Tropical Storm Bavi (2015)

{{Storm path|Bavi 2015 track.png}}

During the opening days of March 2015, a major westerly wind burst occurred, which subsequently contributed to the development of the 2014-16 El Nino event and the development of twin tropical cyclones in the Pacific Ocean on both sides of the equator.{{cite journal|title=Pacific ENSO Update: 2nd Quarter 2015 |date=May 29, 2015 |publisher=United States Pacific El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Applications Climate Center |volume=21 |issue=2 |url=http://www.weather.gov/media/peac/PEU/PEU_v21_n2.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070616/http://www.weather.gov/media/peac/PEU/PEU_v21_n2.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }} The first tropical cyclone became Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam within the South Pacific Ocean and impacted various parts of Melanesia including the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The second tropical cyclone was first noted by the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) as a tropical disturbance during March 8, while it was located about {{convert|500|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the southeast of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.{{cite web|archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/ab/abwpweb.txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522214848/https://www.webcitation.org/6Wv4Y1U3y?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABPW10-PGTW_201503082330.htm |title=Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans March 8, 2015 23z |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |access-date=August 16, 2015 |url-status=dead }} The disturbance consisted of a large area of atmospheric convection, which was starting to wrap into the system's developing low level circulation centre. The disturbance was also thought to be in a favourable environment for further development at this time, with low vertical wind shear and a good outflow towards the equator. Over the next couple of days the system moved north-westwards through the Marshall Islands and into a marginal environment for further development, with moderate vertical wind shear being partially offset by the system's outflow.{{cite web|archive-date=May 22, 2024 |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/ab/abwpweb.txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522214811/https://www.webcitation.org/6Wv4as9Vy?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/ABPW10-PGTW_201503100600.htm |title=Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans March 10, 2015 06z |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |access-date=August 8, 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=Global Tropical System Tracks — March 2015 |archive-date=August 28, 2015 |access-date=August 8, 2015 |website=Australian Severe Weather |author=Young, Steve |url=http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2015/trak1503.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828010204/http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2015/trak1503.htm |url-status=dead }} During March 10, the Japan Meteorological Agency subsequently started monitoring the disturbance as a tropical depression, while it was located about {{convert|330|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the northeast of Bairiki in Kiribati.{{cite report|title=Tropical Storm Bavi |url=http://www.wis-jma.go.jp/cms/warning/2015/04/21/typhoon-best-track-2015-04-21t060000z-2/ |type=RSMC Tropical Cyclone Best Track |access-date=August 8, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721045047/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ax/axpq20.rjtd..txt |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |publisher=Japan Meteorological Agency |date=April 21, 2015 }}{{cite report|title=Review of the 2015 typhoon season |publisher=Japan Meteorological Agency |date=January 26, 2016 |url-status=live |url=http://www.typhooncommittee.org/48th/docs/item%204%20technical%20presentations/4.1.Review2015TyphoonSeason.pdf |access-date=March 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324034705/http://www.typhooncommittee.org/48th/docs/item%204%20technical%20presentations/4.1.Review2015TyphoonSeason.pdf |archive-date=March 24, 2016 }}

Over the next day, the system moved north-westwards and gradually developed further, before the JMA reported that the system had developed into a tropical storm and named it Bavi during March 11.{{cite web|title=Special Weather Statement March 10, 2015 00z |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ww/wwpq80.pgum.sps.pq.txt |date=March 10, 2015 |author=National Weather Service Forecast Office Tiyan, Guam |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522214931/https://www.webcitation.org/6Wy7csTZg?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WWPQ80-PGUM_201503100130.htm |access-date=March 22, 2015 |publisher=United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |url-status=dead }} Later that day as the system's low level circulation centre continued to consolidated and deep convection wrapped into it, the JTWC initiated advisories and designated the system as 03W.{{cite web|title=Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 03W (Three) Warning Nr 01 |access-date=August 8, 2015 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522215018/https://www.webcitation.org/6Wy7nceaj?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WDPN31-PGTW_201503111500.htm |date=March 12, 2015 |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/wp0315prog.txt |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 03W (Bavi) Warning Nr 02 |access-date=August 8, 2015 |publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522215051/https://www.webcitation.org/6Wy7nR6GX?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WDPN31-PGTW_201503112100.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |date=March 12, 2015 |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/warnings/wp0315prog.txt |url-status=dead }} The system subsequently continued to gradually intensify as it moved westwards, around the southern periphery of a subtropical ridge of high pressure located to the northwest of the system. During March 14, the system peaked as a tropical storm with the JMA reporting 10-minute sustained winds of 85 km/h (50 mph), while the JTWC reported 1-minute sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph).{{cite web|url={{JTWC BT URL|year=2015|id1=2015s-bwp|id2=bwp2015}}|title=JTWC 2015 best track analysis: Tropical Storm Bavi 03W|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=July 9, 2016|format=DAT}} By this time the system was approaching the Mariana islands and had started to weaken, with system's low level circulation becoming partially exposed and displaced from the atmospheric convection. As a result of this the system's low level circulation passed over Guam during March 15, while convection associated with the system passed over the Northern Mariana islands. Over the next couple of days the system moved westwards and continued to weaken, before it weakened into a tropical depression during March 17, as it moved into the Philippine area of responsibility where it was named Betty by PAGASA.{{cite web|title=Severe Weather Bulletin Number One, Tropical Cyclone Alert: Tropical Storm "Betty" (Bavi) |url=http://pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.php/bulletin-archive/232-betty-2015-bulletin/2323-1 |publisher=Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration |access-date=July 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150317082449/http://pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.php/bulletin-archive/232-betty-2015-bulletin/2323-1 |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |date=March 17, 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=Tropical Storm Bavi enters PAR, codenamed Betty|date=March 17, 2015 |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/454173/weather/look-tropical-storm-bavi-enters-par-codenamed-betty|access-date=March 17, 2015|publisher=GMA News}} The JTWC stopped monitoring Bavi during March 19, after the system had weakened into a tropical disturbance, however, the JMA continued to monitor the system as a tropical depression, until it dissipated within the Philippines, during March 21.

File:Bavi 2015-03-15 0355Z.jpg

Tropical Storm Bavi and its precursor were reported to have caused severe impacts in Kiribati.{{cite report|url=https://wmoomm.sharepoint.com/sites/wmocpdb/eve_activityarea/Forms/AllItems.aspx?originalPath=aHR0cHM6Ly93bW9vbW0uc2hhcmVwb2ludC5jb20vOmY6L3Mvd21vY3BkYi9Fc3ljejhBTlZQcEJsejNEN1JPQVF3b0JoUXVuaTVPLVQtVG5BNUxvUTQzdmF3P3J0aW1lPTliTG1FZHg5MlVn&id=%2Fsites%2Fwmocpdb%2Feve%5Factivityarea%2FTropical%20Cyclone%20Programme%20%28TCP%29%5F73452102%2D7575%2De911%2Da98e%2D000d3a44bd9c%2FEvents%2F05%5FRAV%2DTropicalCycloneCommittee%2DRA%20V%20TCC%2F2021%5FTCC%2D19%2F03%5FDAY1%2DDAY2%5FReviewCycloneSeason%2FRAV%5FTCC%2D19%5FDOC%2E3%2E2%2E3%5FKiribati%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2Fwmocpdb%2Feve%5Factivityarea%2FTropical%20Cyclone%20Programme%20%28TCP%29%5F73452102%2D7575%2De911%2Da98e%2D000d3a44bd9c%2FEvents%2F05%5FRAV%2DTropicalCycloneCommittee%2DRA%20V%20TCC%2F2021%5FTCC%2D19%2F03%5FDAY1%2DDAY2%5FReviewCycloneSeason|title=RA V TROPICAL CYCLONE COMMITTEENINETEENTH SESSION: REVIEW OF THE CYCLONIC SEASONS 2019/2020, 2020/2021|author=|publisher=World Meteorological Organisation|date=July 29, 2021|access-date=September 22, 2021}}

Tropical Storm Bavi impacted various atolls within Micronesia, while the system's large wind field generated large waves, which were problematic in the Marshall Islands and the Mariana islands. The system also influenced the Pacific trade winds and with Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam, caused one of the strongest trade wind reversals that had been observed on record.{{cite report|title=ENSO Wrap-Up: Tropical cyclone activity may lead to further ocean warming |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/archive/ensowrap_20150317.pdf |page=1 |access-date=March 18, 2016 |publisher=Australian Bureau of Meteorology |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401113312/http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=579251 |url-status=dead }}

Bavi and its precursor tropical disturbance impacted eastern Micronesia between March 9–13, with gusty winds and high seas reported throughout the Marshall Islands.{{cite web|title=Storm Events Database: Marshall Islands: Tropical Storm Bavi |url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=579251 |publisher=United States National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=March 18, 2016 |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401113312/http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=579251 |url-status=dead }} A pressure gradient between Bavi and an area of high pressure, generated strong to gale-force winds of between {{convert|45-65|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} on various atolls. As a result, various tropical storm watches and warnings were issued for parts of the Marshall Islands, including the coral atolls of Ujae and Ailinglaplap.{{cite web|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/data/GUM/TCPPQ1 |title=Tropical Depression 03W Advisory Number 1 March 11, 2015 14z |date=March 11, 2015 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |publisher=United States National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Tiyan, Guam |url-status=live |format=PDF |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522215257/https://www.webcitation.org/6X8rINHis?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPQ31-PGUM_201503111408.htm }} On the 15 islands that make up the atoll of Ujae, a significant period of strong winds were reported, which lead to breadfruit trees being destroyed and several houses blown over. Across the Kwajalein Atoll, total damages amounted to over US$1 million, with considerable damage reported on the islet of Ebeye. On the main island of Kwajalein, a small amount of tree damage was reported, while several old steel structures were made too dangerous to use. At the missile defense test range on the island, a 3-day rainfall total of {{convert|10.65|in|mm|abbr=on}} was reported between March 9–11. On the islet of Ebeye located about {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the north of Kwajalein, high surf caused some coastal flooding while gale-force winds damaged structures with tin roofs and plywood walls. Bavis's large waves combined with the high tide caused flooding on various islets of the atoll of Majuro. Within the atoll a yacht struck a reef during March 10, while the fishing vessel Clearwater 2 and its crew of nine were reported missing during March 12, after they became overdue at their destination port.{{cite web|publisher=Radio New Zealand International|date=March 12, 2015|access-date=April 4, 2015|title=Marshalls battered by tropical depression|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268463/marshalls-battered-by-tropical-depression}} A search and rescue mission was subsequently launched with various good samaritan vessels and two aircraft from the United States Coast Guard and Navy helping to look for the vessel. The search effort subsequently found debris from the ship in various locations along the track taken by Bavi, including to the east of Majuro and southeast of Kwajalein. Total damages to property within the Marshall Islands were estimated at US$2.1 million, while the total crop damage was estimated at US$100 thousand.

After leaving Eastern Micronesia, Bavi continued to move westwardsand threatened to impact the Mariana Islands as a typhoon. As a result, the Guam Weather Forecast Office issued a typhoon watch and a tropical storm warning for Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan during March 13.{{cite web|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/data/GUM/TCPPQ1 |title=Tropical Storm Bavi (03W) Special Advisory Number 7A March 13, 2015 07z |date=March 13, 2015 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |publisher=United States National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Tiyan, Guam |format=PDF |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522215214/https://www.webcitation.org/6X8rFu7G2?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPQ31-PGUM_201503130738.htm |author=Williams, Derek |author2=Edson, Roger |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/data/GUM/TCPPQ1 |title=Tropical Storm Bavi (03W) Advisory Number 12 March 14, 2015 22z |date=March 14, 2015 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |publisher=United States United States National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Tiyan, Guam |format=PDF |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522215130/https://www.webcitation.org/6X8rDMi0W?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTPQ31-PGUM_201503142216.htm |author=Middlebrooke, Mike |url-status=dead }} The islands were also placed in Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 1 by Governors Eddie Calvo, Eloy Inos and Rear Admiral Bette Bolivar.{{cite web|website=Stars and Stripes |title=Pacific Storm Tracker: Tropical Storm 03W (Bavi) |author=Ornauer, Dave |date=March 15, 2015 |url=http://www.stripes.com/blogs/pacific-storm-tracker/pacific-storm-tracker-1.257110/tropical-storm-03w-bavi-16-1.333766 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819083707/http://www.stripes.com/blogs/pacific-storm-tracker/pacific-storm-tracker-1.257110/tropical-storm-03w-bavi-16-1.333766 |archive-date=August 19, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|author=De La Torre, Ferdie|date=March 16, 2015|access-date=April 4, 2015|title=166 seek shelter as Bavi batters NMI|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/166-seek-shelter-as-bavi-batters-nmi/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924093644/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/166-seek-shelter-as-bavi-batters-nmi/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015}} The Guam Waterworks Authority advised residents on the island stock up on water ahead of the system, in case Bavi disrupted the island's water service.{{cite news|title=Tropical Storm Bavi heading for Guam, Northern Marianas|newspaper=Samay Live|date=March 14, 2015|url=http://www.saharasamay.com/world-news/676569905/tropical-storm-bavi-heading-for-guam-northern-marianas.html}} United Airlines, Cape Air and United Express all cancelled flights that departed from Guam, while schools were shut on the island during March 15.{{cite news|title=Flights to/from Guam cancelled due to bad weather|agency=Philippines News Agency|author=Parrocha, Azer N|date=March 15, 2015|url=http://balita.ph/2015/03/17/flights-tofrom-guam-cancelled-due-to-bad-weather/|archive-date=July 21, 2016|access-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721135223/http://balita.ph/2015/03/17/flights-tofrom-guam-cancelled-due-to-bad-weather/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Weakened Tropical Storm Bavi heads for Guam, Marianas|agency=The Associated Press|date=March 15, 2015}}{{cite news|title=Weakened Tropical Storm Bavi moves away from Guam|agency=The Associated Press|date=March 15, 2015|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/weakened-tropical-storm-bavi-heads-guam-marianas-011205623.html?ref=gs|archive-date=August 23, 2016|access-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823031131/https://www.yahoo.com/news/weakened-tropical-storm-bavi-heads-guam-marianas-011205623.html?ref=gs|url-status=dead}} However, as Bavi approached the islands, upper level wind shear caused the system to decouple and start to gradually weaken.{{cite web|title=Storm Events Database: Guam: Tropical Storm Bavi|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=579254|publisher=United States National Centers for Environmental Information|access-date=July 9, 2016}} Bavi's circulation subsequently passed over Guam during March 15, with winds on the island barely reaching gale force on the island. Within Guam, sporadic power outages and minor tree damage were reported, while waves on the uninhabited northeastern coast of Guam reached {{convert|20-30|ft|m|round=5|abbr=on}} and were the highest waves recorded on the island in a decade. A band of showers associated with the system and a pressure gradient, between Bavi and an area of high pressure, brought winds of up to {{convert|65|mph|km/h|disp=flip|round=5|abbr=on}} to Saipan and Tinian.{{cite web|title=Storm Events Database: Saipan: Tropical Storm Bavi|publisher=United States National Centers for Environmental Information|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=579256|access-date=July 9, 2016}} As a result, several trees and power lines were brought down across the islands, which resulted in Saipan having sporadic power outages and temporarily losing all electric. Around 65 homes which were primarily constructed with wood and tin were affected by the winds, with 5 destroyed while a further 52 sustained some damage.{{cite news|newspaper=Marianas Variety|date=March 27, 2015|access-date=July 9, 2016|title=Red Cross provides assistance to families affected by Tropical Storm Bavi|url=http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/75208-red-cross-provides-assistance-to-families-affected-by-tropical-storm-bavi}} The local Red Cross chapter subsequently provided tarpaulins, cleaning materials and over $25,000 in assistance to 252 people, while total property damages within the Mariana Islands were estimated at around US$150 thousand.

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{{reflist|2}}

{{Commons category|Tropical Storm Bavi (2015)}}

• [http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/digital-typhoon/summary/wnp/s/201503.html.en JMA General Information] of Tropical Storm Bavi (1503) from Digital Typhoon
• [http://www.data.jma.go.jp/fcd/yoho/data/typhoon/T1503.pdf JMA Best Track Data] of Tropical Storm Bavi (1503) {{in lang|ja}}

• [http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tcdat/tc15/WPAC/03W.BAVI/ 03W.BAVI]{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

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Category:2015 Pacific typhoon season

Category:Western Pacific tropical storms

Category:Typhoons in Guam

Category:Typhoons in the Marshall Islands

Category:Typhoons in the Northern Mariana Islands

Category:March 2015 in the United States

Category:Tropical cyclones in Kiribati

Bavi