Tropical Storm Haitang (2011)

Tropical Storm Haitang was a weak tropical cyclone which impacted China and Southeast Asia. The nineteenth named storm of the below-average 2011 Pacific typhoon season, Haitang developed from a disturbance in the South China Sea. After being recognized as a tropical depression on September 24, Haitang would peak as a minimal tropical storm before making landfall in Hue, Vietnam. Haitang would rapidly weaken once inland, dissipating in Laos in September 27.

Tropical Storm Haitang
Tropical Storm Haitang at peak intensity on September 26
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 24, 2011
DissipatedSeptember 27, 2011
Tropical storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds65 km/h (40 mph)
Lowest pressure996 hPa (mbar); 29.41 inHg
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds65 km/h (40 mph)
Lowest pressure996 hPa (mbar); 29.41 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities7
Missing4
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedChina, Southeast Asia

Part of the 2011 Pacific typhoon season

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
  Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

At 15:00 UTC on September 21, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began to monitor a low-pressure area persisting around 260 nautical miles south of Hong Kong.[1] As the next three days progressed, the disturbance meandered northwards, strengthening slightly. On September 24, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) would recognize the disturbance as a tropical depression east of Vietnam.[2] Later that day, the JTWC would issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert, stating that the low could develop into a tropical cyclone.[3] A few hours later, the JTWC would issue its first advisory on the system, designating it as Tropical Depression 21W.[4]

The next day, the JMA would upgrade the nascent depression to a tropical storm, naming it Haitang.[5] Later that day, the storm became better organized; however, its low-level circulation center (LLCC) would become fully exposed due to moderate vertical wind shear from nearby Typhoon Nesat, which prevented further strengthening.[6] Haitang would significantly slow down, meandering towards Vietnam at a speed of 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph).[7] However, in the night of September 26, Haitang would rapidly accelerate westwards, later making landfall near Hue, Vietnam.[8] Despite some bursts of convection, both land interaction and vertical wind shear would cause the system to weaken into a tropical depression, resulting in the JTWC issuing its last advisory on Haitang at 21:00 UTC that day.[9] The JMA would still track Haitang until it degenerated into a remnant low in Vietnam early on September 27.[10]

Preparations and impacts

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Vietnam

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The national carrier of Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines, would cancel 36 flights throughout September 26–27 due to the threat posed by the cyclone.[11] As Haitang impacted Vietnam, it would cause flash flooding throughout the nation's central provinces.[12] Waters in the Kiến Giang, Bo, and Huong rivers rose to record levels and in Hue City, low-lying areas were inundated, resulting in the city's residents using boats for transport.[13] Haitang would cause seven fatalities, all in Vietnam, and cause four others to be missing as well.[12][14] Haitang would damage 128 homes, also flooding around 5000 hectares of crops.[15]

Thailand

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In Thailand, the remnants of Haitang would produce torrential rains throughout most of the nation, contributing to the 2011 Thailand floods.[16][17] The Thai Meteorological Department would advise people to refrain from going out to sea.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "JTWC — Tropical Cyclone Warning 211500 – Tropical Storm Nesat and Tropical Depression 31". Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  2. ^ "JMA — Tropical Cyclone Warning 240000 – Tropical Depressions 31". Japan Meteorological Agency. Archived from the original on May 2, 2001. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  3. ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "JTWC — Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert — Tropical Depression 31". Archived from the original on April 30, 2001. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  4. ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "JTWC — Tropical Cyclone Advisory 01 – Tropical Storm Haitang". Archived from the original on April 30, 2001. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  5. ^ "JMA — Tropical Cyclone Advisory 250000 – Tropical Storm Haitang". Japan Meteorological Agency. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  6. ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "JTWC — Tropical Cyclone Advisory 04 – Tropical Storm Haitang". Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  7. ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "JTWC — Tropical Cyclone Advisory 06 – Tropical Storm Haitang". Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  8. ^ "2011 West Pacific TCR" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center: 36.
  9. ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "JTWC — Tropical Cyclone Advisory 10 – Tropical Storm Haitang". Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  10. ^ "JMA — Tropical Cyclone Advisory 270600 – Tropical Storm Haitang". Japan Meteorological Agency. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  11. ^ "PRESS DIGEST - Vietnam newspapers - Sept 27". Reuters. September 26, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Tropical Cyclones bring Heavy Rains to the Far East | NASA Global Precipitation Measurement Mission". gpm.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  13. ^ "Tropical storm Haitang slams central Vietnam". Borneo Post Online. 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  14. ^ "TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2011". www.hko.gov.hk. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  15. ^ "Typhoon Nesat to strike central region tomorrow". Vietnamese Government. September 29, 2011 – via ReliefWeb.
  16. ^ "Thailand flood its most expensive in history; Western Caribbean disturbance develops | Category 6™". Weather Underground. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  17. ^ a b Mail, Pattaya (2011-09-28). "Northeast, East and South to brace for Storm Haitang". Pattaya Mail. Retrieved 2023-12-23.