Typhoon Rammasun (2008)

Typhoon Rammasun (Butchoy)
Typhoon Rammasun near peak intensity on May 10
Meteorological history
FormedMay 7, 2008
ExtratropicalMay 13, 2008
DissipatedMay 14, 2008
Violent typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds195 km/h (120 mph)
Lowest pressure915 hPa (mbar); 27.02 inHg
Category 4-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds250 km/h (155 mph)
Lowest pressure922 hPa (mbar); 27.23 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities4 direct
Injuries40
Damage$9.6 million (2008 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines, Japan
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Part of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Rammasun, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Butchoy, was recognized as the second typhoon of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Rammasun was also recognised as the third tropical storm, the second typhoon and the first super typhoon of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Rammasun formed on May 5 as a tropical disturbance. The next day the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a tropical cyclone formation alert on the developing disturbance. On May 7 both the JTWC and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the disturbance as a tropical depression, while PAGASA named the depression Butchoy. Later that day both the JMA and the JTWC upgraded the depression to a tropical storm with the JMA naming the storm Rammasun. On May 9 both the JTWC and the JMA upgraded Rammasun to a typhoon. The next day the JMA and the JTWC reported that Rammasun had reached its peak winds of 195 and 250 km/h (121 and 155 mph) respectively, which made Rammasun a Category 4 super typhoon on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. After reaching its peak intensity, Rammasun weakened and was downgraded to severe tropical storm on May 12, before the JTWC declared it extratropical and issued their final advisory. The JMA did not issue their final advisory until several hours later. Within Japan an estimated 10 hectares (25 acres) of farmland were damaged. In all, the typhoon killed four people, injured 40 others and caused $9.6 million (2008 USD) worth of damage in both the Philippines and Japan.