Typhoon_Imbudo

Typhoon Imbudo

Typhoon Imbudo (international designation: 0307, JTWC designation: 09W, PAGASA name Typhoon Harurot and sometimes known as Super Typhoon Imbudo) was the 9th JTWC tropical depression (09W), the 7th named storm, and the 7th typhoon of the 2003 Pacific typhoon season. The typhoon's name, contributed by the Philippines, means funnel or downspout.

Meteorological history

An area of convection was first noted near Chuuk on July 13. It slowly developed, reforming on the 15th to the southwest of the previous area. Moderate diffluence and little shear aloft, with an upper level low to the northeast providing poleward outflow, allowed the area to become Tropical Depression 09W about east-southeast of Yap on July 16.

The depression tracked to the northwest along the southwestern periphery of the mid-level ridge, and with warm sea temperatures, it became Tropical Storm Imbudo on July 17. Imbudo intensified at a quick pace, reaching typhoon status on the 18th. With increased banding features and even greater from a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough cell to its northeast, Imbudo rapidly strengthened to a super typhoon on the 20th. The typhoon continued its northwest movement, where it weakened due to an eyewall replacement cycle and the weakening of the TUTT. In the morning of July 22, Imbudo struck northern Luzon as a typhoon.

After crossing Luzon, Imbudo emerged in the South China Sea as a typhoon. With generally favorable conditions, the typhoon restrengthened to , but dry air to its northeast weakened it slightly. Typhoon Imbudo made landfall for a second time on southern China early on July 24 with winds of . It rapidly weakened over land, and dissipated that night.

Impact

The strongest typhoon to hit Luzon in 5 years, Imbudo caused flash flooding and strong wind damage. Twenty-one people were killed, with crop damage estimated at $37 million (2003 USD). Extensive damage was also done to buildings throughout northern Luzon, largely due to the typically poor standard of living in the area. Public Storm Signal #4 was up first time in 5 years.

Southern China fared worse than Luzon, with Imbudo causing 20 casualties and $302.6 million in damage. The storm caused landslides and heavy flooding in the Hainan Province, the Guangdong Province, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Due to its destruction, the name Imbudo was retired and replaced with Molave.