East Asia is becoming the world’s most active region for typhoons, with experts warning that warming ocean temperatures fueled by climate change are driving an increase in both their frequency and severity.
The immediate impact is evident in recent events. Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated the Philippines, leaving at least 140 people dead and many more missing. The storm subsequently made landfall in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Fung-wong is currently forming and heading towards the Philippines. It is projected to intensify into a severe storm by Sunday.
Scientists explain that these powerful weather systems are all “tropical cyclones,” though known by different names globally. They are called hurricanes in the Atlantic, cyclones in the Indian Ocean, and typhoons in the Western Pacific.
A storm is classified as a tropical storm when its wind speeds reach 39 miles per hour (63 kilometers per hour). It becomes a typhoon or hurricane once wind speeds surpass 74 miles per hour (119 kilometers per hour).
Storms are rated on a five-level intensity scale, with Level 5 signifying winds exceeding 155 miles per hour (249 kilometers per hour). Kalmaegi was among the severe storms recorded this year.
The Western Pacific typhoon season spans nearly the entire year, with peak activity occurring between May and November. This period is characterized by warm sea temperatures and high humidity, conditions ideal for storm formation.
Data from Colorado State University indicates the Western Pacific experiences an average of 27 named storms annually. Approximately 14 of these typically strengthen into full-fledged typhoons.
Kalmaegi and Fung-wong are the 26th and 27th named storms of the current year. While the number of named storms is slightly above average, experts emphasize the long-term trend of increasing intensity and frequency.
Professor Kristen Corbosiero of the University at Albany attributes the region’s frequent storms to year-round warm ocean waters and weak upper-level winds. These conditions facilitate both storm formation and intensification.
Additionally, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), an atmospheric wave that circulates the globe every 30 to 60 days, can stimulate increased rainfall and storms in areas it passes through. A strong MJO recently moved through East Asia, contributing to the near-simultaneous formation of Kalmaegi and Fung-wong.
Experts collectively warn that rising global sea temperatures, a direct consequence of climate change, will lead to Western Pacific typhoons that are not only more frequent but also significantly more powerful. This trend underscores a clear and growing impact of climate change across the Asian region.