Supertyphoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on November 8-9, was the most powerful typhoon ever to make landfall. It registered an incredible 8.1 on the 8-point Dvorak Scale used to measure the intensity of tropical storms based on satellite data.
Unlike most typhoons, which weaken when striking land, Haiyan struck the east-central Philippines at near peak strength. Sustained winds were estimated at 195 miles per hour with gusts approaching 235 miles per hour.
The islands of Leyte, Samar, Cebu and Panay were flattened by the high winds, torrential rains and a storm surge reportedly in excess of 16 feet in the Tacloban region.
As of this midweek writing, at least 5,000 people were reported to be dead or missing in the Philippines. At least a half dozen American citizens lost their lives to Supertyphoon Haiyan.
In answering a subscriber’s question, yes, Ron, the three most powerful supertyphoons ever to make landfall in the recorded history of this planet each slammed headlong into the ravaged Philippines.
1. Supertyphoon Haiyan, November 8, 2013. 5000 estimated deaths. 195 mile per hour sustained winds. An estimated $14 billion in property damage.
2. Supertyphoon Megi, 2010. 71 deaths. 180 mile per hour sustained winds. $727 million in property damage.
3. Supertyphoon Zeb, 1998. 99 deaths. $13 billion in property damage.
By the way, Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. in 2005, had 125 mile per hour sustained winds. It caused 1,833 deaths and produced at least $147 billion in property damage.
In October, 2012, Superstorm Sandy blasted the East Coast of the U.S. causing 234 deaths and $65 billion in property damage.
In answering another subscriber’s question, no, Bill, I don’t believe that global warming played a major role in ‘turbocharging’ supertyphoon Haiyan. The reality is, in my climatological opinion, that Haiyan would have been a monster storm even without the slightly warmer than normal ocean waters in the far Western Pacific.
In answering a third question, no, Syd, I don’t believe that scientists experimenting with weather modification projects in the western Pacific, "microwave pulses," caused Haiyan to gain incredible strength before slamming into the Philippines.
What I do believe is that the sun is currently undergoing some very unusual activity. These rather ‘strange’ happenings, again in my climatological opinion, are causing almost ‘APOCALYPTIC STORMS’ in the recent weeks across the planet.
We had a record number of tornado deaths this mid November in Illinois. On Tuesday of this week, the Mediterranean Island of Sardinia, suffered through an all-time record torrential rainstorm that killed at least 17 people, downed bridges and swept away cars. The once pristine beaches were turned into ‘mud baths.’ Hundreds were left homeless.
We should not forget the worst blizzard ever to strike South Dakota last month in early October. More than 72,000 cattle were killed by snowdrifts exceeding ten feet in places. One cattleman lost 96% of his entire herd.
Weeks ago, I predicted that we would see several ‘meteorological surprises’ later this fall and winter, both locally in the U.S. and around the world. It’s happening, folks. Blame the SUN, the world’s primary ‘WEATHER-MAKER.’
