Tropical Storm Talas - Formation and Impacts at Kwajalein Atoll

Tropical Storm (TS) Talas developed rapidly on 10 December 2004 and passed just to the south of Kwajalein, Marshall Islands near midnight on 11 December 2004. Despite being a minimal tropical storm, TS Talas had a significant impact not only on the residents of Kwajalein Atoll, but on mission operations at Ronald Reagan Test Site (RTS)/United States Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA). Storm data, including radar, satellite, and surface and upper air observations as well as a summary of impacts will be presented.

The environment in which TS Talas formed will also be discussed. A strong correlation between tropical cyclone frequency and the phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has been observed at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. The vast majority of all tropical cyclones, and all of those that reached typhoon intensity, that have occurred within 300 miles of RTS/USAKA over the last 50 years have been coincident with the positive phase of ENSO. In addition, the presence of a Madden Julian Oscillation appears to be a frequent precursor to the development of cyclones in the Eastern Marshall Islands. By contrast, no storms have developed within 300 miles of RTS/USAKA over the last 50 years during a negative phase of ENSO.