Open Your Eye to 2018 Super Typhoons in the Western Pacific

Extreme weather events such as typhoons cause societal, economic, and environmental devastation. Typhoons in the Western Pacific Ocean have been more severe due to the changing climate resulting in warmer atmospheric and oceanic temperatures. Often, this severity is seen by heavier precipitation. Heavy precipitation leads to an increase in landslides, runoff, sedimentation, and reduced water quality. Additionally, the livelihoods of most of the people in these regions of the world revolve around agriculture and fishing. Both of these industries can become economically unfit when a typhoon occurs. Heavy precipitation causes flooding which affects agricultural crop land often leading to low or no yield. Heavy precipitation also influences near-shore marine life because of runoff, sedimentation, and turbulent water.

Our study investigates how precipitation varies across the Western Pacific during the 2018 super typhoons. By mapping and quantifying precipitation, we can better understand areas that have been affected by heavy precipitation. Our focus within the 2018 season are on Typhoon Maria and Typhoon Mangkhut. In addition to the lives lost for both Typhoon Mangkhut and Typhoon Maria, they have both caused destruction in the areas hit. Typhoon Mangkhut destroyed croplands, caused at least 28 deaths in the Philippines, and 4.3 million dollars worth of destruction in Guam. Typhoon Maria caused at least 11 deaths through its extensive flooding, wind damage, and landslides. Results showing precipitation patterns during these typhoons will be presented in connection with the environmental, societal and economic effects experienced on the ground in areas affected.