UNDERSTANDING

TYPHOONS
 MODULE 2:
UNDERSTANDING
TYPHOONS
OVERVIEW
Every year the Philippines is hit by typhoons. No part of
the country is spared. All provinces have been visited by a
typhoon at one time or another. In recent years, the
Philippines had been overwhelmed by powerful tropical
cyclones.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical,

and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), about
20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippine Area of
Responsibility each year. We have to be knowledgeable
about tropical cyclones if we want to prevent the loss of
more lives.
WHAT IS A TYPHOON?
We all know what a typhoon is. Or more accurately, we
know what to expect when a typhoon comes. We get a lot of
rain and strong winds. Now, you may not have noticed it but
the winds in a typhoon move in a certain direction. They go
around a central area.
 The picture shows a supertyphoon as viewed from up
above the Earth. A typhoon looks the same, only smaller. In
a supertyphoon, the wind speed is greater than 200
kilometers per hour (kph).

If the wind speed is less, from 119 to 200 kph, then it is

called a typhoon. If the wind speed is between 65 and 118
kph, it is called a tropical storm. And when the wind
speed is between 35 to 64 kph, it is a tropical
depression.
 Tropical depression, tropical storm, typhoon, and
supertyphoon are categories of tropical cyclones (Table 1).
In simple terms, a tropical cyclone is a system of
thunderstorms that are moving around a center. As the
winds intensify or weaken, the category is upgraded or
downgraded accordingly.
 The term typhoon is used only in the northwestern part
of the Pacific Ocean. In the northeastern part of the Pacific
Ocean and in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, the
equivalent term is hurricane. Thus, a hurricane on one side
of the Pacific Ocean will be called a typhoon if it crosses into
the other side.

In the Philippines, we use the same word for all

categories of tropical cyclones. We call it bagyo whether it is
a tropical depression, a tropical storm or a typhoon.
 In this simulation, the water
represents the wind going around
the center of a tropical cyclone. In
the northern hemisphere, the
winds blow in a counter-clockwise
direction. In the southern
hemisphere, the winds spin around
in the opposite direction,
clockwise.

The “funnel” in the center of the spinning water represents

the “eye” of a tropical cyclone. When scientists talk about the
location of a tropical cyclone, they are referring to the location of
the eye.
 Where did the tropical cyclone forms? On Land or in
the Ocean?

All four tropical cyclones started out in the Pacific

Ocean. Tropical cyclones usually form where there is warm
water. The temperature should be 26.5°C or more.
 Where did the tropical cyclone forms? On Land or in
the Ocean?

The warm ocean water heats up the air above it. The
warm air then rises. The rising warm air results in a low-
pressure area. Air in the surroundings will then move toward
the area.

Now, there is water vapor in the rising warm air. The

water vapor soon condenses and heat is given off. The heat
makes the air rise even more, and air in the surroundings
will keep coming in. The air starts to spin, and a tropical
cyclone is born.
 What can you say about the temperature of the bodies
of water in the vicinity of the Philippines? Is the water
warm or cold?

Our country is located near the equator. Thus, it is warm

in the vicinity of the Philippines, both on land and in the
surrounding bodies of water. The warm water supplies the
water vapor that a tropical cyclone needs to keep it going.

In what direction did the tropical cyclones move?

From the map, the students can see that the tropical
cyclones move in a northwest direction. Not all tropical
cyclones move this way. But this is the general rule for those
that start from the Pacific Ocean.
 Which part of the Philippines was hit by the four
tropical cyclones?

All the four tropical cyclones hit northern Philippines or

the island of Luzon. Note where the tropical cyclones start:
at the latitude of the Visayas and Mindanao. So when a
tropical cyclone moves to the northwest, it ends up in Luzon.

This is the reason why Mindanao is not commonly hit

by tropical cyclones. Unless the following happens:
a) the tropical cyclone starts at a latitude closer to the
equator, or
b) the tropical cyclone moves directly to the west, instead
of moving to the northwest. This is what happened in
Mindanao in recent years.
 INSIDE THE TROPICAL CYCLONE

The air pressure is lowest at the eye of a tropical

cyclone. This is the reason why the surrounding air
blows toward the eye. A barometer will show decreasing
air pressure as a tropical cyclone approaches.

In contrast, as a tropical cyclone comes nearer, the

wind speed increases. The wind speed is greatest at the
eyewall, at the dense clouds surrounding the eye.
When PAGASA quotes a wind speed, it is referring to
winds at the eyewall.
 INSIDE THE TROPICAL CYCLONE

But at the eye itself, the wind is light. So when the

eye is over an area, people there think the weather has
turned for the better. They may relax and lower their
guard. But the tropical cyclone is far from over.

As the tropical cyclone leaves, the other side of the

eyewall can still do much damage. That is because
structures have already been battered earlier. It is just a
matter of time before something worse will happen.
 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?
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL
(PSWS)

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.

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
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL
(PSWS)

PSWS #1
What to do
 Watch out for big waves
 Listen to severe weather bulletin issued by PAGASA
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL
(PSWS)

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

The following may happen

 Large number of nipa and cogon houses may be
partially or totally unroofed
 Some old galvanized iron roof may be peeled off
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL
(PSWS)
 Winds may bring light to moderate damage to exposed
communities
 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

What to do?
 Avoid riding in small seacraft
 Those who travel by sea and air
should avoid unnecessary risks
 Postpone outdoor activities of children
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL
(PSWS)

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
The following may happen
 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
  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

What to do?
 Avoid riding in any seacraft
 Seek shelter in strong buildings
 Evacuate from low-lying areas
 Stay away from coasts and river banks
 PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIGNAL
(PSWS)

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

The following may happen

 Coconut plantation may suffer
extensive damage
 Many large trees maybe uprooted
 Rice and corn plantation may suffer
severe losses
 Most residential and institutional buildings of mixed construction
maybe severely damaged
 Electrical power distribution and communication services maybe
severely disrupted
 Damage to affected communities can be very heavy
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.
 How to be prepared?
To be fully prepared for tropical cyclones, you should
also put together an emergency kit which includes the
following: drinking water, canned goods, can opener, radio,
flashlight, extra batteries, clothes, blanket, and first aid kit.
You never know when you will need it. You must learn how
to rely on yourself. In times of disaster, it may take a while
before help arrives.