|name=. Remove this parameter; the article title is used as the name by default. Surface weather analysis of Ophelia on December 1 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | November 21, 1960 |
| Extratropical | December 6, 1960 |
| Dissipated | December 10, 1960 |
| Typhoon | |
| 10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
| Lowest pressure | 925 hPa (mbar); 27.32 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent super typhoon | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
| Supertyphoon | |
| 10-minute sustained (CMA) | |
| Highest winds | 270 km/h (165 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 928 hPa (mbar); 27.40 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 7 total |
| Areas affected | Ulithi Atoll, Yap, and Japan |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1960 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Ophelia was a long-lived and powerful tropical cyclone that had devastating impacts on the small atoll of Ulithi in the Caroline Islands. Forming as a tropical depression on November 21, 1960 near Enewetak Atoll, the incipient cyclone struggled to develop.[nb 1] Moving haphazardly along an s-shaped track over the western Pacific Ocean, it degenerated into a disturbance two days later. By November 27, the system reorganized and was classified a tropical depression for a second time well to the southeast of Guam. Moving slowly west-southwest, it steadily intensified into a tropical storm later that day and further into a typhoon on November 29 as it gained a steady westward track. The following day, the eye of Ophelia passed directly over Ulithi atoll with winds estimated at 230 km/h (140 mph).[nb 2]
Turning gradually to the north, the typhoon attained peak winds of 250 km/h (160 mph) on December 1. Maintaining strength as a powerful system for several days, the storm remained over open waters. By December 4, it began to weaken as upper-level winds became unfavorable and forced the cyclone to move northeast. Passing Japan well to the southeast that day, its large circulation brought increased winds to the Tokyo area and heavy rain and snow to parts of the nation. Ophelia soon underwent an extratropical transition as it raced over the open Pacific, completing this structural change by December 6. Its remnants later crossed the International Date Line and dissipated over the Gulf of Alaska on December 10.
Ophelia devastated much of Ulithi during its passage, damaging or destroying most structures and killing two people. Agriculture across the area was decimated and geographic changes to coastlines were noted. In Ophelia's wake, dramatic societal changes in the Ulithian culture arose. Traditional values were abandoned in favor of more western ones, with younger individuals attaining a notable increase in power. The local King was disposed of shortly after the storm and a total change in authority took place. In addition to the severe impact in Ulithi, the typhoon was blamed for the deaths of five fishermen when their vessel collided with a coral reef. The name Ophelia was later retired, though unusually its removal was due to its meteorological significance due to its long track and prolonged time as a significant typhoon rather than for loss of life or damage.
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