2008 Pacific typhoon season



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Hurricane season, 2008

The 2008 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it runs year-round in 2008, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November.^[1] These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

The scope of this article is limited to the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator and west of the International Date Line. Storms that form east of the date line and north of the equator are called hurricanes; see 2008 Pacific hurricane season. Tropical storms formed in the entire Western North Pacific basin are assigned a name by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Tropical depressions formed in this basin are given a number with a "W" suffix by the United States' Joint Typhoon Warning Center. In addition, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) assigns names to tropical cyclones (including tropical depressions) that enter or form in the Philippine area of responsibility. These names, however, are not in common use outside of the Philippines.

Seasonal forecasts

Since the 2000 season, the Laboratory for Atmospheric Research at the City University of Hong Kong has forecast the expected number of tropical cyclones, named storms, and typhoons in a season. Forecasts are released in April and June.^[2]

This season, the CityUHK is predicting a slightly more active than usual season. An average season, according to the CityUHK, has 31 tropical cyclones, 27 named storms, and 17 typhoons. In its April forecast, the CityUHK predicted 33 total tropical cyclones, 30 named storms, and 19 typhoons.^[2] Its June forecast reaffirmed the April numbers, predicting the same number of systems, tropical storms, and typhoons.^[3]

Storms

Typhoon Neoguri (Ambo)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	April 13—April 20
Intensity	150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min), 960 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Typhoon Neoguri (2008)

On April 11, area of convection with an area of low pressure was located between Palau and Yap. ^[4] Early on April 13, a low-level circulation developed near Mindanao.^[5] The JMA designated the system as a minor tropical depression on the same day,^[6] and PAGASA began warning on the system, naming it Tropical Depression "Ambo".^[7] The low continued to get better organized and early on April 14, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center began issuing advisories on Tropical Depression 02W, which was located about north of Zamboanga City, Philippines.^[8] Later that day, the agency upgraded it to tropical storm status, based on satellite intensity estimates.^[9] The JMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm, naming it Neoguri, the next day.^[10] Early April 16, the system was upgraded to severe tropical storm status,^[11] and then reached typhoon status a few hours later.^[12] The typhoon continued north, weakening as it did so.^[13][14] The cyclone made landfall as a weak tropical storm on Guangdong province in southern China,^[15] and the final advisories from both agencies were issued shortly after.^[16][17]

As the typhoon approached and passed Hainan Province, about 120,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas.^[18] According to the China Meteorological Administration, it was the earliest in the year a tropical cyclone had ever impacted China (the old record was for Typhoon Wanda on May 3, 1971). ^[19] 42,000 residents were displaced in the aftermath of Neoguri. ^[20] 18 Chinese fisherman and 22 Vietnamese fisherman remain missing due to the passage of the storm.^[21] Three fatalities have been confirmed in China, two due to a road being covered in a mud flow, and another due to winds blowing a sheet of aluminum into a person, throwing them off the roof of a stadium. ^[22]

Typhoon Rammasun (Butchoy)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	May 7—May 13
Intensity	195 km/h (120 mph) (10-min), 915 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Typhoon Rammasun (2008)

Early on May 7 PAGASA designated an area of low pressure which was about 790 km east of Mindanao as Tropical Depression Butchoy. ^[23] Around the same time the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also designated the area of low pressure as a Tropical depression with the JTWC assigning the number 03W to the depression. ^{[24] [25]}

Later that day the JMA upgraded the Tropical Depression to Tropical Storm status with RSMC Tokyo assigning the name Rammasun to the storm. ^[26] It quickly organized, intensifying into a typhoon on May 9. ^[27] Rapid intensification continued and it strengthened into a Category 4-equivalent typhoon by early on May 10,^[28] and a super typhoon by midday.^[29]

Rammasun continued on a northerly path, and reached a peak of 105 knots (194 km/h) and 915 hPa on May 10.^[30] Soon after, the typhoon began slowly weakening. The JTWC downgraded it to a typhoon on May 11.^[31] On May 12, the weakening became more rapid, and the JMA downgraded the system to a severe tropical storm,^[32] while the JTWC issued its last advisory, noting that it was extratropical.^[33] The JMA, however, held onto Rammasun until early May 13, when it downgraded the cyclone to a low and issued its final advisory.^[34] Though it never hit land, it was the third strongest May typhoon in recorded history, behind Damrey of 2000 and Phyllis in 1958.^{citation needed}

Rammasun brushed the Japanese coastline as it became extratropical on May 13 delivering strong winds and high waves. Along with moderate to heavy rain, winds gusted up to 52 mph (83 kph) as the storm moved out to sea.^[35]

A strong storm from the "tail" of Rammasun struck the Philippines as it passed south of Japan. The winds brought by the storm caused severe damage to some buildings and numerous trees some weighing tonnes were uprooted. The damage may have been due to a possible tornado but there is no clarification for this possibility. At least 40 people were injured and damage totaled to 11 million PHP ($280,000 USD). ^[36][37]

Severe Tropical Storm Matmo (Dindo)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	May 14—May 17
Intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 992 hPa (mbar)

A tropical disturbance formed to the east of the Philippines on May 13. ^[38] Early the next day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the developing system. ^[39] Later that day the JMA classifed the disturbance as a weak tropical depression and started to issue advisories on it ^[40] The JTWC then designated the depression as Tropical Depression 04W ^[41] Later that day the JMA started to issue full advisories on the storm. ^[42] On May 15, the depression had intensifed into a Tropical Storm and was named Matmo and assigned the international number of 0803 by RSMC Tokyo. ^[43] Later that day PAGASA issued its first advisory on Matmo and assigned the local name of "Dindo" ^[44] The JTWC then upgraded the system to a tropical storm later that day. ^[45]

In RSMC Tokyo's post storm analysis the JMA noted that Matmo had continued to intensify and upgraded Matmo in to a Severe Tropical Storm. ^[46] During that day Matmo started to weaken as it moved north away from the Philippines with PAGASA issuing its final warning on tropical storm Dindo (Matmo) as the system was heading out of its Area of responsibilty. ^[47] The JTWC also issued their last advisory later that day on Matmo as the system was becoming an extratropical cyclone. ^[48] The JMA issued their last advisory on Matmo early the next day as it had weakened into an extratropical low, ^[49] Matmo then dissipated later that day. ^[46]

As a preparatory move against the storm, PAGASA cautions residents living in low lying areas and mountain slopes to be cautious about mudslides. When the storm was far away from the Philippines, residents were alerted about a big wave generated by the cyclone. However, the storm caused no reported damages or deaths.

The name Matmo was submitted by the United States and means "heavy rain" in the Chamorro language. ^[50]

Severe Tropical Storm Halong (Cosme)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Category 1 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	May 14—May 20
Intensity	110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min), 970 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Tropical Storm Halong (2008)

Early on May 14 PAGASA upgraded a tropical disturbance west of the Philippines to Tropical Depression Cosme.^[51] Later that day the JTWC issued a TCFA,^[52] later the first advisory on the system as Tropical Depression 05W.^[53] On May 16, the JMA upgraded 05W to Halong.^[54] Later that day, it was upgraded to a Severe Tropical Storm by JMA,^[55] and a Typhoon by JTWC,^[56] and reached its peak of 60 knots (110 km/h) early May 17.^[57] It made landfall on western Pangasinan early May 17,^[58] and weakened while crossing northern Luzon,^[59][60] but after reaching open waters it re-organized while accelerating northeastward. The system intensified to a severe tropical storm again,^[61] but never reached its previous peak intensity and began weakening as it moved northeast.^[59] The JTWC and the JMA issued their final advisories on May 20.^[62][63]

In Luzon, the storm caused 58 deaths and $94 million (USD) in damage. The storm destroyed 43,365 houses and damaged 188,830 more. Most of the damages reported were in Northern Luzon.^[64] Meanwhile, Mindoro and Panay islands were also affected as the storm-induced southwest monsoon brought rains and floods to those areas.

Typhoon Nakri (Enteng)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 4 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	May 26—June 3
Intensity	185 km/h (115 mph) (10-min), 930 hPa (mbar)

A tropical disturbance formed south of Guam on May 25.^[65] On May 26, the JMA recognized it as a weak tropical depression,^[66] and later that day, the JTWC issued a TCFA on the system.^[67]

Early on May 27, the JTWC issued its first advisory on Tropical Depression 06W.^[67] Hours after, the JMA designated the system as Tropical Storm Nakri.^[68] Early on May 28, the JMA upgraded it to a severe tropical storm.^[69] Twelve hours later, the JTWC upgraded 06W to a typhoon. Later that day, Nakri strengthened at a more rapid pace and the rapid intensification continued into May 29, when Nakri strengthened to a Category 4-equivalent typhoon. PAGASA then issued its first advisory on the storm on early on May 30 and named it "Enteng". By May 31 it began to weaken as it moved north.^[70] But on the next day, it started to re-intensify slightly.^[71] On June 2, it began to undergo transition to an extratropical system.^[72] And later, both JTWC and JMA stopped issuing advisories as it already degenerated to an extratropical low.^[73][74]

The name Nakri was submitted by Cambodia and refers to a type of flower found in the country.^[50]

Typhoon Fengshen (Frank)

Main article: Typhoon Fengshen (2008)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	June 18—June 25
Intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min), 945 hPa (mbar)

On June 18, an area of low pressure that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had been monitoring for a few days was upgraded to Tropical Depression Frank.^[75] Later that day both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) started issuing full advisories on Frank with the JTWC designating it as Tropical Depression 07W.^[76][77] Early the next day the JMA upgraded the tropical depression to a tropical storm and assigned the name Fengshen.^[78] Tropical Storm Fengshen then rapidly intensified that day by becoming a severe tropical storm and then intensifying into a typhoon later that day.^[79][80] The next day Typhoon Fengshen made landfall in eastern Samar in the central Philippines and travelled northwest over the islands.^[81]

Fengshen was initially forecast to go through Bicol Region but later on shifted its course further westward, eventually going towards the direction of Mindoro Province. However, before even reaching Mindoro it again shifted its direction northward towards the direction of Metro Manila, mainly because of the weakening of the High Pressure area system in the northern part of the Philippines.^[82]

Typhoon Fengshen, after creating havoc in the Philippines, emerged into the South China sea on the 22nd of June and moved northwards towards China.^[83] After moving into the South China Sea both the JMA and PAGASA downgraded it to a severe tropical storm while the JTWC downgraded Fengshen from a Typhoon to a Tropical Storm.^[84][85][86] PAGASA then issued its final advisory on Tropical Storm Fengshen (Frank) due to Fengshen leaving PAGASA's Area of Responsibility.^[87] Late in the evening of the 24th June Tropical Storm Fengshen made landfall on Shenzhen, Guangdong, before moving into mainland China.^[88]The next day the JTWC downgraded Fengshen to a tropical depression and issued their final warning on the system.^[89] The JMA then announced their final warning as they downgraded Fengshen to a tropical depression.^[90]

Typhoon Kalmaegi (Helen)

Main article: Typhoon Kalmaegi (2008)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	July 13—July 20
Intensity	140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min), 960 hPa (mbar)

Early on July 13th, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), began to issue full advisories on a Tropical depression, which was located to the east of the Philippines.^[91] Later that day PAGASA allocated the name Helen to the depression, followed the next day by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) designating the number 08W. Early on the 15th July both the JTWC, and the JMA upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm status, with RSMC Tokyo assigning the name "Kalmaegi" to the storm. Early on the 17th, Kalmaegi began rapidly intensifying; both the JTWC and JMA upgraded Kalmaegi to a Typhoon.

In the Philippines, it passed over Northern Luzon (mostly affecting Ilocos and Cagayan Valley), where it killed two people, left more than 31,129 people affected and damaged ₱ 7 million worth of property. ^[92] The storm also hit 82 villages (all in Northern Luzon) and caused around ₱45,000 worth of damage to farmland and livestock,^[93] Typhoon Kalmaegi, which was downgraded to tropical storm status by Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau while still east of the country, made landfall at Ilan County in northeast Taiwan in the evening of July 17 at 19:40 local time (13:40 UTC) and emerged into the Taiwan Strait at 7:20 in the morning local time (01:20 UTC) on July 18. ^[94] At least nineteen lost their lives due to the storm and six are currently reported as missing.^[95] Tainan County in southern Taiwan reported more than 1100 mm of rainfall in some mountain regions.^[96] The storm caused NT$ 300 million worth of damage,^[97] including an estimated US$16 million in agricultural losses,^[95] and the typhoon destroyed about 5,100 hectares of orchards and crops.^[97]

From Taiwan, the typhoon, now downgraded to a tropical storm, turned toward southeast China.^[97] In Xiapu County of Fujian Province, the tropical storm made landfall at 17:50 local time (0950 UTC), with winds of about 90 miles per hour.^[98] In that province and in neighboring Zhejiang Province, 360,000 residents left coastal and low-lying homes to escape the storm.^[97] Schools and many businesses remained closed, and the storm was expected to travel northwest.^[98] Early on July 19, the JTWC issued its final advisory on Kalmaegi and downgraded it to a tropical depression. However, the JMA continued to issue advisories and maintained Kalmaegi a tropical storm as it moved to Yellow Sea. Late the next day, the JMA downgraded Kalmaegi to a Remnant Low (Extratropical cyclone) as it moved in land over North Korea.

Typhoon Fung-wong (Igme)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 2 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	July 24—July 30
Intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min), 960 hPa (mbar)

Main article: Typhoon Fung-wong (2008)

On July 23 the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) started to issue WWJP25 warnings on a minor Tropical Depression which was located to the east of the Philippines. ^[99] Early the next morning PAGASA named the depression as Igme. ^[100] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) then initiated issuing advisories on the Tropical Depression designating it as Tropical Depression 09W. ^[101] Later that day the JMA began to issue full advisories on the tropical depression ^[102] whilst the JTWC upgraded the depression to tropical storm status. ^[103] The JMA then designated it as Tropical Storm Fung-wong on July 25. ^[104]

Fung-wong then carried on intensifying and during the morning off July 26th Fung-wong became a severe tropical storm. Later that day both the JTWC and PAGASA upgraded Fung-wong to Typhoon status. ^{[105] [106] [107]} However the JMA did not upgrade Fung-wong to Typhoon Status until early the next morning. Late on July 27th Fung-wong reached its peak wind speeds of 95 kts (110 MPH, 170 Km/h) which is equivalent to a strong category two Typhoon on the Safir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Later that day Fung-wong made landfall on Taiwan near the border of Hualien County and Taitung County as a Typhoon. PAGASA then released their final advisory on Fung-wong as it had moved out of PAGASA's area of responsibility.

Early on July 28th Fung-wong it then emerged into the Taiwan Strait from Changhua County early the next morning by this time however Fung-wong had weakened into a Severe Tropical Storm whilst the JTWC had downgraded Fung-wong to a Tropical Storm. Fung-wong then made its second landfall later that day over mainland China. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center then released its last warning on Tropical Storm Fung-wong. However the JMA continued to issue advisories on Fung-wong weakening Fung-wong into a tropical storm on July 29th. The JMA then terminated issuing full advisories later that day as Fung-wong weakened into a Tropical Depression, However the JMA continued to monitor the Depression within their WWJP25 warnings until later the next day when they issued their last warning on Fung-wong.^{citation needed}

Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri (Julian)

Main article: Tropical Storm Kammuri (2008)

Severe tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	August 3—August 8
Intensity	95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min), 975 hPa (mbar)

On August 3 at 1500 UTC, PAGASA identified a Tropical Disturbance located to the north of Luzon island in the Philippines and designated it as Tropical Depression Julian. ^[108] Later that day the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) designated Julian as a minor Tropical Depression and initiated advisories on the Tropical Depression. ^[109]

Early the next day the JMA started to issue full advisories on the Tropical Depression with the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) starting to issue warnings on the Tropical Depression with the JTWC designating it as Tropical Depression 10W. ^[110] Furthermore, later that day both PAGASA and the JTWC upgraded the Tropical Depression to a Tropical Storm. ^{[111] [112]} On August 5th RSMC Tokyo upgraded the depression to a Tropical Storm and named it Kammuri. ^[113] PAGASA then released their last advisory on Tropical Storm Kammuri (Julian) as it moved out of PAGASA's Area of responsibility and headed towards Mainland China. ^[114] The Hong Kong Observatory then upgraded Kammuri to a Severe Tropical Storm, with the JMA upgrading it to a severe tropical storm early the next morning. ^{[115] [116]}

However, Kammuri started to weaken after making landfall along the south coast of China in the Western Guangdong Province at about 12pm UTC on August 6th. ^{[117] [118]} After Kammuri had made landfall the JMA downgraded Kammuri to a Tropical Storm, ^[119] whilst the JTWC issued their final advisory later that day on Tropical Storm Kammuri. ^[120] Early the next day Tropical Storm Kammuri emerged into the Gulf of Tonkin, however later that day Kammuri made landfall again in the Guangxi province of China. After making landfall Kammuri weakened to a tropical depression as the JMA issued its last advisory on August 7th. ^[121] However the JMA continued to monitor the depression in their WWJP25 warnings until early on August 8th. ^[122]

Tropical Storm Phanfone

Tropical storm (JMA)
Duration	August 10—August 11
Intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min), 996 hPa (mbar)

Late on August 9, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) started to issue full advisories on a Tropical Depression which was located in the Bering Sea to the east of Japan. ^[123] Early the next day, the depression intensified into a tropical storm and was named Phanfone and given the international Designation of 0810 by the JMA as it moved northwards. ^[124] Late on August 10, Phanfone reached its maximum wind speeds of 40 knots (75 km/h, 45 mph) as it was becoming extratropical. ^[125] Early the next day Phanfone became an extratropical low as the JMA issued their final advisory on Phanfone. ^[126]

The name Phanfone was submitted by Laos and is the name of an animal. ^[50]

Tropical Storm Vongfong

Tropical storm (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	August 14—August 17
Intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min), 992 hPa (mbar)

Late on August 14 the JMA identified a tropical depression which was located to the south of Japan and started issuing advisories on it. ^[127] Later that day the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) started issuing advisories on the tropical depression, designating it as Tropical Depression 12W. ^[128] Early the next morning as the depression moved closer to Japan the JMA upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Vongfong, the JTWC also upgraded Vongfong to a tropical storm around the same time. ^{[129] [130]} On August 16, the JTWC issued its final advisory as it began transiting into an extratropical low. ^[131] The JMA issued their final advisory early the next day once it had become an extratropical low. ^[132]

Typhoon Nuri (Karen)

Main article: Typhoon Nuri (2008)

Typhoon (JMA)
Category 3 typhoon (SSHS)
Duration	August 17—August 23
Intensity	140 km/h (85 mph) (10-min), 955 hPa (mbar)

On August 17 the Joint Typhoon Warning Center identified a tropical depression located to the east of the Philippines and designated it as 13W. ^[133] Later that day both the JMA and PAGASA identified the tropical depression and started to issue full advisories on the depression with PAGASA naming the depression Karen. Also later that day the JTWC upgraded 13W to a Tropical Storm. ^{[134] [135] [136]}

The next day, both PAGASA and the JMA upgraded the depression to a Tropical Storm with RSMC Tokyo naming it as Nuri. ^{[137] [138]} It then intensified rather quickly with the JMA designating it as a Severe Tropical Storm ^[139] with the JMA, PAGASA, and the JTWC upgrading Nuri to a Typhoon later that day. ^{[140] [141] [142]} Late on August 19th Typhoon Nuri made landfall on the Philippines and then over the next day moved across northern Luzon causing 12 deaths and 461.3 million PHP in damage. ^[143] that day Nuri entered the Babuyan Channel early the next day and started to move northwestwards towards Hong Kong and China. On August 21 PAGASA then issued its final advisory on Nuri as it was moving out of PAGASA's Area of Responsibility. ^[144] The JMA then downgraded Nuri to a Severe tropical storm with the JTWC also downgrading Nuri to a Tropical Storm later that day as it was approaching Hong Kong. However the JMA did not downgrade Nuri to a tropical storm until the next morning after Nuri had made a rare direct hit on Hong Kong. The JTWC then issued its final advisory later on tropical storm Nuri and the JMA then downgraded Nuri to a weak tropical depression early the next day and issued its last full advisory on Nuri as it was just moving into the Chinese mainland.

Other storms

These systems were not officially named as tropical storms by the JMA, although the JMA might have monitored them as tropical depressions. They were, however, designated as tropical cyclones by PAGASA, or the JTWC.

JTWC Tropical Storm 01W

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	January 13—January 16
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 996 hPa (mbar)

In the second week of January, a disturbance south-west of the Philippines slowly developed. On January 13, the JTWC declared it Tropical Depression 01W. ^[145] The JMA declared it a minor depression on the same day. ^[146] However the JMA did not develop the depression any further however the JTWC did and strengthened in to a tropical storm according to the JTWC early on January 14. ^[147] However Later that day, the JTWC downgraded the storm back down to a Tropical depression, ^[148] and then issued its last advisory early on January 15. ^[149] However, it regenerated into a Tropical depression later that night and the JTWC started issuing advisories. ^[150] However it did not intensify any further and the JTWC issued their final advisory on January 16.^[151]

PAGASA Tropical Depression Gener

Tropical depression (PAGASA)
Duration	July 4—July 5
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 1006 hPa (mbar)

Early on July 4 PAGASA designated an area of low pressure (98W), which was located to the west of the Philippines, as Tropical Depression Gener. ^[152] The next day PAGASA released its final advisory on the Tropical Depression as it headed northwest, out of PAGASA's area of responsibility.^[153]

JTWC Tropical Depression 11W

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration	August 13—August 14
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 1002 hPa (mbar)

Early on August 12 the JMA identified a weak tropical depression which was located to the northwest of the Ryukyu Islands, and initiated warnings on it. ^[154] Early the next day the Joint Typhoon Warning Center initiated warnings on the depression designating it as Tropical Depression 11W. ^[155] Early the next day as Tropical Depression 11W approached Korea the depression reached its maximum wind speeds of 30 kts (55 km/h, 35 mph) ^[156] However, later that day the JTWC issued its final advisory as due to land interaction the depressions wind speeds would weaken to below warning level. ^[157] The next day the JMA released their final advisory on the Tropical depression. ^[158]

JTWC Tropical Storm 14W (Lawin)

Tropical depression (JMA)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration	August 25—August 28
Intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (10-min), 1004 hPa (mbar)

On August 24th, a tropical disturbance formed to the east of Luzon in the Philippines. ^[159] Early the next day PAGASA designated it as Tropical Depression Lawin. ^[160] However, the JMA did not designate it as a Minor Tropical depression until early on August 26, with the JTWC issuing a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert at the same time. ^{[161] [162]} PAGASA then hoisted Public storm Signal number 1 for parts of Luzon which meant that wind speeds of 30-60 Km/h were expected within 36 hours in the warning areas. ^[163] Later that day both the JMA and the JTWC, started to issue full advisories on the tropical depression, with the JTWC designating it as Tropical Depression 14W. ^{[164] [165]} Early the next day the JTWC upgraded the tropical depression to a tropical storm, ^[166] However neither the JMA nor PAGASA upgraded the depression to a tropical storm at this time,^{[167] [168]} the JTWC then weakened the cyclone back in to a tropical depression within their next advisory. ^[169] The JMA then terminated issuing full advisories later that day as it was no longer expected to develop into a tropical storm. ^[170] On August 28th the JTWC issued its final advisory on the Tropical depression.

As of August 26 1000 UTC the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported that 1,969 people and 19 vessels were already stranded across ports in the Bicol Peninsula. However, there are no reported casualties even as of now.^[171]

Current Storm Information

As of 0000 UTC August 28th The JMA reports that a Tropical Depression is located near 20.0°N 122.0°E and is moving towards the Northwest slowly. Tropical Depression has average wind speeds of 30 knots (35 mph, 55 km/h) with a central pressure of 1008 hpa

As of 0300 UTC August 28th The JTWC reports that Tropical Depression 14W is located near 20.0°N 121.9°E which is located about 330 nm north-northeast of Manila, Philippines. Tropical Depression 14W has maximum 1-minute wind speeds of 25 knots (30 mph, 45 kph) and gusts of up to 35 knots (40 mph, 65 kph). The depression is moving west-northwest at 8 knots (9 mph, 16 kph) over the past 6 hours.

As of 10 p.m. PST (1500 UTC), August 27, PAGASA reports that Tropical Depression Lawin was located near 18.5°N, 122.5°E which is about 80 kms East of Aparri, Cagayan. It has maximum sustained winds of 30 knots (35 mph, 55 kph) near the center and is moving northwest at 5 knots (6 mph, 9 kph).

Watches and Warnings

PAGASA, as of 0900 UTC, has raised the following Public Storm Warning Signals for the following parts of the Philippines. PAGASA has raised Public Storm Warning Signal 1 for the following provinces of Luzon: Isabela, Cagayan, Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, Calayan Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1 elsewhere is now lowered.

Signal Warning Number 1 means winds of 30-60 km/h or intermittent rain may be expected within 36 hours.

• See the latest PAGASA bulletin on Tropical Depression Lawin.
• See the latest JTWC warning on Tropical Storm 14W
• See the latest RSMC advisory On Tropical Depression A

Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) Rating

The table on the right shows the ACE for each storm in the season. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the typhoon multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong typhoon, have high ACEs. ACE is only officially released for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength. Subtropical storms are not included in season totals. The number in the parenthesis represents the unofficial ACE from the JTWC advisories.

Timeline of recent events

See also: Timeline of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season

August

August 17

• 0300 UTC - The JTWC designates 92W.INVEST, west-northwest of Guam, as Tropical Depression 13W. ^[133]
• 0600 UTC - JMA issues its final advisory on Tropical Storm Vongfong as it develops into an extratropical low. ^[132]
• 1500 UTC - The JTWC upgraded Tropical Depression 13W to Tropical Storm 13W. ^[134]
• 1500 UTC - PAGASA designates Tropical Storm 13W as Tropical Depression Karen.^[136]

August 18

• 0000 UTC - JMA designates Tropical Storm 13W as Tropical Storm Nuri.^[138]
• 0300 UTC - PAGASA upgrades Tropical Depression Karen to Tropical Storm Karen.^[137]
• 1200 UTC - JMA upgrades Tropical Storm Nuri to Severe Tropical Storm Nuri. ^[139]
• 1500 UTC -JTWC upgrades Tropical Storm 13W (Nuri) to Typhoon 13W (Nuri).^[140]
• 1800 UTC - JMA upgrades Severe Tropical Storm Nuri to Typhoon Nuri. ^[141]
• 2100 UTC - PAGASA upgrades Tropical Storm Karen to Typhoon Karen.^[142]

August 21

• 0900 UTC - PAGASA issues its final advisory on Typhoon Karen (Nuri) as the storm leaves its area of responsibility.^[144]
• 1800 UTC - JMA downgrades Typhoon Nuri to a Severe Tropical Storm.^[172]
• 2100 UTC - JTWC downgrades Typhoon 13W (Nuri) to a Tropical Storm.^[173]

August 22

• 1200 UTC - JMA downgrades Severe Tropical Storm Nuri to a Tropical Storm.^[174]
• 2100 UTC - JTWC declares landfall of Tropical Storm 13W (Nuri) and issues its final advisory.^[175]

August 23

• 0000 UTC - JMA downgrades Tropical Storm Nuri to a tropical depression and issues its final warning.^[176]

August 24

• 0900 UTC - PAGASA designates an area of low pressure 550 km east-southeast of Virac, Catanduanes as Tropical Depression Lawin.^[177]

August 26

• 1500 UTC - JTWC designates Tropical Depression Lawin as Tropical Depression 14W.

August 27

• 0300 UTC - JTWC upgrades Tropical Depression 14W to Tropical Storm 14W.
• 0900 UTC - JTWC downgrades Tropical Storm 14W to Tropical Depression 14W.

Storm names

Western North Pacific tropical cyclones are named by the RSMC Tokyo-Typhoon Center of the Japan Meteorological Agency. Names are selected from the following lists, there is no annual list. Names were contributed by 13 members of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, except for Singapore. The 13 nations or territories, along with the Federated States of Micronesia, each submitted 10 names, which are used in alphabetical order by the English name of the country. The list is the same as 2007 season with the exception of Sanba, Maliksi, Son Tinh, Leepi, and Mangkhut which respectively replaced Chanchu, Bilis, Saomai, Xangsane, and Durian