Tropical Storm Higos (2020)

Severe Tropical Storm Higos, also known in the Philippines as Tropical Depression Helen was a tropical storm that affected China and Vietnam around the same area as Nuri two months prior. Higos formed from a tropical disturbance north of Luzon, The Philippines, on August 16. The storm tracked northeast and quickly intensified, becoming a tropical storm on August 17. The storm made landfall in Zhuhai, Guangdong at peak intensity on August 19, and quickly weakened soon after. Higos killed 7 people and caused 45 billion đồng (US$2 million) in damages in Vietnam. Higos also caused more than US$140 million in damages, but no fatalities in China.[1]

Tropical Storm Higos
Severe tropical storm (JMA scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Severe Tropical Storm Higos at peak intensity on August 19.
FormedAugust 16, 2020
DissipatedAugust 20, 2020
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 100 km/h (65 mph)
1-minute sustained: 110 km/h (70 mph)
Lowest pressure992 hPa (mbar); 29.29 inHg
Fatalities7 dead
Damage≥ $142 million (2020 USD)
Areas affectedMainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong
Part of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season

Meteorological history
Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

A new tropical depression formed from the Intertropical Convergence Zone east of Luzon on August 16. At 15:00 UTC, the PAGASA named the system Helen and began issuing severe weather bulletins for the tropical depression, but dropped the alerts as Helen left the Philippine area of responsibility after 4 hours.[2][3] Around 21:00 UTC, JTWC issued the first Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the developing tropical depression. Early on the next day, JTWC followed suit from JMA and PAGASA by upgrading the system into Tropical Depression 08W. Shortly after, Helen intensified into a tropical storm and were given the name Higos by the JMA. Later in the day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center also upgraded Higos into a tropical storm. JMA eventually upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm by evening that day. The Hong Kong Observatory and Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau upgraded Higos into a marginal typhoon prior to landfall, with sustained hurricane-force winds in Macau indicating such an intensity. Higos made landfall over Zhuhai, Guangdong at peak intensity at around 06:00 CST on August 19 (22:00 UTC on August 18).[4] After landfall, Higos quickly weakened soon after and would dissipate in Guizhou, China on August 20.

Preparations and impact

In preparation for Higos, the Hong Kong Observatory raised the number 9 tropical cyclone warning signal in Hong Kong to warn of the possibility of hurricane-force winds. Winds generally reached gale to storm force over the southern part of Hong Kong under the influence of Higos' small circulation.[5] The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau issued the number 10 signal, the highest signal, at 05:00 am local time.[6] Over 65,000 people evacuated and schools were closed across these areas. Power was knocked out in Meizhou, after trees knocked down power lines. [7] Two campers who were unaware of the approaching storm had to be rescued from Tap Mun Island after arriving on August 14.[8] The storm also left 7 deaths and 45 billion đồng (US$2 million) in damages in Vietnam.[9]

See also

References
  1. "Global Catastrophe Recap September 2020" (PDF). Aon. October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  2. "Severe Weather Bulletin #1 for Tropical Depression "Helen"" (PDF). PAGASA. 2020-08-17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-08-17. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
  3. "Severe Weather Bulletin #2-FINAL for Tropical Depression "Helen"" (PDF). PAGASA. 2020-08-17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-08-17. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
  4. Xiang Xin (19 August 2020). "台风"海高斯"登陆广东珠海 广东等地遭强风雨冲击" (in Chinese). Beijing, China: National Meteorological Center of CMA. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  5. "Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals". www.hko.gov.hk.
  6. "Typhoon signal No.10 hoisted". Macau Business. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  7. The Associated Press (August 19, 2020). "Typhoon adds to southern China's rain and flooding woes". ABC News. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  8. Clifford Lo; Ng Kang-chung (August 19, 2020). "Camper and 70-year-old mum rescued after being trapped on remote island while Typhoon Higos lashes Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  9. Danh Trong (August 20, 2020). "Tropical Storm number 4 caused 7 deaths and more than 45 billion dong in damages". Tuổi Trẻ News. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
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