Tropical Storm Ofelia
{{Short description|Pacific tropical storm in 1993}}
{{distinguish|Typhoon Ofelia}}
{{infobox weather event
| image = Ofelia Jul 26 1993 2239Z.png
| caption = Tropical Storm Ofelia at peak intensity late on July 26, 1993
| formed = {{Start date|1993|07|24}}
| dissipated = {{End date|1993|07|27}}
}}{{infobox weather event/JMA
| winds = 45
| pressure = 990
}}{{infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 45
| pressure =
}}{{infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1993
| fatalities = 13
| damage = 197000000
| areas = Japan
| refs =
}}{{infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 1993 Pacific typhoon season
}}
Tropical Storm Ofelia, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Luming, was an early-season tropical cyclone that passed south Japan during July 1993. An area of disturbed weather developed from the Western Pacific monsoon trough in late July 1993. The disturbance organized into a tropical depression on July 24, and the next day developed into a tropical storm. Tracking west-northwestward, Ofelia slowly deepened and attained its peak intensity of {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=flip}} and a minimum barometric pressure of {{convert|994|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} at noon on July 26. On the next day, the storm made landfall shortly before weakening to a tropical depression. On July 27, Ofelia transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.
Across Tokushima Prefecture, 3 people were killed and 44 homes were damaged while 25 other homes were destroyed. Elsewhere, across Kochi Prefecture, 142 homes were damaged and an additional 452 were destroyed. Three people were also killed and another was injured. The storm dropped heavy rains in Ehime Prefecture for a 36-hour period, resulting in 17 landslides and the cancellation of 16 flights. Throughout the prefecture, 119 houses were damaged and 10 others were destroyed. In Oita Prefecture, a landslide destroyed a home in Honyabakei, killing three. In Hiroshima Prefecture, 18,060 households lost power after 934 power lines were downed while 713 homes were damaged and 54 were destroyed. A total of 22 railtracks and 1,165 roads were damaged. Three people were also hurt. In Yamaguchi Prefecture, four people were killed. Moreover, 1,312 homes were damaged and 84 others were destroyed. Overall, 13 people were killed and damage was estimated at 21.9 billion yen (US$197 million).{{#tag:ref|All currencies are converted from Japanese yen to United States Dollars using [https://www.measuringworth.com/datasets/exchangeglobal/result.php?year_source=1993&year_result=1993&countryE%5B%5D=Japan this] with an exchange rate of the year 1992.|group=nb}}{{#tag:ref|All damage totals are in 1992 values of their respective currencies.|group="nb"}}
Meteorological history
{{storm path|Ofelia 1993 track.png}}
Tropical Storm Ofelia originated from the Western Pacific monsoon trough during July 1993. At 06:00 UTC on July 24, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) started tracking a tropical disturbance,{{cite report|title=Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1992|publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1993atcr.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915171035/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1993atcr.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2012|author2=Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=August 11, 2017|year=1994|format=PDF}} which the Japan Meteorological Agency classified as a tropical depression twelve hours later.{{cite report|author=Japan Meteorological Agency|date=October 10, 1992|title=RSMC Best Track Data – 1990–1999|accessdate=August 11, 2017|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/Besttracks/bst9099.txt|format=.TXT}}{{#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|accessdate=August 10, 2017|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/AnnualReport/2000/Text/Text2000.pdf|page=3|format=PDF}}|group="nb"}}{{#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?|accessdate=August 10, 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"}} Around this time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also monitored the storm and assigned it with the local name Luming.{{cite report|url=http://www.typhoon2000.ph/oldPAGASAnames.jpg|title=Old PAGASA Names: List of names for tropical cyclones occurring within the Philippine Area of Responsibility 1991–2000|work=Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration|accessdate=August 11, 2017|publisher=Typhoon 2000}} At 22:00 UTC, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert was issued based on satellite imagery that showed a well-organized system, although the low-level circulation remained exposed from the deep convection. Due to the sudden development of central dense overcast over the low-level circulation center, the JTWC issued its first warning on Tropical Storm Ofelia at 06:00 UTC on July 25, although post-season analysis from the JTWC indicated that Ofelia did not become a tropical storm until three hours later. The JMA followed suit that evening.{{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=1993 Severe Tropical Storm OFELIA (1993205N15137)|publisher=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|accessdate=August 8, 2017|url=http://ibtracs.unca.edu/index.php?name=v04r00-1993205N15137}} Tracking west-northwestwards,{{cite report|author1=Hong Kong Observatory|author-link=Hong Kong Observatory|title=Meteorological Results: 1993|chapter=Part III – Tropical Cyclone Summaries|journal=Meteorological Results|year=1994|url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/publica/tc/tc1993.pdf|accessdate=August 10, 2017|pages=14|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory|format=PDF}} Ofelia slowly intensified.{{cite report|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1993/1993s-bwp/bwp111993.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311025225/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1993/1993s-bwp/bwp111993.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2010|title=Typhoon 11W Best Track|date=December 17, 2002|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|accessdate=August 10, 2017|format=TXT}} Midday on July 26, the storm attained its peak intensity of {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=flip}} and a minimum barometric pressure of {{convert|994|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}. On the next day, the storm made landfall over Kyushu about {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} east-southeast of Kagoshima at peak intensity. Overland, the storm weakened to a tropical depression later on July 27. After moving across southern Japan, Ofelia recurved northeastwards and became an extratropical cyclone over the Sea of Japan on July 28. The JTWC ceased tracking the system that morning, with the JTWC doing the same a day later.
Impact
File:Ofelia Jul 27 1993 0611Z.png
Under the anticipation of landfall over Kyushu, weather alerts were issued for Kyushu and western Honshu, where rains up to {{convert|150|mm|in|abbr=on|round=5}} expected.{{cite news |title=Another typhoon may hit Kyushu on Tuesday |agency=Japan Economic Newswire |date=July 26, 1993}} The cyclone, in conjunction with Tropical Storm Nathan before it and Tropical Storm Percy after it, dropped heavy rainfall across southern portions of the Japanese archipelago across late July and early August 1993.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=Typhoon 199305 (Ofelia)|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/dsummary.pl?id=199305&basin=wnp&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=October 1, 2017}}{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=Typhoon 199306 (Percy)|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/dsummary.pl?id=199306&basin=wnp&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=May 8, 2020}}{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=Typhoon 199304 (Nathan)|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/dsummary.pl?id=199304&basin=wnp&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=May 8, 2020}} A total of {{convert|1282|mm|in|abbr=on}} fell in Ebino; this was the highest rainfall recorded throughout the passage of the three systems combined.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS EBINO (87346) @ Typhoon 199306|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=87346&id=199306&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=October 1, 2017}} A peak hourly rainfall total of {{convert|82|mm|in|abbr=on}} was observed by Lake Miike.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS KIRISHIMAMIIKE (87386) @ Typhoon 199306|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=87386&id=199306&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=October 1, 2017}} Meanwhile, a peak daily precipitation total of {{convert|637|mm|in|abbr=on}} fell in Asahimaru.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS ASAHIMARU (71151) @ Typhoon 199306|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=71151&id=199306&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=October 1, 2017}} A wind gust of {{convert|98|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} was recorded in Kinugasayama.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS KINUGASAYAMA (84516) @ Typhoon 199306|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=84516&id=199306&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=October 1, 2017}} Nation-wide, damage amounted to 21.9 billion yen (US$197 million). Thirteen people were killed by Ofelia.
Across Tokushima Prefecture, 44 homes and 487 roads were damaged while 25 other homes were destroyed. A total of {{convert|2,309|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of cops were damaged. Monetary damage there was assessed at 9.82 billion yen. Three people were killed in a landslide near Mount Tsurugi.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-895-06|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-895-06&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 12, 2020}} Across Kochi Prefecture, 142 homes were damaged and an additional 452 were destroyed. Moreover, 622 roads were damaged. Heavy rains contributed to flooding that overflowed rivers in Kochi, Kagami, and Yusuhara, destroying some homes. Throughout the prefecture, three people were killed and another was injured.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-893-06|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-893-06&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 12, 2020}} Two homes were damaged in Kagawa Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-891-05|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-891-05&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 12, 2020}} Ofelia dropped heavy rains across Ehime Prefecture for a 36-hour period, resulting in 17 landslides. As a result of the rainfall, 11 trains were delayed and 16 flights were cancelled. Throughout the prefecture, 119 houses were damaged and 10 others were destroyed. Damage totaled 2.87 billion, which was primarily from crops.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-887-15|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-887-15&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 12, 2020}} Four homes were damaged and one was destroyed in Miyazaki Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-830-09|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-830-09&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 12, 2020}} Heavy rains from Ofelia, Percy, and Nathan caused Nagasaki City to have their wettest July on record.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-830-10|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-830-10&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 12, 2020}} Three homes were damaged and another was destroyed in Nagasaki Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-817-18|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-817-18&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 16, 2020}}
In Oita Prefecture, a landslide triggered by the rain crushed a home in Honyabakei, burying an 87-year old, 57-year-old and 10-year-old.{{cite news |title=Three killed in typhoon-triggered avalanche of rocks and earth |agency=Agence France Presse |date=July 28, 1993}} All of the buried were found, two of whom had already perished and another later died in a hospital.{{cite news |title=Three people killed in avalanche of rocks and earth |agency=Japanese Economic Newswire |date=July 28, 1993}} Throughout the prefecture, six roads were damaged and there were twenty landslides.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-815-09|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-815-09&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 16, 2020}} Due to a combination of Ofelia and Percy, two homes were damaged in Osaka Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-772-10|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-772-10&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 16, 2020}} Twelve homes were damaged in Hyogo Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-770-10|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-770-10&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 16, 2020}} Damage in Okayama Prefecture amounted to 789 million yen.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-768-09|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-768-09&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 22, 2020}} Across Hiroshima Prefecture, 18,060 households lost power after 934 power lines were downed while 713 homes were damaged and 54 were destroyed. A total of 22 railtracks and 1,165 roads were damaged. Three people were wounded, including two after a home collapsed. Damage in the prefecture amounted to 8.11 billion yen.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-765-12|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-765-12&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 22, 2020}} Six trains and some road traffic was halted in Yamaguchi Prefecture, located on the western tip of the Honshu.{{cite news |title=Weak typhoon to bring downpours in west, north |agency=Japan Economic Newswire |date=July 27, 1993}} There, four people were killed, including a middle school student who drowned in floodwaters and a 49-year-old that was initially rendered missing, and eight others sustained injuries, three of whom in a tent in Tokuyama. Moreover, 1,312 homes were damaged and 84 others were destroyed; most of the damage and destroyed homes occurred in Ube.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-762-04|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-762-04&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 22, 2020}} Across Shimane Prefecture, 230 homes were damaged and crop damage was estimated at 307 million yen.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-741-08|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-741-08&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 22, 2020}} Due to a combination of Ofelia and Percy, eight homes were damaged in Hokkaido Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1993-430-03|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1993-430-03&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|accessdate=June 22, 2020}}
See also
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
Notes
{{Reflist|group=nb}}