&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:Typhoon_Joan_1959_surface_analysis.png) Surface weather analysis of Typhoon Joan at nearing landfall in Taiwan on August 29 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 25, 1959 |
| Extratropical | August 31, 1959 |
| Dissipated | September 2, 1959 |
| Typhoon | |
| 10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
| Lowest pressure | 885 hPa (mbar); 26.13 inHg |
| Category 5-equivalent super typhoon | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 325 km/h (200 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 879 hPa (mbar); 25.96 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 41 |
| Damage | ≥$3 million (1959 USD) |
| Areas affected | China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan |
Part of the 1959 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Joan was an intense typhoon that caused minor damages in relative to the strength of the typhoon. Joan was the strongest typhoon of 1959 Pacific typhoon season, and one of the most intense Pacific typhoons on record. Joan formed from a surface center to the northeast of Guam on August 23, in which Japan Meteorological Agency began to track and classify the system as a tropical depression on the next day. A reconnaissance aircraft was sent to investigate the surface center and in 03:25 UTC on August 25 the surface center was classified as a tropical storm by Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The storm rapidly intensified into a typhoon in the same day it was formed. By the next three days as Joan tracks towards Taiwan, Joan explosively intensified to attain peak intensity with the pressure of 885 millibars (26.1 inHg), which is tied with Nina as the most intense Pacific typhoon on the record at the time.[1] Shortly afterwards, Joan attained peak strength as a Category 5 equivalent super typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale with winds of 165 knots (190 mph) before making landfall in Taiwan as a 160 knots (180 mph) typhoon, which was according to JTWC is the strongest landfall in the recorded history at the time. After making landfall, Joan weakened into a 110 knots (130 mph) typhoon before making landfall on Fujian, China as a Category 2 equivalent typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale with winds of 95 knots (109 mph). Once onshore, Joan did not degenerate quickly as Joan remained as a tropical cyclone for about one day before transitioning into a extratropical cyclone in 18:00 UTC of August 31. Extratropical remnants of Joan quickly traversed through South Korea and Japan before being last noted on 18:00 UTC, September 2.
In Taiwan, damages were considerable with 3,308 homes being destroyed and $3 million in crop damage were recorded. 11 people were killed and 74 people were injured during the onslaught of the storm. In mainland China, Joan caused 60 casualties, including 3 deaths. In South Korea, Joan caused several rivers on the Korean peninsula to overflow their banks, killing 17 people and injuring 21. Another 7,000 people were rendered homeless.