoon hits Philippines, kills four". United Press
International. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
14. "Earth Tremor in Manila, Storm Threatens Mudflows, U.S. Base Abandoned". Associated
Press. June 15, 1991. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
15. "Thousands Flee As Scientists Expect Catastrophic Blast". Associated Press. June 16,
1991. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
16. "Scientists Warn Of Huge Explosion, Officials Make Evacuation Plans". Associated
Press. June 15, 1991. – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
17. Destructive Typhoons 1970–2003 (https://web.archive.org/web/20041109181317/http://b
aseportal.com/cgi-bin/baseportal.pl?htx=%2Fmiso%2Ftyphoons&range=120%2C20)
(Report). National Disaster Coordinating Council. November 9, 2004. Archived from the
original (http://baseportal.com/cgi-bin/baseportal.pl?htx=/miso/typhoons&range=120,20)
on November 9, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
18. Destructive Typhoons 1970–2003 (http://baseportal.com/cgi-bin/baseportal.pl?htx=/miso/
typhoons&range=120,20&cmd=all&Id=127) (Report). National Disaster Coordinating
Council. November 9, 2004. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20120824022824/htt
p://baseportal.com/cgi-bin/baseportal.pl?htx=%2Fmiso%2Ftyphoons&cmd=list&range=1
20%2C20&cmd=all&Id=127) from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved March 22,
2020.

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