Tropical Storm Luke

{{storm path|Luke 1991 track.png}}

An area of disturbed weather that would later become Tropical Storm Luke was first noted by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) early on September 13.{{cite report|title=Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1991|publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1991atcr.pdf|author2=Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=July 30, 2017|year=1992|archive-date=August 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813232009/https://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1991atcr.pdf|url-status=dead}} The disturbance was upgraded into a tropical depression by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) the following morning.{{cite report|author=Japan Meteorological Agency|date=October 10, 1992|title=RSMC Best Track Data – 1990–1999|access-date=July 30, 2017|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/Besttracks/bst9099.txt|format=.TXT|archive-date=January 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122183440/http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/Besttracks/bst9099.txt|url-status=dead}}{{#tag:ref|The Japan Meteorological Agency is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the western Pacific Ocean.{{cite web|publisher=Japan Meteorological Agency|title=Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center 2000|date=February 2001|access-date=July 30, 2017|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/AnnualReport/2000/Text/Text2000.pdf|page=3}}|group="nb"}} As the disturbance tracked west-northwestward, passing near Saipan, improved upper-level anticyclonic outflow and falling surface pressures led to the issuance of a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert at 11:30 UTC on September 14. At 18:00 UTC, the JTWC designated the system Tropical Depression 20W, based on synoptic data that indicated the disturbance developed a closed surface circulation. At the time of the upgrade, the depression's structure resembled that of a monsoon depression, with a ring of {{convert|35|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=flip}} winds surrounding a large area of light and variable winds, indicating a broad and ill-defined circulation. Early on September 15, the JTWC upgraded the depression into Tropical Storm Luke, with the JMA following suit six hours later.{{cite report|author1=Kenneth R. Knapp |author2=Michael C. Kruk |author3=David H. Levinson |author4=Howard J. Diamond |author5=Charles J. Neumann |year=2010|work=The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track data|title=1991 LUKE (1991256N14148)|publisher=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|access-date=July 30, 2017|url=http://www.atms.unca.edu/ibtracs/ibtracs_current/browse-ibtracs/index.php?name=v03r09-1991256N14148}}{{#tag:ref|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 winds are about 1.14 times the amount of 1-minute winds.{{cite book|author=Christopher W Landsea|author2=Hurricane Research Division|title=Frequently Asked Questions|chapter=Subject: D4) What does "maximum sustained wind" mean? How does it relate to gusts in tropical cyclones?|access-date=July 30, 2017|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E7.html|date=April 26, 2004}}|group="nb"}}

The cyclone continued to slowly intensity over the next 48 hours as it tracked west-northwestward. On September 17, satellite imagery indicated that the circulation had become less defined and the overall system had lost organization. Despite this, the JTWC increased the intensity of the storm to {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=flip}},{{cite report|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bwp/bwp201991.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311024850/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bwp/bwp201991.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2010|title=Tropical Storm 20W Best Track|date=December 17, 2002|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=July 30, 2017|format=TXT}} its peak intensity. Meanwhile, the JMA upgraded Luke into a severe tropical storm. At 18:00 UTC, the JMA estimated that Luke reached its peak intensity of {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=flip}}. Luke turned north-northwestward, only to make a turn to the east as a midtropospheric trough caused the subtropical ridge, which had been holding the system to a westward track, to recede eastward. Meanwhile, the vertical wind shear caused by westerlies increased, causing Luke to transition into an extratropical cyclone. The JTWC issued its final warning at noon on September 19, with the JMA declaring Luke extratropical that evening. It was last noted late on September 21.

Even though Luke did not attain typhoon intensity, its broad monsoonal structure resulted in large circumference of gale-force winds while torrential rains inundated large portions of western Japan. A peak rainfall total of {{convert|545|mm|in|abbr=on}} occurred at Owase, including {{convert|528|mm|in|abbr=on}} in a 24-hour time frame.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS OWASE (53378) @ Typhoon 199118

|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=53378&id=199118&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 30, 2017}} A peak hourly rainfall total of {{convert|86|mm|in|abbr=on}} was observed in Fuijsakatoge in Mie Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS FUJISAKATOGE (53287) @ Typhoon 199118|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=53287&id=199118&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 30, 2017}} A wind gust of {{convert|119|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} was recorded in Erimo.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS ERIMOMISAKI (22391) @ Typhoon 199118|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=22391&id=199118&lang=enn|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 30, 2017}}

In Wakayama Prefecture, the storm, in conjunction with a cold front, dropped heavy rains, which damaged 59 homes and roads in 94 locations. Seven people were displaced from their homes. Damage in the prefecture reached ¥1.1 billion.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-777-07 |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-777-07&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} A house collapsed and buried a person alive in Atsugi. Two people died in Yokohama after a fence fell, where 52 houses were damaged. Thirty-one structures were damaged in Totsuka-ku. A total of 496 dwellings were damaged in Kawaski and 243 others were damaged in Sagamihara. Overall, three people were wounded and 1,451 people were left homeless in Kanagawa Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-670-04 |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-670-04&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} Landslides collapsed three dwellings in Tokyo.{{cite news|title=International News|agency=United Press International|date=September 19, 1991}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}} One person was killed in Shizuoka Prefecture and another was hurt. A total of 301 homes were damaged and an additional 107 were destroyed, resulting in 438 homeless. There were 99 landslides and roads were damaged in 131 locations.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-656-06 |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-656-06&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} Two people were killed in Kumano. A landslide shattered a house in Mie Prefecture, burying an elderly couple who were subsequently rescued. A total of 1,032 homes were damaged and 147 homes were demolished across the prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-651-11 |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-651-11&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} Seven construction workers were trapped in Chiba Prefecture after water flooded the tunnel they were working in.{{cite news|last1=Kageyama|first1=Yuri|title=Storm Kills Eight, Floods Nearly 30,000 Homes|agency=Associated Press|date=September 19, 1991}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}} There, four people were wounded. A total of 1,595 homes were damaged and 336 others were destroyed. Damage was estimated at ¥1.31 billion.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-648-17 |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-648-17&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} In Yamanashi Prefecture, two people were killed, with two others also injured. A total of 632 homes were damaged and 94 others were destroyed, which resulted in 2,321 homeless.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-638-07 |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-638-07&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} A middle school student was found dead in Aichi Prefecture after being swept away via floodwaters. A total of 8,797 homes were destroyed and 4,618 were damaged. There, 121 landslides were also reported.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-636-01|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-636-01&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} One hundred-thirty-nine homes were damaged and two more were destroyed in Gifu Prefecture, which resulted in nine people homeless. Damage there amounted to ¥732 million.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-632-03|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-632-03&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} Two people sustained injuries in Ibaraki Prefecture. There, a total of 2,782 homes were damaged and 466 others were destroyed, resulting in almost 65,000 individuals displaced from their homes.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-629-11|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-629-11&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} Nearly {{convert|3000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of farmland were damaged in Saitama Prefecture, totaling ¥1.96 billion.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-626-07|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-626-07&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} Fifteen homes sustained damage in Gunma prefecture{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-624-14|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-624-14&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} while one hundred sixty-eight others were damaged in Tochigi Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-615-07|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-615-07&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} One person died in Nagano Prefecture. A total of 146 homes were damaged and destroyed there. Damage amounted to ¥4.5 billion.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-610-20|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-610-20&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} A total of 657 dwellings were damaged and 75 other homes were demolished.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-595-06|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-595-06&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}} Further north, thirty-two homes were damaged and nine were destroyed in Iwate Prefecture. Damage there was assessed at ¥2.02 billion.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-584-05|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-584-05&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 31, 2017}}

Nationwide, 12 fatalities were reported and 23 others sustained injuries. A total of 225 houses were destroyed while 52,662 others were flooded. Over 20,000 dwellings were damaged. More than 40 domestic flights were cancelled.{{cite news|title=Tropical Storm Kills At Least Five, Floods Homes|agency=Associated Press|date=September 19, 1991}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}} Twelve Toyota plants were closed due to the storm.{{cite news|title=Storm Kills Eight, Floods Nearly 30,000 Homes|agency=Associated Press|date=September 20, 1991}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}} Rivers crested at eighteen points and six bridges were washed away. A total of 103 bullet trains were cancelled and 160 others were delayed between Tokyo and Osaka, which disrupted travel plans of 315,000 people. In addition, 11,999 trains were halted in eastern and northern Japan, inconveniencing 750,000 passengers.{{cite news|title=Typhoon Luke swipes Japan, 11 dead or missing|agency=Agence France Presse|date=September 19, 1991}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}} By September 20, however, train service was restored to most of the impacted area.{{cite news|title=International News|agency=United Press International|date=September 20, 1991}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}} There were 644 landslides and roads were damaged at 418 points. Two ships along with {{convert|4973|ha|acre|abbr=on|round=5}} of farmland were damaged. Authorities estimated damage at ¥24.2 billion (US$79 million).{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=Typhoon 19918 (Luke) |url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/dsummary.pl?id=199118&basin=wnp&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 29, 2017}}{{#tag:ref|All currencies are converted from Japanese yen to United States Dollars using [https://www.measuringworth.com/datasets/exchangeglobal/result.php?year_source=1991&year_result=1991&countryE%5B%5D=Japan this] with an exchange rate of the year 1991.|group=nb}}{{#tag:ref|All damage totals are in 1990 values of their respective currencies.|group="nb"}}

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Category:1991 Pacific typhoon season

Category:Typhoons in Japan

Category:1991 in Japan

Category:Western Pacific severe tropical storms