Super Typhoon Surigae increased in intensity from a Category 1 storm on Friday to an animal-like Category 5 monster on Saturday, with a maximum sustained wind estimated at 180 km / h with higher gusts.
Why it matters: This storm – known as Typhoon Bising in the Philippines – is just the latest of many tropical cyclones that have undergone rapid intensification, a performance that according to studies is becoming increasingly common due to climate change.
- The storm seems destined to return to the sea just northeast of the Philippines and save the disaster-prone country from its worst effects, but it will bring heavy rain, open seas and gale force winds in some areas.
- It can also help to shake up weather patterns far downstream, including in North America, over the next few weeks.
Details: The storm increased at the top of the scale according to techniques used by meteorologists to estimate storm intensity via satellites, achieving an 8 out of 8 on one specific measure, which is unusual.
- Remarkable: Since planes do not fly in West Pacific typhoons like in the Atlantic Ocean, we may never know how strong Super Typhoon Surigae is, and it is possible that the intensity of 180 km / h is an underestimation.
By the numbers: The storm is the first Category 5 tropical cyclone (a category that includes hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones) to occur in 2021. Usually, about 18 Category 4 and 5 storms occur each year around the world.
- The storm jumped 24 hours later from a Category 1 storm of 90 km / h to a Category 5 super typhoon of 180 km / h, a staggering rate of intensification that is more than double the criteria for rapid intensification. .
Manage this news: The number of high quality tropical cyclones is increasing as the world continues to warm.
- Projections show that future Atlantic hurricane seasons, for example, could bring a greater proportion of Category 4 and 5 storms, although it is not yet clear whether the total number of storms will increase.
- There is evidence, including from the record of the Atlantic hurricane season in 2020, that more storms in the North Atlantic are intensifying rapidly, which can be extremely dangerous if the intensity pushes up close to land.
- Super typhoons such as Surigae feed warm ocean water and moist air masses, both of which are increasing as sea and air temperatures warm due to human-caused global warming.
The conclusion: Super Typhoon Surigae will pass east of the Philippines on Sunday and be close enough to bring dangerous high waves, heavy rain and windy winds to the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, including the eastern Visayas.