Typhoon Bolaven

Post Landfall 1 | Summary
Posting Date: August 28, 2012, 2:30:00 PM

After weakening to borderline tropical storm/typhoon strength (120 km/h 10-minute sustained winds), Typhoon Bolaven made landfall in North Korea north of Pyongyang, the country’s capital, at about 11:00 a.m. EDT today, August 28, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency’s (JMA) 15:00 UTC Advisory. Earlier, Bolaven passed over the westernmost region of southern North Korea at about 3:00 p.m. local time with tropical storm winds of about 100 km/h (1-minute maximum sustained winds) and then crossed into Korea Bay. In its Advisory, the JMA located Bolaven roughly in the center of the curve of the Korea Bay coast at approximately 39.5° North, 124.4° East, or about 50 to 100 kilometers northwest of Pyongyang. It is travelling northward and slightly east at about 32 km/h. Earlier, on its closest approach to South Korea, Bolaven passed about 190 km west of Incheon and 220 km west of Seoul, thus limiting its impact on these two highly populated cities. Bolaven has, however, brought significant precipitation to the Korean peninsula. The maximum observed daily precipitation through 11:00 p.m. local time, August 28, was 201 mm in Gangjin Gun, on the southwest coast of South Korea. Incheon and Seoul received significantly lesser amounts, 7.3 mm and 9.5 mm, respectively. A maximum wind speed of 69 km/h, with gusts up to 98 km/h, was reported in Seoul. Reported Impacts Bolaven’s arrival as a severe tropical storm disrupted North Korea’s first celebration of “Youth Day” since the country’s new leader, Kim Jong Un, took power in December of last year. In Pyongyang, according to news reports, residents appeared to be going about their daily activities. Street flooding was minor, according to the most recent reports. However, North Korea experienced heavy flooding in July, when, according to the UN, more than 170 people died. Many of the flood survivors still live in tents and have limited access to water and other basic facilities; these people—poorly protected as they are—will be severely tried by Bolaven. According to the official North Korean news agency, Bolaven has knocked down hundreds of trees, destroyed power cables, and caused blackouts in the western cities of Kaesong and Haeju. Throughout Tuesday local time, Bolaven hit South Korea with strong winds and heavy rain. A storm warning was issued for Seoul, the South Korean capital. Throughout the country, power was knocked out for 1.7 million homes and businesses, although by Tuesday night local time all but about 200,000 had had power restored. Nearly 200 flights were canceled, and the storm temporarily halted joint exercises underway by U.S. and South Korean military forces. In addition, more than 15,000 schools canceled classes, while businesses and homes taped windows to keep them from shattering. News reports describe the storm knocking over street lights and church spires, and ripping signs from stores. Bolaven’s rough seas smashed two Chinese fishing boats into rocks off South Korea’s Jeju island, where conditions were especially harsh. The surviving crews were rescued in a daring effort by the South Korean coast guard. According to the South Korean National Emergency Management Agency, more than 80 families have been left homeless because of flood or storm damage, and, by its most recent accounting, nine people have been killed. Forecast Track for Severe Tropical Storm Bolaven (Source: JMA) Forecast Track and Intensity Bolaven has tracked northward at about 42 km/h for the past 6 hours, and is currently undergoing extratropical transition as it encounters increased wind shear; its low-level circulation is expanding. The storm is forecast to continue to track north-northeastward farther into North Korea and then into China over the next 12 hours, during which time it will continue to weaken and will finally transition into an extratropical low pressure system. This will be the last update on Typhoon Bolaven.

Post Landfall 1 | Downloads
Posting Date: August 28, 2012, 2:30:00 PM