Typhoon Fengshen (2008) - Meteorological History

Meteorological History

Early on June 15, 2008, a tropical disturbance formed about 305 nmi (565 km) to the south of Yap. At this time the disturbance had convection flaring over a wide low level circulation centre and was located within an area of low vertical wind shear. Over the next couple of days the disturbance moved towards the northwest and was designated as a Tropical Depression late on June 17, by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) who run the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in Tokyo, Japan. Later that day the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert as convective banding had continued to consolidate around the low level circulation center. Early the next day the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration named the depression as Frank. The JTWC then designated Frank as Tropical Depression 07W later that day whilst Frank was positioned to the south of a low level subtropical ridge of low pressure. Later that day the JTWC reported that Frank had intensified into a Tropical Storm. Early on June 19, the JMA upgraded the depression to a Tropical Storm and named it as Tropical Storm Fengshen.

Later that day Fengshen started rapidly intensify becoming a Severe Tropical Storm later that day and then both the JMA and the JTWC upgraded Fengshen to a Typhoon. Early the next day Fengshen made its first landfall on Samar Island in the Philippines. As Fengshen moved towards the northwest the typhoon continued to intensify.

Fengshen was initially forecast to go through the 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.

Fengshen passed Metro Manila between 5 am and 6 am Sunday. With winds of 165 km/h, This was confirmed by eyewitness reports of the weather becoming suddenly calm after strong winds and rains in Quezon City, Marikina, and other nearby areas.

Typhoon Fengshen, after creating havoc in the Philippines, travelled through the South China Sea early on June 23 and was heading northwards towards China. Soon after moving into the South China Sea, the JMA and PAGASA downgraded it to a severe tropical storm while the JTWC downgraded Fengshen from a typhoon to a tropical storm. PAGASA then issued its final advisory on Fengshen due to the storm leaving PAGASA's Area of Responsibility.

Around June 24 22:00 UTC, Tropical Storm Fengshen made landfall on Shenzhen, Guangdong, entering Mainland China. The JTWC announced their final warning later that day.