&sq=&lang=&file=File:Mekkhala_2015-01-17_0414Z.jpg) Severe Tropical Storm Mekkhala at peak intensity on January 17 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | January 13, 2015 |
| Dissipated | January 21, 2015 |
| Severe tropical storm | |
| 10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
| Highest winds | 110 km/h (70 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 975 hPa (mbar); 28.79 inHg |
| Category 1-equivalent typhoon | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 970 hPa (mbar); 28.64 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 3 total |
| Damage | $8.92 million (2015 USD) |
| Areas affected | Caroline Islands, Philippines |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2015 Pacific typhoon season | |
Severe Tropical Storm Mekkhala,[nb 1] known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Amang, was an early-season tropical cyclone that made landfall over the Philippines in January 2015. Mekkhala killed three people in the Bicol Region and caused light crop damage. Notably, the storm disturbed Pope Francis’ visit to the country after the victims of Typhoon Haiyan on November 8, 2013. Although the storm also caused an airplane crash in Tacloban, nobody was hurt in the incident.
The system developed on January 13 between the Philippines and Guam. Moving west-northwest for its duration, Mekkhala passed north of Yap State on January 14 while slowly intensifying due to moderate wind shear. Conditions became more favorable on January 16, when the storm quickly strengthened to peak winds of at least 110 km/h (70 mph); a ragged eye prompted the American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to upgrade it to a typhoon. The storm weakened slightly and made landfall on the Philippine island of Samar on January 17. Mekkhala weakened further over land, dissipating on January 21 east of Luzon.
- ^ "List of names for tropical cyclones adopted by the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee for the western North Pacific and the South China Sea (valid as of 2015)". Japan Meteorological Agency. 2015. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
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