A map of all tropical cyclone tracks, encompassing the period between the years 1985 and 2005.
This is a list of wettest tropical cyclones by country, using all known available sources. Data is most complete for Australia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Taiwan, Micronesia's Yap and Chuuk, and the United States, with fragmentary data available for other countries. The French region of Réunion holds several world records for tropical cyclone and worldwide rainfall, due to the rough topography and its location in the Indian Ocean.[1]
Christmas Island is an Australian territory located in the Indian Ocean located at the summit of a submarine mountain, which rises steeply to a central plateau that is dominated by stands of rainforest.[14] After rainfall and wind observations started on the island during 1972, only 13 tropical cyclones passed within 220 km (135 mi) of the territory between 1972 and 2005.[14]
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants on Christmas Island Highest-known totals
Although Tropical Low 11U in 2013 remained more than 120 km (75 mi) away from the Cocos Islands, wind shear displaced convection westward and over the islands for several days, resulting in record breaking rainfall.[24]
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an Australian territory of 27 coral islands that are formed into two large coral atolls and cover an area of around 36 km2 (14 sq mi) of the Indian Ocean to the northwest of Perth, Australia.[14] Rainfall observations started on the islands during 1907, while temperature, wind and other records started in 1952.[14] Between 1952 and 2005 27 tropical cyclones caused storm force wind gusts of over 90 km/h (55 mph) on the islands, while only four caused hurricane-force gusts of over 125 km/h (80 mph).[14]
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in the Cocos Islands Highest-known totals
Cyclone Komen approaching Bangladesh on July 29, 2015
Bangladesh has been the scene of the greatest tropical cyclone casualties in recent times. The country is quite flat and generally lies near sea level.
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Bangladesh Highest-known totals
This country has terrain mainly across its southern sections, with elevations up to about 3,700 feet (1,100 m).[52] The highest reported rainfall in what was formerly British Honduras occurred during Hurricane Keith in 2000 when 32.67 inches (830 mm) of rain fell in a 24‑hour period at Phillip Goodson International Airport in Belize City.[53] Equally heavy rains could have fallen during Hurricane Hattie of 1961 and Hurricane Fifi of 1974.
Hurricane Keith (2000)
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Belize Highest-known totals
Tropical cyclones are usually in transition to extratropical cyclones by the time they reach Atlantic Canada, though occasionally they retain their tropical status. No tropical cyclone has ever hit Canada's Pacific coast.
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Canada Highest-known totals
China is a mountainous country, which leads to rapid dissipation of cyclones that move inland as well as significant amounts of rain from those dissipating cyclones. Typhoon Nina (1975) caused the collapse of two huge reservoirs and ten smaller dams when 1,062 millimetres (41.8 in) fell in Henan during a 24‑hour period, which is the record for Mainland China. Typhoon Sam of the 1999 Pacific typhoon season became the wettest known tropical cyclone to impact Hong Kong since records began in 1884, breaking a 73‑year‑old record.[75] Precipitation associated with tropical cyclones and their remains can bring snow to Tibet. An early October 2004 tropical depression brought daily precipitation of 6 centimetres (2.4 in) of liquid equivalent precipitation to Che-Ku county in the form of heavy snow, which was a new October daily precipitation record for both rain and snow. This led to a loss of 340,000 kg of food, 230,000 kg of forage grass, and 263 livestock in the snowstorm.[76]
Hurricane Flora of October 1963 drifted across Cuba for four days, leading to extreme rainfall across the mountainous island country. During the heaviest 24‑hour period of rainfall, 735 millimetres (28.9 in) of rain fell at Santiago de Cuba. Total amounts of 2,033 millimetres (80.0 in) over 4 days and 2,550 millimetres (100 in) over 5 days produced staggering loss of life in Cuba, where over 2000 perished.[93]
Hurricane Dennis
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Cuba Highest-known totals
The islands of the eastern Caribbean are constantly threatened by tropical storms and hurricanes, mainly between August and October. Dominica is a rugged island, with spots of elevation as high as nearly 4,750 feet (1,450 m).[94] As Hurricane Jeanne moved through the region, 422.3 millimetres (16.63 in) of rain fell during the 24‑hour period ending on the morning of September 15, 2004.[95]
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Dominica Highest-known totals
The Dominican Republic, has some of the highest terrain surrounding the Caribbean Sea, with Pico Duarte peaking at 10,700 feet (3,300 m) above sea level.[100] Most of the tropical cyclone rainfall totals on the list below are 24‑hour maxima, which likely underrepresent the storm total.
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants the Dominican Republic Highest-known totals
Hurricane Marilyn moved directly across the island in mid-September 1995,[129] bringing the highest known rainfall totals to the island from a tropical cyclone.
Hurricane Luis
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Guadeloupe Highest-known totals
The mountainous island of Réunion has experienced several of the highest rainfall totals on record from tropical cyclones and holds the rainfall world records for 12, 24, 48, 72 hours, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten days as a result.[147][148][149] The 12 and 24 hourly rainfall records were set at Foc-Foc by Cyclone Denise in 1966, while an Unnamed Tropical Cyclone between April 8–10, 1958 set the record for 48 hours at Aurere. Tropical Cyclone Gamede between February 24–28, 2007 came close to beating the records for 12, 24 and 48 hours before setting the records for three, four, five, six, seven, eight and nine days that were held by Tropical Cyclone Hyacinthe 1980.[148][149] Hyacinthe 1980 currently holds the world records for ten and fifteen days with rainfall totals of 5,678 millimetres (223.5 in) and 6,083 millimetres (239.5 in) respectively recorded at Commerson Crater.[149][150]
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants on Reunion island Highest-known totals
Tropical Storm Agatha in May 2010 became the second-wettest tropical cyclone in the nation's history when it slowly developed while remaining nearly stationary to the southwest of Guatemala, before turning northeast and dissipating across inland Central America.[163]
Tropical Storm Agatha (2010)
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants Guatemala Highest-known totals
Haiti that makes up three-eighths of Hispaniola,[169][170] is a mountainous country that has experienced some of the most powerful hurricanes on record, including Hurricane David. Its three mountain ranges have peaks as high as 8793 feet/2680 meters above sea level.[171]
Hurricane Flora
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Haiti Highest-known totals
The precursor tropical disturbance of Tropical Cyclone Inigo in April 2003 dropped heavy rainfall in eastern Indonesia. The rainfall caused flash flooding and mudslides, primarily in Flores but also on West Timor[199] and Sumba.[200] In some locations, the depth of the floodwaters reached 5 metres (16 ft). The Oessao River in West Timor exceeded its banks, which flooded seven villages. In Kupang in West Timor, the system destroyed hundreds of homes and large fields of corn, bean, and rice crop. Heavy damage was reported near Ende, where flooding and mudslides destroyed 20 houses and destroyed the roads connecting to East Flores. The city airport was flooded with one meter (3 ft) of water, preventing aerial transportation and which left the city temporarily isolated. In East Flores Regency in eastern Flores Island, the system left 75 destroyed houses, along with 77 severely damaged and a further 56 receiving light damage.[199]
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Indonesia Highest-known totals
This mountainous island country of Jamaica can get lashed with rainfall by slow-moving tropical cyclones in the western Caribbean Sea. Its interior, the Blue Mountains, reach a height of 7,400 feet (2,300 m) above sea level.[205]
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Jamaica Highest-known totals
Typhoon Namtheun approaching Japan on July 30, 2004
The mountainous island archipelago is constantly struck by typhoons recurving out of the tropics, which are normally in extratropical transition as they pass through Japan. Typhoon Namtheun of the 2004 Pacific typhoon season holds the national 24-hour precipitation record with 1,317 millimetres (51.9 in) observed in Kisawa village,[213] surpassing the previous record of 1,140 mm (45 in) set during Typhoon Fran in 1976.[214]
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Japan Highest-known totals
Typhoon Rusa caused 409 millimetres (16.1 in) of rain to fall at Naze on August 29–30, 2002.[230]Typhoon Aere dropped 314.5 millimetres (12.38 in) of rain in the 65‑hour period ending at 1400 UTC on August 25, 2004, at Ishigakihima.[231]Typhoon Agnes in August 1957 dropped 586.2 millimetres (23.08 in) of rainfall on Marcus Island.[37] In 1972, Typhoon Rita dumped 31.87 in (809 mm) on Okinoerabu Shima.[232]
Tropical cyclones occasionally threaten this central Pacific island. Hurricane Celeste of 1972 brought 6.21 inches (158 mm) to the isle around August 19.[233]
The Korean Peninsula experiences typhoons regularly. Tropical cyclones which impact southern China also lead to, on average, five heavy rainfall events per year across the Korean peninsula.[234]
Very heavy rains fell across Tongchon and Kosong counties during Typhoon Rusa in 2002, where up to 510 millimetres (20 in) of precipitation fell in a 5- to 10-hour period.[230]
Hurricane Wilma of 2005 drifted over the northeast portion of the Yucatán peninsula for a couple of days, dropping significant rains. A report of 1,576 millimetres (62.0 in) was reported by the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional in Mexico,[260] which is the wettest known 24-hour rainfall amount ever measured in Mexico. Second on the list is from Tropical Storm Frances in 1998, which accumulated up to 1,019 millimetres (40.1 in) of rain at Independencia in southern Chiapas.[261] Below is a list of the highest known storm total rainfall amounts from individual tropical cyclones across Mexico. Most of the rainfall information was provided by the Mexico's National Weather Service, Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, which is a part of the National Water Commission, Comisión Nacional del Agua.
Hurricane Wilma
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants Mexico (Overall) Highest-known totals
Elevations of the islands surrounding Chuuk lagoon reach a height of about 1,450 feet (440 m).[272]Typhoon Chataan led to excessive rainfall on this island from June 23 – July 3, 2002, when a total of 939 mm (37.0 in) fell. During the time frame when Chataan was declared a tropical cyclone from July 1–3, 622 mm (24.5 in) fell, with 506 mm (19.9 in) falling on the 2nd alone at the international airport.[273]
Typhoon Chataan
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants on Chuuk Highest-known totals
The wettest known tropical cyclone for the state was Ruby in 1982, which drifted in the island's vicinity for several days during its initial development phase.[277]
Typhoon Ruby (1982)
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Yap state Highest-known totals
Some of the highest elevations on the planet lie in Nepal. Eight out of fourteen highest peaks in the world lie in the Nepalese Himalaya including the highest peak of the World, Mt. Everest (8848 m).[286] During a tropical depression that affected the Indian Subcontinent in 2004, 51.3 millimetres (2.02 in) of rain fell at Kathmandu airport in the 24‑hour period ending at 1200 UTC on October 7.[76]
Most tropical cyclones which pass near New Zealand are in extratropical transition (ET) or have become extratropical, which can enhance their heavy rainfall threat.
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in New Zealand Highest-known totals
During the passage of Tropical Cyclone Heta in January 2004, the Niue Meteorological Station reported a record 24-hour rainfall of 999.2 millimetres (39.34 in).[313]
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants on Niue Highest-known totals
Cyclone Phet, a cyclone making landfall in Pakistan in June 2010 as a deep depression
Tropical cyclones for the Arabian Sea usually affect Pakistan. Tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal can affect Pakistan, though they usually weaken by the time they reach the Pakistani coastline.[322]
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Pakistan Highest-known totals
Inflow to the south of Hurricane Mitch brought impressive rainfalls to Panama. Veledero de Tole recorded 695 millimetres (27.4 in) of rainfall between October 22 and 31, 1998.
Tropical Cyclone Eline in February 2000 dropped significant rains on portions of South Africa. The highest amount noted was 480 mm (19 in) at Thohoyandou.[357]
A tropical depression in early October 2004 led to heavy rains across Sri Lanka. The maximum was measured at Galle where 117.2 mm (4.61 in) fell in the 24‑hour period ending at 0600 UTC on the 2nd.[76]
Tropical Cyclone Darius of New Year's Eve/Day of 2003/2004 passed about 45 miles (72 km) west-northwest of the island. Rainfall over the 24‑hour period of closest approach was 135 mm (5.3 in).[359]
The mountainous island of Taiwan experiences an average of 1.8 tropical cyclone landfalls each year.[citation needed] Due to its rugged topography, Taiwan sees extreme rains from tropical cyclones, particularly in its central mountain range.
Typhoon Morakot
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Taiwan Highest-known totals
Bermuda has not historically received overwhelming rains out of tropical cyclones. This could be because of the rapid pace storms usually pass the island and the lack of mountains on the island.
Hurricane Nicole (2016)
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Bermuda Highest-known totals
A few tropical cyclones have skimmed the northern coast of South America over recent decades. Tropical Storm Bret (1993) dropped 339 millimetres (13.3 in) of rain in ten hours at Guanare, Portuguesa, Venezuela.[411]
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