Typhoon Caitlin
{{Short description|Pacific typhoon in 1991}}
{{for|the 1994 tropical storm|1994 Pacific typhoon season#Tropical Storm Caitlin (Pasing)}}
{{good article}}
{{infobox weather event
| image = Caitlin Jul 28 1991 0539Z.jpg
| caption = Typhoon Caitlin early on July 28
| formed = {{start date|1991|07|21}}
| dissipated = {{end date|1991|07|30}}
}}{{infobox weather event/JMA
| winds = 80
| pressure = 940
}}{{infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 95
| pressure =
| basin = WPac
}}{{infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1991
| fatalities = 26 total
| damage = 81300000
| areas = Philippines, Japan, South Korea
| refs =
}}{{infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 1991 Pacific typhoon season
}}
Typhoon Caitlin, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Ising, contributed to major drought relief in Okinawa. A tropical disturbance formed in the middle of July 1991 in the eastern portion of the Western Pacific monsoon trough, and while tracking to the west-northwest, was designated a tropical depression on July 21. Thunderstorm activity associated with the depression increased markedly on July 22, and two days later, the depression was upgraded into Tropical Storm Caitlin. The storm turned northward as it rounded a subtropical ridge while gradually intensifying. Caitlin became a typhoon on July 25 and peaked in intensity on July 27 near Okinawa. The typhoon began to weaken as it turned northeast over the Korea Strait. On July 30, Catlin transitioned into an extratropical cyclone as it entered the Sea of Japan.
Across the Philippines, heavy rains triggered mudslides that claimed 16 lives and forced over 20,000 others to be evacuated. Due to the storm, reservoir levels in Okinawa on the island rose from only 35% to over 80% of its capacity and crop damage amounted to $7.4 million USD. On Kagoshima Prefecture, 72 homes were damaged and five million people were left without power. Twenty-three people suffered injuries in Nagasaki Prefecture while 116 ships were damaged offshore. On the Goto Islands, 32 people were rendered homeless. Throughout Japan, six fatalities were reported and thirty-nine others sustained injuries. A total of 64 houses were destroyed while 1,472 others were flooded. Moreover, 120 ships and 263 ha (650 acres) of farmland were destroyed. Damages totaled ¥10.1 billion ($75 million USD). In South Korea, two people were killed and another two were listed as missing. Heavy rains caused flooding across residential areas and destroyed farmland. Around 30 ships were destroyed or damaged. Damage throughout the country was estimated at $6.3 million USD.
Meteorological history
{{storm path|Caitlin 1991 track.png}}
The origins of Typhoon Caitlin can be traced back to a disturbance that formed in the middle of July in the eastern portion of the Western Pacific monsoon trough that extended south of Pohnpei in the eastern Caroline Islands. The disturbance moved west-northwestward, and although the low level center was initially displaced to the west of the deep convection, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began tracking the system at 06:00 UTC on July 20.{{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|pages=67, 68|author2=Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=July 18, 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}} On the next day, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) designated the system a tropical depression.{{cite report|author=Japan Meteorological Agency|date=October 10, 1992|title=RSMC Best Track Data – 1990–1999|access-date=July 18, 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 18, 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"}} Wind shear began to diminish on July 22, coinciding with falling pressures at Yap and increased convective activity. At 05:00 UTC on July 23, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert was issued by the JTWC, and eight hours later, the JTWC declared the system Tropical Depression 09W. On July 24, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also started watching the storm and assigned it the local name Ising.{{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|access-date=July 19, 2017|publisher=Typhoon 2000}} A rapid increase in convection prompted both the JTWC and JMA to upgrade the depression into Tropical Storm Caitlin the same day.{{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=1990PAGE (1990309N08167)|publisher=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|access-date=July 18, 2017|url=http://www.atms.unca.edu/ibtracs/ibtracs_current/browse-ibtracs/index.php?name=v03r09-1990309N08167|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802085337/http://www.atms.unca.edu/ibtracs/ibtracs_current/browse-ibtracs/index.php?name=v03r09-1990309N08167|url-status=dead}}{{#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 18, 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"}}
Tropical Storm Caitlin tracked west-northwestward until July 24, when a semi-permanent subtropical ridge weakened near 130°E, which caused the tropical storm to make a sharp northward turn; this turn was forecast well in advance by the Navy Operational Global Prediction System. Caitlin slowly intensified, and on the evening of July 24, the JMA classified Caitlin as a severe tropical storm. Satellite imagery depicted a cloud-filled eye, and midday on July 25, the JTWC upgraded Caitlin into a typhoon,{{cite report|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bwp/bwp121991.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311024835/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/1991/1991s-bwp/bwp121991.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2010|title=Typhoon 12W Best Track|date=December 17, 2002|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=July 18, 2017|format=TXT}} with the JMA following suit that evening. At the time of the upgrade, Typhoon Caitlin was located around {{convert|440|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} south of Okinawa.{{cite report|author1=Hong Kong Observatory|author-link=Hong Kong Observatory|title=Meteorological Results: 1991|chapter=Part III – Tropical Cyclone Summaries|journal=Meteorological Results|year=1992|url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/publica/tc/tc1991.pdf|access-date=July 15, 2017|pages=15|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory}} Continuing to intensify, Caitlin turned to the north-northwest. The typhoon passed {{convert|110|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} west of Kadena Air Base at 15:32 UTC on July 27. Less than three hours later, the JTWC reported that Caitlin attained its peak intensity of {{convert|110|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=flip}}. Meanwhile, the JMA estimated a peak intensity of {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=flip}} and a minimum barometric pressure of {{convert|940|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}. After passing Okinawa, the typhoon tracked north-northeastward around the periphery of a broad subtropical ridge. On July 29, Caitlin, while weakening, accelerated towards the northeast through the Korea Strait, and gradually transitioned into a typhoon force extratropical low as it moved into the Sea of Japan. The JTWC issued its final warning was issued early on July 30 when satellite imagery indicated the system had lost most of its tropical characteristics. Six hours later, the JMA also declared Caitlin extratropical.
Impact
=Philippines=
The typhoon enhanced the monsoon across the northern Philippines, and caused rainfall to areas already deluged by prior floods. Manila received 210 mm (8.38 in) of rain on July 26; the rain triggered mudslides in the valleys near Mount Pinatubo while widespread flooding resulted in 16 deaths and the evacuation of more than 20,000 people.
=Japan=
The typhoon dropped heavy rainfall across much of the Japanese archipelago, as far south as Okinawa and as far north as Chūbu region. A peak rainfall total occurred of {{convert|468|mm|in|abbr=on}} at Mount Akita-Komagatake.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS KOMAGATAKE (33341) @ Typhoon 199109|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=33341&id=199109&lang=enn|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 18, 2017}} A peak hourly rainfall total of {{convert|68|mm|in|abbr=on}} was observed in Yusuhara.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS YUSUHARA (74296) @ Typhoon 199109|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=74296&id=199109&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 18, 2017}} Meanwhile, a peak daily precipitation total of {{convert|301|mm|in|abbr=on}} fell in Naha.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS NAHA (91197) @ Typhoon 199109|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=91197&id=199109&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 18, 2017}} Nearby, Kadena Air Base recorded a total of 320 mm (12.51 in) of rain during a four day period, which was its heaviest precipitation record there since 1987. A wind gust of {{convert|116|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} was recorded on Tokashiki Island.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=AMeDAS TOKASHIKI (91181) @ Typhoon 199109|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/amedas/graph.pl?number=91181&id=199109&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 18, 2017}} Nationwide, six fatalities were reported and thirty-nine others sustained injuries. A total 64 houses were destroyed while 1,472 others were flooded. Moreover, 120 ships were damaged. Monetary damage totaled ¥10.1 billion ($75 million USD).{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=Typhoon 199109 (Caitlin)|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/dsummary.pl?id=199109&basin=wnp&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 18, 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 1991 values of their respective currencies.|group="nb"}}
Caitlin provided welcome relief to the drought-stricken island of Okinawa, which caused the reservoir levels on the island to rise from only 35% to over 80% of its capacity. Islandwide, one death and eight injuries were attributed to Caitlin.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-936-05|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-936-05&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 18, 2017}} Crop damage was estimated at $7.4 million while U.S. military damage exceeded $1.2 million. On Shikoku Island, damage in Kōchi Prefecture was estimated at ¥132 million.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-893-04|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-936-05&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 18, 2017}} Seventy-two homes were damaged on Kyushu in Kagoshima Prefecture. Five million people in the prefecture lost power. Damage there totaled ¥768 million.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-827-09|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-827-09&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 18, 2017}} A 42-year old man from Hyūga died due to a lightning strike.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-830-09|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-830-09&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 18, 2017}} Seven homes were damaged in Kumamoto Prefecture. Damage to 22 fishing boats in the prefecture amounted for ¥456 million.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-819-06|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-819-06&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} Twenty-three people were wounded in Nagasaki Prefecture, including one who suffered a spinal cord injury due to strong winds. A total of 116 ships were damaged. Along the Goto Islands, many homes were destroyed, resulting in 32 homeless. Damage through the prefecture amounted to ¥3.86 billion.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-817-13|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-817-13&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} A {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} wall collapsed in Oita Prefecture, killing one person. In separate incidents, three people were wounded.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-815-06|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-815-06&lang=enn|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} In Saga Prefecture, three hundred and twenty-six homes were damaged and three other were destroyed while three individuals were hurt.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-813-04|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-813-04&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} One person perished and two others were injured in Fukuoka Prefecture. Six homes were also damaged. Monetary damage estimates exceeded ¥294 million.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-807-08|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-807-08&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}}
On Honshu, two fatalities were reported in Kyoto Prefecture due to strong winds.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-759-11|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-759-11&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} Storm surge also damaged 47 dwellings.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-759-10|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-759-101&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} Elsewhere, 36 flights at the Kobe Airport were cancelled.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-770-06|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-770-06&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} A total of {{convert|758|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of arable land was damaged in Tottori prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-746-05|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-746-05&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} Eighteen homes were damaged in eastern Shimane Prefecture. There, damage was estimated at ¥146 million.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-741-08|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-741-08&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} Five homes were damaged or destroyed and seventy other lost power in Fukui Prefecture.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-616-05|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-616-05&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}} Across southern portions of Nagano Prefecture, 20 cars were stranded in floodwaters.{{cite report|first1=Kitamoto|last1=Asanobu|title=1991-610-05|url=http://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dt/report.pl?id=1991-616-05&lang=en|website=Digital Typhoon|publisher=National Institute of Informatics|access-date=July 19, 2017}}
=South Korea=
Prior to affecting South Korea, typhoon warnings were posted for the entire country. The U.S. military television network on South Korea went overtime to broadcast warnings. In advance of the storm, flights in and out of Cheju were cancelled.{{cite news|title=S. Korea prepares for typhoon Caitlin|agency=Agence France Presse|date=July 29, 1991}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}} In all, two people were killed and another two were reported missing. Torrential rains caused flooding in residential areas and destroyed farmland. About 30 ships were destroyed or damaged. Five roads, a {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=on}} long railway, and a bridge were also damaged.{{cite news|title=Typhoon Caitlin brushes past South Korea's east coast|agency=Agence France Presse|date=July 30, 1991}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}} Damage amounted to $6.3 million USD.
See also
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
Notes
{{Reflist|group=nb}}