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What Makes a Super Typhoon? The Most Powerful of Storms Explained

It's the winds that matter.
by Joel Guinto
Oct 31, 2020
This photo from NASA shows Super Typhoon Maysak from 2015, taken by European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti at the International Space Station. Maysak is known in the Philippines as Chedeng.
Photo/s: NASA
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Typhoons form when warm waters causes the air above it to swirl, forming the destructive weather systems as we know it. When there's enough stretch of warm water to gather strength before hitting land, it becomes a Super Typhoon.

Super Typhoons are rare, but are always remembered for their raw power. Weather bureau PAGASA defines a super typhoon as one with at least 220 kph of maximum sustained winds near the center.

Rolly (international name: Goni) is expected to peak at super typhoon strength Saturday before weakening back to a typhoon when it hits land later Sunday. Authorities have told millions on the storm's path to brace for impact, with Signal no. 4 (the second highest) possible. Winds can blow off roofs and topple billboards, PAGASA said.

MORE ON TYPHOON ROLLY

Typhoon Rolly is World's Strongest in 2020: What to Expect, How to Prepare 

Rolly and Atsani: Two Typhoons Head to Pandemic-Weary Philippines 

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Yolanda changed the way we see Super Typhoons

When Yolanda slammed into the Central Philippines in 2013, it was the strongest storm ever recorded. Known internationally as Haiyan, it whipped storm surges and wiped out entire communities leaving some 6,000 people dead or missing.

It also changed the Philippines' definition of super typhoons -- to maximum sustained winds of 220 kph from 200 kph. Storm signal warnings were also changed to a scale of 1 to 5 from just 1 to 4.

The weather bureau also laymanized its forecasts, making them more practical and visual. When Signal no. 2 is raised, GI sheet roofs could be pelled off and wooden posts could get tilted, PAGASA said.

ALSO READ: Decoding Disaster Alerts: How to Prepare, When to Evacuate 

Ondoy showed the threat of rains

In 2009, Ondoy (Ketsana) spawned epic flooding in Metro Manila, inundating entire villages. Not even a typhoon, Ondoy showed how typhoons can stir monsoon rains. There was no Signal no. 4, but the damage to the capital was unprecedented.

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Never before has a typhoon submerged so many cars that people were made aware that their insurance coverage may or may not include so-called Acts of God like Ondoy.

MORE ON TYPHOONS:

Why Does PAGASA Name Typhoons After People? 

Here's Your Typhoon Safety Guide 

Ondoy prompted a water-level warning system on the Marikina River. Now, residents keep a close watch on it, even if there's no typhoon, to gauge whether or not they should evacuate.

Since Ondoy, Malacanang also started investing in Doppler Radars to provide rainfall forecasts, even when there's no typhoon.

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