Tropical Depression Winnie

This article is about the 2004 system. For the 1997 typhoon, see Typhoon Winnie. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Winnie.

Tropical Depression Winnie was a weak and short lived yet catastrophic tropical cyclone that killed nearly 1,600 people after triggering widespread flooding in the Philippines in late November 2004. It was the second deadliest tropical cyclone of 2004 worldwide, only surpassed by Hurricane Jeanne. A depression, which formed east of Samar, brought heavy rain to areas where it passed through, and affecting many areas, owing to Winnie’s large cloudiness.

Tropical Depression Winnie

Tropical Depression Winnie over the Philippines
Meteorological history
Formed	November 29, 2004
Dissipated	November 30, 2004
Tropical depression
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds	55 km/h (35 mph)
Lowest pressure	1000 hPa (mbar); 29.53 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	1,593 total
Damage	$14.6 million (2004 USD)
Areas affected	Philippines
Part of the 2004 Pacific typhoon season

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

Tropical Depression Winnie was first identified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on November 27 as a tropical depression east of the Philippines. A poorly organized cyclone, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center briefly issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on November 29. Tracking west-northwestward, Winnie made landfall in southern Luzon.^[1] Upon moving over land, the depression attained its peak intensity with winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a barometric pressure of 1000 mbar (hPa; 29.53 inHg).^[2] Once over land, the system began to weaken before entering the South China Sea. Once over water, Winnie turned northwest, moving along the western Luzon coastline throughout November 29. Early on the following day, advisories on the tropical depression ceased. Winnie was last noted off the northwestern coast of Luzon, later that day.^[1]

Impact

Deadliest Philippine typhoons

Rank	Storm	Season	Fatalities	Ref.
1	Yolanda (Haiyan)	2013	6,300	[3]
2	Uring (Thelma)	1991	5,101–8,000	[4]
3	Pablo (Bopha)	2012	1,901	[4]
4	"Angela"	1867	1,800	[5]
5	Winnie	2004	1,593	[5]
6	"October 1897"	1897	1,500	[5][6]
7	Nitang (Ike)	1984	1,426	[7]
8	Reming (Durian)	2006	1,399	[5][4]
9	Frank (Fengshen)	2008	1,371	[nb 1][8][9]
10	Sendong (Washi)	2011	1,257	[10]

Although a weak tropical cyclone, Tropical Depression Winnie brought torrential rainfall to much of the Visayas and Luzon. Initial estimates stated that at least 300 people were killed by the storm.^[1] However, over time, it was discovered that at least 842 people perished and 751 others were missing, a total of 1,593 people.^[11] Damage from the depression was estimated at 678.7 million Philippine pesos (US$14.6 million).^[12]

Aftermath

Not long after Winnie devastated the central Philippines, the country was struck by another, more powerful tropical cyclone. Typhoon Nanmadol worsened the situation caused by Winnie and killed another 77 people.

Retirement

Due to the extreme death toll caused by the storm in the Philippines, the name Winnie was later retired. The name was replaced with Warren.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Tropical cyclones portal
• Philippines portal

Other Philippines tropical cyclones that claimed more than 1,000 lives

• • Typhoon Bopha (Pablo, 2012)
  • Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda, 2013), deadliest tropical cyclone to strike the Philippines in recent recorded history
  • Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong, 2011)
  • Typhoon Fengshen (Frank, 2008)
  • Typhoon Durian (Reming, 2006)
  • Tropical Storm Thelma (Uring, 1991)
  • 1881 Haiphong Typhoon
  • 1867 Angela Typhoon

Notes

1. The death and missing columns includes deaths caused by Typhoon Fengshen (Frank), in the MV Princess of the Stars disaster.