MANILA, Philippines – The state weather bureau PAGASA released the tropical cyclone names it will use this year.
The country’s first tropical cyclone for 2022 is ‘Agaton’, which was developed into a tropical depression on April 9.
On average, there are 20 tropical cyclones that could form or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) each year.
PAGASA gives the local name to tropical cyclones that develop in the Western Pacific, from the pool of Philippine Tropical Cyclone Names, arranged alphabetically.
Meanwhile, Japan Meteorological Agency’s Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) assigns the international name of the cyclone based from the contribution of different countries including the Philippines.
For this year, names were taken from a list of names, that was last used during 2018 and are scheduled to be used again in 2026, 2030 and 2034. All of the names are the same except Obet, Rosal and Umberto which replaced the names Ompong, Rosita and Usman after they were retired.
Here’s list of 2022 Philippine tropical cyclone names
- Agaton
- Basyang
- Caloy
- Domeng
- Ester
- Florita
- Gardo
- Henry
- Inday
- Josie
- Karding
- Luis
- Maymay
- Neneng
- Obet
- Paeng
- Queenie
- Rosal
- Samuel
- Tomas
- Umberto
- Venus
- Waldo
- Yayang
- Zeny
The PAGASA uses 4 sets of typhoon names in rotation.
Should the list of names for the Philippine region be exhausted or exceeds 25 in a year, then names will be taken from an auxiliary or “reserved” list of which the first ten are published each season.
Auxiliary set of tropical cyclone names
- Agila
- Bagwis
- Chito
- Diego
- Elena
- Felino
- Gunding
- Harriet
- Indang
- Jessa
The names of significant tropical cyclones are retired, by both PAGASA and the Typhoon Committee, if it caused 300 or more deaths, or at least P1 billion of damage to agriculture and infrastructure.
As of 2022, 71 tropical cyclone names have been retired by the PAGASA, with the most recent being Jolina, Maring, and Odette of the previous typhoon season.
About Tropical cyclones
Tropical cyclones derive their energy from the latent heat of condensation which made them exist only over the oceans and die out rapidly on land.
They reach their greatest intensity while located over warm tropical waters and they begin to weaken as they move inland. The intensity of tropical cyclones vary, thus , we can classify them based upon their degree of intensity.
As of March 23, PAGASA revised its definition of a “super typhoon” and its system for alerting the public on the wind strength of tropical cyclones.
A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of at least 185 km/h will now be classified as a super typhoon, compared to the original minimum threshold of winds exceeding 220 km/h.
Modified Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal System
- Signal No. 1: 39-61 km/h (previously 30 to 60 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property
- Signal No. 2: 62-88 km/h (previously 61 to 120 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property
- Signal No. 3: 89-117 km/h (previously 121 to 170 km/h), moderate to significant threat to life and property
- Signal No. 4: 118-184 km/h (previously 171 to 220 km/h), significant to severe threat to life and property
- Signal No. 5: 185 km/h or higher (previously more than 220 km/h), extreme threat to life and property
The new definition is similar to the USA Joint Typhoon Warning Center’s super typhoon classification, when converted to 10-minute averaging.
The classification of tropical cyclones according to the strength of the associated winds as adopted by PAGASA as follows:
Tropical Depression
Less than 62 kilometers per hour maximum sustained winds
Highest wind signal: 1
Tropical Storm
62-88 kph maximum sustained winds
Highest wind signal: 2
Severe Tropical Storm
89-117 kph maximum sustained winds
Highest wind signal: 3
Typhoon
118-184 kph maximum sustained winds
Highest wind signal: 4
Super Typhoon
185 kph or higher maximum sustained winds
Highest wind signal: 5
The Philippines is prone to tropical cyclones due to its geographical location which generally produce heavy rains and flooding of large areas and also strong winds which result in heavy casualties to human life and destructions to crops and properties.
— The Summit Express