Tropical Storm Higos (2020)

This article is about the 2020 tropical storm. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Higos and List of storms named Helen.

Severe Tropical Storm Higos (Helen)

Severe Tropical Storm Higos at peak intensity on August 19.
Meteorological history
Formed	August 16, 2020
Dissipated	August 20, 2020
Severe tropical storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds	100 km/h (65 mph)
Lowest pressure	992 hPa (mbar); 29.29 inHg
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	110 km/h (70 mph)
Lowest pressure	988 hPa (mbar); 29.18 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	7
Damage	≥$142 million (2020 USD)
Areas affected	Mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong
IBTrACS
Part of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season

Severe Tropical Storm Higos, known in the Philippines as Tropical Depression Helen, was a tropical storm that affected China and Vietnam around the same area as Nuri two months prior. Higos formed from a tropical disturbance north of Luzon, the Philippines, on August 16. The storm tracked northeast and quickly intensified, becoming a tropical storm on August 17. The storm made landfall in Zhuhai, Guangdong at peak intensity on August 19, and quickly weakened soon after. Higos killed 7 people and caused 45 billion đồng (US$2 million) in damages in Vietnam. Higos also caused more than US$140 million in damages, but no fatalities in China.^[1]

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A new tropical depression formed from the Intertropical Convergence Zone east of Luzon on August 16. At 15:00 UTC, the PAGASA named the system Helen and began issuing severe weather bulletins for the tropical depression, but dropped the alerts as Helen left the Philippine area of responsibility after 4 hours.^[2][3] Around 21:00 UTC, JTWC issued the first Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the developing tropical depression. Early on the next day, JTWC followed suit from JMA and PAGASA by upgrading the system into Tropical Depression 08W. Shortly after, Helen intensified into a tropical storm and were given the name Higos by the JMA. Later in the day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center also upgraded Higos into a tropical storm. JMA eventually upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm by evening that day. The Hong Kong Observatory and Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau upgraded Higos into a marginal typhoon prior to landfall, with sustained hurricane-force winds in Macau indicating such an intensity. Higos made landfall over Zhuhai, Guangdong at peak intensity at around 06:00 CST on August 19 (22:00 UTC on August 18).^[4] After landfall, Higos quickly weakened soon after and would dissipate in Guizhou, China on August 20.

Preparations and impact

In preparation for Higos, the Hong Kong Observatory raised the number 9 tropical cyclone warning signal in Hong Kong to warn of the possibility of hurricane-force winds. Winds generally reached gale to storm force over the southern part of Hong Kong under the influence of Higos' small circulation.^[5] The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau issued the number 10 signal, the highest signal, at 05:00 am local time.^[6] Over 65,000 people evacuated and schools were closed across these areas. Power was knocked out in Meizhou, after trees knocked down power lines.^[7] Two campers who were unaware of the approaching storm had to be rescued from Tap Mun Island after arriving on August 14.^[8] The storm also left 7 deaths and 45 billion đồng (US$2 million) in damages in Vietnam.^[9]

See also

• Weather of 2020
• Tropical cyclones in 2020

References

1. "Global Catastrophe Recap September 2020" (PDF). Aon. October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
2. "Severe Weather Bulletin #1 for Tropical Depression "Helen"" (PDF). PAGASA. 2020-08-17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-08-17. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
3. "Severe Weather Bulletin #2-FINAL for Tropical Depression "Helen"" (PDF). PAGASA. 2020-08-17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-08-17. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
4. Xiang Xin (19 August 2020). "台风"海高斯"登陆广东珠海 广东等地遭强风雨冲击" (in Chinese). Beijing, China: National Meteorological Center of CMA. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
5. "Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals". www.hko.gov.hk.
6. "Typhoon signal No.10 hoisted". Macau Business. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
7. The Associated Press (August 19, 2020). "Typhoon adds to southern China's rain and flooding woes". ABC News. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
8. Clifford Lo; Ng Kang-chung (August 19, 2020). "Camper and 70-year-old mum rescued after being trapped on remote island while Typhoon Higos lashes Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
9. Danh Trong (August 20, 2020). "Tropical Storm number 4 caused 7 deaths and more than 45 billion dong in damages". Tuổi Trẻ News. Retrieved August 25, 2020.

External links