Typhoon Nelson (1985)

{{storm path|Nelson 1985 track.png}}

The origins of Nelson can be traced back to a small and disorganized, but persistent area of disturbed weather, which was first observed on August 15. At this time, the convection was located {{convert|280|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} northwest of Saipan. Initially, the system was located near the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which enhanced the disturbance's convection. The disturbance was also located near a cold core upper-level low and a tropical upper-tropospheric trough (TUTT). By 0300 UTC on August 15, the system had become slightly more organized. Three hours later, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) started watching the system. Thereafter, a dramatic increase in convection occurred over the northeast quadrant of the system.{{cite report|title=Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1985|publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1985atcr.pdf|author2=Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=March 27, 2014|year=1986|archive-date=September 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925075442/https://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1985atcr.pdf|url-status=dead}} As such, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) started watching the system early on August 16.{{cite report|author=Japan Meteorological Agency|date=October 10, 1992|title=RSMC Best Track Data – 1980–1989|access-date=March 26, 2014|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/Besttracks/bst8089.txt|format=.TXT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205202709/http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/Besttracks/bst8089.txt|archive-date=December 5, 2014|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=March 26, 2014|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/AnnualReport/2000/Text/Text2000.pdf|page=3}}|group="nb"}} Several hours later, a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) was issued, even though a Hurricane Hunter aircraft did not locate a surface circulation. Early on August 17, the TCFA was re-issued. That afternoon, the disturbance became more organized, with classifications via the Dvorak technique yielding winds of {{convert|65|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}. Based on this, both the JTWC and the JMA upgraded the disturbance into Tropical Storm Nelson.

During the evening, a Hurricane Hunter aircraft reported a barometric pressure of {{convert|989|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|round=5}}; however, they noted that the strongest winds were {{convert|170|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} north-northwest from the center. Early on August 18, data from another aircraft also noted that a subtropical ridge had extended west of Nelson; consequently, the JTWC correctly anticipated Nelson to move west-northwest. At midday, the JMA upgraded Nelson to a severe tropical storm. Subsequently, data from the JMA indicated that Nelson began to level off in intensity as the stronger winds remained displaced form the center.{{#tag:ref|The Japan Meteorological Agency is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the western Pacific Ocean.|group="nb"}} However, the JTWC upgraded Nelson to typhoon intensity following Hurricane Hunter reports of a {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} eye, winds of {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}, and a pressure of {{convert|979|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}. At 0000 UTC on August 20, the JMA estimated that Nelson attained typhoon strength, with winds of {{convert|130|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}. Nearing Taiwan, Nelson once again held on to its intensity for 36 hours before strengthening slightly. Late on August 21, the JTWC announced that Nelson reached peak intensity, with {{convert|175|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}, equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane on the United States-based Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS). Early on August 22, the JMA reported that Nelson attained peak winds of {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.

Shortly after its peak, the storm weakened slightly thereafter as the typhoon passed between the Yaeyama Islands and the Miyako Islands. According to the JMA, the storm re-attained peak intensity at 0000 UTC on August 23. At this time, the agency assessed the pressure of the system at {{convert|955|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}. Shortly thereafter, Nelson skirted northern Taiwan, passing {{convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} from Taipei. After entering the Formosa Strait, the storm moved ashore southwest of Fuzhou at 1400 UTC on August 23. At the time of landfall, the JMA estimated winds of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}. By August 25, both the JMA and JTWC had ceased tracking Nelson, as it had moved inland over China.{{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=1985 NELSON (1985227N16149)|publisher=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|access-date=March 26, 2014|url=http://atms.unca.edu/ibtracs/ibtracs_v03r04/browse-ibtracs/index.php?name=v03r04-1985227N16149}}{{#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=March 26, 2014|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"}}

Due to the threat of Nelson, a typhoon warning was issued for the island. After the storm battered the island, rail and street traffic in the northern part of the island was halted due to mudslides. Both Chiang Kai-shek International Airport and the Taipei Songshan Airport in Taipei were closed for about 12 hours. Approximately 900,000 families were left without electrical service{{cite news|title=International News|date=August 23, 1985|agency=United Press International}} and 100,000 telephone lines were disrupted. Water supplies in many areas were also affected and about 20,000 trees in Taipei were damaged. As much as {{convert|440|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain fell in some parts of the island of Taiwan.

Five people perished in the country.{{cite news|title=Chinese support|newspaper=Courier-Mail|date=August 24, 1985}} Three men were killed in Taipei,{{cite news|title=Typhoon kills 20 in Taiwan and China|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=336&dat=19850823&id=FvYoAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RYQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1539,3575880|access-date=March 30, 2014|newspaper=The Deseret News|date=August 23, 1985|agency=Association Press}} two when they were struck by wind-blown objects and one when a house collapsed. Elsewhere, a fatality was reported because of a landslide in Taichung.{{cite news|title=Typhoon Nelson hits Taiwan and the mainland|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19850823&id=8GxQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9FkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3429,1669434|access-date=March 30, 2014|newspaper=The Evening Independent|date=August 23, 1985}} Moreover, at least 15 other people were reportedly injured throughout Taiwan.{{cite news|title=International News|date=August 23, 1985|agency=Association Press}} A woman in the harbor city of Keelung was struck in the head and seriously injured by a broken window.{{cite news|title=Typhoon Nelson churns toward China|date=August 22, 1985|agency=United Press International}}

Already affecting an area that was inundated by prior flooding partially caused by Typhoon Mamie,{{cite news|title=Chinese battle floods as another typhoon heads ashore|date=August 23, 1985|agency=United Press International}} Nelson brought additional flooding and significant damage to much of Southern China.{{cite news|title=Death Toll Estimated at 60 in Earthquake|date=August 24, 1985|author=Jeff Bradley|agency=Associated Press}} The storm was accountable for 48 lives and 329 injuries in the province of Fujian.{{cite news|title=Typhoon Nelson Kills 48, Injures 329 in Fujian|date=August 27, 1985|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite news|title=Typhoon toll|newspaper=Courier-Mail|date=August 26, 1985}} More than 5,000 dwellings were destroyed; 6,000 others were damaged. Around 2,000 travelers were stranded.{{cite news|title=Typhoon kills 22 in China|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19850826&id=7TVWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yOcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1776,7711385|access-date=March 30, 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=August 26, 1985}} A total of 969 fishing boats sunk, and about {{convert|178,500|acre|ha|abbr=on|round=5}} of crops were lost.{{cite news|title=Typhoon Kills 27 in China|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19850827&id=NO0bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p1IEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3410,6967262|access-date=March 30, 2014|newspaper=The Dispatch|date=August 27, 1985}} Power lines were downed in 11 counties, which included Putian{{cite news|title=Typhoon slams China coast|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1345&dat=19850824&id=A_5LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qfkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4820,1992008|access-date=March 30, 2014|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|date=August 24, 1985}} and the provincial capital of Fuzhou. Many highways received flooding.{{cite news|title=Typhoon kills 27 in China|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19850827&id=XXsyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l-UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6807,6792121|access-date=March 30, 2014|newspaper=Lawrence Journal-World|date=August 27, 1985|agency=Associated Press}} Water and electrical supplies were cut in Putian City. Along Pingtan Island and Fuqing, many houses were demolished and considerable damaged occurred to crops such as sugar cane. The offshore island of Yangtan was the hardest hit,{{cite news|title=Paper says typhoon killed 27|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1916&dat=19850827&id=EBpJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pQUNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1495,3982074|access-date=March 30, 2014|newspaper=The Hour|date=August 28, 1985}} where 15 villages lost power.{{cite news|title=Paper Says Typhoon Killed 27 in Chinese Province|date=August 27, 1985|agency=Associated Press}} Typhoon Nelson was considered the worst typhoon to hit China in 16 years,{{cite news|title=Typhoon killed 48 in Chinese province|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2506&dat=19850828&id=PZJJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PgwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1716,9108026|access-date=March 30, 2014|newspaper=The News and Courier|date=August 28, 1985|agency=Associated Press}} but also helped relieve drought conditions in the southern portion of the nation.{{cite news|title=Floods in China leave at least 200 dead|date=August 29, 1985|agency=United Press International}}

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}

• Typhoon Hal (1985)
• Typhoon Haikui (2012)
• Typhoon Haikui (2023)

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Category:1985 Pacific typhoon season

Category:1985 disasters in China

Category:Typhoons in China

Nelson