Typhoon Haiyan
This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (November 2013) |
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Current storm status Category 3 typhoon (1-min mean) | |||
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As of: | 15:00 UTC November 9 | ||
Location: | 14.9°N 112.4°E About 298 nmi (552 km; 343 mi) ESE of Da Nang, Vietnam | ||
Sustained winds: | 85 (10-min mean) 100 (1-min mean) gusting to 120 | ||
Pressure: | 950 | ||
Movement: | WNW at 19 kn (35 km/h; 22 mph) | ||
See more detailed information. |
Typhoon Haiyan (known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda) is one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded; meteorologists say it could be the most powerful storm ever to make landfall. The thirty-first named storm, thirteenth typhoon, and fifth super typhoon of the annual typhoon season, Haiyan originated as an area of low pressure east-southeast of Pohnpei in the western Pacific Ocean on November 2. Tracking generally westward, the disturbance steadily developed within an environment of light wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures, becoming a tropical depression early the following day. After becoming a tropical storm and attaining the name Haiyan at 0000 UTC on November 4, the system began a period of explosive deepening that brought it to typhoon intensity by 1800 UTC on November 5. With an expanding and deepening central dense overcast and clear eye visible on satellite, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) upgraded Haiyan to a super typhoon—a typhoon in which maximum sustained winds attain or exceed 240 km/h (150 mph)—early on November 6. After entering PAGASA's region of responsibility, the JTWC upgraded Haiyan to a Category 5 equivalent on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.
Steered by a subtropical ridge to the cyclone's north, the eye of Haiyan passed over the northern portion of Palau, where extensive wind damage was observed. Thereafter, it continued to intensify; at 1200 UTC on November 7, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) upped the storm's maximum ten-minute sustained winds to 235 km/h (145 mph), the highest in relation to the cyclone. At 1800 UTC, the JTWC raised the system's one-minute sustained winds to 315 km/h (195 mph), unofficially making Haiyan the fourth most intense tropical cyclone ever observed. Several hours later, the eye of the cyclone made its first landfall on Guiuan, Eastern Samar, without any change in intensity; if verified, this would make Haiyan the strongest tropical cyclone to make a landfall on record, which may surpass the old record of 305 km/h (190 mph) set by Hurricane Camille in 1969. On November 8, the cyclone entered the South China Sea and was downgraded to a Category 4 typhoon by the JTWC. Recent readings[when?] indicate that Typhoon Haiyan has since been downgraded further to Category 3 during the midst of its journey across the South China Sea, with gusts as high as 210 km/h (130 mph) and 1-minute sustained winds of up to 190 km/h (120 mph).
Meteorological history
On November 2, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began monitoring a broad area of low pressure located about 425 km (265 mi) east-southeast of Pohnpei, one of the states in the Federated States of Micronesia. The system featured broken banding features alongside steadily consolidating convection. Environmental conditions ahead of the disturbance favored tropical cyclogenesis and dynamic weather forecast models predicted that a well-defined tropical cyclone would form within 72 hours.[1][nb 1] Early on November 3, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) classified the system as a tropical depression.[3][nb 2] Owing to a consolidating low-level circulation center with building deep convection, the JTWC also classified the system as a tropical depression, shortly after issuing a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert.[5][6] Subsequent intensification resulted in the JMA upgrading the system to a tropical storm and assigning it the name Haiyan at 0000 UTC on November 4.[7] Meanwhile, the JTWC also upgraded it to a tropical storm, when the expansive system was steadily consolidating in an area of weak to moderate vertical wind shear and tracking westward along the southern periphery of a subtropical ridge.[8] By November 5, the storm began to undergo rapid intensification as a prominent central dense overcast (CDO) with an embedded eye began developing. Owing to the formation of an eye, the JTWC estimated Haiyan to have achieved typhoon status around 0000 UTC that day.[9][10] The JMA followed suit 18 hours later,[11] by which time the JTWC estimated one-minute sustained winds to have reached 195 km/h (120 mph).[12]
A small typhoon, with a core roughly 110 km (70 mi) across, rapid intensification continued through November 6 as a 11 km (7 mi) wide pin-hole eye formed. Upper-level outflow favored further strengthening of the system and was further enhanced by a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough to the northeast.[13] Intense banding features along the southern periphery of Haiyan wrapped into the system as well. Early on November 6, the JTWC estimated the system to have achieved super typhoon status.[14][nb 3] That day, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) assigned the storm the local name Yolanda as it approached their area of responsibility.[16] Intensification slowed somewhat during the day, though the JTWC estimated the storm to have attained Category 5-equivalent status on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale around 1200 UTC. At this time, Haiyan displayed a 15 km (9 mi) wide eye surrounded by a ring of deep convection.[17] Later, the eye of the typhoon passed over the island of Kayangel in Palau.[18]
Around 1200 UTC on November 7, Haiyan attained its peak intensity with ten-minute sustained winds of 235 km/h (145 mph) and a barometric pressure of 895 mbar (hPa; 26.43 inHg).[19] Six hours later, the JTWC estimated Haiyan to have attained one-minute sustained winds of 315 km/h (195 mph) and gusts up to 378 km/h (235 mph).[20] This unofficially ranks Haiyan as the fifth-strongest tropical cyclone on record in terms of wind speed, only exceeded by Typhoon Ruth (335 km/h)in 1955, Typhoon Ida (325 km/h) in 1958, Typhoon Violet (335 km/h) in 1961, and Typhoon Nancy (345 km/h) in 1961. However, due to the fact the wind recordings in typhoons were erroneously high during the 1950s and 1960s, Haiyan unofficially ranks as the strongest tropical cyclone on record.[21] The storm displayed some characteristics of an annular tropical cyclone, though a strong convective band remained present along the western side of the system.[20] Satellite estimates at the time, using the Dvorak technique, reached the maximum level on the scale: T#8.0.[20] The storm's structure exceeded the maximum intensity on the scale as, the "Dvorak technique makes no allowance for an eye embedded so deeply in cloud tops as cold as [cold dark gray],"[nb 4] as noted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) satellite analysis branch.[22] Some automated models initialized its intensity at T#8.1, exceeding the scale's upper bounds.[23] Through satellite estimates, NOAA also estimated that Haiyan achieved a minimum pressure between 858 mbar (hPa; 25.34 inHg) and 884 mbar (hPa; 26.11 inHg).[23][24]
Preparations
Micronesia and Palau
Upon JTWC’s declaration of Tropical Depression 31W on November 3, a tropical storm warning was issued for Chuuk Lagoon, Losap, and Poluwat in the Federated States of Micronesia. Further west, Faraulep, Satawal, and Woleai, were placed under a typhoon watch while Fananu and Ulul were placed under a tropical storm watch.[25] The following day, the tropical storm warning expanded to include Satawal while a typhoon warning was issued for Woleai.[26] Much of Yap State while the islands of Koror and Kayangel in Palau were placed under a typhoon watch later on November 4.[27] The government issued a mandatory evacuation for Kayangel, and although most residents ignored the warning, they all survived the storm.[18] As Haiyan progressed westward, the easternmost advisories were gradually discontinued.[28] As Haiyan intensified into a typhoon on November 5, warnings were raised across Palau and Yap State.[29][30] Government offices in Melekeok were used an evacuation building for Palau.[31] Despite mandatory evacuation orders, most residents on Kayangel remained on the island and rode out the typhoon.[32]
Philippines
Officials placed police officers in the Bicol Region ahead of the storm.[33] In the provinces of Samar and Leyte, classes were canceled, and residents in flood and landslide-prone areas were required to evacuate.[34] Some of the storm-threatened areas were affected by an earlier earthquake in Bohol.[35] The Philippine President requested the military to deploy planes and helicopters to the region expected to be affected.[36] As Haiyan was moving very fast, PAGASA issued warnings at different levels to about 60 of the 80 provinces, including the capital Metro Manila. [37]
Vietnam
As of 9 November 2013[update] the storm was heading to Vietnam, where sustained wind speeds at landfall were forecast to be in the region of 75-80 mph (120-130 km/h), with gusts up to 115 mph. 200,000 people were being evacuated in central Vietnam. Schools were being closed and people living in low-lying coastal areas moved to typhoon shelters on higher ground. Shipping was ordered back to port. Some 170,000 soldiers were mobilised to provide emergency relief. Shortly before, central Vietnam had suffered widespread damage from typhoons Wutip and Nari, but Haiyan was expected to be at least twice as powerful, and likely to cause much damage, particularly to houses to which makeshift repairs were made after the earlier typhoons.[38]
Impact
Palau and Micronesia
On Kayangel in Palau, a high storm surge damaged several houses,[31] while strong winds downed trees.[18] Despite residents' refusal to evacuate, no fatalities or major injuries took place on the island. Helicopters were flown to the island to survey damage and provide relief supplies. The government planned to evacuate those who were left homeless from the island.[32] Koror, Babeldaob and Kayangel each lost access to water and power.[18] In Koror, winds reaching as high as 120 km/h (75 mph) blew out rooftops and downed trees and power lines. A causeway linking an offshore hospital to the main island was temporarily shut down after being inundated by water.[39] On the northern end of Babeldaob, Haiyan damaged schools and buildings.[31] Lying closest to Haiyan at the time of the typhoon's passage, Kayangel was flooded in its entirety, and all homes were destroyed. Though no people were killed there, 69 others were displaced by the storm.[39]
Philippines
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Meteorological observations
Some meteorologists suggest that this kind of cyclone is very rare to form during the month of November. They also added that Haiyan can be classified as a category 6 typhoon. Weather Underground later mentioned that Haiyan’s central pressure was below 880mb. In Surigao city, 11.10 inches of rainfall was recorded, much of which fell in under 12 hours. On its peak strength, Haiyan attained the peak winds of Typhoon Tip, which was known for having the lowest sea-level pressure ever observed on Earth and its massive size. [41]
Category 5 Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolonda) Rainfall Distribution | ||||
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Measurement station |
Precipitation | Date | ||
(mm) | (in) | |||
Surigao City | 281.94 mm | 11.10 inches | November 8, 2013 | |
Maasin City | 180.34 mm | 7.10 inches | November 8, 2013 | |
Tayabas City | 174.244 mm | 6.86 inches | November 8, 2013 | |
Alabat | 163.068 mm | 6.42 inches | November 8, 2013 | |
Puerto Princesa | 140.716 mm | 5.54 inches | November 8, 2013 | |
Tanay | 120.396 mm | 4.74 inches | November 8, 2013 | |
Roxas City | 116.078 mm | 4.57 inches | November 8, 2013 |
Haiyan made its initial landfall at the island of Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 4:45 am (local time) 2045 (UTC) packing wind speed of 196 mph (315 km/h), making the super typhoon the strongest storm ever to make landfall in the world.[42][43] PAGASA also recorded that Haiyan made landfall on the Visayas region five times.[44] About three deaths were already confirmed by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and seven others were hurt. Storm surges were also recorded in many places. In the island of Leyte and Samar, PAGASA measured 5-6 meter (15-19 ft) waves.[45] Initial reports indicated that as many as 120 people may have been killed by the typhoon, but the Red Cross later said the figure could be more than 1,000.[46]
Records
The JMA analyzed that the ten-minute maximum sustained winds of Typhoon Haiyan at 235 km/h (145 mph), making it the second most intense tropical cyclone in the Northwest Pacific Ocean on record along with Bess in 1982 and Megi in 2010, only after Tip in 1979.[47] The JTWC analyzed that Haiyan was the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide since reliable records began, with one-minute maximum sustained winds estimated at 315 km/h (195 mph).[48] Haiyan also made landfall at peak strength making it possibly the strongest tropical cyclone to ever make landfall worldwide.[49] Haiyan’s atmospheric pressure estimated by the JMA was 895 hPa (26.43 inHg), the lowest since Megi in 2010.[50]
Debate over the link of Typhoon Haiyan and climate change
Colin Price, head of the geophysical, atmospheric, and planetary sciences department at Tel Aviv University in Israel, said "We've seen in the past decades the oceans are warming up, likely due to climate change," said Price. "So warmer oceans will give us more energy for these storms, likely resulting in more intense storms."[51]
See also
- Typhoons in the Philippines, with lists
- Typhoon Tip
- Typhoon Megi (Juan, 2010)
- Typhoon Angela (1995), nearly as energetic as Haiyan
- Typhoon Mike (Ruping, 1990)
- Typhoon Bopha (Pablo, 2012)
- Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy, 2009)
- Typhoon Fengshen (Frank, 2008)
- Typhoon Durian (Reming, 2006)
- Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring, 1991), 5,000-8,000 fatalities
Notes
- ^ The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the western Pacific Ocean and other regions.[2]
- ^ The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is the official Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the western Pacific Ocean.[4]
- ^ A super typhoon is defined as a tropical cyclone with one-minute sustained winds of at least 240 km/h (150 mph).[15]
- ^ Cold dark gray refers to the temperature of cloud tops seen on enhanced infrared satellite imagery and indicates values below −80 °C (−112 °F).
- ^ Total damages figure includes agriculture, infrastructure, casualties, etc. damages.
References
- ^ "Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ "Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. 2011. Archived from the original on July 26, 2007. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ "WWJP25 RJTD 030000". Japan Meteorological Agency. November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center 2000" (PDF). Japan Meteorological Agency. February 2001. p. 3. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Depression 31W (Thirty-One) Warning Nr 01". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (WTPN22 PGTW 030530)". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "WTPQ21 RJTD 040000 RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory". Japan Meteorological Agency. November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Tropical Storm 31W (Haiyan) Warning Nr 04". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "WTPQ21 RJTD 050000 RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory". Japan Meteorological Agency. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 31W (Haiyan) Warning Nr 08". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "WTPQ21 RJTD 051800 RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory". Japan Meteorological Agency. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "Typhoon 31W (Haiyan) Warning Nr 011". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 31W (Haiyan) Warning Nr 11". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Typhoon 31W (Haiyan) Warning Nr 12". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ Gary Padgett, Kevin Boyle, and Simon Clarke (February 21, 2007). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary – October 2006" (Report). Typhoon 2000. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Tropical Cyclone Warning: Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) Severe Weather Bulletin Number One". Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ "Prognostic Reasoning for Super Typhoon 31W (Haiyan) Nr 14". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Palau assesses damage after Super Typhoon Haiyan". Australia Network News. November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ "WTPQ21 RJTD 071200 RSMC Tropical Cyclone Advisory". Japan Meteorological Agency. November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Prognostic Reasoning for Super Typhoon 31W (Haiyan) Nr 19". Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ Jeff Masters (November 7, 2013). "Super Typhoon Haiyan: Strongest Landfalling Tropical Cyclone on Record". Weather Underground. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ Michael Turk (November 7, 2013). "Typhoon 31W (Haiyan) November 7, 2013 1430z Satellite Bulletin". Satellite Analysis Branch. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ a b "Typhoon 31W (Haiyan) ADT History Listing". Satellite Analysis Branch. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. November 8, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ "Position History for 31W". Satellite Analysis Branch. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. November 8, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ Derek L. Williams (November 3, 2013). "Tropical Depression 31W Advisory Number 1". National Weather Service Office in Tiyan, Guam. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Michael P. Ziobro (November 4, 2013). "Tropical Storm Haiyan (31W) Advisory Number 4". National Weather Service Office in Tiyan, Guam. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Patrick K. Chan (November 4, 2013). "Tropical Storm Haiyan (31W) Advisory Number 5". National Weather Service Office in Tiyan, Guam. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Carl Alan Mcelroy (November 5, 2013). "Tropical Storm Haiyan (31W) Advisory Number 6". National Weather Service Office in Tiyan, Guam. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Kenneth R. Kleeschulte and Charles P. Guard (November 5, 2013). "Typhoon Haiyan (31W) Advisory Number 8". National Weather Service Office in Tiyan, Guam. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Patrick K. Chan (November 5, 2013). "Typhoon Haiyan (31W) Advisory Number 9". National Weather Service Office in Tiyan, Guam. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ a b c Palau: Typhoon Haiyan - initial damage reports as at 7 November 2013 (PDF) (Report). ReliefWeb. November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
{{cite report}}
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "Palau assesses damage after Super Typhoon Haiyan". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ Ellalyn B. De Vera and Aaron B. Recuenco (November 6, 2013). "Super Typhoon 'Yolanda' may hit Visayas Friday". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ FR Jimenez (November 7, 2013). "PNoy, nagbabala sa seryosong peligrong dala ng 'super typhoon' na si 'Yolanda'". GMA News. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ Joey Gabieta, Jani Arnaiz, Nestor Burgos, Doris Bongcac, Carla Gomez, Carmel Loise Matus and Jhunnex Napallacan (November 7, 2013). "Evacuation centers, rescue plans set in Visayas for supertyphoon Yolanda". Inquirer. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kristine Angeli Sabillo (November 7, 2013). "Aquino: PH ready to face supertyphoon 'Yolanda'". Inquirer. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ ANC (November 7, 2013). "'Yolanda' accelerates, signal number 4 up over parts of E. Visayas". ANC and Yahoo. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ BBC News: Typhoon Haiyan: Hundreds feared dead in Philippines, 9 November 2013
- ^ a b OCHA Flash Update #3 FSM & Palau | Tropical Storm Haiyan (31W) (Report). ReliefWeb. November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
{{cite report}}
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ignored (help) - ^ a b c d "SitRep No. 08 Effects of Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan)" (PDF). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
- ^ Eric Leister (November 9, 2013). AccuWeather http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/super-typhoon-haiyan-a-serious/19561621. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Mullen, Jethro (8 November 2013). "Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of strongest storms ever, hits central Philippines". CNN. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Williams, Rob (8 November 2013). "Typhoon Haiyan: Most powerful storm to ever hit land batters Philippines with 200mph winds". The Independent. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Brian K. Sullivan, Cecilia Yap & Joel Guinto (November 8, 2013). "Super Typhoon Haiyan Slams Philippines With Category-5 Power". Bloomberg. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ Our Foreign Staff (November 8, 2013). "Super Typhoon Haiyan smashes in to Philippines". Telegraph. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ "Typhoon Haiyan: Hundreds feared dead in Philippines". BBC News Asia. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Typhoon List: Number, Name, Basin, Min Pressure (hPa), Max Wind (kt), Storm Wind Max Radius (nm), Storm Wind Max Diameter (nm), Gale Wind Max Radius (nm), & Gale Wind Max Diameter (nm)". Digital Typhoon. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ "Philippines hit by 'worst typhoon on record'". The Guardian. London, UK: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
{{cite news}}
: External link in
(help)|website=
- ^ "'Most powerful storm ever to make landfall' batters Philippines; 4 deaths confirmed - World News". Worldnews.nbcnews.com. Retrieved 2013-11-08.
- ^ "Typhoon List: Number, Name, Basin, Birth (UTC), Death (UTC), Duration, & Min Pressure (hPa)". Digital Typhoon. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ "Supertyphoon Haiyan: Why Monster Storm is So Unusual". National Geographic. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
External links
- Tropical Cyclone Information of TY 1330 (Haiyan) from the Japan Meteorological Agency
- Tropical Cyclone Information from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
- General information of Typhoon 201330 (Haiyan) from Digital Typhoon
- Super Typhoon Haiyan from the CIMSS Satellite Blog
- Animated sequence from the Hong Kong Observatory
- Tropical Cyclone Satellite Image from PAGASA