&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Wutip_2019-02-25_0600Z.png) Wutip at its secondary peak intensity west of the island of Guam, on February 25 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | February 18, 2019 |
| Dissipated | March 2, 2019 |
| Violent typhoon | |
| 10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
| Highest winds | 195 km/h (120 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 920 hPa (mbar); 27.17 inHg |
| Category 5-equivalent super typhoon | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 270 km/h (165 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 895 hPa (mbar); 26.43 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Damage | >$3.3 million (2019 USD) |
| Areas affected | Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2019 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Wutip, known in the Philippines as Tropical Depression Betty, was the most powerful February typhoon on record, surpassing Typhoon Higos of 2015.[1] The third tropical cyclone, second tropical storm, and the first typhoon of the 2019 Pacific typhoon season, Wutip originated from a low-pressure area on February 16, 2019, that generally tracked westward, passing just south of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), before organizing into a tropical depression on February 18. The depression was later classified a tropical storm a day later, attaining the name Wutip from the Japan Meteorological Agency. The storm gradually intensified as it turned northwest, before it underwent rapid intensification on February 23, while passing to the southwest of Guam, and reached its first peak intensity. With winds of 270 km/h (165 mph) estimated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Wutip became the first Category 5-equivalent super typhoon on record in the month of February. Wutip underwent an eyewall replacement cycle shortly afterward and weakened. The storm finished its cycle on February 24, rapidly intensifying once again. Wutip reached a secondary peak intensity the following day, again attaining Category 5-equivalent winds. Thereafter, Wutip rapidly weakened for the rest of its lifespan from strong vertical wind shear, before dissipating over the Philippine Sea on March 2.
As tropical cyclone watches and warnings were issued and citizens sought shelter, Typhoon Wutip crossed the FSM and inflicted significant damage towards its agriculture and infrastructure, contaminating water sources across the affected islands with its floods and leaving 11,575 people in need of food. Later on, Wutip induced power outages in Guam and caused damage that added to the total of over $3.3 million (2019 USD).[2][3] The Northern Mariana Islands received minor impact, and there were no casualties reported in any of the affected areas nonetheless. In response to the effects, both the FSM and Guam received aid from international governments and organizations.