INTRODUCTION A Typhoon also known as cyclone or hurricane in the western Pacific Ocean.

The term Typhoon is considered as one of the severed type of weather. A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean between 180 and 100E. This region is referred to as the northwest Pacific basin.1 The English word typhoon could have originated from Urdu toofaan - a cyclonic storm. It also appears to be related in pronunciation to the Chinese word and Korean word meaning "great wind" as spoken in southern Chinese dialects such as Hakka and Cantonese2. The history of typhoon presents a perfect example of the long journey that many words made in coming to English. It traveled from Greece to Arabia to India, and also arose independently in China, before assuming its current form in our language. The Greek word tuph n, used both as the name of the father of the winds and a common noun meaning "whirlwind, typhoon," was borrowed into Arabic during the middle Ages, when Arabic learning both. Preserved and expanded the classical heritage and passed it on to Europe and other parts of the world.3 Typhoons occur most frequently in the late summer. They form over warm seas between about 5 and 20 degrees of latitude from the equator. They tend to move west, northwest, and eventually northeast at speeds of 10 to 20 miles (16 to 32 kilometers) per hour. Inside a typhoon, strong winds blow in a counterclockwise direction around an area of low pressure at the storm's center, which is called the eye. The eye usually measures about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 64 kilometers) in diameter. The strongest winds blow inside the eye wall, a ring of clouds that surrounds the eye. These winds often reach speeds of more than 110 miles (180 kilometers) per hour.4 Most typhoons are created in the high seas, specifically the Pacific Ocean. Through, warm shallow tropical waters, but not just any warm shallow waters, the islands in the Pacific Ocean called the Federated States of Micronesia5. 90% of all typhoons originate in this area. The consistently favorable weather systems and the warm shallow waters is the main incubator for a typhoon.
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^ Chris Landsea (2010-06-01). "Subject: F1) What regions around the globe have tropical cyclones and who is responsible for forecasting there?". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2011-03-30. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon (accessed on August 15, 2012) 2 http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=typhoonEtymology Online - Typhoon] (accessed on August 15, 2012) 3 http://www.thefreedictionary.com/typhoon (accessed on August 15, 2012) 4 http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081104090554AANJzwp (accessed on August 15, 2012) 5 http://blog.friendlyforecast.com/what-is-a-typhoon-typhoon-information-on-how-they-form-occur/ (Accessed on August 15, 2012)

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There are 3 different paths the typhoon can take northward, recurved and straight. If the typhoon heads northward it really effects only small islands Hawaii, Guam and sometimes they make it all the way to Russia and Alaska in a weakened state. If the typhoon is headed straight or recurved it is at its most destructive and can affect the countries of China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. As we observed, names are given to different typhoons. The list of names consists of entries from 17 East Asian nations and the United States who have territories directly affected by typhoons. The submitted names are arranged into five lists; and each list is cycled with each year. Unlike tropical cyclones in other parts of the world, typhoons are not named after people. Instead, they generally refer to animals, flowers, astrological signs, and a few personal names. However, PAGASA retains its own naming list, which does consist of human names.6 Therefore, a typhoon can possibly have two names. Storms that cross the date line from the central Pacific retain their original name, but the designation of hurricane becomes typhoon. In Japan, typhoons are also given a numerical designation according to the sequence of their occurrence in the calendar year.7 In the Philippines, tropical cyclones (typhoons) are called bagyo.8 Tropical cyclones entering the Philippine area of responsibility are given a local name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services 9, which also raises public storm signal warnings as Administration (PAGASA) deemed necessary.10

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Op. cit., How. USA Today. 2007-11-01. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoon (Accessed on August 16, 2012) Op. cit., Japan Meteorological Agency (2001-05-25). "Annual Report on Activities of the RSMC Tokyo Typhoon Center: 2000". pp. iii, 11. 8 Glossary of Meteorology. Baguio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoons_in_the_Philippines 9 Republic of the Philippines. Department of Science and Technology. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. (n.d.). The Modified Philippine Public Storm Warning Signals 10 Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Hurricane Research Division."Frequently Asked Questions: What are the upcoming tropical cyclone names?".NOAA.

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Effect of Typhoon or Cyclone or Hurricane As with other severe type of weather, typhoon or hurricane may also bring destruction. Typhoons are characterized by large masses of clouds, which spiral around a central point, or eye. Infamous for their destructive powers, typhoons can generate winds of more than 75 miles/hour and have been known to cause flash floods with their intensive rainfall. Buildings and infrastructure, trees and other vegetation, watercraft and water operations, and human and animal life can all be affected. The two most destructive forces associated with typhoons are wind and Typhoon winds can affect buildings and other structures in two ways: through direct force and through projectiles.12 Direct force is when a wind gust slams directly into a building or structure and causes physical damage, such as when wind blows the roof off a home. Wind can also inflict damage by picking up and launching debris and other items, such as tree branches and building materials, into buildings and other structures. The heavy and persistent rainfall that typhoons bring can also have devastating effects. In addition to making homes uninhabitable, the flooding associated with typhoons can make roads impassable, which can cripple rescue and aid efforts. rain.11 Typhoons can also affect the natural environment, and cause harm to trees and other vegetation, including crops that communities may rely on for sustenance or trade, or both. Strong winds can snap branches; detach and injure leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds; and uproot trees and plants. Flooding can produce over-saturation and drown out vegetation. Typhoons also deposit large quantities of salt onto plant life, which can have adverse effects. According to the Green Fun website, trees and vegetation in urban areas are more susceptible to typhoon damage, as they tend to grow in poor, restricted soil conditions. Both human and animal life can be impacted, and ultimately taken, by the destructive forces of typhoons.13 While this can occur directly, such as if an individual is struck by debris or is caught in a building collapse, perhaps the more silent killer is the lack of available resources and infrastructure that results. According to the Facts and Details website, flooding from typhoons can destroy food stocks and supplies, and spread disease. When communities are cut off by typhoons, individuals may not be able to get the medical attention they so desperately need, and starvation becomes a big risk as well.

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http://www.ehow.com/list_6060279_effects-typhoons.html (Accessed on August 16, 2012) Ibid., Green Fun website 13 Ibid.

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FLOODING

LANDSLIDE

DAMAGE IN INFRASTRUCTURE

HUMAN FATALITY

AGRICULTURAL DAMAGES

DISEASES

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REFLECTION Weather is a friend and a destroyer, it is a friend because it grant water, air and sunlight to equally human and animals. It promotes growth in plants. Lastly, it provides us favorable living condition in our environment. In the other hand, weather can also be a stealer of life; it provides devastation to the living. One of this is the Typhoon or Hurricane. This type of weather situation brings strong wind and enormous rain fall that causes immense damage not only to infrastructure but human lives as well. A Typhoon is an unusual phenomenon by which too much rain fall can be detrimental to the health and safety of people. This cause by what we call global warming that is currently happening in earth. Two years ago, the Philippines were struck by a massive typhoon carrying the name of Ondoy. It was probably the most devastating typhoon for the past 20 years that the Philippines experience. Unfortunately, we cannot stop typhoons to enter from our country but there still something that we can do as people for our environment protect it! Yes, we need to adapt and plant more mangroves to protect our forests. We need to stop mining before it entirely destroys our mountains. Our people have suffered enough. We have been used to typhoons in the past and have managed to survive with the assistance of our rich environment. Our forests have shielded us from strong rains and winds and protected our top soil from flash floods and erosion. Our mangrove swamps and coral reefs safeguarded us from tidal waves yet provided us with food and livelihood. We need to protect ourselves by protecting our forests and consider heavy reforestation. We need to put a moratorium on mining and extraction and initiate thinking that this is for our advantage. More than that, we need to make our voices heard loud and clear: mitigate Greenhouse Gases and stop the ecological time bomb. These are just plain things we can do to save the little things that was left from our destruction. We have to be involved and be responsive of the effects that we are experiencing at the moment. Through typhoon, we only loss few valuable things, but if we just let it happened without intrusion, maybe in the near future we will loss EVERYTHING! Angelica Obregon

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